A youthful Manchester United side earned an unconvincing victory over Astana thanks to a first senior goal from Mason Greenwood.
The Red Devils failed to threaten for large periods of the match while visiting goalkeeper Nenad Eric denied an out-of-sorts Marcus Rashford on numerous occasions.
However, Solskjaer’s side kept pushing and were eventually rewarded when Greenwood shook off his man to fire home with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Express Sport have rated how the Manchester United players performed during their clash with Astana – but do you agree?
Express Sport have rated how the Manchester United players performed during their clash with Astana – but do you agree?
Manchester United player ratings vs Astana – Europa League
GK: Sergio Romero – 6
Barely anything to do for large periods of the game but remained alert and commanded his box well.
RB: Diogo Dalot – 5
Saw plenty of the ball down the right flank but often disappointed with his wayward delivery.
Showed great skill on the byline to carve out an opportunity that came to nothing but then missed a glorious chance to make the game safe after Jesse Linagrd’s shot was tipped onto the post.
Man Utd player ratings: Mason Greenwood scored the only goal of the game against Astana (Image: GETTY•buildlineup.com)
Man Utd player ratings: Diogo Dalot’s final delivery let him down on several occasions (Image: GETTY)
CB: Axel Tuanzebe – 6
Got away with a poor pass early on but was otherwise decent in possession and looked accomplished dealing with Dorin Rotariu.
Read the game well and can be happy with his night’s work.
CB: Phil Jones – 5
Guilty of overcommitting himself on occasion, although he did make up for one lunge with an excellent recovery challenge in the first half.
Never looked entirely in control, but was solid enough.
LB: Marcos Rojo – 6
Provided the majoity of the entertainment with barnstorming runs, a fizzing long-range effort and even a rabona.
Barely tested defensively but will have been pleased to get some decent minutes under his belt.
Man Utd player ratings: Marcos Rojo provided much of the entertainment in a dour game (Image: GETTY)
CM: Fred – 7
A rare bright spark for United as he continually tried to make the home side tick.
Passed with purpose and carried the ball well while the Brazilian also got through plenty of defensive work.
By no means spectacular, but definitely better than most.
CM: Nemanja Matic – 5
Looked redundant on a night where the away side rarely threatened, with his pedestrian passing little use when trying to unlock a massed defence.
RAM: Mason Greenwood – 7
Made plenty of clever runs and looked one of United’s most creative players, eventually forcing the breakthrough when he dropped his shoulder and fired a shot through Eric’s legs.
Man Utd player ratings: Greenwood scored his first senior goal at just 17-years-old (Image: GETTY)
CAM: Angel Gomes – 6
Always went looking for work and showed some lovely touches.
Guilty of losing the ball on several occasions but at least he was confident enough to keep taking opponents on.
LAM: Tahith Chong – 5
Has a big future at the club but failed to show his quality on a night when little came off for him, epitomised when he tripped over the ball late on.
ST: Marcus Rashford – 4
Denied by a fantastic save from Eric when just yards from goal which set the tone for a frustrating evening.
The offside flag spared his blushes after volleying wide while the England international shot straight at the visiting keeper on more than one occasion.
Man Utd player ratings: Do you agree with our scores for the Red Devils against Astana? (Image: buildlineup.com)
SUB: Juan Mata (on for Gomes, 67 mins) – 5
Kept the ball well, although he could have played with more pace.
SUB: Jesse Lingard (on for Chong, 67 mins) – 6
Forced Eric into an excellent save with a long-range effort.
SUB: Ashley Young (on for Rojo, 78 mins) – 5
Slotted in seamlessly at left-back.