The EFL Cup was Erik Ten Hag’s best hour at Manchester United, and the competition served to relieve the Dutchman’s pressure here. Storm Agnes is expected to hit the UK this week, but the clouds hanging above Old Trafford have lately dissipated after two victories in four days.
These are little steps in the right direction for United, who appeared unconvincing in the first month of the season. This is what they’ve been looking for: a simple victory. Alejandro Garnacho and Casemiro scored to calm tensions after a tense spell, and Anthony Martial added another.
United are not yet out of the woods, but this win will assist. Sofyan Amrabat made his full debut as an inverted full-back, Mason Mount returned from injury, and Harry Maguire returned to the United backline looking dominating. United are never far from a storm, but it has been a happy few days following their victory over Burnley.
United are still a soap opera off the field, with no takeover in sight and two of their most expensive players barred from the first-team squad, but the players at his disposal are desperate to get the club back on track.
When things aren’t going his way, Martial can appear glum, but he almost smiled when he thudded in the third goal. After being questioned, another player has something to prove.
“Pressure is just part of life at Manchester United, for every single person involved with the club,” Ten Hag said in his matchday programme notes, recognizing the scrutiny he’s been subjected to over the last month. “The demands here are never easy because expectations are so high and everyone is always watching, but you do not wear this crest to have an easy life.”
Amrabat, United’s deadline signing, has had a difficult start at the club. After the current injury to Sergio Reguilon, the Morocco midfielder was utilized as a replacement left-back, although one Ten Hag had used in that position when at Utrecht more than six years earlier.
“He is a midfielder, but he previously played as a full back.” He was one of the greatest holding midfielders during the World Cup, but he is a player who will play anywhere the manager needs him to. He’s a fighter. “I’m sure he’ll fight for the badge,” Ten Hag said.
Ten Hag mentioned players needed to accept the burden of playing for United, and they are still one terrible defeat away from a catastrophe, with Crystal Palace coming to town this weekend. However, some of the positives that United can discover include hungry wingers like Garnacho who are looking to break into the team on a regular basis.
Raphael Varane’s return from injury brings stability, while Amrabat appears at ease in his new surroundings. They have winnable games ahead of them, as well as the opportunity to climb the Premier League table after such a poor start to the season.
Ten Hag changed up his lineup, giving Maguire his first start of the season. Maguire had only started one match since his error in Seville, when United were eliminated from the Europa League, and a rare start in the EFL Cup revealed where the £85 million signing stands in Ten Hag’s pecking order.
While Maguire remained at United despite a lack of guaranteed football, Dean Henderson had left Old Trafford, and his Palace debut came against his former club. His tenure at United was not without controversy, with some criticizing his treatment when he was not promoted to No. 1, but his immediate opportunity to prove his old employer wrong was fleeting.
Last season, he underwent surgery on a thigh condition that kept him out for four months, and his bad luck with injuries continued when he felt a muscular strain while kicking. United took the lead two minutes after being replaced by Sam Johnstone, with the substitute goalie having yet to touch the ball.
United broke through the Palace defense after Facundo Pellistri detected Diogo Dalot’s underlap. As the Palace defenders retreated, Dalot dodged them with a pull-back, and Garnacho finished confidently. This was why fans had called his name over the weekend while he was an unused sub.
A score set up by another returning United player doubled the lead. Mount, returning from a hamstring injury, fizzed over a corner, highlighting the mismatch of Jeff Schlupp marking Casemiro. The Brazilian sprinted down the right flank and angled a header into the far post.
Martial sealed the victory with his first goal of the season 10 minutes into the second half. Casemiro found the French striker with a cross to the far post, which he met first with a half-volley that hit the sidenetting.
Andre Onana was prone to errors early in his United career, but he made two confident saves to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta. Donny van de Beek made his debut appearance in nine months, and the United faithful welcomed him with open arms.