In a recent analysis, Pep Guardiola pointed out a potential tactical misstep by Erik Ten Hag during Manchester United’s match against Manchester City in the Community Shield. Guardiola suggested that Ten Hag’s understanding of tactical adjustments before making key substitutions might have been flawed, leading to a critical error that contributed significantly to United’s defeat.
The match itself was a tightly contested affair, with Manchester United managing to hold Manchester City to a 1-1 draw through regular time. However, the game ultimately tipped in Manchester City’s favor during the penalty shootout. Despite the loss, there were commendable performances from various United players. Here’s a closer look at how each player fared:
**Andre Onana:** Onana had a relatively unchallenged game during regular play, but his passing was somewhat inconsistent. Nevertheless, he made a notable penalty save, which earned him a performance rating of 6/10.
**Diogo Dalot:** Dalot provided a solid defensive presence at right-back, successfully containing City’s Doku. Although there was a desire to see him push forward more during United’s attacks, he made up for it by converting his penalty, also earning a rating of 6/10.
**Harry Maguire:** Coming back from a recent injury, Maguire’s performance was hampered, yet he battled on for nearly an hour. His efforts were rated at 6/10.
**Jonny Evans:** Amid an injury crisis, Evans played the full 90 minutes and did well to keep Haaland at bay, winning several aerial duels. Unfortunately, he missed his penalty, which was a significant disappointment.
**Lisandro Martinez:** Starting as a left-back, a position not his usual role, Martinez’s offensive contribution was limited, but his defensive work was exceptional. He scored his penalty and received a rating of 7/10.
**Casemiro:** This match showcased Casemiro’s best form in recent weeks. He was reliable both defensively and with the ball, confidently scoring his penalty and earning a 7/10 rating.
**Kobbie Mainoo:** Mainoo made his season debut, putting in a steady performance for an hour, rated at 6/10.
**Bruno Fernandes:** Fernandes was a key player in United’s attack, orchestrating numerous opportunities. Despite having one spectacular goal disallowed for offside, he scored his penalty and received an 8/10 rating.
**Mason Mount:** Mount’s energy and work ethic were evident as he moved across the field, but his performance lacked standout moments, resulting in a 5/10 rating.
**Amad:** Amad was a consistent threat with the ball, challenging City’s defenders and participating in effective link-up play, earning a rating of 7/10.
**Marcus Rashford:** Rashford had some missed chances but worked hard defensively. His efforts were rated at 6/10.
**Substitutes:**
**Alejandro Garnacho:** Garnacho made an immediate impact by scoring a beautiful goal and converting his penalty.
**Jadon Sancho:** Sancho added energy to the team but struggled to make a significant impact, missing his penalty.
**Facundo Pellistri:** Pellistri was criticized for poor defensive work leading to Bernardo Silva’s equalizer.
**Scott McTominay:** McTominay confidently scored his penalty with a strong shot.
**Toby Collyer:** Collyer had a brief but clean performance on the field.
The mixed performance ratings highlight both strengths and areas for improvement within Manchester United’s squad. Pep Guardiola’s comments underscore the importance of tactical decisions and substitutions, particularly in closely contested matches. If you’re curious about the specific substitution that Guardiola referred to, it might be worth considering which change disrupted Manchester United’s tactics or rhythm.
What are your thoughts on Guardiola’s insights and the player ratings? Do you think a particular substitution had a notable impact on the match? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section below.