Europa League: 3 reasons why Manchester United may struggle against Astana in their opener

Manchester United is once again in the second-tier European club competition, the UEFA Europa League. This is a competition they won in 2017 after dispatching a youthful Ajax side 2-0, earning a golden ticket back into the Champions League.

Just like 3 seasons ago, United start the competition in the group stage and are favourites to not only top the group but also win the competition.

Last season, the Red Devils wrestled with the big boys and even managed an away victory against Juventus. They also eliminated PSG on a dramatic night in France which saw Marcus Rashford convert a last gasp penalty.

However, the Europa League is a whole different proposition for the 20-time English champions. Long trips across the continent, poor pitches, and general fatigue can affect how a top side performs against the so-called minnows.

Man Utd struggling to beat lowly-ranked sides in this competition is nothing new. In 2017, only a Zlatan Ibrahimovic header from close range enabled United to seal a narrow 1-0 win over Zorya.

In that game, it was clear how difficult it sometimes is to beat sides which are set up to defend and absorb pressure, as it took United a long time to register an attempt on target in front of their home crowd.

In this article, we analyse the probable pitfalls for United as they take on Astana.

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#3 Poor form

United's form has not been great

Manchester United's form over the last 14 matches has been dismal, to say the least. In that period, they have managed just two wins. The first was the surprising 4-0 win over Chelsea in their PL opener, and the second was last week's 1-0 win over Leicester City, a victory that was determined by a Marcus Rashford first-half penalty.

This run of form has affected the players' mentality, which is reflected in how purposeful they play. That is why teams, even those traditionally inferior to United, come to Old Trafford and sometimes command the game.

Leicester showed this by putting United under constant pressure and having 58 per cent of possession. Astana will come to England knowing this and may believe they can pick up maximum points.

#2 Injuries to key players

The French connection has not been seen recently due to injuries

In the modern game, a team needs its best players even when facing minor opposition. Manchester United currently has somewhat of an injury crisis, as some ideal starters are out.

First team players like Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, and Anthony Martial have all recently had injury problems, and some may not be available for this game. The loss of such key players means that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to work with players who may not offer the same level of artistry he requires from his starters.

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#1 Defensive tactics

Astana's tactics could frustrate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men

Astana's tactics may prove to be Manchester United's ultimate downfall on Thursday, because they may opt to concede possession and hit United with counter-attacks.

Crystal Palace came on top at Old Trafford by converting the few chances which came their way in the 1-2 win away from home. Also, Astana's defensive resolve could frustrate United similar to what Southampton did with 10 men.

With United having a youthful forward line, there are still doubts about how clinical they'll be throughout the season. Apart from the Chelsea game, the goals have not been in regular supply.

Their two Premier League draws this season are a testament to that. United led 1-0 in both the Wolverhampton and Southampton games. However, they failed to seal the game by adding to their tally, thus giving the opposition a lifeline.