UEFA Europa League 2019/20: 3 reasons why Manchester United lost to FC Astana

#2 The lack of experience cost them in crisis

United's side - which included youngsters like Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomes - lacked an experienced and calm head

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to play so many youngsters – including three debutants, with another three appearing from the bench – was definitely admirable, as was his decision to leave his entire senior squad, outside of Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard, at home. The call may well prove to benefit the Red Devils when it comes to their Premier League match against Aston Villa this weekend.

However, it was also this decision that largely led to United’s defeat in Kazakhstan. United were on top for the majority of their match with FC Astana and on another day, would’ve won, but on too many occasions they were pieced by their less illustrious opponents at the back, and in a short spell in the second half Astana easily could’ve scored a third goal.

If this was a more competitive game – and not the dead rubber that it actually was – United simply would’ve needed a couple of experienced heads from the bench to help them out when Astana unexpectedly equalised. That wasn’t an option for Solskjaer here and so United lacked a calming influence who could’ve gotten them on the right track.