So finally an away win for the first time since March. United went into this match winless in their last 11 away matches in all competitions since winning their opening nine such games under Ole Gunnar Solskjær – the Red Devils last went longer without an away victory between March–August 1979 (12), under Dave Sexton.
FK Partizan, commonly referred to as Partizan Belgrade outside of Serbia, or simply as Partizan, is a Serbian club based in Belgrade. The only previous occasion FK Partizan and Manchester United had met was in the 1965-66 European Cup semi-finals. Partizan won the home leg 2-0 before losing 0-1 away to reach the final. Surprisingly this is also United’s first meeting with Serbian opposition (including when it was part of Yugoslavia) since the 1991 European Super Cup, when Brian McClair’s goal saw them beat Red Star Belgrade 1-0.
Ole’ once again opted for an ‘experimental’ side, 18-year-old midfielder James Garner given his first ever start, while fellow youth product Brandon Williams made his second senior start. Harry Maguire captained the side with Sergio Romero in goal.
In my view it is the latter who deserves the man of the match, making at least three quite superb saves and controlling well the penalty area. Definitely a worthwhile substitute for David De Gea.
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A win for Manchester United – against a team that were unbeaten at home for the last two years – has taken United a step closer to qualification with home games against Partizan and AZ Alkmaar still to come.
In the end United scored with their only shot on target throughout the whole game, when a strong run from Brandon Williams into the box led to the penalty which was converted by the returning Martial.
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