Manchester United’s three worst players against Atletico Madrid

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For 80 minutes Manchester United were overawed and second best against Atletico Madrid. Then Anthony Elanga popped up with a crucial equaliser.

Bruno Fernandes had been poor all night and would have made this list – until he provided the defence splitting assist for Elanga. All is forgiven.

United come away with a 1-1 draw to take back to Old Trafford, a decent result considering how bad the performance was.

At full-time we took a look at United’s three best players on the night, and to counter that amid a generally poor display, here is a look at United’s three worst players against Atletico.

Marcus Rashford

There are not many nice ways to put this. Marcus Rashford was terrible. Every decision he made was wrong, and countless attacks broke down when he got the ball.

Rashford was a liability to United in attack, not an asset. It’s hard to pinpoint what has gone wrong for him, but United are better off when he is on the bench.

Anthony Elanga is a better all round player right now and has more confidence. Rashford completed only 71 per cent of his passes and looked utterly deflated when came off. It would be a big surprise if Rashford started the second leg.

Paul Pogba

The player who was dominant against Leeds on Sunday was overwhelmed against Atletico. Pogba had no space as Atletico crowded him out.

The Frenchman is capable of more, and should have more influence in the second leg. It was not a surprise to see him substituted.

Pogba is usually accurate with the ball but this deserted him, with just 76 per cent of his passes complete. He lacked tenacity and fight like the Atletico players, who just seemed to want it more than he did.

Luke Shaw

United didn’t expect any forward forays from Victor Lindelof at right-back. They should have expected something going forward from Luke Shaw, and got nothing.

Shaw was too timid and looked like the occasion got to him. He could have helped Marcus Rashford out if he got forward and created an outlet but there was nothing.

United looked better when Alex Telles came on in the 66th minute, and the Brazilian has to be in with a real shout of starting the second leg.