Here’s how Manchester United’s on-loan players fared this weekend-
Andreas Pereira (Valencia)
Was handed another start at left-wing by new manager Marcelino in the 1-1 draw against Levante. The young Brazilian was the most lively player on the field in the first half, and he didn’t hold back from displaying his fancy footwork time and again. His pacey runs during counter attacks posed as a danger to the visitors, and that was the reason why he was sometimes being marked by two players.
Pereira assisted Valencia’s only goal of the night, as his sumptuous cross was headed home by Rodrigo Moreno. The winger whizzed pass left back Tono, shifted the ball to his right foot and whipped in an inch-perfect cross.
The match ended 1-1, with Pereira coming off in the 66th minute to a rousing reception. He was replaced by another loanee Cristian Guedes as his side was in search of the winning goal.
Valencia next face Malaga on Tuesday evening, and on current form, it’s obvious that Pereira will start.
Sam Johnstone (Aston Villa)
Kept a clean sheet in his side’s 3-0 victory over Barnsley. The English goalkeeper didn’t have too much to do throughout the match, as the hosts managed a meagre two shots on target, one of which was easily collected by him. His only contribution was receiving back-passes and redistributing them. Steve Bruce’s side move up to 13th in the league, and next face Middlesbrough in the League Cup in the midweek.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Leeds United)
Hasn’t kicked a ball for a month now and wasn’t recalled to the squad to face Millwall, However, with Thomas Christiansen’s side facing a defensive crisis, he could make a return to the travelling squad for the League Cup match against Burnley on Tuesday. Leeds United remain on top of the pile even after the 1-0 loss to Millwall on Saturday.
Dean Henderson (Shrewsbury Town)
Decent performance from the young goalkeeper in his side’s 2-1 victory over ten-man Oldham in the League One. The goalkeeper made a couple of decent saves, but needs to thank Eion Doyle, who rounded Henderson but could only manage to find the post of an empty net. The terrible miss was just one of things that went wrong for the Oldham forward, who was sent off in injury time. He had a solid game apart from that and showed great composure as he distributed the ball really well throughout the match. Shrewsbury Town next face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday in the league.
Matty Willock (FC Utrecht)
Was an unused substitute in his side’s 4-0 loss to FC Twente in the league. The home side ran out worthy winners courtesy of goals from Tom Boere, Luciano Slagveer, Thomas Lam and ex-Liverpool player Oussama Assaidi. FC Utrecht, who fall down to 8th in the standings with this loss, next face Ajax in the first round of the KNVB Cup on Tuesday.
Regan Poole (Northampton Town)
Was an unused substitute in his side’s 2-2 draw with Southend United, in a match which threatened to boil over as Matt Crooks was sent off in the 96th minute. Northampton Town, who’re now 17th in the Championship, next face Wigan Athletic in the League Cup and Floyd Hasselbaink is expected to rotate his squad, which means Poole could play a part in the cup game.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Crystal Palace)
Played in the centre of a three-man defence, as Roy Hodgson’s time at the helm started with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Southampton. The young Dutch defender oozed confidence and was composed in possession. He had a solid game as he made a couple of timely and crucial interceptions. He failed to deal well with Shane Long in the first half but improved significantly in the second half as his side searched for a win. Fosu-Mensah has shown a lot of potential, and bar any injuries, is expected to be a mainstay in Hodgson’s defence this season. Crystal Palace, who are still 20th in the league standings, next face Huddersfield Town in the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday evening.