Here’s how Manchester United’s on-loan players fared this week-
Andreas Pereira (Valencia)
Came off from the bench in both the fixtures this week. He was introduced in the 65th minute in the place of Geoffrey Kondogbia against Malaga on Tuesday, a match which ended 5-0 for his side, courtesy of goals from Santi Mina, Rodrigo Moreno and a quickfire hat-trick from former West Ham flop Simone Zaza.
Pereira looks to have lost out on his place to fellow newcomer Goncalo Guedes, who was given the nod ahead of him in both the games. The Portuguese player, who started for the first time against Malaga, took his chance well and managed to assist a goal, as well as create two more chances and successfully complete four take-ons. Pereira didn’t have much to do, apart from one decent chance when he drifted away from the opposition defence but his cross was wayward and found nobody on the end of it.
In the second game, against Real Sociedad on Sunday night, Pereira came off the bench for the final quarter of an hour, replacing Carlos Soler. The match ended 3-2 for his side, with Simone Zaza scoring the winning goal in the 85th minute, assisted by Goncalo Guedes. Pereira didn’t do anything of much note in the little time he got, unlike former United player Adnan Januzaj who played for whole of the second half.Valencia next face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in the league, and on current form, it’s difficult to see Pereira ousting Guedes anytime soon.
Sam Johnstone (Aston Villa)
Was rested against Middlesbrough in the League Cup, and his side, who saw Tommy Elphick red carded in the 58th minute, lost out 2-0 courtesy of a brace from former Chelsea youngster Patrick Bamford.Johnstone did return to the line-up in his side’s 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Championship on Saturday, when goals from Albert Adomah and Conor Hourihane saw his side move up to 9th in the standings.
Johnstone didn’t have anything much to do in the first half, as Forest failed to get a single shot on target despite dominating possession. However, the second half was different as the ‘keeper made four saves out of the five shots on target, with the only one he couldn’t save being Daryl Murphy’s goal. He made a couple of brilliant saves in the 55th and 56th minutes consecutively, while he made a world-class save to keep out Kieran Dowell’s 85th minute free-kick. These three vital saves eventually proved to be the difference for Steve Bruce’s side.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Crystal Palace)
Was rested for the League Cup game against Huddersfield Town, which Roy Hodgson’s side managed to win through a Bakary Sako goal.However, the young Dutch international endured a difficult game on his return to his side, falling to an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Leroy Sane, Fabian Delph and Sergio Aguero scored a goal each while Raheem Sterling scored a brace as the home side ran riot against a team which has now lost six consecutive League matches, that too without scoring a single goal.
Fosu-Mensah, who slotted in at right-back, had a game to forget as he was, just like his teammates, woeful. He did make a couple of interceptions in the first half, but was well off the pace in the second and also concede two goals from his side. He failed to contain the pacey Leroy Sane, and was powerless to stop the City players frequently attacking from his side.Crystal Palace next face Manchester United on Saturday in the Premier League, and as per the League rules, Fosu-Mensah cannot play against his parent club.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Leeds United)
Was subbed off in the 60th minute against Burnley as both sides looked for the opening goal. However, the match witnessed some late drama, with Leeds winning the game 5-3 on penalties after the two teams ended 2-2 after full time. Borthwick-Jackson had to endure a nightmare after being out of favour for the past two weeks, and didn’t do any favour to himself as he had a poor outing. He looked well off the pace, looking slow in every phase, and was far too sloppy with the ball. He was frequently found out of position, and was the only under-performing player for the visitors.
As a result of his poor form, he wasn’t included by Thomas Christiansen in the squad for his side’s 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town. The win means The Whites stay top of the league, ahead of both Cardiff City and Wolverhampton Wanderers on goal difference. They next face fellow table-toppers Cardiff City in the Championship on Tuesday night.
Devonte Redmond (Scunthorpe United)
Wasn’t included in the match day squad against Portsmouth, a match that ended 2-0 for his side courtesy of goals from Lee Novak and Duane Holmes.Scunthorpe United, who move up to fifth in the league, next face Gillingham F.C. in League One on Tuesday night.
Matty Willock (FC Utrecht)
Played the full 90 minutes in his side’s 6-0 demolition of a second string Ajax side in the KNVB Cup. The young midfielder had a great evening, as he marked this game with a goal as well. However, his side’s fortunes were quickly upturned as they fell to an embarrassing 7-1 defeat at the hands of PSV in the Eredivisie. Willock was an unused substitute as PSV ran riot against a ten-man Utrecht, with striker Jurgen Locadia scoring four goals in the match. F.C Utrecht, who’re now 9th in the standings, next face SBV Vitesse in the league on Sunday.
Dean Henderson ( Shrewsbury Town)
Was in goal in his side’s 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers in the league. Bradley Dack scored a late equaliser as the match ended 1-1. Henderson did not have too much to do in the first half, having to stop only a single tame effort. However, he did make a couple of quick-reaction saves after the break, and had he not made those saves the result could’ve been very different. Shrewsbury Town remain top of the league despite the draw, and next face Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night in the League One.