Three things Solskjaer got wrong as Man Utd lose to Villa but two he got right

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left frustrated after his side fell to a shock 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa.

Neither side could break the deadlock in an uninspiring first half, despite a late spell of pressure from the hosts.

It was a similar story after the break, with Solskjaer introducing Edinson Cavani from the bench late on to try and find an elusive winner.

But Kortney Hause's late winner for the visitors was enough to condemn United to their first league defeat of the season – with Bruno Fernandes blowing a golden chance to equalise by blazing a last minute penalty over the bar.

Here, Daily Star Sport takes a look at how the afternoon went for Solskjaer on a miserable afternoon in Manchester.

Two things he got right…

Keeping faith with Greenwood

Mason Greenwood started United's midweek cup clash with West Ham on the bench before being introduced in the final third of the game as Solskjaer's men chased the game.

Competition is fierce for a spot amongst United's bloated attacking ranks this season.

But, despite failing to score a league goal since netting the dramatic late winner against Wolves last month, Greenwood has looked sharp for United.

Solskjaer's decision to recall Greenwood was vindicated with an impressive first half performance against Villa.

The 19-year-old was United's biggest threat with his direct approach and troubled the Villa backline all afternoon – although he should have done better with a golden chance in the 18th-minute, where he shot straight at Emiliano Martinez.

Ronaldo restored

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been quickly picked up where he left off as United's talisman since his return from Juventus this summer.

The Portuguese star had netted four goals in three games to kick off his second spell at Old Trafford in style.

He was rested for United's midweek elimination from the Carabao Cup at the hands of West Ham.

But it was an easy decision for Solskjaer to restore Ronaldo to spearhead the United attack against Villa.

United's strength in depth was epitomised late on, as Solskjaer introduced Edinson Cavani late in the game as they chased a winner.

And three things he got wrong…

Midfield call missed?

Donny van de Beek impressed for United in the 1-0 midweek defeat to West Ham in the Carabao Cup.

The Dutchman gave a glimpse of the ability that persuaded the Old Trafford hierarchy to part with an initial £35m.

But Solskjaer chose to start with Scott McTominay and Fred in midfield on Saturday afternoon.

Fred has failed to impress so far this season with a string of under-par displays, whilst McTominay is still finding his feet after missing the early portion of the season following a groin operation.

The clash with Villa felt like the perfect opportunity to hand van de Beek the platform to build on his midweek performance – especially with United's usual midfield pairing failing to impose themselves so far this year.

Double defence whammy

It's hardly Solskjaer's fault, but he did suffer a double defensive whammy at Old Trafford on Saturday.

England duo Shaw and Maguire form one half of United's first-choice defensive line-up, and the Norwegian lost them both in the same afternoon.

Shaw appeared to pull up in the first half following a United attack whilst Maguire struggled to recover after a clash with Danny Ings in the second half.

The centre half appeared to be holding his back as he left the field gingerly.

Solskjaer will be hoping that the pair aren't set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a relentless fixture list coming up.

The Pogba dilemma

Paul Pogba has made an electric start to the season, racking up seven assists in his five appearances prior to the clash with Villa.

But Solskjaer's decision to deploy the Frenchman in an advanced position on the left-hand side failed to pay off.

He failed to find the target with any of his four shots in the opening period as United struggled to overcome a stubborn Aston Villa side.

It's a role that Pogba had excelled in prior to Saturday's game – but it does come with a caveat.

That position is also the favoured spot of £73m summer signing Jadon Sancho, who spent the majority of Saturday's game on the bench.

Sancho has made a slow start to life at Old Trafford – and he may find it harder to turn that around the longer Pogba is used in that spot.

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