Premier League
Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester United
Venue: Kirklees Stadium
Date: Saturday, 21 October 2017
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Manchester United’s unbeaten start to the season is over after suffering a shock 2-1 victory away at Huddersfield Town.
Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre were gifted goals to give the hosts a deserved first half lead, with Marcus Rashford’s late consolation not enough to salvage anything from the game.
It was certainly unlucky 13 as this was United’s 13th fixture of the campaign, and in truth they received what they deserved on the day.
Two summer signings combined early on as Nemanja Matic’s lofted pass found Romelu Lukaku, only for Jonas Lossl to save well from the Belgian.
Both Tommy Smith and Anthony Martial saw yellow after a scuffle in the middle as did Christopher Schindler for bringing down Jesse Lingard as he looked to break.
The resulting set piece from Ashley Young evaded everyone before David De Gea held Elias Kachunga’s header at the other end.
Ander Herrera and Lukaku were both off target before Victor Lindelof made only his second league appearance of the season, replacing Phil Jones, whose injury-plagued career seems set to continue despite a fine start to the campaign.
With just under half an hour played, former Manchester City midfielder Mooy took advantage of Juan Mata’s sloppy pass, gave the ball to Tom Ince whose shot was parried by De Gea, but Mooy made no mistake from the rebound.
One quickly became two when former Porto striker Depoitre rounded De Gea after Lindelof’s slack header to allow the hosts to double their advantage.
Matic fired wide before half-time brought to a close a forgettable half for United.
Jose Mourinho utilised his two remaining substitutes at the interval, altering the formation in the process, as Young’s attempt fell wide, now operating as a wing-back.
Young was then cautioned with United failing to create anything of real note as they searched for a way back into proceedings.
That soon changed when Herrera headed Young’s cross only to see his effort saved saved by Lossl but the deficit was then halved by Rashford, who headed home Lukaku’s cross with a little over 10 minutes remaining.
Chris Smalling saw a shot blocked in stoppage time but the Terriers held on for a famous victory over United.
Injuries and the fixture calendar aside this was inexcusable from Mourinho’s team who failed to create any clear cut openings whilst making unacceptable mistakes at the back for this high level.
Up next is a fourth consecutive away game with a trip to take on Swansea City on Tuesday night in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The 7:45pm kick-off presents a chance for United to bounce back quickly from this setback ahead of two massive league contests against Tottenham Hotspur and at Chelsea before the next international break.
Line-ups:
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones (Lindelof 23), Young; Herrera, Matic; Mata (Mkhitaryan 46), Lingard, Martial (Rashford 46); Lukaku.
Subs not used: Romero, Blind, Darmian, McTominay.
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Huddersfield: Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe; Hogg, Williams; Kachunga (van La Parra 39), Mooy, Ince; Depoitre (Mounie 70).
Subs not used: Coleman, Malone, Sabiri, Cranie, Hadergjonaj.
Manager: David Wagner