After the trip to Norway, Manchester United went back to the British Isles again and took on Glasgow Rangers in Edinburgh. It was a clear 2-0 victory for United, who were quite superior from start to finish. Amad was the giant of the pitch in the first half and the final 45 minutes saw the youngsters play off. Â
United were significantly more connected in today’s match than the previous one against Rosenborg. The difference may also have to do with the fact that the Norwegians are in the middle of the season, while both United and Rangers have started the pre-season. The quality between the teams differed considerably, especially in the first half.
Made
Erik ten Hag fielded a considerably more senior-oriented starting eleven today, where André Onana, Jonny Evans and Jadon Sancho took their place, among others. Also the newly acquired Leny Yoro played from the start in the central back position and despite the fact that he is only 18 years old, the Frenchman can probably also be seen as a decently established player, if still gray You United. Sam Murray kept Harry Amass on the bench this time as well. Now, two practice matches don’t mean much, but you could probably have imagined at least one match from the start for Amass. However, he played the second half, just like against Rosenborg.
In midfield, Toby Collyer and Casemiro started next to each other, with Mason Mount up front.
Offensively, Jadon Sancho was back in the red shirt again after spending the past six months at Borussia Dortmund. The tensions between the 24-year-old and Ten Hag seem to have eased, so maybe this will be a bit of a fresh start? On the right wing, Amad started and did not disappoint.
Ethan Wheatley got new confidence from the start to the end.
What happened?
The teams felt fairly even at the beginning, but gradually United took over the initiative. United moved the ball faster than Rangers and took their time with the ball. Focus in the passing game and movement were the keys. Mount moves smartly in midfield and the wingers in Sancho and Amad were almost always playable. The fact that they are also very skilled at holding onto the ball means that the full-backs are given the opportunity to fill up.
United didn’t create a lot of dangerous chances, but the way they grinded down Rangers still left a goal in the air.
Ten minutes into the match, however, Yoro had to introduce himself with his first defensive action. This after Rangers hit a deep ball into the penalty area, but Yoro stayed close to his opponent and was able to parry with a sliding tackle that ended with a corner kick.
United’s best chance came moments later after Yoro sent up a long ball that Wheatley slotted on to Amad. The Ivorian was given plenty of time and space on the right and played it diagonally back to Wheatley, who had completed his run into the box, and finished with his left foot, but no better than the shot was saved by a black-clad. A similar situation was also to befall Sancho, also after preparation by Amad, but the Englishman’s finish went over.
So it was around Amad that most happened in the first half. The 22-year-old has a fantastic ability to get the ball and often turn his opponent away thanks to his low center of gravity. He also makes thoughtful decisions, which is promising to see for a relatively young player.
Amad did little as he wanted in the first half.
The goal just before half-time oozes class, when he gets into his favorite position at the corner just outside the penalty area and can turn inside. No other parallels should be drawn here, but an adequate player analogy is Arjen Robben. Like, everyone knows he’s going to drive inside, wait for the right position, and then cut to the far corner. Predictable but unstoppable.
For the second half, there was then a completely new team on the pitch, apart from Onana, who remained between the posts. The remaining ten were really just youth players, with most senior experience in Will Fish in central defense and Hannibal in the middle.
The feeling was that the rain increased further and it was more of a fight than a spectacle out at Murrayfield Stadium. It was still a United that continued on the beaten path and controlled the event.
The highlight of the half was the 2-0 goal, which Joe Hugill bombed in via the crossbar. The former United goalkeeper Jack Butland had absolutely no chance. The goal was brought about by a fine forehand signed by Maxi Oyedele, who won the ball in midfield, advanced and found Hugill deep.
Rangers had a few stray attacks towards the end and a semi-dangerous finish that forced Onana into action, but otherwise it was a mostly played, calm and controlled game.
Preparations await before the trip to the USA, where the next match is against Arsenal on July 28.
Positive and negative
Leny Yoro was presented to United last Thursday. Today, the 18-year-old played from the start and didn’t put a foot wrong.
We are adding almost everything to the positive column after this match.
- Up-tempo, good passing game and good decision-making.
- Amad var bäst på planen.
- Yoro looked promising and is learning to adapt quickly. Safe overall impression and good with the ball.
- Sancho spoke clearly out loud.
- For only being 17 years old, Harry Amass gives a very mature impression. Nice entry by the Englishman!
Glasgow Rangers – Manchester United 0-2 (0-1)
Training match, July 20
0-1 (39) Amad (Mount)
0-2 (70) Joe Hugill (Oyedele)Â
First half: His mother; Wan-Bissaka, Yoro, Evans, Murray; Casemiro, Collyer; Mount, Amad, Sancho; Wheatley
Second half: Onana; Ogunneye, Fish, Bennett, Amass; Oyedele, J Fletcher; Hannibal, Ennis, Mather; Hugill
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