Reflections on Manchester United’s pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester United and PSG played out a 1-1 draw in pre-season in Sweden, a useful workout for Michael Carrick’s side.
Without further ado, here is a look at nine things I loved from the performance…
United’s tactical assurance
How many times have we seen Manchester United play high-calibre opposition and try to survive on count-attacking football to see us through. Sometimes it worked, and often it didn’t.
While PSG held 59 per cent possession, United restricted their use of it well. The statistics showed that United were the better team, with more shots at goal, more on target, and more touches in the opposing box.
United pressed well and the players showed quality in possession. I liked how Carrick set the team up, and we should really be talking about a win and not a draw.
Results do not matter in pre-season, performances do, and this was an assured performance from United as a collective.
Amad and Mbeumo link-up
Amad and Bryan Mbeumo actually played their best football last season under Ruben Amorim, linking up between wing-back and winger in his tactical system.
Both players dipped in form after the AFCON and Michael Carrick struggled to get them showing the chemistry they had displayed together in a United shirt.
So it was great to see Amad assist Mbeumo for United’s goal. If Carrick can get them gelling as a pair, then it will be great for the team over the course of the coming season.
Mbeumo looking sharp
I need to pick out Mbeumo as an individual too. With Benjamin Sesko still missing, the responsibility of leading the line has gone to Mbeumo.
Mbeumo is a far bigger goal threat than Zirkzee in the role, and Carrick will have a tricky decision to make this season over who should lead the line. Mbeumo or Sesko?
I expect Mbeumo to start up front on opening day, and it is great that he is picking up form. He took his goal well and should have had a couple more. A strong performance.
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Andrey Santos
It is so important to sign players early and let them get a pre-season in. Andrey Santos is a prime example of this.
The Brazilian is really looking at home in United’s midfield, playing with confidence and authority.
While some United players are still catching up, Santos looks like he would be ready if the season started tomorrow.
Youri Tielemans first appearance
More than anything else, I was most excited to see Youri Tielemans make his first appearance for the club, and it didn’t disappoint.
Tielemans played 25 minutes and showed what he was all about with direct, incisive passing that almost resulted in a winner for United.
Bruno Fernandes’ desire
Bruno Fernandes played his first minutes of pre-season and something stood out. He looked determined to try and score.
We all loved Fernandes breaking the Premier League assist record last season, but it did detract from another aspect of his game, scoring goals.
He was playing with a real hunger and desire to find the net and had two efforts that came close. Expect him to net a hatful this season.
Harry Maguire’s confidence
Was that Harry Maguire or the late Franco Baresi out there? It was fantastic to see Maguire spraying the ball around with confidence during this one.
Maguire even took a long-range effort at goal in the second half, and looked to be having fun.
He was clearly wrongfully left out of the World Cup squad, but has returned to United like a man on a mission.
Shea Lacey looking comfortable
It was great to see Shea Lacey given a chance as a starter against PSG. He will likely drop out of the line-up soon to accommodate Bruno Fernandes.
He can be pleased with how he played. Lacey continues to look like he belongs in the first team and should have had an assist after his cross to Mbeumo in the first half was headed over.
His breakthrough is one of the big takeaways for United this pre-season.
More minutes for the Fletcher twins
I was frustrated to see some of the flak the Fletcher twins were getting on social media during and after this game.
Pre-season is the perfect environment for the duo to learn, and they will be better for this experience against PSG.
Both players have positive attributes and can provide valuable squad depth for United this season, I was glad to see them get an extra opportunity.
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