Pre-season normally offers a combination of optimism and excitement to supporters. Nothing meaningfully bad has happened yet, there is still time to sign new players and there is the opportunity to watch some of your club’s brightest young talents at work.
For Manchester United, this is exactly how pre-season has felt so far. The Red Devils have played four games beating rivals Leeds United and Arsenal 2-0, while also edging Lyon 1-0 in between, and a 3-1 defeat to League Two Wrexham was excused by the club fielding a team almost entirely comprised of youth players.
Alongside the signings of Mason Mount and Andre Onana, with Rasmus Hojlund to likely come next, some positive on-field performances have already started to build expectations around Old Trafford before the season has begun.
Let’s look at who has impressed for Erik ten Hag’s side in pre-season so far.
At just 18-years-old, few could have expected Kobbie Mainoo to play with such maturity and composure in his three pre-season friendly showings so far.
The midfielder featured in all three of United’s wins and has now played three halves of football under Ten Hag, impressing in all of them. His performance against Leeds in particular was one to marvel at and he was described after the game as “one to watch”.
His confidence in possession has been one of his greatest assets so far and Mainoo is playing without the fear that is sometimes associated with younger players when they reach the first-team environment.
Mainoo’s omission from the incredibly young team that faced Wrexham in United’s most recent outing hints at the possibility of some minutes against Real Madrid on 27 July, highlighting just how much he has impressed Ten Hag so far.
Despite having played just once in pre-season so far, Fernandes’ wonderful display against Arsenal highlighted his best qualities.
The new United captain was at his creative best against the Gunners and got his name on the scoresheet with a left-footed strike from outside the box, albeit with a little help from Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The Portuguese has sometimes been criticised for his conduct on the pitch in the past, but will be keen to blossom in his new leadership role. It has certainly been a good pre-season for the midfielder to date.
Hannibal has devoured the opportunity Ten Hag has offered him this pre-season, putting in several top performances.
Flourishing in an advanced midfield role, the youngster’s creativity has shone and he, much like Mainoo, has been fearless on the pitch. Even in the club’s defeat to Wrexham, Hannibal was the best player on the pitch.
Partly as a result of his pre-season showings, Hannibal has attracted interest from several clubs now wanting to loan the 20-year-old Tunisian. Job well done for the starlet so far.
Despite enduring a rocky start to life at Old Trafford, Martinez managed to quickly establish himself as a hugely important figure in the United defence.
Having suffered a season-ending injury in April, Martinez returned to action in the 2-0 win over Leeds and seamlessly adapted to life back in the United side. Subsequent and similarly impressive performances against Lyon and Arsenal have once again highlighted his tidiness with the ball at his feet and his aggression in the tackle
5ft9 is the new 6ft3, it appears.
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Another defender who has received criticism during his time at Old Trafford, Ten Hag appears to be getting Wan-Bissaka somehwere near his Crystal Palace form.
Three impressively sturdy displays in pre-season indicate that he could play a big role for United next term, while the right-back also provided more attacking threat than normal. In the game against Arsenal, he offered the Red Devils some impetus going forward down the right flank while also standing out defensively.
If he plays against Real Madrid, then Vinicius Junior might be a great test of the 25-year-old’s credentials.
Despite having made just one substitute appearance during United’s win over Leeds, Emeran certainly captured the imagination after scoring and assisting against the Whites.
His goal was a well-taken left-footed strike following a lovely through ball, while his assist was a sublime pass to Joe Hugill for United’s second.
Having arrived from Amiens’ academy in 2019, Emeran has not helped ease expectations about his potential with fans now incredibly eager to see him don a red jersey again.
On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss Sofyan Amrabat’s suitability to replace McFred in midfield and whether there’s any truth in links to Kylian Mbappe. If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
Come and join us in Las Vegas from July 28th at United Con, the place to be for United fans to come together on their pre-season tour of the US. Visit united-con.com to book your place now.
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