Mason Mount looks eager to impress but things don’t come off for Amad Diallo on his Red Devils return
MANCHESTER UNITED kicked off their pre-season with a 2-0 victory over Leeds in Norway.
The Red Devils fielded a starting XI with a blend of youth and experience – with the likes of Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Mount all in from the beginning.
Boss Erik Ten Hag changed the entire XI at half-time and young gems Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill delivered goals.
It was a day of firsts for both teams as Mount made his debut and Daniel Farke was in charge for his first game as Leeds manager.
It was very much a case of getting minutes in the legs for Ten Hag’s players with the Red Devils struggling to create any clear-cut chances in the first half.
Mount was busy and showed flashes of what is to come with some decent first-half flicks and passes but was withdrawn at half-time.
Young midfielder Hannibal was the busiest of United’s players as he looks to show Ten Hag what he can do playing in a No10 role.
Here’s how the Red Devils rated in Oslo.
Tom Heaton 6
Was decent enough when he had the ball at his feet but wasn’t asked to do much.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6
A typical Wan-Bissaka game where he defended well but didn’t offer too much going forward.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Raphael Varane 6
A Rolls-Royce defender, United look visibly calmer when he’s on the ball and he did well to connect defence with attack in possession.
Lisandro Martinez 6
Looked every bit one of the more experienced players on the pitch and also made a very good recovery tackle in the first half.
Alvaro Fernandez 6
Spurned a chance to score with a header but impressive defensively and in possession.
Kobbie Mainoo 7
Impressed in a deep-lying midfield role – could be one for the future for United.
Mason Mount 7
Mount looks eager to impress and was notably taking every single United set-piece.
He showed flashes of what is to come with some decent passes but nothing really came to anything.
Will be interesting to see the new United No7 surrounded by a stronger team.
Hannibal Mejbri 7
Looks a really tenacious player and was excellent in leading the press.
United fans might want to keep an eye on Hannibal as he looks determined to impress Ten Hag this pre-season.
Amad Diallo 6
Ended the season on fire with Sunderland and looked the brightest of United’s first-half frontline.
Nothing truly came off for the youngster however.
Jadon Sancho 6
Played out of position as a false nine but did the best with what he was given.
But tough to impress in a rotated side alongside younger players.
Omari Forson 6
Rather anonymous in the first half.
Second Half XI:
Matěj Kovář
Looks comfortable at playing the ball out from the back which is much more in line with Ten Hag’s philosophy than De Gea.
United will be excited by Onana’s arrival now they’ve seen a keeper that is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Marc Jurado 6
Rarely tested by Leeds’ attackers but did well to keep a clean sheet in an assured performance.
Rhys Bennett 6
Did well when called upon including and did well to stop a dangerous Leeds attack in the 74th minute.
Struggled a bit up against the pace of Dan James however.
Will Fish 6
Kept a clean sheet and progressed the ball nicely.
Brandon Williams 7
Didn’t wear the captain armband despite being the most experienced player on the pitch with 50 senior appearances.
After a rusty start he managed to drive his side on from left-back.
Daniel Gore 6
Kept the ball ticking over in midfield.
Isak Hansen-Aaroen 8
The youngster was playing on home turf in Norway – he’s from the Arctic circle in Tromso.
Got the assist for the first with a lovely threaded pass and looks a pretty decent dribbler too.
Charlie Savage 6
Son of Robbie, the commentators delighted in letting us know that every time he went in for a challenge.
One of the more experienced players at this level and looked comfortable enough against a far stronger Leeds side.
Shola Shoretire 7
Showed some impressive flashes on the ball – he possesses a lovely weight to his passes.
Noam Emeran 8
Made no mistake when played through by Hansen-Aaroen – a very cool finish from the 20-year-old Frenchman.
Lovely threaded pass for the second goal.
He’ll be buzzing with a goal and an assist today.
Joe Hugill 8
11 goals in 12 PL2 appearances last season and on the scoresheet today.
Some would have felt the pressure when played through like that but he didn’t.
MAN UTD TAKEOVER NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all the latest purchase and transfer news from Old Trafford