Man Utd 1 Athletic Bilbao 1: Harry Maguire’s blushes spared as forgotten man earns draw against ten-man LaLiga side
MANCHESTER UNITED ended their pre-season in less than desirable fashion after Harry Maguire’s blushes were spared by a last-gasp Facundo Pellistri strike.
The Red Devils faced off with Athletic Bilbao in Dublin in order to get some minutes into their reserves after winning 3-1 against Lens at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Today’s game allowed Erik ten Hag to hand minutes to the reserves, naming a completely new XI for the clash.
United started the game on top, with Jadon Sancho providing a spark in his role down the middle.
The 23-year-old did a cheeky nutmeg before towards goal in the early stages, before his pass to Omari Forson inside the channel was swept by Bilbao’s goalkeeper.
However, United soon found themselves up against it when Maguire turned the ball over.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – who may have seen his billing for the first team handed a boost after Diogo Dalot‘s error before Andre Onana was chipped – played the ball infield to Maguire.
The 30-year-old – who was surrounded by light blue Athletico shirts – then decided to inexplicably try an outside of the boot pass.
This saw the ball intercepted by Inigo Lekue, who played in Oihan Sancet who then played an incisive pass to Nico Williams for him to bear down on Tom Heaton‘s goal.
Heaton rushed off his line to try and close the angle, but Williams was composed enough to make poke the ball over him with the ball bouncing in off the post to fire the Spaniards into the lead.
Thereafter United rarely troubled the Athletico goal.
They were given hope of a comeback when half-time substitute Hannibal Mejbri forced a red card for Aitor Paredes after winning the ball back high up the pitch with some enthusiastic pressing.
But United could not lift themselves out of their flat mood.
The most promising moment came when Wan-Bissaka found Hannibal with a sweet cross into the area.
But the 20-year-old fired his volley over despite being in acres of space.
However, Facundo Pellistri rescued United right at the death with a last-gasp equaliser.
A long punt upfield from Wan-Bissaka was headed down by United’s afternoon villain Maguire before Pellistri popped up to steer the ball home in the final moments.
Few stars today have given Ten Hag reason to rethink his starting XI vs Wolves for their Premier League opener on Monday week.
Sancho was the brightest of the bunch, but even he is unlikely to be given the nod by Ten Hag when United kick off their second season under him.