Although the results have not been quite right in pre-season, Manchester United have reason to be positive after their first three friendlies this summer.
The Reds have won each of their opening three warm-up games without conceding a single goal, defeating Leeds United (2-0), Lyon (1-0) and Arsenal (2-0). Some of the football has been conspicuous and free-flowing at times.
After playing no part in the wins over Leeds and Lyon, United welcomed their international contingent back into the frame for the win over Arsenal in New Jersey on Saturday. It marked a stepping stone crossing in their pre-season campaign.
The triumph over the Gunners saw Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho return to the starting XI, while the likes of Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford and Casemiro had to settle for starting on the bench. United were 2-0 up when the aforementioned quartet came on and they were unable to add to the first-half goals which had been plundered by Jadon Sancho and Fernandes.
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Although the finishes from Fernandes and Sancho were instinctive and emphatic, much of the credit went to youngster Kobbie Mainoo, who played a prominent role in both goals. First, he played a pass inside to Fernandes, who raced forward and then unleashed a shot that was too hot for Aaron Ramsdale to handle, before sending a hopeful punt into the box which was missed by Gabriel, found Sancho and sent him clear to score.
Mainoo, following the return of Eriksen and Casemiro, could have been removed from Erik ten Hag’s starting XI at the MetLife Stadium, but the Dutchman decided to hand him a third consecutive start. Although the highlights of his 45-minute run-out were the roles he played in each goal, his overall performance, not for the first time in the last fortnight, oozed class.
Mainoo makes playing football look effortless at times; he uses possession wisely, always makes himself available to get on the ball and is only too happy to do the rough side of the game. He is a joy to watch.
Twelve months ago, Mainoo was a complete stranger to most United supporters. Zidane Iqbal was the young midfielder everyone was talking about and it was no wonder after how well he performed on the tour to Thailand and Australia. With Mainoo, however, it feels different.
While Iqbal came off the bench in games in last summer’s pre-season tour, Mainoo starts them and you wouldn’t bet against him keeping his place against Real Madrid in Houston in the early hours of Thursday morning. Should he start the clash with Los Blancos, it will be clear that he has a role worth fighting for.
Of course, he’s unlikely to force his way into Ten Hag’s strongest starting line-up once the competition starts next month, but he’ll certainly have a chance to be part of the squad each week tasked with coming off the bench. Although pre-season is played at a slower pace, he didn’t look out of place against Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard on Saturday, did he?
Mainoo made three appearances for the first team last season after being fast-tracked into the squad by Ten Hag, meaning he will be hungry for more opportunities this time around. Based on his performances in pre-season so far, he will have earned them, even if that means starting the occasional cup game or coming off the bench.
It is still possible that either Scott McTominay or Fred could leave this summer, meaning United may already have a ready-made replacement who has an even higher cap. He could be like a new signing in some ways.
The same could also be said about Alvaro Fernandez. Although he did not feature against Arsenal, he produced two strong and encouraging performances against Leeds and Lyon before United flew across the pond. He has returned to the M16 after a loan spell at Preston North End last season and has a point to prove.
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The transfer window is in full swing and United have already got their hands on two players, with Mason Mount and Andre Onana through the door at Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag’s attention now turns to signing a new goalscorer after their struggles in that department last season. Anthony Martial is the only true striker in United’s squad, and his fitness cannot be trusted, so United are looking at Rasmus Hojlund and Harry Kane as options.
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With Tyrell Malacia absent from the tour due to injury, Fernandez has the opportunity to prove to Ten Hag that he is another young player who can be part of the squad on a regular basis. Although there is admittedly not as much hype surrounding the Spaniard as Mainoo, he is a player with a high ceiling and potential to become a top back.
He could win his latest appearance in the clash with Wrexham in the early hours of Wednesday morning, where he will be desperate to leave his calling card. If he produces a strong, eye-catching display, he could rub shoulders with the senior stars again before the end of pre-season.
While Mainoo is ahead of him in the race for a first-team place, Fernandez is definitely not out of it yet. He could still go out on loan, which wouldn’t be the worst decision, but there is a place for him to fight for. If he takes the chance, he can be like another new addition.
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