Manchester United’s fringe stars emerged with plenty of credit following their pre-season clash with Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Erik ten Hag fielded a strong starting XI for the first half of the clash, with Amad Diallo scoring a sensational solo goal in the 39th minute to send the Red Devils into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.
However, similarly to their clash with Rosenborg, a younger team emerged for the second-half, with Hannibal Mejbri, 21, the most experienced outfield player to re-emerge. Express Sport rates and slates the United squad following the opening 45 minutes of their pre-season clash…
Andre Onana – 6
His distribution was sub-par on the day but commanded his penalty area well and made routine saves when required
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Steady performance from the defender despite loud speculation about his future, made a handful of good runs forward too and was typically sound defensively
Leny Yoro – 8
Vital early challenge to prevent close-range effort from Cyriel Dessers before making an equally important block, did well in possession. Promising.
Jonny Evans – 5
Made his presence felt vocally rather than physically, failing to read a pass from Yoro which almost gave Rangers a big chance to equalise
Sam Murray – 6
Still settling into the side but didn’t look particularly out of place, tracking his runners well and roamed forward to create overloads
Casemiro – 4
Hasn’t improved for the summer break and looked shaky in possession, typically gave a dangerous foul away unnecessarily early on
Toby Collyer – 7
Staked his claim as to why he could be an option in midfield next season with a, energetic, tough-tackling performance. Received the ball calmly from his backline and kept play ticking
Amad Diallo – 8
Deserved his goal and was an ever-present threat down the left. Worked hard defensively to show why he deserves more opportunities next season
Mason Mount – 6
Pressed well and attempted to link up play when drifting out wide, an important 45 minutes to raise his fitness levels as well
Jadon Sancho – 7
Did well upon his return to United with his mazy runs down the left though did overplay it on a few occasions, potentially due to his desire to prove his worth to Ten Hag
Ethan Wheatley – 5
Tame effort when the goal was at his mercy in the first half following good work from Diallo down the right. Struggled to truly get into the game
Second half
Ten Hag made 10 changes at half time, with Onana being the only player to return to the pitch after the interval. Second half XI: Onana – Ogunneye, Fish, Bennett, Amass – Oyedele, Fletcher, Hannibal – Ennis, Mather, Hugill.
