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Manchester United returned to winning ways on their US pre-season tour with a 3-2 victory over Real Betis in San Diego, California.
The Red Devils were forced to come from behind when Iker Losada smashed the ball into the back of the net for the Spanish side after just 15 minutes.
Within two minutes of conceding, United were given the chance to equalise when Amad Diallo was hacked down inside the area.
Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler was in San Diego on Wednesday night and picked out five things we learned from the match.
Manchester United scored three goals in just 13 first-half minutes on their way to victory
Marcus Rashford set United on their way by scoring from the penalty spot in the 18th minute
Injury curse strikes again
As if Manchester United hadn’t had enough bad injury news for one day, Marcus Rashford and Antony both went off in the 3-2 victory over Real Betis at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
After it was confirmed that Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund will be out for three months and six weeks respectively, Rashford limped off just after the hour mark when he was caught on the right ankle by a heavy challenge by Sergi Altimira in the Real Betis box.
It was serious enough for Jadon Sancho to motion to the United bench for assistance and the physios were quickly onto the pitch. Rashford had treatment for a couple of minutes before walking off awkwardly with physio Jordan Reece and heading straight down the tunnel at the Snapdragon Stadium.
Erik ten Hag made a raft of changes just two minutes later, so Rashford was probably due to come off anyway. But the sight of another forward limping away just four days after Hojlund suffered a hamstring injury was a cause for concern. Antony was one of those changes but he lasted just 23 minutes before going off towards the end, cutting a frustrated figure as he went straight to the dressing-room.
Reducing the crippling number of injuries was one of United’s priorities this season, but they have already suffered enough of them in pre-season to suggest it’s a problem that won’t go away in a hurry.
Rashford has given Erik ten Hag another injury scare after being forced off on the hour mark
United on song without Hojlund
Losing Rasmus Hojlund for six weeks would appear to be a bitter blow for United, leaving manager Erik ten Hag with just one recognised senior striker in Joshua Zirkzee who has yet to play after signing from Bologna for £36.5million.
But United showed that there are other options with an attacking performance brimming with creativity. Jadon Sancho played as a false nine on tour in the US last summer and he filled the same role after Hojlund was injured against Arsenal on Saturday. Sancho’s future at Old Trafford is still in doubt, but he showed his flexibility again here and had a goal ruled out for offside inside the opening five minutes.
Amad Diallo was particularly effective on the right flank. He drew the foul from Romain Perraud that allowed Marcus Rashford to equalise from the penalty spot, and then rifled home United’s second. Rashford was on form as well before limping off in the second half, creating a number of chances for his teammates and squaring for Casemiro to claim the third goal from close-range.
With Christian Eriksen dropping deep alongside Casemiro, and Scott McTominay at No.10, United were full ideas and attacking threat, particularly in the first half.
Amad Diallo (right) proved extremely effective from the right and scored United’s second goal
Ten Hag takes no chances
After the deflating news about Yoro’s injury, Erik ten Hag was taking no chances with his centre-backs in San Diego.
His only half-time changes at the Snapdragon Stadium were Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as they made way for Jonny Evans and Will Fish at the interval. After last season’s chronic injury problems, particularly in defence, you can hardly blame Ten Hag for playing it safe with his central defenders.
With Yoro now expected to be out of action until November, and no guarantee United will sign Matthijs de Ligt or Jarrad Branthwaite, Ten Hag has to be careful with his centre-backs.
As it stands, Lisandro Martinez would start the season alongside Maguire, although the Argentine hasn’t returned to training after the Copa America and is unlikely to be available for the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10. Lindelof has been linked with a move to Fenerbahce although it remains to be seen if Yoro’s injury forces a rethink.
Will Fish (right) entered proceedings at half-time as Ten Hag took no risks with his defenders
Amass happy to mix it
Harry Amass got another start at left-back against the Spaniards after facing Arsenal on Saturday, and the teenager showed once again why there are such great expectations of him at United.
He got forward well and tackled tenaciously. The highlights of another bright performance were the cross whipped in that led to Amad scoring United’s second, and a fearless double tackle on Rodri and Hector Bellerin in the first half. The 17-year-old got stuck into Rodri and wasn’t afraid to follow up on former Arsenal man Bellerin. Both Spaniards looked towards MLS referee Alexis Da Silva but he was happy to wave play on.
Amass was replaced in the 62nd minute by Sam Murray, who was a little fortunate to get away with a rash challenge on Rodri in the penalty box. Both youngsters have played at left-back in pre-season in the absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. United could yet sign another defender to play there, so it remains to be seen how much playing time they get this season, but Amass is clearly a player we will see plenty more of in the future.
Harry Amass has impressed at left-back during pre-season, managing 62 minutes against Betis
Heaton ring rusty in rare start
You could forgive Tom Heaton for being a little ring rusty given that his last competitive appearance in goal for United came 18 months ago in a Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest.
Heaton was called up as a training goalkeeper with the England squad for the Euros this summer, but you can’t beat the real thing and he looked short of match sharpness when Real Betis took an early lead at the Snapdragon Stadium.
Tom Heaton (right) was handed a rare start by Ten Hag and took a while to settle into the game
The veteran saved from Rodri but couldn’t hold onto the ball and then inexplicably swiped it straight back to the Betis man who squared for teammate Iker Losada to score an easy goal. He was beaten again in the 61st minute by a header from former Leeds striker Diego Llorente.
Heaton signed a new one-year contract this summer but with Altay Bayindir once again expected to provide cover for Andre Onana, this is likely to be a rare appearance.
