Manchester United returned to winning ways on their pre-season tour of the United States 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.
Two minutes after conceding, United had a chance to equalise when Amad Diallo was brought down inside the area.
Marcus Rashford converted the penalty before Amad Diallo and Casemeiro added the second and third goals in the 13th minute. Former Leeds defender Diego Llorente did score for Betis in the second half but United held on to win.
Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler was in San Diego on Wednesday night and picked out five things we learned from the game.
Manchester United scored three goals in just 13 first-half minutes on their way to victory
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for United by scoring from the penalty spot in the 18th minute.
The curse of injuries strikes again
As if Manchester United haven’t had enough bad injury news for one day, Marcus Rashford and Antony left the field in the 3-2 win over Real Betis at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.
After Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund were confirmed to be sidelined for three months and six weeks respectively, Rashford limped off shortly after the hour mark when he was caught on the right ankle by a heavy challenge from Sergi Altimira in the Real Betis box.
The situation was serious enough that Jadon Sancho gestured to the United bench for help and the physios were quickly brought onto the pitch. Rashford received treatment for a couple of minutes before awkwardly walking off with physio Jordan Reece and heading straight for the Snapdragon Stadium tunnel.
Erik ten Hag made a raft of changes just two minutes later, so Rashford was probably going to come off anyway. But seeing another striker hobbling off just four days after Hojlund suffered a thigh injury was cause for concern. Antony was one of those changes, but he lasted just 23 minutes before being withdrawn towards the end, cutting a frustrated figure as he headed straight to the dressing room.
Reducing the staggering injury toll has been one of United’s priorities this season, but they have already suffered enough in pre-season to suggest it is a problem that will not go away quickly.
Rashford has given Erik ten Hag another injury scare after being forced off the pitch on the hour mark
United in song without Hojlund
Losing Rasmus Hojlund for six weeks would appear to be a huge blow for United, leaving manager Erik ten Hag with just one recognised veteran striker in Joshua Zirkzee, who is yet to play after signing from Bologna for £36.5m.
But United showed there are other options with an attacking game bursting with creativity. Jadon Sancho played as a false nine on the tour of America last summer and took up the same role after Hojlund was injured against Arsenal on Saturday. Sancho’s future at Old Trafford is still in doubt but here he again showed his flexibility and had a goal ruled out for offside in the first five minutes.
Amad Diallo was particularly effective on the right flank. He drew the foul on Romain Perraud that allowed Marcus Rashford to equalise from the penalty spot and then scored United’s second goal. Rashford was also in fine form before limping off in the second half, creating several chances for his team-mates and setting up Casemiro’s third goal from close range.
With Christian Eriksen deep alongside Casemiro and Scott McTominay in the No.10 role, United were full of ideas and posed an 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
Following the disappointing news of Yoro’s injury, Erik ten Hag didn’t want to take any chances with his central defenders in San Diego.
His only changes at half-time at the Snapdragon Stadium were Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, who made way for Jonny Evans and Will Fish at the interval. After last season’s chronic injury problems, particularly in defence, Ten Hag cannot be blamed for playing it safe with his centre-backs.
With Yoro now expected to be out of action until November and with no guarantee that United will sign Matthijs de Ligt or Jarrad Branthwaite, Ten Hag must be careful with his centre-backs.
As things stand, Lisandro Martinez is set to start the season alongside Maguire, although the Argentine has not returned to training since 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 whether Yoro’s injury forces a rethink.
Will Fish (right) came into action on the break as Ten Hag took no chances with his defenders.
Amass happy to mix it up
Harry Amass started at left-back again against the Spaniards after facing Arsenal on Saturday, and the teenager once again showed why there is so much expectation placed on him at United.
He attacked well and made tackles with tenacity. Highlights of another brilliant performance were the cross-field pass that led to Amad scoring United’s second goal and a fearless double tackle on Rodri and Hector Bellerin in the first half. The 17-year-old got into it with Rodri and was not afraid to keep pace with former Arsenal player Bellerin. Both Spaniards looked at MLS referee Alexis Da Silva but he was happy to let play continue.
Amass was replaced in the 62nd minute by Sam Murray, who had a bit of luck and got away with it after a rash challenge on Rodri in the box. Both youngsters have played at left-back in pre-season in the absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. United could sign another defender to play in that position, so it remains to be seen how much game time he will get this season, but Amass is clearly a player we will see a lot more of in the future.
Harry Amass has impressed at left-back during pre-season, playing 62 minutes against Betis
Oxidized Heaton Ring on Rare Starter
Tom Heaton could be forgiven for being a little rusty, given his last competitive appearance in goal for United was 18 months ago in a Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest.
Heaton was called up as a training goalkeeper for England’s Euros this summer but nothing can beat a real goalkeeper and he looked lacking in accuracy as Real Betis took an early lead at the Snapdragon Stadium.
Tom Heaton (right) was given a rare starting opportunity thanks to Ten Hag and took a while to adjust to the game.
The veteran saved a shot from Rodri, but was unable to hold on to the ball and inexplicably passed it to the Betis player, who set up his teammate Iker Losada to score an easy goal. In the 61st minute, former Leeds striker Diego Llorente beat him again with a header.
Heaton signed a new one-year deal this summer but with Altay Bayindir expected to return to cover for Andre Onana this is likely to be a rare appearance.
