Manchester United’s fourth game of their pre-season tour ended in draw with Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa. Goals from Jadon Sancho and an own goal from Matty Cash were not enough to keep Erik Ten Hag’s winning start as Red Devils manager intact.
It was a hard-fought fixture in difficult conditions for Manchester United as they clashed with a fellow Premier League side, with the flowing, attacking football that has been a staple of the pre-season tour taking centre stage once again.
Here is how UtdDistrict rated the performance in the Perth rain from Erik ten Hag’s Reds’ against Aston Villa:
Starting XI
David De Gea - 5/10
Quiet first half for the Spanish shot-stopper. When required to play with the ball at his feet, he looked calm and assured. Could not do much about Leon Bailey’s goal early in the second-half, which was whipped venomously into the bottom corner but was too easily rounded by Leon Bailey for what would have been the equalizer.
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Moments later he failed to collect a Villa corner but luckily no Villa player could direct the ball towards an open goal, and did not do well enough in the closing moments as Aston Villa equalised through Calllum Chambers.
Diogo Dalot - 6/10
Looked confident on the ball but by his previous standard on the 2022 pre-season tour, he was quiet.
Victor Lindelof - 6/10
Played on the left-side of defense and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet in the first-half and playing in the advanced United defensive line.However, in one-on-ones, particularly against Ollie Watkins he did look slightly nervous. This shaky defending continued into the second-half with Leon Bailey beating the Swede one-on-one before curling the ball into the bottom corner.
Harry Maguire - 7/10
Minutes after kick-off he showed how dangerous he can be in the air, almost getting the opener with a header from a Luke Shaw corner. Did some good defensive work when called into action on the few occasions when Villa launched their counter-attacks in the first-half and just about dealt with the heavy Villa pressure after the restart. Made a fantastic block to bail out David De Gea after Leon Bailey rounder the keeper and looked certain to equalize.
Luke Shaw - 8/10
Linked up well with Marcus Rashford on the United left-flank, with the two combining for United’s first goal. Showed pace and posie to drove past Rashford and play a precise ball across the goal for Jadon Sancho to volley home. Will face competition from new-signing Tyrell Malacia, but showed he will be a key player for Ten Hag in the upcoming season.
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Fred - 7/10
Tenacious in midfield, breaking up Aston Villa attacking moves and played some positive passes through the lines. Created the second goal with a precise ball over the top to Sancho.
Donny van de Beek- 6/10
Given a chance by Erik ten Hag to start the game but did not make too much of an impact, but did have some deft touches in the midfield when the ball found him.
Bruno Fernandes - 7/10
Excelling in his role in this Ten Hag system, linking up the play nicely with United’s front three. Showed discipline in his passing but also creativity and flair, also showed an intensity when applying pressure to Villa players on the ball, winning back possession for the Red Devils on numerous occasions - tag post
Marcus Rashford- 7/10
Had a fascinating battle against Matty Cash throughout the first-half and looked good when he linked up with Luke Shaw, especially in the creation of the first goal. For United’s second goal he was in a good position but got fortunate with the ricochet off the Villa full-back.
Anthony Martial - 6/10
By his previous MU tour standards it was a quiet first-half showing from the French forward, but still showed his worth to this Manchester United side by holding the ball up and linking play together well.
Jadon Sancho - 8/10
Direct as usual. Denied by a low save from Martinez early in the game and took his goal very confidently. Also set-up the second goal after receiving a long-ball from Fred and swinging the ball into a dangerous area. A solid showing from the winger in the first forty-five. In the first period of the second-half, he continued to cause problems, almost forcing Villa into another own-goal with an inviting low-ball into the centre of the Villa penalty-area.
Substitutes
Tyrell Malacia - 7/10
After the standards that were set by Luke Shaw earlier in the game, Malacia’s performance in comparison looked a touch more reserved, but in glimpses he still certainly showed his potential.
Eric Bailly - 7/10
Looked comfortable in the united backline and defended with his trademark flamboyance.
Raphael Varane - 6/10
Moments after he re-introduction to the United side after injury problems the French defender was too easily skipped past by Morgan Sanson but fortunately the Villa chance came to nothing.
Alex Telles - 7/10
The Brazilian has been moved around the team throughout the team, with him playing previous games at center-half, however, in this cameo he featured at defensive midfielder to some effect.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7/10
The English full-back has faced heavy competition for the RB spot from Diogo Dalot and looked comfortable after his introduction in the second-half. This competition between the two United full-backs will certianly be one to watch as we approach the new season
James Garner - 7/10
Making his much-anticipated first start for Manchester United on their pre-season tour, the midfielder looked assured on the ball and showed good awareness to cut out a few Villa opportunities.
Zidane Iqbal - 6/10
So far on the 2022 pre-season tour, Iqbal has shown in spells his immense potential but struggled to get involved in this game after his introduction, but in bursts he still showed why everyone is so excited about his progression.
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Hannibal Mejbri - 6/10
From the off, the Tunisian showed off his trademark ferocity and intensity by charging into tackles and setting the tempo for his teammates, but he found difficulties when it came to breaking down the Villa defense
Anthony Elanga- 6/10
Utilized his lightning pace to good effect at points but the Villa backline looked comfortable dealing with the United attackers after the wholesale changes to Ten Hag’s side.
Tahith Chong- 6/10
Picked up a curious yellow card after his introduction to the game and had little effect on proceedings on the United right.
Topics: Manchester United, Aston Villa, Jadon Sancho, Fred, Erik Ten Hag, Football
Matthew O'Hara