Following Manchester United’s incredible four-nil win against Liverpool on Tuesday, United looked to continue their pre-season form against Melbourne Victory.
The Red Devils would confidently do so, dispatching Melbourne Victory in a 4-1 victory, thanks to efforts from Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, as well as an own goal from Edmond Lupancu.
First Half
It was a game akin to many of Manchester United’s in recent years, with a low-block being utilised by the opposition, happy to let United keep possession of the ball.
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A rapid counter-attack from Melbourne Victory saw the side take the lead in under five minutes. Attacking down the right-wing, it was Ben Folami who burst past, before picking out Chris Ikonomidis who casually slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
With United looking to get back in the game, it would be Scott McTominay of all people who came close to getting United level again. After some nice touches from Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, and Bruno Fernandes, the latter of the three would get in behind on the right hand side. With the ball at his feet, Fernandes cut back, and picked out McTominay who would see his shot deflect away.
As the first-half went on, United would begin to grow into the game, and with that in mind, Fernandes would go from provider, to almost goalscorer. From a midfield position, Sancho would pick out the Portuguese international’s run, and as Fernandes latched onto the pass he was only narrowly denied a goal by an excellent save from Melbourne’s Paul Izzo.
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Worryingly for United, going into the break the number of clear cut chances from the Red Devils could have been counted on one hand. Worse still, the majority of their shots came from the midfield pairing of McTominay, and Fred. Ambitious efforts that rarely came off.
But just because the midfield pairs’ shots don’t usually end up in the back of the net, sometimes you get a bit of luck. With that in mind, it would be a heavily deflected effort from McTominay that levelled up the scoring. First doing well to win the ball, McTominay’s outside the box effort would deflect off a Melbourne Victory, looping straight into the back of the net.
With time running out, and the first half drawing to a close, United would be at the double, quickly taking the lead. Diogo Dalot pounced on a pass, whipping in a cross which Anthony Elanga would flick on for Martial who quickly reacted, bringing the ball down, before slotting it home.
United would enter the half-time break knowing they had to work to earn their one-goal lead, with heavy plaudits going to the entire right-side. Where United may have struggled to show their best on the left, the right looked lethal at all times.
Second Half
With United entering for the second half with all but Tom Heaton swapped out, we would see both Tahith Chong, and Ethan Laird pick up their first minutes of football on United’s pre-season tour. Additionally, Alex Telles would return to the centre-back position he played in against Liverpool in the tour opener, a decision perhaps made easier for Ten Hag following Raphael Varane dropping out after picking up an injury ahead of kick-off.
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As a team, the new 10 outfield players struggled to get any real momentum as a unit. Whilst like the first half United had plenty of the ball, it was largely moments of individual brilliance as opposed to team quality on display.
Two of those individuals who looked more than comfortable in a United shirt were Charlie Savage, and Zidane Iqbal. Building on from their highly praised performances against Liverpool, the pair never looked out of place in the United first-team.
After getting away with two rather serious errors in quick succession, Eric Bailly would then pick up an excellent assist for United’s third. Dribbling forward in a way similar to his impact on United’s fourth goal against Liverpool earlier this week, Bailly split Melbourne Victory’s defence, slotting in Marcus Rashford. With the keeper running at him, Rashford poked the ball into the net doubling United’s lead.
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Rashford would come close to doubling his goal tally. First, the Englishman pounced on a cross from new signing Tyrell Malacia, only for it to be saved, before a long-range effort went just wide off the post.
Credit also has to go to Tom Heaton for his performances throughout the game. Ignoring Melbourne’s goal which he could do very little, if anything about, he was consistently composed when called upon. Never looking like he would be beaten, the 36-year-old made a strong case for maintaining his position at the club.
A fourth goal for United would close the scoring for the day, with an unfortunate own goal from Melbourne Victory substitute Edmond Lupancu, coming in the 90th minute.
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Manchester United will now remain in Melbourne, continuing their pre-season tour against Premier League opposition in Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
Confirmed Line-ups
Manchester United
Starting XI: Heaton, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga, Martial
Subs: Laird, Malacia, Telles, Bailly, Van de Beek, Iqbal, Savage, Chong, Amad, Rashford (2nd Half/Half-Time)
Melbourne Victory
Starting XI: Izzo, Timotheou, Miranda, Broxham, Brillante, Barnett, Ikonomidis, Brimmer, Folami, Nigro
Subs: Brooks, Velupillay, Nani, Lupancu, Menelaou, Juric (2nd Half)
Topics: Manchester United, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Scott Mctominay, Erik Ten Hag, Football
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Jozef Kostecki