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Manchester United performed out a goalless draw in opposition to fierce rivals Leeds United of their first pre-season pleasant this summer time, on the Mates Area in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday.
There have been probabilities, particularly within the second-half, however the Crimson Devils didn’t capitalise, a operating theme from the earlier marketing campaign.
There have been a couple of promising indicators, particularly from summer time signing Matheus Cunha, who impressed together with his dribbling, shut management and tenacity.
One other new signing Diego Leon additionally confirmed a couple of brilliant touches, however the recreation was largely disappointing from a United fan’s perspective.
Lack of management
Rasmus Hojlund, who performed your complete second half, was as unhealthy as final season, which is why the Portuguese tactician is determined for a brand new striker.
Quite disappointingly, academy graduate Toby Collyer appeared virtually invisible within the first half, as did Bendito Mantato within the second.
However the greatest challenge was the truth that Leeds managed many of the ball, and reasonably comfortably as properly.
They ended the sport with extra possession, extra passes and the next passing accuracy as in comparison with the 20-time English league champions.
That was largely as a result of their management in midfield, one thing Ruben Amorim’s males lacked.
The mixture of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes appeared everywhere, they usually had been at all times in a rush to play a by ball or a lofted move, as an alternative of attempting to carry the ball.
Midfield mixture not working
That’s their pure recreation, which makes the duo ill-suited to beginning video games as soon as the season truly begins. On prime of that, the Brazilian just isn’t getting any youthful, and the excessive tempo of the Premier League might be an excessive amount of for him week-in and week-out.
Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo fared barely higher, however the Uruguayan just isn’t essentially the most adept relating to ball development from deep, whereas the pinnacle coach doesn’t assume the Englishman is appropriate to play because the deep-lying playmaker in his system.
Discovering the right midfield mixture might be key for Amorim, and on present proof, he may want INEOS to carry somebody in. Ideally, he wants somebody who can mix silk with metal within the No.6 place, and might play alongside the membership captain.
Douglas Luiz suits the invoice, owing to his Premier League-pedigree in addition to his availability on mortgage. Allow us to see what occurs between now and the top of the summer time window.
Function picture Linnea Rheborg through Getty Photographs
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