Manchester United were beaten 3-2 by Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on Sunday evening, but there were some valuable lessons for manager Erik ten Hag.
Diogo Dalot gave United the lead with a great attack from range in the first half, but a quick double by Donyell Malen gave Dortmud the lead at half-time.
Antony equalized shortly after the break, but Youssoufa Moukoko’s goal in the 71st minute proved decisive.
But CHRIS WHEELER from Mail Sport was on hand with the game’s talking points…
Manchester United lost to Borussia Dortmund, but there were useful lessons for Erik ten Hag
STRONG TEN HAG
Erik ten Hag didn’t hesitate to hook teenager Omari Forson and replace him shortly before the break for Antony in United’s 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the Allegiant Stadium after the young winger got involved in a battle with Julian Ryerson.
It started with Forson stepping out of Ryerson for blocking him, then taking on Karim Adeyemi in the aftermath, leading to a yellow card for both players. But Forson continued his feud with Ryerson afterwards and Ten Hag felt compelled to intervene.
Antony was expected to come on at half-time, but Ten Hag immediately ordered the Brazilian to warm up and sent him on shortly afterwards.
Forson looked distressed to be taken off the field and was comforted by Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen as he trudged to the touchline, but Ten Hag was slightly less sympathetic, waving his finger at the player as he gave him a stern preached.
The switch seemed to pay off as Antony took advantage of Hummels’ mistake to equalize in the 52nd minute, but missed another glorious chance to level United.
The United boss was tough on Omari Forson, who was taken off in Las Vegas before the break
BRUNO THE TOUCHLINE TERRIER
Bruno Fernandes wasn’t even on the pitch in the first half, but the United captain couldn’t help speaking to the match officials as the Forson-Ryerson feud flared up.
Fernandes stormed off the bench to protest to the fourth official, clearly unhappy that the Dortmund defender nibbled Forson.
Fernandes came on the hour mark with several other first-choice United players to claim the captain’s armband, but it was interesting that Scott McTominay wore it until then.
McTominay’s future at Old Trafford is in doubt, but United are certainly not forcing him. Indeed, the Scottish midfielder looks more likely to stay after Kobbie Mainoo was ruled out early in the season with an ankle injury, with Fred and Donny van de Beek both expected to leave this summer.
Bruno Fernandes was his usual energetic self – even in the first half when he wasn’t playing
SYMPATHY FOR MAGUIRE
You have to feel for Harry Maguire. Stripped of the captain’s armband by manager Erik ten Hag, he was overlooked for the role in favor of McTominay when Fernandes was not in the starting line-up in Las Vegas.
Then there was the usual minority of idiots harassing the England defender when he attempted an early pass.
Notably, Maguire was replaced by veteran Jonny Evans – signed on a short-term contract to cover pre-season – as Ten Hag marked his team on the hour. Could Evans be offered a longer-term contract to replace Maguire when he leaves Old Trafford this summer, or could he even get ahead of him in the pecking order if he stays?
Maguire is determined to carry on despite the setbacks and fight for his future at United, and for that you have to admire the man. But if Ten Hag really appreciates him, maybe he should show it a little better.
Harry Maguire was overlooked as captain even when Bruno Fernandes was off the field
ADJUST ONANA
Andre Onana’s £47.1 million signing will change the way United play from the back this season, but there were a few teething problems in Las Vegas as Ten Hag’s side conceded twice in the space of 18 seconds before the break.
As soon as Donyell Malen had volleyed Dortmund level, Onana’s number 2 Tom Heaton played a risky pass to Victor Lindelof on the edge of the penalty area. Lindelof attempted an equally dangerous pass to Donny van de Beek, who was knocked out by former United man Marcel Sabitzer.
Brandon Williams played Malen offside as he received the ball from Sabitzer and slid past Heaton for the second time in quick succession.
Heaton blamed Williams, who reacted angrily, shouting, “My fault? It was your mess!’
Onana replaced Heaton at half-time, but there was more dissension among the United defense within five minutes of the restart when the Cameroonian made a save from Sebastian Haller after a mix-up between Maguire and McTominay, and jumped up to scold Maguire.
The defensive problems continued after Ten Hag made numerous changes and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave away the wall in the build-up to Youssoufa Moukoko’s winner.
United are still adjusting to new goalkeeper Andre Onana – a recent signing from the Red Devils
Jadon Sancho produced some impressive draw against his old team in false 9 position
SANCHO A FALSE NINE
Jadon Sancho has barely progressed since moving from Borussia Dortmund to United for £73m two years ago, but he looked vibrant as a false nine against his former club at the Allegiant Stadium.
Sancho will play through the center on tour in the absence of Antony Martial and United are still trying to secure a deal for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.
His pace here caused problems for Dortmund as he troubled their back-four and played for some nice lefts to put Facundo Pellistri behind a couple of times. There was also a sublime twist just before halftime that left the rather ponderous Humells behind shadows.
Pellistri too was a bundle of energy on United’s tight flank, drawing a yellow card from Hummels for a clumsy challenge. The young Uruguayan earned his pat on the back from Ten Hag when he was substituted in the second period.