It’s preseason, a time where we all enjoy the sight of new signings and new kits making their debuts, check out new squad numbers, and run the rule over potential fantasy football signings. For Man United it means a tour Down Under, and we caught their latest game against Melbourne Victory to get back in the rhythm for our Framed series.
Manchester United got their preseason underway with an impressive 4-0 win over Liverpool last week, and they followed that up with another high-scoring affair as they ran out 4-1 winners against A-League side Melbourne Victory. There was a familiar face on the opposition team sheet in Nani, as well as another look at that 22/23 home shirt in action (disappointingly no one popping that collar though), with Ten Hag’s men certainly finding an attacking fluidity. Aside from the action, there was a first appearance of Fernandes with the number 8 and Martial retaking the number 9 that Zlatan Ibrahimovic unceremoniously stole from him years ago.
The thousands of fans crammed into Melbourne Cricket Ground to catch a glimpse of their idols from the Premier League were given a mild shock when the hosts took a surprise lead with just four minutes played, as Ben Folami found space down the right flank and smartly picked out Christopher Ikonomidis in the box. It didn’t last though, with McTominay looping a deflected effort in followed by Martial making it two in two.
Ten Hag made 10 changes at the break, and Marcus Rashford made it 3-1. Former Reds winger Nani was then introduced with just a few minutes to go, making his debut for the hosts seven years after his departure from Old Trafford. The scoring was then completed with just minutes remaining, when Edmond Lupancu diverted a Tahith Chong cross into his own net to make it 4-1. Crystal Palace up next as United’s Dutch revolution warms up nicely.
Photography by Aleksandar Jason for SoccerBible.
