Three Key Points From Manchester United’s USA Pre Season Tour

It’s been a mixed bag in terms of results for Manchester United over in the States during their pre-season tour, but Erik Ten Hag will be able to take a lot out of what he has seen over the four games.

A successful pre-season is not measured on results, but the ability to try new systems and allow for new incomings to gel within the team. The arrivals of Mason Mount and Andre Onana are two crucial signings that will find themselves in the starting XI on a regular basis, and so it has been essential to get them up to speed.

Here are three takeaways from Man United’s four performances:

Andre Onana will transform the team

The Cameroonian, signed from Inter for £45 million, might have only played a game-and-a-half for Manchester United so far, but it is absolutely clear of the impact he will have on his new team.

Onana’s ability to remain calm and composed on the ball and then deliver an inch-perfect pass, long or short, is something to behold. Fans of the Red Devils have been crying out for a goalkeeper who can kickstart the team’s attacking play, which is exactly what he will do.

The goalkeeper has been tested on occasion throughout the 135 minutes he has played, in which he has made some crucial stops. There are certainly going to be more difficult days in the Premier
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League where he will be expected to pull of miracle saves – a la David de Gea – but the initial signs are more than positive.

The arrival of Rasmus Hojlund will be a welcome one

If anything has been evident over the past four matches, it has been the lack of a centre forward. Manchester United went most of the season without having an elite presence at the tip of their attack, which will now be resolved after the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund.

While the Denmark international is only 20 with plenty to work on, Manchester United’s attackers will be delighted with the signing of an out-and-out centre forward with something to prove.

There have been a plethora of chances created during the pre-season tour where a more, natural, instinctive number nine would be reaching for. Hojlund will need time to adapt to his new team and to the Premier League, but United have finally brought in a striker at the beginning of his career.

Jadon Sancho’s effectiveness in the middle

It was plain to see that Jadon Sancho struggled to find his place in the Manchester United team last season, which is why Ten Hag sent him away for several months to work on himself privately.

There were signs of promise towards the back end of the 22/23 campaign, but Sancho’s confidence certainly wobbled and which shone through on the pitch.

However, throughout pre-season, playing as a false nine, Sancho has come to life in the team’s attacking build-up play. His neat interchanges with teammates around him showcase his best qualities and ability to play quickly in between the lines.

The arrival of Hojlund means that Sancho might not always find himself starting in that position, but he has shown his effectiveness generally in influencing the game far more in central areas than out wide.

Whether he plays as an attacking midfielder or comes on as a false nine, Ten Hag will be looking to bring out the best of Sancho in-and-around the box.