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Manchester United took on arch-rivals Liverpool in the third and final game of their tour of the United States in South Carolina.
In front of a full house, Andre Onana started once again in goal after Tom Heaton featured versus Real Betis.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who could potentially have played his last game for United as talks intensify over a move to West Ham United, started on the right, while Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Harry Amass made up the rest of the defence.
The midfield three consisted of Toby Collyer, Casemiro and Mason Mount played in the more advanced role.
Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Jadon Sancho once again made up the front three. Here are some things we learned during the course of the game.
High press in action once again
In a game of positives and negatives from a United perspective, Erik ten Hag’s side maintained their high press where the front six won the ball back numerous times to get into some dangerous positions.
In the first half Toby Collyer nicked the ball well off the Liverpool defence and played in Mason Mount, who shot right at the goalkeeper.
The press also forced Liverpool into another error as they gave the ball away shortly after and Marcus Rashford curled the loose ball just wide.
In previous games against the Merseysiders, the Red Devils have been much more reactive and hit on the counter, so it will be interesting to see if Erik ten Hag maintains such a brave style of play when the two sides take on each other on the 1st of September in the Premier League.
Whilst it is impossible to press all game, it will be a concern for Ten Hag that there was such a drop off from the first 25 minutes and something the team will be aiming to improve as the season progresses.
Mason Mount continues to misfire in front of goal
The Englishman endured an incredibly tough first season at Old Trafford as he had numerous injuries and rarely got a run of games in the first team.
He has been an active member of pre-season however and he has been one of the better players on the tour but once again, he struggled in front of goal.
The 25 year old had two clear-cut chances in the first 20 minutes of play. On the first occasion he had a poor first touch and fired straight at Caoimhin Kelleher after being played in by Collyer.
The former Chelsea man was played in by a delightful chip over the top by Casemiro but once again, he shot directly at the Irish keeper.
One of Mount’s greatest characteristics at his former club was having a nose for a goal but it is something he has still yet to discover at Old Trafford, and something he will be desperate to rectify this season.
Defensive issues still on show
The Red Devils suffered immensely last season when defending as they conceded 85 goals in all competitions.
While there were positive aspects of United’s play, one disappointing feature of the evening was how easily the defensive line was cut open for Liverpool’s goals.
While United were playing far from their first choice back four, there was still a worrying similarity to last season’s weaknesses.
Mo Salah had great joy against the inexperienced Amass down the United left and generated numerous chances down that side as the Anfield team’s second goal came from a cut back from that wing.
Liverpool’s opening goal from Fábio Carvalho was also disappointing from a Red Devils’ perspective as he was given too much time to find the bottom corner.
The third goal would have been offside in the Premier League but once again, the United defence was cut to ribbons all too easily.
It will certainly be something they will need to work on if they are to repeat May’s trick and defeat Manchester City at Wembley next Saturday in the Community Shield.
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