Shea Lacey’s electric footwork and Bryan Mbeumo’s clinical finishing rescued a draw in Sweden as Manchester United’s tactical fluidity and technical dominance overwhelmed the Spanish giants.
Man Utd 2-1 Atletico Madrid REACTION!
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Manchester United beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Sweden in what was the biggest test so far in pre-season. For the first time so far, the Red Devils made very few changes till the 72nd minute as the club has entered the business end of the tour.
The Spanish freakishly took the lead as Arnau Ortiz whipped in a brilliant cross which missed everyone and caught out Tim Heaton to make it 1-0 inside six minutes.
United came roaring back and dominated the rest of the first-half. The best chance came when Mason Mount crossed the ball to the far post for Luke Shaw to smash home, but Jan Oblak made a brilliant save to deny the left back.
In the 52nd minute, Michael Carrick was given the chance to equalise when Shea Lacey danced his way through the Atleti defence and was brought down in the box. Bryan Mbeumo stepped up and sent Salvi Esquivel the wrong way to make it 1-1.
In the 74th minute, Mbeumo scored his and United's second of the game when Jack Fletcher pressed high up and won the ball before playing it to the Cameroonian, who tapped it in.
In the 82nd minute, JJ Gabriel made his long-awaited professional debut alongside Jim Thwaites who both impressed last-season for the youth teams.
#1 - Technical security
While this has been something that has improved gradually, today, against the strongest opposition so far, the club dominated for the large majority of the game by keeping the ball. Aside from the goal, Atleti barely laid a glove on United.
Mount and Andrey Santos were impressive today, both defensively and in possession. Both acted as deep-lying playmakers and connected the defence with the attack. Especially Santos, who was consistently drilling the ball through the lines.
In the first two games, the Red Devils' first team that played were quite slow and lethargic on the ball. But today, led by Mount and Santos, who have struck up a good partnership, the ball was moved quickly and with clear attacking intent.
If Mount can keep himself fit this season, in very specific games he will be pivotal to the way United keep the ball.
#2 - Carrick profiled Yoro well
Today was by far Leny Yoro's best performance of pre-season despite being up against the lethal Ademola Lookman. For the large majority of the game, the Frenchman sniffed out the danger, and during open play, there was very little threat down the right.
Compared to his first season when he had the infamous game against Southampton where he struggled against Kamaldeen Sulemana, Yoro has gone up leaps and bounds defending in wide areas and looks very comfortable.
The best part of the way Carrick has profiled Yoro is the way he has given him the license to overlap down the right or even invert to help with possession. He was unlucky not to get an assist with some of the dangerous crosses he played. Finally, Carrick also gave Yoro the license to dribble with the ball, with his ball progression being a very underrated skill.
#3 - Lacey has a big role this season
Everyone has known ever since he was breaking into the U18 side that Lacey is a supremely talented player, but injuries hampered him at the time.
Even last season, when he made his debut against Burnley or even against Wolves or Brighton, where he was sent off, he shone in his cameos with his first touch, fearlessness on the ball and his strength despite his size.
However, today against Atleti he played 73 minutes and at times ran the show going forward for Michael Carrick's side, whether it was on the right or in the ten. His fancy footwork earned the club the penalty which led to the equaliser.
The fact that he played so many minutes as an academy graduate gives an insight that, especially in the cup competitions, he has a big role to play. Given the options on the right, it could be that in certain games he could be the deputy to Bruno Fernandes.
#4 - Dorgu should be used sparingly on the left wing
Last season, Patrick Dorgu exploded before his injuries, scoring brilliant goals on the left, especially against Arsenal. When he has space, he has proven devastating, as few players can catch him when he is running at full speed.
However, today showed why he should be used sparingly on the wing, especially on the left. He had very little threat in forward areas, with much of the game being played in tight areas, with Atletico Madrid opting to play with a deeper line to deny space.
It does feel like, in games like this, he needs to be in a more defensive position, like at left-back, which we have not seen him much in.
#5 - Carrick adapting his system
For much of his interim spell, Carrick opted for a slightly pragmatic and compact system that made the team dangerous on the counter.
Today was the best the team played tactically, and that was partly with Carrick slowly bringing in aspects of his possession-based system that he had at Middlesbrough, with players very comfortable in possession, unlike in previous years, where players treated the ball with no composure.
But the main change was clearly the high line the team had, with the squad squeezing Atleti in their half. Both Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven were given the license to advance further and further into the opposition half.
This new high line was also meant for a more cohesive and aggressive high press, which led to the second goal Mbeumo scored after Fletcher intercepted a misplaced pass due to the pressure United put on Atleti.