The match kicks off in 20 minutes and Atletico haven’t been out for their warm-up for long, coming out nearly ten minutes or so after United. They don’t start their campaign for another few weeks so although they are the best team Ten Hag’s side have faced in pre-season they might not quite up to speed yet.
Harry Maguire really should score more goals given the chances he gets from set-pieces. Bruno Fernandes did well to pick him out, as he did so often last season, but he can’t get an effort on goal. Victor Lindelof has just glanced one wide from a Tyrell Malacia corner too.
Manchester United look shaky at the back against the well-drilled Atletico press but they remain a huge threat on the break. Malacia did well to get the ball out of danger and Rashford showed composure to work a shot at goal.
The way Atletico pressed United in the first couple of minutes suggested this could be a real test of United’s principles in playing out from the back, but they stuck to the approach and survived the early onslaught, which has blown outself out a little in the heat now, while United have also had more territory.
It looked nervy watching De Gea, Maguire and Lindelof play out, with the route to Fred blocked off, and that does feel like something opposition teams will try and focus on this season.
Elanga hasn’t offered much going forward but he has drawn a couple of fouls now. He prefers playing on the left and in the absence of Sancho there has been a noticeable drop-off in quality on the right wing today.
collar up McTominay is a different breed 🤣 pic.twitter.com/JxMGPyN3jq
— patrick 🇺🇸🇵🇬 (@PK_MUTD) July 30, 2022