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Manchester United traveled to Ullevaal Stadium in Olso, Norway, for their penultimate pre-season game of the summer against Kristiansund BK.
The Red Devils had performed admirably in the build-up to the game, winning all of their four games while scoring nine goals and conceding just once. The game against Kristiansund was another opportunity for United to sharpen their skills ahead of the upcoming season.
It was a particularly endearing night for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as he returned to his native country to face his hometown club. He was up against his childhood friend Christian Michelsen, who was in charge of Kristiansund, while his son Noah was on the brink of his debut against the Red Devils.
The manager might have have been emotional on his homecoming, but he was professional as usual in his team selection and named a competitive first XI for the game. Solskjaer started with David de Gea in goal - who wore the armband for the night - and opted for a back four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones and Luke Shaw.
In the midfield, he opted for a double pivot of Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay, while Jesse Lingard played in the No. 10 role. The front three comprised of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James.
United were the dominant team in the first half, but failed to find a breakthrough. Even though Solskjaer made 11 changes to his team in the 60th minute, the Premier League giants continued to struggle in front of goal.
It was only in the 92nd minute that a Juan Mata penalty gave them the lead, and ultimately helped the Red Devils win the game.
Solskjaer will be pleased with the victory that ensured the pre-season winning steak was intact. Here is a look at five players who helped the Red Devils win the game.
#5 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
United’s new signing continued his impressive start to life under Solskjaer and displayed his qualities once again against Kristiansund. The Englishman was solid at the back and adventurous in attack. He showed hints of a budding partnership with Daniel James and even had the confidence to try out some tricks on the field.
Wan-Bissaka regularly bombed forward to join the United attack and also carved out a couple of chances for the Red Devils. He showed acute ball control in possession and whenever United lost the ball, his speed and tackling abilities ensured that any chances of a calamity were averted.
It might not have been his best game, but Wan-Bissaka had a mature outing on the night.
#4 Marcus Rashford
The Englishman started on the left attacking role and was United’s most potent attacker in the first half. Marcus Rashford was his usual fast and fluid self, popping up across the front three and combining well with Luke Shaw on the wings.
The youngster ran the channels quite well on the night and gave the Kristiansund defense a lot of headaches with his movement.
With the ball at his feet, Rashford was dynamic and tried to make things happen. His quick feet and his diagonal runs regularly opened up the opposition back line, and he did carve out quite a few chances for his teammates.
The Englishman also had a few opportunities to score himself, but his finishing was a tad uninspired. One of his free-kicks was also brilliantly saved in the first half.
Rashford suffered due to a lack of the final ball, as United missed the creative spark from midfield on the night. However, the Englishman's overall performance should please Solskjaer.
#3 Tahith Chong
Tahith Chong started the game from the bench and was introduced in the 60th minute when Solskjaer decided to change his entire first XI. The Dutchman immediately made an impact, joining forces with the new United attack and forcing a save from a long shot.
That was just a sign of things to come.
Chong’s entry into the field added a spark to the United attack which was missing in the first half. The youngster was lively and ran at the opposition with intent. In fact, Kristiansund took quite some time to get used to him, and Chong never allowed them to settle.
The Dutchman continued to have his say in the game, impressing from the left and attempting to carve out openings for his team. His movement in and around the box was sharp and he forced the goalkeeper into a couple of saves.
In a game where Daniel James failed to find a footing, Chong showed Solskjaer that the Norwegian does have a few more options for the wings.
#2 Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay was stellar once again in the midfield, and it was his presence that ensured that United were not punished for another poor display from Nemanja Matic. The Scottish midfielder was strong in the midfield and dominated proceedings for United in the absence of Paul Pogba in the first half.
The youngster started in the deeper role but regularly ventured forward. He tried to set up his forward players with through balls and even won free kicks in the final third.
McTominay was tidy with the ball at his feet and attempted to instill a sense of urgency in the game. He switched flanks, moved the ball out of midfield quickly and then joined the attack to pile the pressure on the opposition.
Wheneven United lost the ball, McTominay took charge, intercepting the opposition play and winning back the ball. His presence was vital as Manchester United stayed in control of the game for the majority of the first half.
The Scot was outstanding on the night and might have done enough to earn a place in the first team against Chelsea, with the match set to take place in just over 10 days.
#1 Juan Mata
Juan Mata was introduced in the 60th minute along with the rest of the substitutes, but took little time to adjust to the field. He started in the No. 10 role and instantly looked much more reliable than Jesse Lingard.
Even though the Spaniard is hardly the fastest player in the squad, he makes up for his lack of pace with his immaculate ball control and positioning. Against Kristiansund, his abilities won United the game.
Mata displayed his understanding with Paul Pogba once again and also combined well with Andreas Pereira, who took up the right attacking role. With the speed of the youngsters ahead of him, Mata tried to create chances, but the Kristiansund defence held on.
The Spaniard ultimately had the last laugh in the 91st minute.
Mata showed great awareness and ball control in the penalty box, before he was brought down illegally. The Red Devils were awarded a penalty, which Mata converted himself to give United a deserved win.
