'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United began their pre-season tour at Sydney in the Optus Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of almost 55,000 people. It is fair to say that those people weren't disappointed by the Red Devils as they got a comprehensive 2-0 victory.
In the first half, the XI that started comprised of Sergio Romero, Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Diogo Dalot, Andreas Pereira, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Taith Chong, Daniel James, and Anthony Martial. The half itself was a bit pedestrian and United couldn't find an opener despite having many chances to do so.
In the second half, all the starters were substituted and the lineup compromised of Joel Periera, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Angel Gomes, Juan Mata, Mason Greenwood, and Marcus Rashford. Rashford opened the scoring with a great left-footed strike into the bottom corner. Also, Shaw was later substituted for what looked like an injury and James Garner scored instantly with a good strike from outside the box.
All in all, it was a good day out for United and in this slideshow, we take a look at the 5 talking points from the game:
#5 United's pressing from the front
This was for everyone to see and this is something Solskjaer is trying to build into this United team. In both the halves, every Manchester United player was in the opposition half and they pressed every time the home side tried the pass their way out of the back. The second goal from Garner was the biggest example, Perth passing their way out of the back, United applying pressure and Garner winning the ball before striking it into the bottom corner.
Whenever the Red Devils were losing the ball, they weren't messing around and were trying to win the ball back as soon as possible. Clearly, the fitness levels will increase as the tour goes on and we will definitely see more of this.
#4 Paul Pogba influenced the tempo of the game drastically
In the first half, both Andreas Pereira and Nemanja Matic were finding it difficult to control the tempo of the game. But, as soon as Paul Pogba came on, he stamped his class on the proceedings. The passing intensity increased and he was at the center of everything positive for United.
It was delightful flick which set up Rashford for United's first goal and if there were any questions regarding who the best player in this United team is and why Solskjaer is so desperately trying to keep the Frenchman at the club, all those have been answered emphatically.
#3 Aaron Wan-Bissaka puts on a solid defensive display
When United signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka, every Red Devils fan was pretty excited to see the best tackler in the Premier League in the iconic red shirt and he didn't disappoint. His trademark sliding tackles were on display on several occasions. Perth Glory attackers couldn't get past him on a single occasion and while Wan-Bissaka can definitely improve his game going forward, he just might he United's best defender.
From the initial looks of him, Wan-Bissaka is going to be a future superstar and Manchester United have a brilliant talent on their hands.
#2 Daniel James puts on a lightning display
When United signed Daniel James, everyone knew he was very quick and silky on the ball and after watching him live, it was abundantly clear that he is devastatingly quick on the ball. He was being fouled by the defenders constantly and his crossing ability was on display.
United lack quality crossers in their lineup and James can turn out to be a great one. His pace was frightening and Solskjaer would have been very pleased with his work rate. Again his initial looks suggest that he is a proper talent and he could potentially light up Old Trafford this season.
#1 Tuanzebe looked calm and composed at the back
One of the biggest positives of the game was the way Tuanzebe played alongside Phil Jones in the first half. It was as if he was strolling at a park. He didn't once let a Perth Glory attacker get past him and he was pretty composed on the ball as well.
What would be interesting to see is what can he do against better opponents and if Tuanzebe continues to impress Solskjaer, who knows if he can nail down that center-back position alongside Victor Lindelof this season!
