Analysis of Manchester United's new signings as Real Madrid win UEFA Super Cup 2-1

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  • Real Madrid beat Manchester United 2-1 to win the UEFA Super Cup in the Macedonian capital Skopje on Tuesday.

    Goals in each half from Casemiro and Isco had the reigning European champions two ahead before Romelu Lukaku pulled one back.

    It is the second year running Madrid have won the trophy, contested by the holders of the Champions League and Europa League.

    While Madrid’s new signing Theo Hernandez didn’t make it onto the field, three of United’s new recruits did feature from the start.

    Here’s a look at how they fared.

    NEMANJA MATIC

    RATING: 7/10

    It was a decent debut for Nemanja Matic in a Red shirt. He stopped a few attacks dead in their tracks, getting the better of Gareth Bale, Isco, Casemiro and Karim Benzema on separate occasions.

    His positioning was top notch and he managed to find a couple of good passes as well. At one point though, he bizarrely stood still, expecting David de Gea to claim a looping ball into the box but the Spaniard stayed on his line and Bale’s impromptu flick towards goal went just off target.

    He was suspect for the second goal when he appeared to lose his footing at the crucial moment and Isco was played clean through inside the box and curled his effort into the far corner.

    At the other end though, it was his shot from distance that Keylor Navas spilled which led to Lukaku finishing from close range.

    Nemanja Matic (L)

    Nemanja Matic (L)

    VICTOR LINDELOF

    RATING: 6/10

    Lindelof has had a less than convincing pre-season with United and that trend continued into the Super Cup tie. Despite looking a bit nervy, he didn’t do too much wrong but was at fault for the opening goal.

    Casemiro managed to run in behind him too easily and scored from Dani Carvajal’s ball over the top. Antonio Valencia must also shoulder some of the blame for not covering while the Real Madrid midfielder was marginally offside, it must be said.

    Lindelof did prevent a certain goal in the 61st minute though when Carvajal drilled a ball across the face of goal where Benzema was waiting to stab home. The Swede did brilliantly to get a foot to the ball through the striker’s legs.

    Victor Lindelof (L)

    Victor Lindelof (L)

    ROMELU LUKAKU

    RATING: 7/10

    Lukaku got his debut goal on the night when he slotted home the rebound from Matic’s initial effort.

    Earlier in the second half though, the Belgian was guilty of missing from point-blank range, skying his right-footed effort on the half-volley after Navas had parried Paul Pogba’s header perfectly into his path.

    He did start the game on very well though, operating as the focal point of United’s attack. The striker showed a few neat touches as his teammates played the ball off him to good effect.

    Romelu Lukaku

    Romelu Lukaku

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