Manchester United maintained their winning streak in pre-season by beating Inter Milan 1-0 in Singapore.
The Red Devils dominated play in the first half but the match went into the break goalless.
After Jesse Lingard’s shot was blocked on the line and Nemanja Matic headed onto the upright, it was young Mason Greenwood who broke the deadlock with a sumptuous finish inside the box.
The United academy product would later hit the frame of the goal again as the Reds secured a narrow win.
Here, we look at the players who impressed and those who weren’t up to the mark.
TWO GOOD
ANTHONY MARTIAL
Marcus Rashford has been pitted as United’s main man in attack for the upcoming season with Romelu Lukaku out of favour and possibly on the way out, but if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has his way, Anthony Martial will be a force to be reckoned with as well.
The immensely talented Frenchman has only shown glimpses of his vast potential but the United boss is certain he will come good this term after encouraging signs in pre-season. Seemingly buoyed by the praise from his manager, Martial was electric against Inter.
Even against a very deep-lying back-five, the 23-year-old looked lively and glided past players. His effort was the closest United came to a goal in the first half. After a neat exchange with Rashford, his chipped effort was well dealt with by Samir Handanovic.
His best moment though came soon after the restart when he bamboozled opponents in midfield before galloping towards the edge of the box and laying the ball off for Lingard whose shot was cleared off the line.
MASON GREENWOOD
Speaking of prodigious forwards, United have a serious talent on their hands in Greenwood. The 17-year-old continues to impress at every opportunity and proved to be the match-winner in Singapore.
He made an instant impact on the game, running at defenders and creating openings although his first couple of dribbles got away from him. Comfortable staying inside the box or drifting wide, Greenwood was difficult to track.
His goal was outstanding. After Handanovic parried Ashley Young’s free-kick, Greenwood was a picture of composure when the loose ball fell to him. With several defenders between him and goal, he sold the first man a dummy, chopping onto his left foot before rocketing his finish into the far corner.
Moments later, his goal-poaching instincts were on display when he got in front of his marker and steered a well-worked Tahith Chong cross onto the crossbar on the volley.
Video: Mason Greenwood's goal vs Inter Milan from the stands #mulive [r/reddevils] pic.twitter.com/snjLqN4Wd4
— utdreport (@utdreport) July 20, 2019
TWO NOT SO GOOD
FRED
United remain in the market for a midfielder even though Paul Pogba looks as if he may stay put this season. That’s perhaps for the best given Fred isn’t showing promising signs.
There was one moment when he nutmegged an opponent in a tight space but apart from that his performance was pretty average – although it’s perhaps harsh to expect much from him on his first outing and he has not played a full part in pre-season due to getting married. His first involvement set the tone as he somehow passed the ball directly to an Inter player five yards away under no real pressure.
More loose touches and passes followed while he was largely anonymous whenever United broke forward. He’ll need to find his feet quickly.
DIOGO DALOT
He didn’t have a glaringly poor performance but Diogo Dalot should be concerned.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was again flawless at right-back and when he was replaced by Dalot, the gulf in class was palpable. Where Dalbert was regularly shut down by United’s summer signing, against Dalot he got a lot more joy and a couple of the Italian side’s best attacks came down that flank.
On the front foot, Dalot was aggressive with his positioning but when played into space, he couldn’t deliver a telling cross with every one of his efforts woefully over-hit.
