MANCHESTER UNITED continued their flying start under new boss Erik ten Hag with a 3-1 pre-season win over Crystal Palace in front of 80,000 fans in Melbourne.
Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho got on the scoresheet.
Ten Hag’s tenure in the hot seat has so far got off to a superb start, with three wins out of three in their pre-season preparations.
- Kick-off time: 11.10am BST
- TV/live stream: MUTV/ Palace Player
- Man Utd XI: De Gea, Malacia, Lindelof, Maguire, Dalot, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial, Sancho
- Crystal Palace XI: Butland, Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Mitchell, Rak-Sakyi, Milivojevic, Phillips, Ayew; Ebiowei, Mateta
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‘What the f*** are you doing?’
Even at 3-1 up in the closing stages of today’s win over Crystal Palace, Erik ten Hag was far from happy with his players.
The Manchester United boss appeared to be caught letting out an X-rated shout from the side of the pitch.
With just two minutes left to play, Ten Hag clearly wasn’t happy with his side.
After a long ball forward from David De Gea, MUTV’s live coverage of the game picked up what appeared to be Ten Hag screaming: “What the f*** are you doing?”
Although it’s not entirely clear exactly who Ten Hag was aiming his blast at from the touchline, or if it was another member of his backroom staff.
Maguire boos
Harry Maguire was BOOED by fans whenever he touched the ball during the club’s pre-season clash against Crystal Palace.
The 29-year-old, who was also booed by England supporters in March during the friendly against Ivory Coast, started for the Red Devils in Australia.
But he was subject to a chorus of loud boos from inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground whenever he was in possession of the ball during the 3-1 victory.
To make matters worse, the majority of fans watching from the stands were wearing United shirts.
Credit: AFP Fish ‘rugby tackle’ red card
Will Fish’s late red card at the cricket ground has been labelled as a rugby tackle by some.
One tweeted: “Will Fish playing rugby out there.”
Another wrote: “Will Fish be good at Rugby?”
Others felt bad for the youngster after his trip Down Under turned into something of a nightmare.
One shared: “Imagine having to take a 22 hour flight from UK to Melbourne last minute and was sent off just 20mins into his game.”
Credit: Getty
Cristiano who?
In the absence of United’s top-scorer last season, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial has established himself as Ten Hag’s number one striker during pre-season with three goals in his last three games. The Frenchman was effective again this evening, scoring the opener before assisting Sancho for their second.
Is it time for United fans to start seriously backing their number 9?
.Credit: EPA Villa up next
Up next on their pre-season tour, Ten Hag’s men head to Perth on Saturday to play Aston Villa who have won their last two friendlies.
Will it be four from four?
Fernandes pleased with aggressive display
United’s creator-in chief was on the winning side for the third game running. Here’s what he had to say:
I think that we are much more aggressive now. The three guys up front press well. We are much fresher and have freedom. There is loads of space in the middle and we are playing much better on the ball, too.
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United midfielder
.Credit: Getty United forwards excite
It may have been a slow last half hour or so, but United were devastating in the first half, scoring three terrific goals courtesy of all three forwards.
A revitalised Martial opened the scoring with a smartly taken finish. Sancho was up next, calmly dispatching the ball past Matthews. Then it was Rashford, getting into the right position to stroke the ball home for United’s third.
.Credit: AFP FULL TIME – Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
The whistle blows and United come away worthy winners in Melbourne.
Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
90, We are into stoppage time and the fizz of this game has dissolved since the changes.
United are about to register their third pre-season win on the trot.
Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
87, Elanga sells Iqbal short and Palace get on the counter-attack with Banks. The winger dinks a ball into Akinwale, but it’s just ahead of him. Nice idea from the substitute.
RED CARD for United – Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
84, The ball is knocked on and the last man, Will Fish gets in a tangle with Viktot Akinwale, dragging him to the floor on the edge of the area. The substitute is forced to walk.
Scott Banks wastes the opportunity from the resulting free kick, blazing the ball over the bar.
.Credit: Getty Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
82, United look quite happy to see the game out from the back now. The pace has slowed a little, but the youngsters will be looking to make a name for themselves.
Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
78, Hannibal lets fly from distance with a powerful effort, but it’s straight at the keeper.
Charlie Savage did well to win the ball back in the build-up.
Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace – Palace changes
77, Viera has chucked on another five players for the remaining 15 minutes or so.
His side certainly look more threatening than ever.
GOAL – Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
74, Ward gets Palace on the scoresheet.
Ola-Ademomi initially gets the header away, but De Gea reacts well to save. The resulting corner is met by Ward who flicks a header on to the near post. De Gea fumbles, and it creeps into the back of the net.
De Gea will be annoyed at himself there. But Palace’s substitutions are changing things here.
Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace – Palace changes
70, A small break in the game as Palace have a free kick on the right hand side.
A few Palace changes to report. Ola-Ademomi, Quick, Adaramola, Raymond and Ozoh are all on.
Manchester United 3-0 Palace – United changes
68, Iqbal, Fish, Amad, Wan-Bissaka, Telles, Elanga, Laird, Hannibal and. Savage are all on for the Red Devils.
Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace
65, Here come the changes then!
We’ll pass on the names shortly.
Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace
63, Mateta puts the ball in the back of the net, but the flag is quickly raised for offside.
The United defenders had all pushed up.
GOAL – Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace
59, Sancho makes it three!
United open up Palace again. Martial cleverly flicks the ball on to Sancho who is too quick for Ward, dummying a shot before bending the ball past a helpless Matthews in goal.
Surely no way back for Palace now who look undone.
Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
58, Warning for United.
Palace find Mateta over the top, but the forward can’t punish them.
Yellow card – Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
57, Ayew is very late on Fernandes and picks up a booking. But the Palace man isn’t done, scrapping with Fred. He’s not a happy boy.
United are all over Palace though, finding spaces all over the pitch.
Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
54, Fernandes skies a golden opportunity!
The Palace defenders are nowhere to be seen, and Fernandes finds himself one on one. With the whole goal to aim at, he puts too much on it, firing the ball over the bar.
Should have been three.
Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
51, Lovely build up play by United.
Fernandes lets it run foo Van De Beek, but the Dutchman slips as he goes to hit it. Another smart move from Ten Hag’s men.
GOAL – Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
48, Rashford finishes a delightful move.
The Red Devils work the ball from front to back. Fernandes spots Martial running in behind who takes it down before finding Sancho. The winger then returns the favour before Martial rounds the keeper into the path of van De Beek. The substitute is a calm under pressure, and spots Rashford in a better position, who strokes it home to double their lead.
Slick football by United.
.Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
