MANCHESTER UNITED beat Lens 3-1 in pre-season thanks to a brilliant second-half diplay.
United went 1-0 down after new goalkeeper Andre Onana was lobbed from the halfway line.
But Marcus Rashford equalised for Erik Ten Hag’s side before Antony put them into the lead and Casemiro added a third.
- Kick-off time: 12.45pm BST
- Stream: MUTV
- Man Utd XI: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mount, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford
PADDY POWER WELCOME OFFER – Get £20 back as cash if your first bet loses
Follow all the action with our live blog below…
Fluidity in final third offers threat
Man Utd showed that as they stream forward, with numerous options and players with pace, they can cause teams a lot of problems this season.
The link-up play with the attackers seems to be working well, they just lack that focal point up front.
It is not a position that Rashford is used to playing, preferring to cut inside from the left flank.
This is the big decision that the manager will have to make this season, how he plans to utilise Marcus Rashford and where in this attacking line.
Brazilian key to United defence
Casemiro seemed to drop deeper in the second half, offering an extra line of defence in front of the back four.
It worked well and the defence was far less stretched by the visitors.
With limited options in defensive midfield when he is missing, his availability could be key to United’s season and what they achieve.
The stats from last season show that they gained far less points without the Brazilian than with him.
Dutchman looking to put his stamp on side
Having managed to change the squad to his vision since coming in last summer, Erik ten Hag will be keen for a solid season from his side.
Rasmus Hojlund will give him more options in the final third, with the potential for Rashford to play out on the left.
However, the performance from Garnacho today may make him rethink that idea, Hojlund may have to wait for his chance in the first team.
Credit: Getty
Keeper shows confidence in passing
Andre Onana showed fans today that is more than happy with the ball at his feet.
Looking to start attacks by spraying passes around the back four, the Cameroon international showed he is happy to be part of their passing game.
His keenness to come out of his box may be something ten Hag has to reign in as the season develops but at the moment, he will just be looking to get his new signing settled into the squad.
All smiles in red half of Manchester
The players do a lap of the pitch, showing their appreciation for the fans who came to watch the game today.
Man Utd can enjoy the result now, thanks to goals from Rashford, Antony and Casemiro.
Lens gave them a good run for their money today but Erik ten Hag’s side had just too much quality in the end.
FT: Man Utd 3-1 Lens
It is a solid win for Man Utd at Old Trafford.
After going a goal behind with an audacious lob, the Red Devils dominate the second half with three unanswered goals.
Just what the doctor ordered before the start of the Premier League next weekend.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
90. Lens get a deflected shot off at goal which wrong-foots the keeper.
Onana makes a scrambling save to tip it behind for a corner.
United manage to clear the cross.
We are going to have two additional minutes added.
Credit: PA Man Utd 3-1 Lens
88. Corner is whipped in by the visitors but Man Utd deal with it.
Lens come straight back at them, looking to find another goal.
On this occasion, it is Bruno Fernandes who hacks the ball clear.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
86. With this being their last pre-season friendly before the start of the Ligue 1 season, Lens make another five chances.
They will want to make sure their whole squad have their match fitness sorted for the campaign ahead.
The Lens fans are enjoying their trip to Manchester, if not the score.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
84. Man Utd are looking to pass the ball into space, making Lens cover every blade of grass.
They will take this result considering the score at half-time.
ten Hag will have seen plenty of positives in this game today.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
82. Forson comes on for Antony.
ten Hag looking to freshen things up in the wide areas.
Sancho looks to thread Rashford in but it is cut out by the Lens defender.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
80. Lens play some good one-touch passing, as Sotoca gets to the byline to clip a ball into the box.
Onana gets fingertips to it but it drops to the head of the Lens player whose header is deflected wide for a corner.
The delivery is poor as it is easily dealt with at the near post.
Credit: Reuters Man Utd 3-1 Lens
78. Fernandes lays the ball out wide to Antony.
As he is closed down, he returns the favour.
Fernandes shoots from just outside the box and Bamba punches it clear.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
76. The United fans have enjoyed this second half.
Most of them came here today hoping to see goals and the Red Devils have duly delivered.
Rashford is almost put in by Shaw but the defender manages to get a toe to it to get the ball back to his keeper.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
74. Early chance for one of the substitutes.
Spierings has an effort from just inside the box which goes narrowly wide of Onana’s goal.
The visitors are starting to ask more questions of Man Utd defensively.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
72. As Lens look to come forward once again, Shaw puts in a great sliding tackle.
The ball ricochets off the French player giving Man Utd a goal kick.
Lens take the chance to make a number of substitutions.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
70. The ball is fed into the box and while it is initially cleared, Lens win the second ball and flick it back into the box.
A good instinctive shot by Medina is well saved by Onana.
Dalot clears the ball off the line.
Credit: Reuters Man Utd 3-1 Lens
68. Garnacho is replaced by Sancho.
The young Argentine player had a great game today.
Lens are awarded a free kick wide out on the left flank.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
66. It looks like Jadon Sancho is about to join the game.
Erik ten Hag gives him his final instructions as he goes through his warm-up routines.
Lens come forward for a rare attack in this second half.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
64. Garnacho has been on the end of the most fouls today.
In some ways that is quite the sign of the sort of game he is having.
We have a break in play for a collision between Sotoca and Varane.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
62. Man Utd are growing in confidence now.
Amazing what a couple of goals can do for you.
Slick passing all over the pitch with players having options left and right all of the time.
Man Utd 3-1 Lens
60. Mount wins the ball on the halfway line and runs towards goal.
He is bundled to the ground by Abdul Samed.
The referee awards Man Utd another free kick.
Credit: PA Man Utd 3-1 Lens
58. Shaw whips the cross in and Rashford meets it with his head.
As he heads it towards goal, it strikes Casemiro and goes into the bottom corner.
The Brazilian will take that goal, although he knew very little about it.
Goal – Casemiro (Man Utd)
Man Utd 2-1 Lens
56. In the first 11 minutes of this second half, Man Utd have turned this game on its head.
Just what Erik ten Hag will have wanted to see.
Garnacho comes forward once again and is fouled, the referee awarding Man Utd a free kick out on the left.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
