Melbourne Victory 1-4 Man Utd: Player ratings as Red Devils overcome early scare
Manchester United survived an early scare to come from behind and comfortably beat Melbourne Victory 4-1 in the second match of their pre-season tour.
United came into the game off the back of a morale-boosting 4-0 thumping of arch rivals Liverpool in Bangkok, but any positivity was extinguished inside five minutes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Victory broke down the right flank and Ben Folami's low cross found Chris Ikonomidis in acres of space in the middle. The forward made no mistake, slotting low beyond Tom Heaton in the United goal.
The tourists enjoyed plenty of the ball, displaying the early hallmarks of Erik ten Hag's possession-based style, although they struggled to break Melbourne's low block down initially.
Bruno Fernandes went close 25 minutes in when he was found in the right channel by a line-breaking pass from Jadon Sancho, but his drive was was well saved by Paul Izzo - who palmed the ball away one-handed.
United turned the game around in the space of three minutes at the end of the first period. First, Scott McTominay's strike from the edge of the box took a huge deflection and looped over Izzo and into the back of the net. Then, Diogo Dalot's cut-back was diverted into Anthony Martial's feet by Anthony Elanga, and the Frenchman controlled and finished from mere yards out.
It was a case of 'Erik ten subs' at the break as the Man Utd boss rotated his whole lineup apart from goalkeeper Heaton. Inevitably that disrupted the momentum the visitors had built up towards the end of the first half.
It went back to attack vs defence, with United continuing to dominate the ball and waiting patiently for an opening. It was another impromptu forward charge from defender Eric Bailly - who had starred against Liverpool - which led to the third goal.
The centre-back made a driving run through the lines and slid a perfectly-weighted through ball into Marcus Rashford, who prodded the ball first-time beyond the onrushing goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
The Australian side had barely had an attack since taking that early lead but broke with ten minutes to go, however substitute Nishan Velupillay slashed his effort wide from the angle.
After Rashford had seen a drive flash past the post, Tahith Chong forced a late own goal with a driving run and powerful low cross that Edmond Lupancu inadvertently diverted past his own keeper.
Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Tom Heaton - 5/10 - Little chance with the goal as he was left exposed. Reacted well when Bailly scuffed a pass but had little else to do.
RB: Diogo Dalot - 6/10 - Maintained a very high position and supported the attack, although his passing was a little loose. Pre-assist for the goal.
CB: Harry Maguire - 5/10 - Looked like he was running in treacle in the build-up to the opener but he wasn't really at fault. Some nice passing to open up the pitch.
CB: Victor Lindelof - 4/10 - Caught out by a pass down the left before Victory took the lead. Fine otherwise.
LB: Luke Shaw - 4/10 - Nowhere to be seen as the hosts exploited space behind him to create a simple goal.
DM: Scott McTominay - 7/10 - Battled well in midfield, again not treating it like a friendly. Bit of luck with a massively deflected strike flying in.
DM: Fred - 6/10 - Metronomic in the middle. Passed well and positively, although a couple of loose shots.
RM: Jadon Sancho - 7/10 - Already looks far more fit and more confident. Dazzling feet and always willing to take on his man.
AM: Bruno Fernandes - 6/10 - Menacing. Popped up across the frontline, forcing a good save from the angle. Always looked to probe.
LM: Anthony Elanga - 6/10 - Quiet but delivered one very good cross before getting a fairly lucky assist for Martial.
ST: Anthony Martial - 7/10 - Persistently dropped deep and wasn't really able to provide a focal point as a result. Pounced when he finally was found in the box.
SUBS:
RB: Ethan Laird - 6/10 - Followed Dalot's lead by staying very high up the pitch. Looked confident.
CB: Eric Bailly - 7/10 - Solid again in a less challenging game than the one against Liverpool. Did scuff a pass badly but got away with it. Another brilliant burst forward and this time got an assist with a good pass.
CB: Alex Telles - 5/10 - Another decent shift out of position. Didn't look out of place but wasn't unduly tested in truth.
LB: Tyrell Malacia - 5/10 - Perhaps could have been a little more adventurous in terms of attacking but didn't do anything wrong.
DM: Zidane Iqbal - 6/10 - Oozed class and clearly has wonderful technique. An exquisite roulette in tribute to his namesake sold two defenders.
CM: Tahith Chong - 6/10 - Not as influential as his fellow midfield substitutes but a solid enough shift. Forced an own goal with a driving run late on.
CM: Charlie Savage - 6/10 - Possesses an excellent range of passing which was on full display.
AM: Donny van de Beek - 4/10 - An opportunity that passed him by in truth. Didn't really get on the ball as the youngsters around him impressed.
ST: Amad Diallo - 6/10 - Spritely, always seeking out the ball - although struggled to break down a stubborn back line.
ST: Marcus Rashford - 7/10 - Fed off scraps in truth. Took the one and only presentable opportunity that came his way, so fair play. Went close again from range.