Maguire reception
Harry Maguire's struggles have been well documented, but he has been backed by Erik ten Hag with the captain's armband next season in a show of faith from the new manager. Confidence plays a huge part in Maguire's form and it is no shock to see him perform better at international level when spirits are higher and he has a manager who trusts him in Gareth Southgate.
Ten Hag is already holding up his part of the deal, and it seems supporters are well aware that they have a role to play in ensuring Maguire is in the best possible place next season.
As the teams walked out at the MCG, the United captain got a huge cheer as the team sheets were read out and another when he had his first touch of the game.
READ MORE: Players ratings vs Melbourne Victory
Friends reunited
There is always plenty of intrigue whenever United face one of their former players, and ahead of kick-off there was a lot of love for Victory new boy Nani.
The 35-year-old won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and Club World Cup during his eight years at Old Trafford before he was sold in 2015.
He won't go down as a club great but certainly played a key role in their final successes under Sir Alex Ferguson and scored some spectacular goals during his spell at the club.
Ahead of the match he was presented with the new United home shirt by legendary kit man Albert Morgan, while Bruno Fernandes broke off from the United line-up to embrace his fellow Portuguese in the technical area at the MCG.
Home support humbled
The Melbourne Victory supporters were in fine voice ahead of kick-off with chants of 'F*** off United' to welcome their visitors for the match.
They turned up the ante with taunts of 'sacked in the morning' aimed at Ten Hag when their side took a shock lead through Chris Ikonomidis, but it wouldn't last long.
United were soon level through Scott McTominay's deflected effort before Anthony Martial gave them the lead on the brink of half-time. The Victory fans remained in decent voice throughout the encounter, but in the end, United's superiority was clear to see.
United have their own Zidane
Ten Hag is understood to be baffled why Zidane Iqbal hasn't played more for the United first-team, but that looks set to change next season with a permanent promotion to the senior set-up.
He caught the eye with his confident dribbling and technical prowess against Liverpool at the start of the week and took it to another level following his introduction against Victory.
The 19-year-old is quite simply a joy to watch and takes to the spotlight as if he were still on the playground, with freedom and flair in equal measure.
His highlight in a United shirt was an exquisite piece of skill as he outmuscled an opponent for the ball before executing a perfect pirouette to beat two defenders and loft a delicious ball into the box.
Both sides of Bailly
If the match against Liverpool was Eric Bailly at his brilliant best, the match against Melbourne highlighted why the club must make an upgrade in defence.
The Ivorian was guilty of losing the ball in two dangerous positions because of lapses in concentration, and was extremely fortunate not to be punished for his mistakes.
In typical Bailly fashion, he then embarked on another brilliant run before splitting the defence open to set-up Marcus Rashford for the third.
It's easy to see why some supporters love him, but he remains far too error-prone to be a big part of the club's plans next season.
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