Erik ten Hag's reign as Manchester United boss got off to an unexpectedly galvanising start last week.
The lead-up to United's first friendly of pre-season was full of doom and gloom due to a lack of transfer activity and Cristiano Ronaldo's desire to leave. Yet, a 4-0 victory over Liverpool, regardless of its meaninglessness in the grand scheme of things, can certainly do a lot to dispel some of those gathering grey clouds.
Ten Hag has only been working with his full squad for a few weeks but he already seems to have had an impact, with a team that was incoherent and gormless on the pitch in May now looking to have a clear plan of action to follow. They pressed high, kept the ball well and countered with speed and precision. It's only one match but it's a promising start.
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Now, with the team in Australia for the second leg of the tour, it's important that the good work is built upon so momentum can continue to be built. Even if the results themselves count for nothing, the positivity created by a string of wins would certainly improve the mood around the club going into the season.
But it's also important that Ten Hag can experiment and get a good look at as many of his players as possible before the real action begins.
Melbourne Victory are United's next opponents and a win will certainly be expected when the sides meet. The A League side are the weakest opposition United will face in pre-season, with their other four fixtures coming against Premier League and La Liga sides, making this match the perfect one for the manager to really play around with his side.
Ten Hag went as full strength as he could against Liverpool, which perhaps gives us a hint at what his starting XI will look like on the opening day depending on whether the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez arrive. But Brighton is a long way away yet and there's still plenty of time for a player to force their way into his plans.
The one who perhaps deserves a chance to impress again the most is Eric Bailly. The defender put in a great display in the second half against Liverpool and had an impact at both ends of the pitch. His days at Old Trafford appeared to be numbered but if he can continue playing like that then he may not be done just yet. The problem is, any promising Bailly display is usually followed by a heartbreaking injury so fingers cross that curse is broken.
Fellow first-teamers Donny van de Beek and new signing Tyrell Malacia should also come in from the start on Friday. Van de Beek struggled to have an impact against Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp strengthened his side with substitutes as the second half ticked by but Ten Hag knows the midfielder well and is aware of the quality he can bring to a side if he can reignite his form.
Malacia came in for his debut and didn't have it easy coming up against Mohamed Salah for half-an-hour. He started confidently but also got caught out so clearly needs more minutes to get used to a new side and he should get them here as Ten Hag assesses who his first choice left-back will be.
Then we have the youngsters who will be eager to get a chance. They'll all be well aware of Ten Hag's record of developing young players and throwing them into the first team, so anyone could be in for a promotion if they catch his eye. Ethan Laird and Hannibal Mejbri were unused substitutes in Bangkok and it will be interesting to see if the Dutchman is keen to check them out.
Laird had a difficult loan spell at Bournemouth in which he hardly played earlier this year and has struggled with injuries but is a really exciting right-back in the attacking mould Ten Hag would want but might not be able to buy this summer. That could offer Laird a route into the side. Hannibal, meanwhile, has been around the first team for the last year and has plenty of technical ability to go alongside his fiery attitude.
James Garner, who had a minor injury, and the exciting Alejandro Garncho both weren't involved at all against Liverpool but would certainly be worth Ten Hag running the rule over. Despite the clamour for him after his displays in the Youth Cup, Garnacho has only just turned 18 so it might be a little too soon for him to break into the side but it can't hurt to give him the opportunity to do so.
That can't be said for Garner, though, and it feels like a now or never season for him at United. He's now 21 and proved at Nottingham Forest last season he can be a crucial player in a side competing at the top end of the table. His elegance on the ball and passing ability would seem a great fit for Ten Hag's side but, with the midfielders being targeted, he will have to impress soon or he may not get another chance.
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