In many ways Atletico Madrid were the perfect pre-season opponents for Manchester United, despite the 1-0 defeat.
Their feisty DNA proved a rough test for Erik ten Hag’s squad, who were the better side for 90 per cent of the game. Both sides looked very different to the ones that met in the last 16 of the Champions League earlier in the year.
United looked more fluid and enjoyed regular attacking spells against a team whose season opener is not yet for another fortnight. They had a number of chances to find the net, Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri squandering the best of them.
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United were made to pay when Joao Felix hit the winner a couple of minutes from time. That said, Ten Hag can take a lot of positives from the game with several players continuing their solid summer form while Christian Eriksen enjoyed his first United outing in front of fans.
The focus will be on the Dane's performance, Fred’s red card and Scott McTominay’s melee, but there are other moments that may have escaped the attention of casual onlookers.
Harry Maguire’s warm reception
The enthusiastic Oslo crowd gave the United skipper a warm round of applause when he trudged to the sidelines after being treated for a cut to the mouth in the first half. It would have been an encouraging sign for the defender, who faced waves of criticism last season.
Malacia talks tactics
New signing Tyrell Malacia seems to be settling in well with his teammates. The left-back was seen discussing positional play with Bruno Fernandes and other colleagues when Anthony Elanga was being treated after one of many fruity challenges directed at him throughout the game.
Martial and Rashford break the line
Marcus Rashford and Martial were frequently seen hovering on the shoulder of the last defender during the match in what was clearly an instruction from their boss. The pair looked the most likely to score for United as a result, both breaking the line several times in the first half.
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