Manchester United came up against their hardest test of the pre-season tour so far, with the Red Devils beaten by Real Madrid 2-0.
Goals from Jude Bellingham and a wonder strike from Joselu were enough for Los Galacticos to take the victory in the States. It was definitely United’s toughest task in pre-season yet.
Before this game, and besides the Wrexham fixture which predominantly featured academy talent, United had brushed aside Leeds, Lyon and Arsenal with ease – conceding no goals in the process.
Many players struggled individually looking at the stats, including one that was tipped for a remarkable showdown in Houston.
0 tackles: Did Aaron-Wan Bissaka lose the battle to Vini Jr?
According to Sofa Score, the English full-back made 0 tackles during his 62 minutes on the pitch. This is nothing like the Wan-Bissaka we know, who is, on his day, one of the best tacklers in world football.
There were a few interesting battles dubbed before the friendly fixture. United’s outstanding youth prospect on tour Kobbie Mainnoo against Madrid’s new poster boy Jude Bellingham was set to be a spectacle.
But this was cut remarkably short when Mainoo went off injured after just six minutes. The other interesting one was Wan-Bissaka versus Vini Jr.
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Sometimes stats can lie
The duel wasn’t exactly as fans intended, with Vini Jr operating as a striker rather than a winger. Nevertheless, he was still on Wan-Bissaka’s side and he was very quiet all game!
Wan-Bissaka was one of United’s better players in the first half. He even looked far more competent going forward, which has definitely been noticed in the previous tour games as well.
So to conclude on the showdown, it appears neither really won. But a game where the English full-back makes 0 challenges is a little strange for one to look at.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is usually a wingers nightmare
United’s £50m man is usually a serious problem for top wingers.
Earlier this year Wan-Bissaka shut down Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, with the Japan international describing it as a ‘complete defeat’.
He was added to an extensive list of names that the English defender has ‘pocketed’. Kylian Mbappe, Eden Hazard and Sadio Mane have all featured.
United now face Dortmund, where Wan-Bissaka will likely face the tricky Thorgan Hazard. Who will come out on top in that one?