Manchester United end their pre-season tour in a drab fixture, as they drew 1-1 to Athletic Bilbao in Dublin… here are four things we learned from the game.
Let’s hope injuries are to a minimum this season
Erik ten Hag played a second-string side against the La Liga club after United ran out 3-1 winners against RC Lens at Old Trafford yesterday – meaning a whole new squad was needed.
What is clear is that our squad depth clearly isn’t exactly where it needs to be. We’re only a few key players being injured to having a somewhat mediocre side.
If you look at Manchester City’s second team to ours, it’s a world away. We best hope big names like Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez stay firmly out of the medical tent in the 23/24 campaign.
United have some really exciting young talent
Games like this are really good tests for the young lads.
Bilbao came with a really strong side and in front of a sold-out Aviva Stadium in Dublin, there were some bright performances from players with a lot of promise.
Dan Gore, Alvaro Fernandez, Facundo Pellistri and Emari Forson all, in particular, caught our eye. The future is certainly bright.
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Maguire may have played his last game
At fault for the goal, it just seems nothing can go right for Maguire at the moment.
His wayward flick allowed Bilbao to then pick a pass through to Neco Williams who dispatched past Tom Heaton. Now, this isn’t too much of a deal in a friendly – but this simply can’t happen in the Premier League.
Ten Hag will know this and will have little to no trust in the England international before the season begins. We expect him to leave before the window.
Roll on the season!
United have been good in pre-season. We’ve had some great tests over the eight games, we’ve made three new signings and look in great shape.
We’ve got a point to prove this year and have the squad to really shake up the league.
Let’s kick off against Wolves with a win.