Manchester United’s pre-season programme continued with a 4-2 defeat against Queens Park Rangers.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he wasn’t worried about the result and saw enough that impressed him from his young side.
We’ll let you decide which viewpoint you decide to take on the game, but pre-season is more about gaining fitness than getting results.
Here is a look at United’s three best players in the 4-2 loss, a game where none of the United players who started the match were on the pitch at the end.
Jesse Lingard
United made a flying start and opened the scoring through Lingard after just three minutes.
The England international finished off an incisive move with a cool finish.
He was lively throughout the first half, linking United’s midfield and attack and buzzing around with trademark energy.
Lingard played like a man who is fighting for his United place and he’s got a chance to impress with so many senior players away.
Anthony Elanga
Elanga came off the bench at half-time and nearly scored almost straight away.
He broke away from a corner but a heavy touch cost him and the chance was lost without him getting a shot on goal.
That didn’t affect his confidence and he was a threat throughout the second half, with his dribbling and darts in behind.
He could have scored later in the half when his shot was saved but did find the net with his most difficult opening.
Elanga’s control and composure was impressive as he netted from the edge of the box.
He could have had an assist too, but his late cross for Joe Hugill was just overhit.
An impressive 45 minutes for Elanga and Solskjaer picked him out for praise after the game.
Facundo Pellistri
Pellistri made way at the interval but his performance in the first half was bright.
United’s attacking players didn’t see a huge amount of the ball in the first 45 minutes but like Lingard, Pellistri was lively and showed promise.
It was a tough, physical battle for him but that’s all part of his adjustment to English football.
It would be interesting to see Pellistri and Elanga together on the wings against Brentford in midweek.
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