Manchester United’s impressive start to life under Erik ten Hag continued with a 3-1 win against Crystal Palace at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Playing against a under strength Palace side, United showed their superiority and the Eagles couldn’t live with the Red Devils’ movement and attacking swagger.
Goals from Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho gave United a 3-0 lead before Joel Ward scored a consolation for Patrick Vieira’s side.
With United now set to depart for Perth for the next part of our pre-season tour, we take a look at Manchester United’s best players against Crystal Palace.
Manchester United’s best players against Crystal Palace
Diogo Dalot
The former Porto youngster certainly looks to be in control of the right-back spot ahead of the new season with Ten Hag clearly favouring Dalot’s attacking and technical qualities over former Palace man Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Dalot looks to be relishing learning from the former Ajax manager and the Portugal international has made an impressive start to life under the Dutchman.
With licence to bomb forward and contribute to United’s attacking phases of play, Dalot could elevate his game to a whole new level and live up to Jose Mourinho’s claim that he’s “best young full-back in Europe” when he arrived at Old Trafford four years ago.
Marcus Rashford
After a difficult season for Rashford last year, United’s number ten looks back to his best and is evidently thriving in the style of play Ten Hag wants to implement at Old Trafford.
The England international is loving playing with Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial, and on current form he’ll be back in the England squad in no time.
The 24-year-old tapped home United’s second against the Eagles following a sweeping total football move which would have undoubtedly made Ten Hag a happy man.
Rashford’s body language resembles a man who is hungry to get back to his best and play a pivotal part in Ten Hag’s rebuild.
Jadon Sancho
Like Rashford, the real Sancho looks to have been released from last year’s shackles and is causing carnage and tormenting defences.
The former Borussia Dortmund star looks set to have a big season under Ten Hag and his Manchester United career looks set to finally hit lift off.
Sancho is at his best when he is playing free-flowing total football where he is given the freedom to go and impose himself on matches.
Like Rashford, he has two goals in pre-season and both strikes have shown his composure in front of goal.
Anthony Martial
The Frenchman has more than seized his opportunity in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence and his performances have been a breath of fresh air.
Martial is clearly enjoying his football and is loving playing alongside a formidable forward line which he is spearheading.
The former Monaco is buying into Ten Hag’s pressing ethos and his movement and interplay alongside Fernandes, Rashford and Sancho is a sight to behold.
With three goals in as many games in pre-season, United’s number nine is loving being back amongst the group and the 26-year-old could rekindle the form that saw him score 17 Premier League goals during the 2019-20 campaign.
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