Manchester United played two games in Spain last week, suffering a 4-2 defeat to Cadiz and a 1-0 loss to Real Betis.
Despite the losses, the games were valuable exercises for manager Erik ten Hag, who took 29 players on the trip, including many youngsters.
Ten Hag and his coaching staff were able to get extra training time with the players, who were able to build up their fitness ahead of first team football returning.
While all players will have benefitted from the extra minutes, some did so more than others. Here is a look at six winners from the trip, four who did not do so well, and three in between.
Six winners
Zidane Iqbal: 19-year-old midfielder Iqbal was selected to start both matches, a sign he has Erik ten Hag’s trust.
Iqbal has a real chance of starting the Carabao Cup game against Burnley, and delivered two very tidy displays, winning a penalty in the first match with Cadiz.
Rhys Bennett: United’s FA Youth Cup winning captain was plunged into action against Betis after 15 minutes due to injury. He stepped up impressively.
Bennett, 18, was praised by goalkeeper Tom Heaton after the game, who lauded his display as ‘excellent’, praising his positioning. The young centre-back has enhanced his reputation.
Kobbie Mainoo: Just 17, Kobbie Mainoo got onto the scoresheet in United’s defeat to Cadiz. He was the youngest player on the trip and made an eye catching contribution.
The skilful midfielder has made the bench for the first team in the Premier League already, and will remain in Erik ten Hag’s thinking after his contribution.
Anthony Martial: The big success for Anthony Martial was simply coming through these games with no injury issues. Mission accomplished.
He even got on the scoresheet too, with a Panenka penalty, showing his confidence is high. United need him to hit the ground running when competitive football returns, and this was a good sign.
Tom Heaton: Third choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton made just his second appearance since December 2021. He played very well in his 45 minutes in Cadiz, with a string of impressive saves.
United’s move for Martin Dubravka in the summer suggested Erik ten Hag had little confidence in Heaton. This was a message that he is still a dependable option.
Tyler Fredricson: Ten Hag picked Fredricson, 17, ahead of Bennett in the first game as a second half centre-back, also in front of under-21 regular Bjorn Hardley. The manager has taken a shine to him, calling him into a Europa League squad against Real Sociedad.
Fredricson performed strongly, making challenges and timely interceptions. He then followed this up by returning to England to star in United’s FA Youth Cup win on Sunday at Selhurst Park.
Three players it was not a success for
Donny van de Beek: This was another missed chance for Donny van de Beek, after he was forced to pull out of the second game shortly before kick-off.
He did play 45 minutes in the first game, and did little to impress. Van de Beek’s place in the side against Burnley is no longer assured, courtesy of concerns about fitness and form.
Anthony Elanga: Anthony Elanga turned up with a new look, but on the pitch it was the same-old, as his goal drought continued. He has not scored for United at any level since February.
The Swede needs to start making an impact, or he will continue to struggle for game time when United’s regular first team options return.
Martin Dubravka: Dubravka played 90 minutes for United against Cadiz, and conceded four goals, barely making a save. He did not look confident claiming a cross either, and he did not play at all against Real Betis.
United played Dubravka in the Carabao Cup third round, but it is questionable whether he will get the call against Burnley. His performance may have encouraged Ten Hag to play safe and pick David de Gea.
Teden Mengi: Teden Mengi’s cruel injury luck continued as he was stretchered off against Real Betis. He had only just returned from a hamstring problem which ended his loan at Birmingham early last season.
Mengi looked devastated as he was carried off, and there is a risk this latest injury denies him another loan move in January.
In the middle…
Brandon Williams: It was a big positive for Brandon Williams to make his return and play two 45 minutes, with no setbacks, his first games since April, especially considering the poor luck which befell Mengi.
However, to say Williams was a ‘winner’ may be stretching it. He looked rusty, as expected perhaps, but this could prompt Ten Hag to rush Tyrell Malacia back into action, who did not play a minute at the World Cup, rather than rely on Williams.
Isak Hansen-Aaroen: Young Norwegian talent Isak Hansen-Aaroen stepped in as a starter for Van de Beek and got to play alongside Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial. He did not have a big moment to look back on like Mainoo’s goal or Iqbal winning a penalty, but simply being out there was notable.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: It was a mixed couple of games for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was one of the worst players on the pitch against Cadiz and one of the best against Real Betis.
This at least suggests he is making progress, but he will have to step his game up another level when United face Burnley, if Diogo Dalot is not ready to return.
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