Manchester United have picked up several wins in their pre-season tour thus far but their toughest test comes in the form of a clash with Real Madrid, where Andre Onana could make his debut
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Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are making progress in striker search
Manchester United have enjoyed a promising pre-season thus far as they maintain a 100 per cent record.
Their final game of last season ended in defeat at Wembley but they’ve quickly put that setback behind them with wins over the likes of Leeds and Arsenal. Perhaps the toughest test of their pre-season schedule comes courtesy of a clash with Real Madrid.
Arguably the two biggest clubs in the world with square off at the NRG Stadium in Houston as they continue to prep themselves for the forthcoming seasons. There will be no shortage of stars on show with Andre Onana potentially making his first outing since arriving from Inter Milan.
The United squad are currently being put through their paces at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego with a game against Wrexham to come before they take on Los Blancos, although that will largely feature youth team players. The first-team are currently heading for Texas and we take a look at a what we could pick up from their training session.
Onana starting as he means to go on
The Cameroonian was a late arrival on tour, but boy will he be welcomed with open arms. United have a new No 1 for the first time in over a decade and he couldn’t be more different to the last. David de Gea was limited when it came to playing out from the back.
Onana will have no such issue and will allow Ten Hag to build on his philosophy. Already the goalkeeper has been knocking it around and that is likely to be one of his key remits as well as, obviously, keeping clean sheets.
Andre Onana is in line to make his debut
Morale is high
You hear so many stories about how pre-season camps can be unsettling. Be that due to the location, poor facilities or internal issues that are yet to be resolved. There’s none of that for the Red Devils though with spirits seemingly sky high.
Yes they have things that they need to resolve, largely the futures of key personnel in their squad. You wouldn’t know it though as the group joked and laughed in a huddle with Ten Hag, who is not known for his excessive shows of emotion, leading the charge.
Man Utd’s players have enjoyed a laugh in training
Mount joins the free-kick brigade
Every club has it. The free-kick pecking order. At United it has largely been Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes standing over the crucial dead ball situations that allow for a shot at goal. They were going through their paces, but with a new member alongside.
Mason Mount will be hoping to get on the act, meaning free-kick discussions this season could be a hotly debated affair. Nevertheless the new boy was showing the other two what he had in his locker as they put in some extras.
Mason Mount is looking to make an early impression
Henderson remains
Last season the England international was quick to rush out on loan to Nottingham Forest. Now Dean Henderson is hoping to secure a permanent move but, as of right now, remains part of United’s pre-season group.
Forest are looking to land the goalkeeper for around £30m with personal terms agreed but no deal is signed yet. Tom Heaton has played in two of the three pre-season games with Henderson yet to get a look-in. He wants to be a No 1, but that won’t be happening in Manchester. Currently, he’s playing the waiting game.
Facundo Pellistri is looking to establish himself in Manchester
Fringe players pushing their case
United’s starting XI began to adopt a settled feel last term with Ten Hag establishing his favourite combinations. Several fringe players, some who were out on loan, may now be hoping to show enough in pre-season that will give them chances once the season comes around.
Facundo Pellistri is among them with the young Uruguayan still looking for his breakthrough chance. Donny van de Beek is a man who cannot sit on the sidelines forever and will want to recapture the form he showed at Ajax, when Ten Hag was his boss.
