Manchester United's pre-season friendly match against Real Madrid left fans excited for the upcoming season. The exciting 2-2 draw showcased both the strengths and areas of improvement for the United squad. Let's dive into the player ratings and analyze the performance of each player.
Goalkeeper
David De Gea - 6/10
De Gea started the game and had a relatively quiet first half, making a few routine saves. However, he couldn't prevent Real Madrid's opening goal, which deflected off Victor Lindelof before finding the back of the net. De Gea's positioning in the build-up to the goal could have been better, highlighting the need for him to regain his form and confidence.
Andre Onana - 8/10
Onana came on in the second half and immediately made an impact. The former Ajax keeper made a string of superb saves, including a crucial stop against Marco Asensio in a one-on-one situation. Onana showed great composure and agility throughout the game, displaying his credentials as a solid backup for De Gea.
Defenders
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7/10
Wan-Bissaka had a solid game at right-back, showcasing his defensive capabilities against Real Madrid's attack. He made several tackles and interceptions, nullifying any threat that came his way. Despite his excellent defensive performance, Wan-Bissaka could have contributed more on the offensive end.
Victor Lindelof - 6/10
Lindelof started the game at center-back, alongside Eric Bailly. The Swede was caught out of position for Real Madrid's second goal, which was scored by Rodrygo after Lindelof failed to intercept the ball. Lindelof struggled at times to keep up with the pace of the game and was replaced by Phil Jones in the second half.
Eric Bailly - 7/10
Bailly was a solid presence in United's defense, making several important clearances and blocks. He was also comfortable bringing the ball out from the back and initiating attacks for United. Bailly's strong performance highlighted the need for United to keep him fit and injury-free for the upcoming season.
Alex Telles - 6/10
Telles came on in the second half and played at left-back. The Brazilian showed promising signs in attack, delivering a few decent crosses into the box. However, he could have done better defensively, especially against the threatening runs of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr.
Midfielders
Nemanja Matic - 6/10
Matic started the game in midfield, but had a quiet first half. The Serbian was composed on the ball, but didn't make any significant contributions defensively.
Scott McTominay - 6/10
McTominay partnered Matic in midfield and covered a lot of ground. However, he lacked creativity going forward and struggled to impact the game in a meaningful way.
Donny van de Beek - 7/10
Van de Beek came on in the second half and provided a much-needed spark for United in midfield. The Dutchman was involved in several attacking moves, providing a clever assist for Anthony Elanga's goal. Van de Beek's performance raised questions about his limited involvement last season and whether he deserves more playing time in the upcoming season.
Attackers
Anthony Elanga - 7/10
Elanga started the game on the left wing and made an immediate impact, scoring United's first goal with a well-struck shot. The young Swedish winger was lively throughout the first half and caused problems for Real Madrid's defense with his pace and dribbling ability.
Mason Greenwood - 6/10
Greenwood led United's attack, but had a relatively quiet game. The 19-year-old striker showed flashes of his potential but struggled to create clear chances to score.
Jesse Lingard - 6/10
Lingard came on in the second half and played in several positions, including in central midfield and up front. The England international worked hard, but failed to make a meaningful impact on the game.
The match against Real Madrid provided valuable insights into Manchester United's current form and areas for improvement. The highlight of the match was undoubtedly Onana's superb performance against the Spanish giants. The defense showed potential but remains a work in progress, while midfielders like Van de Beek provide much-needed creativity. Looking ahead, Manchester United has the opportunity to build on these performances and fine-tune their strategies for the upcoming season. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the start of the Premier League, hoping for a better showing than last season's disappointing second-place finish.