Manchester United made it two wins out of two for their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 win over San Jose Earthquakes in the early hours of the morning, thanks to Memphis Depay’s first goal for the club.
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The Reds started with the same team for each half as they did against Club America, with the exception of Sam Johnstone in goal for the entire 90 minutes due to injuries to David De Gea and Anders Lindegaard.
That meant that Memphis Depay continued in the No.10 role behind captain Wayne Rooney, while Morgan Schneiderlin partnered Michael Carrick in midfield. Daley Blind started in central defence once again, while new-boy Matteo Darmian continued at right-back.
United started slowly, with plenty of possession in the opening stages but not much progress going forward. In fact, it took 2 minutes and six seconds for San Jose to even get a touch of the ball after kick-off, such was United’s passing game.
The first real chance of the game fell to the Dutch winger, who drove at the defence from the half-way line and saw a powerful shot spilled by the goalkeeper with Juan Mata only able to put the rebound into the side netting from a tight angle.
Shortly after that some great link-up play between Ashley Young and Luke Shaw saw the young left-back pull the ball back from the byline but it was just behind Rooney and Depay before the Quakes managed to clear the danger.
But then, just after the half-hour mark Juan Mata showed his quality. Another surging run down the left from Ashley Young saw his pull back find Mata on the edge of the box and the Spaniard took a touch before a crossfield shot trickled into the goal off the far post.
The floodgates appeared to open then as just four minutes later, it was Memphis’ turn to get on the scoresheet. After a breakaway was cut out by the defence, Depay pressed the line high and a short back-pass was cut out by the Dutchman who coolly slotted past the goalkeeper for his first Reds goal.
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It didn’t stay 2-0 for long though, as just before half-time the home side pulled one back. Some great skill down the right-flank saw a pull back converted by Fatai Alashe to give the home crowd something to cheer about.
In the second half, United made 10 changes as van Gaal gave everyone a run-out once again. Paddy McNair came in at right-back, while Chris Smalling was partnered by Jonny Evans in central defence with Tyler Blackett at left-back. In midfield Ander Herrera was partnered by Bastian Schweinsteiger, with the youthful front four of Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira, Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson leading the line once again.
One noticeable change from the first game was that Januzaj and Pereira swapped roles in the formation, meaning the Belgian went to the left-wing while Pereira moved into the No.10 role.
The Brazilian was in scintillating form once again and showed that his creative juices were flowing with plenty of dribbling and eye-catching passing. He grabbed his first senior goal just after the hour mark too, getting on the end of a curling Jesse Lingard cross to head home and his celebration made it evident how much it meant to him.
There wasn’t much excitement in the second half but more an efficient performance in a game all about building up fitness for the upcoming season.
United’s next pre-season fixture is on Friday at 9pm against European champions Barcelona, before they take on Paris Saint-Germain the following Wednesday in their final game.