Manchester United draw 1-1 with Club America in first match of US Tour as a number of young reds get a run out
By Ollie Slack
Manchester United couldn’t get off to a winning start on their preseason tour of the USA after drawing with Club America. However, a number of youth team players made an impression.
With a number of players away on their holidays after a tremendous World Cup, Jose Mourinho was limited for options. However, this gave him the chance to field a number of youth team players.
Manchester United started the stronger side as expected. The front three of Juan Mata, Demetri Mitchell and Anthony Martial all linked up well in the first half. The Frenchman was a real focal point for the side and tested the keeper on a few occasions.
Luke Shaw was doing his best to prove his pre-preseason workouts had paid off by bombing down the left flank. He and young Demetri Mitchell provided United with real pace and trickery on the left side.
Five minutes later the shot-stopper was called upon twice again. After an initial powerfully driven shot bounced off his body back into the path of the attack, Grant was quick to get up on his feet and smother the ball.
The keeper was substituted at half-time as Mourinho made a number of changes. Joel Pereira replaced him and conceded 13 minutes later. There was nothing the young Portuguese-man could do about it as Henry Martin was left unmarked by Eric Bailly bulleted a header into the top corner.
United responded almost minutes later as after some neat build-up play the ball found its way to Luke Shaw whose right-footed shot from the edge of the box was whiskered away from the post.
One of United’s half-time substitutes was Dutch sensation, Tahith Chong. The young red was involved in the equaliser in the 77th minute. After picking up a loose cross out wide on the right, the winger skipped past his defender and whipped in a delightful cross which was met at the back post by Ander Herrera. His header smacked the post but fell to countryman Juan Mata who lashed home.
The match finished 1-1 but Mourinho will be impressed with a number of performers, none more so than the young reds he’s trusted on the Amercian stage.