Manchester United took on Italian giants AC Milan in their first International Champions Cup match of preseason. United won the thriller 9-8 on penalties as Alexis Sanchez starred in LA.
After drawing their first two friendlies of preseason Jose Mourinho’s men were hoping to put on more of a show in front of the LA crowd. They certainly did that, not only with the match going to penalties but with their performance too.
Mourinho decided to change formation from the 433 he had used previously to a three at the back. Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Axel Tuanzebe were the three central defenders, with Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw the wing-backs.
Andreas Pereira, Scott McTominay and Ander Herrera played in a midfield three once again with Juan Mata in behind Alexis Sanchez up front.
United were criticised in their opening two draws for not creating enough chances and being laboured in their build-up play. However, with an inspired Chilean, there was no problem this time around.
It took the Red Devils just three minutes to get their first shot on goal. High pressing from McTominay led to him knicking the ball back as Milan tried to play out from the back. Approaching the 18-yard box he hit a shot towards the bottom corner which was collected by Donnarumma.
Just under 10 minutes later, United took the lead. McTominay rose highest to flick on Lee Grant’s goal kick to Juan Mata, whose first-time volley over his shoulder was perfectly placed for the on-running Sanchez. One-on-one with the keeper, he slotted the ball in the far corner, no problem.
Despite Manchester United’s early dominance, Milan hit back straight away. Bonucci’s floated through ball over the top for the run of Suso caught United’s back three cold. Suso calmy volleyed past Grant, after two bounces, into the bottom right.
Pereira who was a joy to watch in the middle of the park fizzed a forward pass into Sanchez. The number 7 turned his man in a flash and whipped the ball out wide to Darmian. His pull-back found Sanchez again who volleyed the ball just off target as he flew through the air.
SUBS: 45 mins – Lee Grant off, Joel Pereira on. 74 mins – Luke Shaw off, Timothy Fosu-Mensah on. 89 mins – Juan Mata off, Ethan Hamilton on. [Sky Sports]
The match could not be settled in normal time, therefore, went to penalties. After four spot kicks each, Mourinho’s men led 3-2. Pereira, Herrera and Sanchez all converted the first three whilst McTominay had the fourth saved. Luckily for him, Joel Pereira made himself big and saved two of Milan’s meaning the United goalkeeper had the chance to win the shootout if he could score past fellow keeper Pepe Reina.
However, it wasn’t meant to be and Reina saved his spot-kick before levelling at 3-3 after five each. Into sudden death and the contest continued to yo-yo. Bailly and Hamilton are the only further United players to miss as Pereira saves once more to clinch the dramatic shootout 9-8.