5 Things Learned: Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa (Pre-Season)

The conditions were not favourable on Saturday, but after a solid Manchester United first-half performance, Erik ten Hag's men were denied a win after Aston Villa scored a last minute goal.

The Optus Stadium in Australia hosted United's final game out in the far East, and the Reds drew at the death in what was a bitter end to what would've been a successful game otherwise.

Jadon Sancho opened the scoring, tapping home Luke Shaw's cross to round off a wonderful team move that included all the attackers.

Matty Cash then scored a bizarre own goal, with Rashford's skewed volley deflecting off him after a very direct attack from Fred.

Leon Bailey pulled one back in the second half with a good left footed effort, and Villa rode a short wave afterwards.

United looked to have secure the win, but after a goalkeeping blunder from David de Gea, Villa equalised from a corner through Calum Chambers.

Here are five things UtdDistrict learned from the win against Aston Villa:

1 - Luke Shaw responds to the challenge

Luke Shaw has been Manchester United's first choice left back for three years now, but Tyrrell Malacia's signing presented him with a challenge.

That challenge was to kick on from last season's struggles and consistently find his best, or be replaced by another quality left back.

Manchester United

Returning to the line-up today the Englishman responded to the challenge, with an excellent performance that he topped off with an assist for Sancho.

The left back spot is one to watch this season, the two players competing against one another should bring out the best of each of them. 

2 - Fred adjusting well to Ten Hag's demands

Fred is a player that many United fans were excited to see under Erik ten Hag, many believing he can be the manager to unlock his best qualities.

Whilst Ten Hag has used Fred in a slightly different to his best role, having him collect the ball off the centre backs and act as United's deepest midfielder in possession, Fred has impressed.

Game by game it feels like the Brazilian is growing into this role of connecting defence and midfield, his vertical mindset in possession being key to this.

This vertical mindset was on full display for United's second, with Fred setting off Sancho with a sublime pass from deep.

3 - Jadon Sancho is on fire

Along with Anthony Martial, Sancho has been United's most impressive player on this tour and quite comfortably too.

The £72m winger is showing why United paid so much for him, having torched every single pitch he's set foot on.

Today he continued his excellent form, with his third goal in four games and another great performance. He also teed up Rashford in the build up to Matty Cash's own goal, as the front three continue to shine.

The number 25 has had an extremely impressive pre-season tour and is setting himself up for a season where he can show exactly why he is one of the best players in the Premier League.

4 - Martial scoring run ends, but he still looks sharp

When your striker can not score in a game - and every striker has those games - but still contribute majorly to your play, it is a really valuable asset.

Anthony Martial's all round play as a striker is some of the world's best, and it was on show today.

Martial constantly dropped to offer United an extra vertical passing option and made smart passes, as well as being involved in the build up to Jadon Sancho's goal.

He also teed up Bruno Fernandes for a very good chance, which had been flagged for offside but replays showed he was comfortably onside.

He also continued to get into good goalscoring positions, and had it not been for some good Villa defending he probably would've scored again today.

5 - Another solid performance from Maguire

Last season was an absolute calamity for Harry Maguire, with the captain having the worst season of his career to date by a long way and being targeted with hate as a result.

But his quality is obvious and Erik ten Hag has firmly given his backing to Maguire, insisting he will remain as captain and a key player.

Alamy

Last game against Crystal Palace, Maguire had a good performance and he followed it up with another solid performance today against Villa.

Looking strong defensively all throughout, he made an excellent goal-saving block after Leon Bailey rounded David de Gea.

Maguire getting back to his best is in the best interests of the club, and these performances are a good indication that he is on his way to regaining his best form.