The Erik ten Hag train continues to steam along, and Crystal Palace are the next team to fall at this new-look United side’s feet.
The Red Devils are on demon time, with today’s game being possibly the most impressive performance yet. Whilst Palace were weakened, United dominated from start to finish.
Three stylish goals from Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho lit up the MCG, and Joel Ward’s header proved nothing more than a consolation.
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Here are five things UtdDistrict learned from the win against Crystal Palace:
1 - The Martial, Rashford, Sancho front three has landed
The three goals today came from the three attackers, and after each encountering their own individual issues last season they’ve collectively found their full flow in pre-season.
Whilst Rashford and Sancho were uninvolved in Martial’s opener, the next two goals were a thing of footballing beauty.
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For Rashford’s goal, Martial superbly took a long ball down and after some intricate linkup between him, Sancho and Donny van de Beek, Rashford was on hand to finish off a wonderful move from United.
For Sancho’s, Rashford smoothly took a pass on the turn in his own half and passed inside to Martial, who had dropped off the centre back. The Frenchman played Sancho in behind and United’s number 25 cleverly delayed his finish for an easy goal.
The three forwards together have arrived, and there could be something to build on for the talented attacking trident.
2 - This could be Martial’s best year yet
Now focusing more specifically on Martial, from the start of today’s game to his substitution on the hour mark he was at the heart of everything United did offensively.
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He missed an early one-on-one against Jack Butland after a clever run, sadly injuring Butland with the save, but he did not let it faze him and minutes later he took Dalot’s left footed cross onto his chest wonderfully and finished cleverly.
After this, he continued to cause havoc and almost got on the scoresheet again as he attacked Rashford’s dangerous cross, only just missing the ball.
Martial’s movement already looks to have gone up two or three levels, that combined with his playmaking which was at its devastating best today makes him such a valuable asset in United’s squad.
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From the looks of things so far, this could finally be the year Martial discovers the once-promised world class level, and the world needs to know it.
3 - Full backs are Ten Hag’s secret weapon
The weak footed crosses from both Tyrell Malacia and Diogo Dalot were just the icing on the cake in an excellent 60 minute performance for the two full backs.
Both seem to already have a perfect understanding of Erik ten Hag’s instructions in their ‘inverted’ roles, and were extremely impressive in possession today.
Whilst Malacia did have his struggles against the tricky Malcolm Ebowei, he mostly dealt with him fairly well.
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Shaw was rested for precautionary purposes and United rarely missed a beat, the competition at full back is looking strong this season and all three players, along with Ethan Laird, could be key.
4 - United may have missed a gem in Ebowei
Palace didn’t have a lot positive to take from today, but one positive was a player who’s signing they beat Manchester United to.
Malcolm Ebowei was easily the most impressive player in red and blue today, constantly looking to take his man on and cause havoc.
At such a young age, his confidence is sky high and the quality is evident. With United lacking at right wing, Ebowei could have certainly added something to United’s squad had he been signed.
5 - Van de Beek assist could get him up and running
One player that many were interested to see under Erik ten Hag is his former player, Donny van de Beek. So far in pre season, he has underwhelmed slightly but today he picked up an assist that shows what he is all about.
Making a clever run in the box, he was there as an option when Martial latched onto Sancho’s pass ahead of the goalkeeper.
Whilst many would have taken on the shot with no goalkeeper, Van de Beek knew the angle was tight and saw Marcus Rashford in a better position.
Unselfishly, he chose to find his teammate and the Englishman had an easy finish. Van de Beek ghosting into the space and then playing the smart, unselfish option almost defines his game completely.
Overall in his substitute cameo, he was good. He replaced Scott McTominay who had been drifting into higher areas of space but not seemingly doing much in those pockets.
The change from Ten Hag, recognising it was a role that better suited the Dutchman, was a smart one and it paid dividends for both the player and the boss.
Featured Image Credit: Manchester UnitedTopics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Crystal Palace, Donny van de Beek, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Diogo Dalot, Tyrell Malacia