Manchester United struck twice as they clinched their first pre-season victory with a 2-0 win over Rangers at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Amad Diallo and academy product Joe Hugill got on the scoresheet with impressive strikes as Rangers failed to respond, but it was the performance rather than the score that left Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff happy.
The Dutchman took his squad north of the border for their final friendly before they depart for the summer tour of the United states and celebrated a much-improved performance.
The United boss had previously fumed after his side were beaten in their first friendly ahead of the new season by Norwegian side Rosenborg and was boosted by the arrival of new signing Leny Yoro and Jadon Sancho’s return.
Both were named in the starting side for the Scotland spectacle with Yoro looking surprisingly settled despite a whirlwind 48 hours since he completed his £52m transfer from Lille on Thursday.
Manchester United struck twice as they clinched their first pre-season victory with a 2-0 win over Rangers
The 18-year-old centre-back was coveted by both Real Madrid and Liverpool before choosing to join United and a youngster that has been hailed as a ‘generational talent’ made a composed debut.
Yoro was given the nod alongside the experienced Jonny Evans in defence and was quick to show his qualities that will go someway to calming fears of any overspend after United splashed out £52m for the Frenchman’s signature.
One highlight saw the centre-back match Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers for pace and calmly slide in to steal back possession much to Andre Onana’s delight, displaying the calmness and poise that was vacant from United’s back-line for most of last season.
Up the other end of the pitch it was another young talent proving the difference with Amad Diallo making his claim for more consistent senior opportunities when he cut in from the right and smashed a shot through a crowded penalty box.
The net bulged and Amad celebrated United’s first goal of pre-season coolly and giving Ten Hag much to consider as he continues to scour the transfer market.
The trip to Scotland also marked a settling of differences between Ten Hag and Sancho as the former exiled star made his first appearance for United in almost a year.
Full match report to follow.
