Borussia Dortmund defeated Manchester United 3-2 on Sunday night in Las Vegas, but manager Erik ten Hag learned some important lessons.
Diogo Dalot’s impressive long-range goal gave United the lead in the first half, but Donyell Malen’s quick-fire double gave Dortmud the lead at the break.
Shortly after the break, Antony tied the game, but Youssoufa Moukoko’s goal in the 71st minute was the game-winner.
But CHRIS WHEELER of Mail Sport was there to provide analysis of the match.
Manchester United lost to Borussia Dortmund but there were useful lessons for Erik ten Hag
TOUGH TEN HAG
Omari Forson, a young winger, got into a running battle with Julian Ryerson just before halftime in United’s 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund at the Allegiant Stadium, and Erik ten Hag didn’t hesitate to hook him and replace him with Antony.
Forson started it off by kicking out at Ryerson for blocking him off and then fighting with Karim Adeyemi afterward, which resulted in both players receiving bookings. But after that, Forson and Ryerson continued to argue, and Ten Hag felt compelled to step in.
Antony was scheduled to enter the game at halftime, but Ten Hag told the Brazilian to warm up right away and entered the game shortly after.
Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen comforted Forson as he trudged to the sidelines after being substituted, but Ten Hag showed less compassion, waving his finger at the player and delivering a stern lecture.
The switch appeared to work when Antony capitalised on Hummels’ oversight to tie the score in minute 52, but he missed another glorious opportunity to tie the score for United late in the game.
The United boss was tough on Omari Forson, who was taken off before half-time in Las Vegas
BRUNO THE TOUCHLINE TERRIER
Even though Bruno Fernandes wasn’t even on the pitch during the first half of the match, the United captain couldn’t resist talking to the referees as the conflict between Forson and Ryerson intensified.
As soon as the Dortmund defender began to bother Forson, Fernandes sprinted off the bench to argue with the fourth official.
It was interesting that Scott McTominay wore the captain’s armband up until the hour mark. Fernandes and a number of other United first-choice players then entered the game.
Although McTominay’s future at Old Trafford has been questioned, United has made it clear that they won’t force him to leave. In fact, with Fred and Donny van de Beek both expected to leave this summer, the Scotland midfielder seems more likely to stay after Kobbie Mainoo was forced to miss the start of the season due to an ankle injury.
Bruno Fernandes was his usual energetic self – even in the first half when he wasn’t playing
SYMPATHY FOR MAGUIRE
You can’t help but feel bad for Harry Maguire. When Fernandes wasn’t in the starting lineup in Las Vegas, he was passed over for the position in favour of McTominay after manager Erik ten Hag stripped him of the captaincy.
When the England defender attempted a quick pass, the usual minority of idiots started to jeer him.
When Ten Hag bolstered his team at the hour mark, it was notable that Maguire was replaced by veteran Jonny Evans, who had been signed on a short-term contract to cover preseason. If Maguire leaves Old Trafford this summer, could Evans replace him with a longer-term contract or even surpass him in the pecking order if he stays?
Despite the obstacles, Maguire is adamant that he will fight for his future at United, and you have to respect the man for that. But perhaps Ten Hag needs to demonstrate his value to him a bit more clearly if he really does.
Harry Maguire was overlooked as captain even when Bruno Fernandes wasn’t on the field
ONANA ADJUSTING
The £47.1 million acquisition of Andre Onana will alter the way United defend this year, but there were some growing pains in Las Vegas as Ten Hag’s team gave up twice in the final 18 seconds of the first half.
Donyell Malen had just brought Dortmund even when Onana’s No. 2 quickly equalised. Victor Lindelof received a risky pass from Tom Heaton at the edge of the box. Lindelof attempted an equally dangerous pass to Donny van de Beek, but Marcel Sabitzer, a former United player, intercepted it.
When he received the ball from Sabitzer and slid the ball past Heaton twice in quick succession, Brandon Williams was playing Malen onside.
Williams yelled angrily in response to Heaton’s accusation
At halftime, Onana took Heaton’s place, but just five minutes after the restart, there was more strife in the United defence when the Cameroonian saved from Sebastian Haller after a mix-up between Maguire and McTominay and leaped to his feet to chastise Maguire.
After Ten Hag made numerous adjustments and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave the wall away in the lead-up to Youssoufa Moukoko’s game-winning goal, the defensive problems persisted.
United are still adjusting to new goalkeeper Andre Onana – a recent Red Devils signing
Jadon Sancho produced some impressive signs against his old team in a False 9 position
SANCHO A FALSE NINE
Although Jadon Sancho hasn’t exactly thrived since joining United from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million two years ago, he looked sharp playing as a false nine against his former team at the Allegiant Stadium.
In the absence of Antony Martial and while United are still working to finalise a deal for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, Sancho has been playing through the middle on the tour.
Here, his pace caused problems for Dortmund as he harassed their back four and provided some clever link-up play to occasionally get Facundo Pellistri in behind. Just before halftime, there was a sublime turn that sent the somewhat clumsy Humells running after shadows.
On United’s narrow flank, Pellistri was also a ball of energy who Hummels cautioned for an errant challenge. When the young Uruguayan was replaced in the second period, Ten Hag gave him a well-deserved pat on the head.