Erik ten Hag can safely class his debut pre-season as Manchester United boss as a success.
He saw his side lose just once in six public friendlies, netting 14 goals overall. United also were 4-1 victors over Wrexham in a behind-closed-doors friendly, in which new recruit Christian Eriksen netted a debut goal from a free-kick.
Their 4-0 opening win over Liverpool in Bangkok was a highlight of the club’s tour as United remained undefeated in the three friendlies in Australia. Ten Hag used 34 players overall, managing to give several youngsters a prolonged run-out while other senior colleagues rediscovered their form.
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We look at the five players who were winners across the whole of pre-season and five others who will rue the way July panned out.
Winners
Jadon Sancho
Despite missing United’s final two friendlies this weekend through illness, Sancho will be remembered for being United’s pre-season star man. Playing mainly on the right, the England international netted three times and looked back to his Borussia Dortmund best.
Anthony Martial
Many will not be surprised to see Martial make the list after his three strikes on tour. After a dismal season, the attacker benefitted from Ten Hag’s aggressive tactics and looks sharp and ready to lead the line.
Harry Maguire
He may not be the most popular figure amongst fans but after a shaky 2021/22 campaign, Maguire will take a lot of encouragement from the summer. After calls for him to be dropped, Ten Hag gave him the vote of confidence by keeping him on as captain and his place in the side looks assured, starting four friendlies and racking up 267 minutes.
Zidane Iqbal
Not many predicted Iqbal to be the leading academy light in pre-season, but the youngster put in impressive performances, especially on tour. He’s arguably the most likely starlet to earn a place in the senior squad this season having played five times during the summer.
Fred
The Brazilian continued the promising form he ended last season with into the summer, producing some classy displays. His chip over Liverpool golden glove winner Alisson was audacious and he is now clearly ahead of Scott McTominay in the midfield pecking order.
Losers
Alex Telles
Telles was played at centre-half for four of the five games he featured in this summer and is clearly behind Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia in the left-back selection list. He’s now been deemed surplus to requirements - an exit looks imminent.
Raphael Varane
He is likely to lose his starting spot to Martinez long-term thanks to his injury record. Varane picked up a knock while out on tour and only amassed 158 minutes in pre-season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka is currently up for sale but didn’t do anything to convince Ten Hag that this is a wrong decision. He played just 92 minutes this summer and Ten Hag is already looking for a new right-back to challenge Diogo Dalot.
Hannibal Mejbri
Many predicted the midfielder to kick on after his explosive cameos towards the end of the last season. But the 16-time capped Tunisia international struggled to rein in his rough-and-tumble style of play and was subjected to just 77 minutes of substitute appearances.
Tahith Chong
Chong wouldn’t have made the list but for his woeful outing against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. He played a significant role in Melbourne Victory's own goal in the 4-1 United win in Australia, but that was his most notable moment in his three outings - the 22-year-old's failure to be clinical at the weekend may be costly.
Marcus Rashford and Charlie Savage receive honourable mentions for their pre-season efforts, the former grabbing two goals as he re-ignited his United career. Savage strung together some clever passes on tour and has a bright future ahead of him.
Meanwhile, Facundo Pellistri only evades the losers list due to his goal against Liverpool. He played less than an hour’s worth of football overall and had to withdraw with a twisted ankle 13 minutes after being substituted on against Atletico Madrid.
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