Another game and another four-goal win. Erik ten Hag's honeymoon period with Manchester United has been so blissfully serene the Glazer family might wonder whether a costly squad rebuild is necessary after all.
Ten Hag is in no mood to wax lyrical about United's progress. He skipped another post-match press conference, even when deprived of the suspicious excuse of a flight to catch as United are in Melbourne until Tuesday. Ten Hag's compatriot and predecessor, Louis van Gaal, milked his propitious pre-season tour eight years ago.
"Glory glory Man United" has been heard at full-time two games running now. Heady days. Nobody is getting giddy and had Ten Hag attended media obligations like every previous United manager he would have doubtless highlighted their shortcomings.
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Melbourne Victory was a significant step down from Liverpool but Ten Hag's team is taking shape in these exhibition occasions. Van Gaal treated pre-season as preparation for the season so seriously nine of the United starters in their first game on tour in 2015 lined up on the first day of the season. Ten Hag is also maintaining continuity with his own selection strategy.
There were only three changes, two of them enforced with David de Gea and Raphael Varane carrying injuries. Marcus Rashford, the bluntest of the forwards in Bangkok made way for Anthony Elanga, who was as ineffectual as against Liverpool.
It is a logical approach when there is a dearth of quality in United's squad depth. Better to ready Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot than Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the latter unlikely to make the bench against Brighton three weeks on Sunday.
Ethan Laird was preferred over Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the second XI, a potentially significant call undermined by the entrance of Tahith Chong rather than Facundo Pellistri, Hannibal Mejbri or Alejandro Garnacho. Zidane Iqbal, in midfield once more, was polished on the ball and is threatening to become the breakout youngster of the tour.
The second-half was so inconsequential the dreaded Mexican Wave started in the 71st minute. Other than playing time, the exercise was largely meaningless for United's second string. Rashford slotted in a morale-lifting goal, the desired response to his demotion.
The disparity between regulars and reserves is so patent Ten Hag made 10 half-time substitutions again. Jadon Sancho was United's most creative player by far again in the first and his collaboration with Dalot is promising at this premature stage.
There is hope on Dalot's behalf that he develops into a more refined right-back under Ten Hag and the early evidence is encouraging. He will face down Wilfried Zaha at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next week, determined not to play bunny to the bowler in front of the Shane Warne Stand.
Sancho has undeniably benefited from an extended summer break and already appears more mature with the ball than he did for the majority of his chastening first season. The acid test awaits next month against Brighton, Brentford, Liverpool and Southampton.
United's play was noticeably more patient in the final third, with Fernandes - prone to impetuousness - more prudent with the ball. Ten Hag has introduced attack-versus-defence drills in training and that considered approach was apparent when Anthony Martial put United ahead shortly before the pause.
United were a width of the post away from scoring from a goal kick against Liverpool and Melbourne mastered it. Ten Hag said in Bangkok United made "a lot of mistakes" in their misleading 4-0 victory and their overcommitment was punished on this occasion, with Luke Shaw so high he had not entered the final third by the time the ball passed him into United's, where Victor Lindelof was easily bypassed. Ben Folami's swift cross was coolly converted by Chris Ikonomidis.
Harry Maguire captained United for the first time under Ten Hag. Not for the first time, he was off the pace, failing to anticipate the telegraphed route down United's left-hand side. Maguire started as the right centre-back, a possible fillip for the incoming left-footer Lisandro Martinez.
Liverpool exposed United without punishing them and it is preferable for United to learn a lesson in July than August. Ten Hag was soon berating Shaw and Fernandes, and then subjected to a rendition of "You're getting sacked in the morning". There is never a truer gauge of United's struggles than Fernandes whining at an official and that was sandwiched between a pass into touch and ceding possession. Ten Hag stood stoically.
Scott McTominay had two shots blocked and so his third was, too, only it looped over goalkeeper Paul Izzo into the net. That deflated Melbourne and they were soon demoralised by Martial's poaching in the six-yard area.
Nani, a cult hero in his post-United career having not had the privilege during his eight years with the club, provided some nostalgia with a late cameo on his Melbourne debut. He was involved in umpteen four-goal United wins.
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