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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst & Tyrone Marshall & Steven Railston

What happened in Manchester United's behind closed doors friendly vs Halifax Town

Alejandro Garnacho and Amad scored in Manchester United's 5-1 behind-closed-doors win over Halifax Town on Monday.

United arranged for another behind-closed-doors game at their Carrington training complex to give squad players more minutes early in the season, having played six official friendlies.

Tom Heaton, Raphael Varane and Eric Bailly were among the starters for United and teenage defender Will Fish also played 30 minutes.

Also read: Rangnick recommended four targets for United and they are not signing any of them

None of the players who had a significant amount of playing time in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday were involved.

Varane and Bailly got on the scoresheet for United, Amad struck twice and Garnacho was also on target. Garnacho and Amad scored in the previous behind-closed-doors friendly against Wrexham two weeks ago.

United's squad players were appreciative of the club for arranging an extra match against the National League side.

Last month, United invited fifth-tier team Wrexham to Carrington and won 4-1 as Christian Eriksen scored on his first appearance for the club.

United travel to Brentford for their first away game of the new season on Saturday and changes are inevitable after the morale-shattering performance against Brighton.

Manager Erik ten Hag confirmed on Friday United had curated a bespoke fitness programme for the 29-year-old Varane, who was on the bench at the weekend.

"We built him during pre-season really carefully (with) an individual programme," Ten Hag explained. "The last three weeks, I think, every session he is on the pitch and I am really happy with that.

"You see him growing, his fitness levels, his performance levels. So I am really happy with that. In the moment Raphael will be fit. It is a huge strength for the squad and for the team."

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