Man Utd defeated Derby 2-1 in their first preseason game. Goals from Tahith Chong and Facundo Pellistri got the result on a day where the result is not as important as fitness.
Most of the Man Utd squad is still on vacation after the Euros, so youth gets the nod, as well as the players who did not make the trip the Euros.
Man Utd’s First Half
It was a hot and sunny day at Pride Park. Derby and former United legend Wayne Rooney barely survived relegation from the Championship last season. Derby does not have the most impressive squad in the Championship, but it is a good test for United youngsters.
Tom Heaton was forced into a decent save inside the first ten minutes after Curtis Davies tried a header from an acute angle, Heaton did well.
Tahith Chong got the first goal for Man Utd, the forward who will spend this season on loan at Birmingham City stole the ball from a Derby defender just inside the box, his chip was saved but found the net on the follow up.
Tom Lawrence had a chance to level the score in the 30th minute, the Derby captain got on the wrong side of Aaron Wan-Bissaka following a cross, but sent his header over.
Tom Heaton had the best save of the game so far in the 38th minute. A corner was headed back into a dangerous area and 39-year-old Phil Jagielka redirected the header on target, but Heaton pulled off a tremendous reaction save.
Man Utd’s Second Half
Massive changes to begin the second half for United, Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira return to the squad for now and plenty of more youth players get chances as expected.
Facundo Pellistri got the second goal after Shoretire played him in. Pellistri still had a lot to do and he decided to round the keeper, a great finish for the young Uruguayan.
Colin Kazim-Richards got the goal for Derby, the journeyman did well from outside the box, but Lee Grant could have done a bit better.
Lingardinho looked sharp, he does look like he will not return, especially if Man Utd could get a decent transfer. His curled shot from well outside the box could only to hit the crossbar.
Man Utd passed the ball around well to see out the game after a couple of decent Derby chances. A solid performance for the Red Devils.
The win is not important, it is more about fitness and optics, players are looking for clubs and playing time. United will take the win though, some bigger clubs in England and Europe have not performed well against lesser clubs.
It is not a big deal that Arsenal lost to Hibs the other day, but winning is better than losing.
