The Red Devils bounced back from a defeat to Arsenal to triumph 3-2 over the Spanish side at the Snapdragon Stadium. Goals from Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Casemiro saw United come from 1-0 down in San Diego.
22-year-old Amad in particular impressed for United, scoring a decisive goal and commanding the right side of the pitch as he built his case for a place in Ten Hag’s starting lineup this season.
The Dutchman was quick to praise his team after the victory, insisting that he was impressed with their performances on the pitch, though ultimately they need more to carry this form into the season.
“We bounced back very well and a comfortable win, 3-1 at half-time and I thought our [lead] could have been even higher,” he said. “That could have been more and even after half-time we created some good chances again. We concede with 10 men from the corner and that is also something we have to learn because in the league and in the season we may have to defend a corner with 10.
“What we want to achieve is we want to be very proactive and very aggressive and it doesn’t matter if sometimes we are high [up the pitch] or sometimes in a lower block. We have to be very aggressive and in order to get this we need to start the press at certain points and all be on one page. Then the intensity must convert to being with the ball and we must do this as a team.
“I think we made three really good goals, first the penalty and it was a good action from Amad. The second I would say is a very good goal. The third one from the corner is also a nice goal. The second where Harry Amass put the cross [in] and Amad scored the goal with the finish was lovely.
“This week everyone has to get more minutes in to come [up] to match fitness. Of course the games will get tougher and I think on Saturday it will be a very good test when we face Liverpool. That is very good preparation for the new season.”
United’s final pre-season fixture will come against the Reds in the US, before they head back to England to face rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield.
