Manchester United suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool during their pre-season friendly in South Carolina. The result served as a wake-up call for Erik ten Hag’s side, highlighting areas of concern ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. In this article, we will assess the performance of Manchester United’s players and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana received a rating of 5. While he showed improvement in his ability to play out from the back, his main concern lies in his shot-stopping. Onana couldn’t be blamed for the first two goals, but he could have done better in parrying Diogo Jota’s shot, which led to Liverpool’s third goal.
Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka also received a rating of 5. He appeared fatigued in the humid conditions of the Williams-Brice Stadium and was caught out of position for Liverpool’s second goal, allowing Curtis Jones to score from close range.
Both Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, who started in the central defense, were given a rating of 5. The entire back four struggled against Liverpool’s attacking threat, with Lindelof and Evans both having their fair share of difficulties.
Seventeen-year-old Harry Amass, who showcased great confidence and potential, received a rating of 7. He demonstrated his defensive abilities by charging back to tackle Mohamed Salah just as he was about to shoot. Amass could be a promising player for Manchester United in the future, especially if Luke Shaw sustains an injury.
Casemiro, who put in a solid performance as captain against Real Betis, had a less impressive outing against Liverpool, earning a rating of 5. He was deceived by Fabio Carvalho for Liverpool’s first goal and made several misplaced passes throughout the game.
Collyer, a highly regarded 20-year-old player, received a rating of 6. Although he allowed Salah to pass him too easily, leading to Liverpool’s second goal, he didn’t let his mistake affect his performance. Collyer showed determination and made efforts to compensate for his error through strong forward runs.
Amad, who didn’t have as much space as he did in the previous game against Betis, received a rating of 6. Despite the limited opportunities, he still performed well and will provide tough competition for Alejandro Garnacho on the right flank in the upcoming season.
Mason Mount, who recently returned from injury, received a rating of 7. He showcased his skills by taking an early shot that was saved and consistently looked to combine with Jadon Sancho, who played as a false nine in the absence of the injured Rasmus Hojlund.
The star performer for Manchester United was Marcus Rashford, who received a rating of 8. He showed no signs of any lingering effects from the knock he sustained in the previous game against Betis. Rashford’s standout moment came in the 24th minute when he controlled the ball with his back to goal, turned his man, and narrowly missed the far post with his shot.
Jadon Sancho, who is gradually settling in his new United shirt, received a rating of 6. However, it was evident that United cannot rely on him as a false nine for the upcoming season, as he doesn’t pose a significant goal threat in that position.
Overall, Manchester United’s performance against Liverpool highlighted areas that need improvement before the start of the Premier League season. The defensive line struggled against Liverpool’s attacking prowess, and there were concerns regarding the team’s ability to create goal-scoring opportunities. However, players like Harry Amass and Marcus Rashford showed promise and provided positive moments for the team. Manchester United will need to address their weaknesses and build on their strengths to compete at the highest level in the upcoming season.