Van de Beek helps Man Utd win friendly
*Score: Van de Beek 49'.
This was Van de Beek's first goal for Man Utd since a header in the win over Watford in November 2021. After scoring, the Dutch striker shouted, performing a relief action. Off the field, Erik ten Hag expressed his joy when he saw his former student at Ajax score. Van de Beek is in the group of players at risk of being liquidated by Man Utd this summer. But performances in pre-season friendlies and a good relationship with Ten Hag could save his career at Old Trafford.
A week ago, Man Utd beat Leeds 2-0 in the first friendly match before the new season. Compared to that match, Ten Hag continued to place the main central defenders Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the main kick. Rookie Mason Mount continues to play in an attacking midfielder. Jadon Sancho was once again assigned to play as a striker in the context of Man Utd negotiating to buy striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta.
"Red Devils" have delicious opportunities to open the scoring at the beginning of the game. Antony faced but could not beat goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. Sancho and Mount both broke the offside trap but failed to coordinate in an empty situation. The new midfielder from Chelsea missed opportunities to score his first goal for Man Utd. In the 37th minute, Mount stood in front of the penalty spot more than 20 meters from the goal, but the kick didn't go through the fence. Not long after, his sharp cut in front of the penalty area sent the ball over the bar.
Man Utd replaced all players above, only keeping goalkeeper Matej Kovar after the break. In a throw-in on the right, defender Daniel Gore tried to cross. Van de Beek chose the right position before launching a one-touch volley, not giving the Lyon goalkeeper a chance to save.
The opening goal helped Man Utd to be psychologically excited. They continuously created delicious opportunities but could not double the gap. Marc Jurado's close-range finish was blocked by the Lyon defender and Isak Hansen-Aaroeen's cut could not beat Lopes.
In the second half, Ten Hag launched into the field of veteran midfielder Jonny Evans, who had just signed a short-term contract with Man Utd and hopes to take a place in the "Red Devils" squad next season. Although playing the pair of 20-year-old juniors Will Fish, Evans' experience contributed to Man Utd's mastery of the game in the second half, making Lyon unable to launch any shots.
After this match, Man Utd will fly to the US to play four friendlies, starting with the encounter with Arsenal in New Jersey on July 22.
