Manchester United’s penultimate pre-season fixture saw the Red Devils earn a 3-1 win over Lens at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag named what appeared to be a first-choice XI for the game, but a horrendous Andre Onana mistake handed Lens a half-time lead. Three goals within the opening 15 minutes of the second half ensured United got the win though, with Marcus Rashford, Antony and Casemiro on target.
The game was preceded by Rasmus Hojlund’s unveiling as a United player on the pitch, and when the action got under way it was fast paced at Old Trafford. Onana, playing his first home match since signing, was called into action early on to deny strikes from Florian Sotoca and then Angelo Fulgiani, both of whom also curled dangerous efforts wide in the opening 20 minutes.
But the United goalkeeper had a moment to forget soon after, as he was lobbed by Sotoca from all of 40 yards. The Lens attacker spotted Onana off his line and, from inside the centre circle, floated the ball above the scrambling stopper, who couldn’t quite get back in time to keep out the sublime shot.
United had enjoyed early spells of possession but looked susceptible on the break. Mason Mount really should have handed the hosts the advantage before Sotoca’s opener, but he miscued with an almost open goal and didn’t manage to connect after Alejandro Garnacho had squared the ball.
The winger was United’s brightest attacking player and shot wide on 26 minutes after a run from deep, not long before a separate attempt was deflected off target, with Antony’s follow-up taking a nick and sailing over the bar for a corner. Luke Shaw registered United’s last chance of the half when he drew a stop from Lens’ Brice Samba, and the ex-Nottingham Forest man comfortably held the shot.
But within three minutes of the second half kicking off, United were back on level terms. Antony’s superb pass in behind found Rashford, whose shot deflected off Kevin Danso and ended up in the back of Samba’s goal.
And by the 53rd minute, United were 2-1 up after Rashford and Garnacho combined in the opposition half, with the latter bounding free into the ample space in front of him. He eventually slipped the ball to Antony and the Brazilian’s awkward touch with his right foot brought him into the Lens box, but he recovered in time to slot a shot into the bottom corner.
The quick turnaround was complete five minutes later as Casemiro added a third. The midfielder didn’t know much about it, as Rashford’s header was inadvertently turned home by Casemiro in the box.
In the 69th minute, Onana made a fantastic reflex save to keep out a strike from Facundo Medina, although he did flap at a cross minutes later which, thankfully, didn’t result in a Lens goal.
As the game moved into the latter stages, Bruno Fernandes saw a powerful effort palmed wide, while Onana's acrobatic stop prevented David Costa's lopping shot from going in on 89 minutes.
Here's how we rated the United players...
1. Andre Onana- 5
Made some good saves in the match to keep out Sotoca, Fulgini and Spierings, but had a nightmare for the Lens goal. Opposition sides will be wary of Onana’s position in the early weeks of the season.
2. Diogo Dalot- 4
It was Dalot’s poor pass that resulted in Onana being chipped in the first half. Overall, it was a poor performance from the Portugal international, who struggled to cope with Lens’ nippy attackers.
3. Raphael Varane- 7
Was composed at the back, especially in the second period.
4. Lisandro Martinez- 8
Used his speed and skill on the ball to deal with some tricky defensive situations. It was another solid showing from the defender.