Friendly Games: Manchester United 1 V Lyon 0
Manchester United made it two wins from two games as the Reds continued pre-season preparations with a 1-0 victory over Lyon in Scotland.
After the Reds passed up a number of first-half chances, Donny van de Beek stepped off the bench to make an instant impact by sweeping home a superb volley from Dan Gore’s brilliant cross in the 49th minute.
The midfielder’s goal proved decisive as the Reds followed up last week’s 2-0 win over Leeds United with a positive work-out at BT Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
Erik ten Hag made two changes to the starting XI that began the success over Leeds in Norway seven days earlier. Matej Kovar replaced Tom Heaton in goal and Antony made his return from injury, in place of Omari Forson. Jonny Evans was on the bench after the experienced defender signed a short-term deal this week to return to the club.
Lyon, managed by former United defender Laurent Blanc, named ex-Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette and former Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso in their line-up for the first half.
FIRST HALF – NO GOALS
The two teams were given a traditional Scottish welcome on a sunny afternoon in the capital and the Reds made a bright start, creating a series of early chances.
The returning Antony was denied by the legs of Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes after a measured lay-off from Jadon Sancho inside the box before Raphael Varane headed over from the resulting corner. Relentless pressing from United then presented Amad with a one-on-one opportunity but he dragged his finish wide of the far post, before the 21-year-old stung the palms of Lyon keeper Lopes after meeting a low cutback from the lively Antony.
Mason Mount, on his second start for the Reds, agonisingly couldn’t sort his feet out after Sancho, brilliantly found by Varane’s clipped pass, sprung in behind the Lyon backline and sought to pick out his fellow countryman. After a dominant opening from United, our French opponents slowly worked their way into the game.
Their captain Lacazette threatened with a cross-cum-shot which flashed across the goalmouth before Jeffinho saw an effort deflect into the side-netting from inside the box. Kobbie Mainoo then made a brave block to protect Kovar’s goal from a fierce drive by Amin Sarr.
After Mount was fouled from behind by Clinton Mata, our new no.7 took the free-kick himself from 22 yards but his low strike was blocked by the Lyon defensive wall before the ball ricocheted through to the Lyon goalkeeper.
Mount, who showed more glimpses of his skillset, went close again from a similar distance with a whipped effort, after linking up effectively with Amad, as United went into the break unfortunate to still be on level terms.
SECOND HALF – DONNY’S BREAKTHROUGH
As planned prior to the match, Ten Hag changed his 10 outfield players at the interval, with centre-back Evans among those entering the fray – wearing no.27 as he made his first appearance in a United shirt since 2015.
Another half-time arrival was van de Beek and the Dutchman, who had an injury setback to overcome last season, made an immediate impression. Gore did brilliantly to keep the ball alive from Marc Jurado’s throw-in and drive a controlled cross from the right into the box for van de Beek to guide past Lopes.
The Reds continued to probe as more intricate play in the final third led to Joe Hugill poking the ball into the path of the marauding Jurado, who was thwarted by Mamadou Sarr’s intervention. Van de Beek then looked to loft an effort from the back post following a corner but it didn’t trouble the Lyon keeper.
The Ligue 1 outfit made 10 changes just after the hour mark, with Ivorian defender Sinaly Diomande the only player staying on the pitch.
Substitute keeper Remy Riou was quickly called upon for Lyon to tip away a curling shot from Isak Hansen-Aaroen after an effective break down the left.
But chances were few and far between in the second period as United maintained control throughout, with Gore, in particular, catching the eye and taking up some intelligent positions alongside the more experienced figure of Fred in midfield.
LINE-UPS: FIRST HALF
United: Kovar; Wan-Bissaka, Varane (c), Martinez, Fernandez; Hannibal, Mount, Mainoo; Antony, Sancho, Amad.
Lyon: Lopes; Mata, Diomande, M.Sarr, Laaziri; Lepenant, Tolisso, El Arouch; Jeffinho, Lacazette (c), A.Sarr.
LINE-UPS: SECOND HALF
United: Kovar; Jurado, Fish, Evans, Williams; Gore, Fred (c), van de Beek; Forson, Hugill, Hansen-Aaroen.
Subs not used: Bishop, Harrison, Emeran.
Scorer: Van de Beek 49.
Lyon: Lopes (Riou 63); Mata (Mboup 64), Diomande (Camilo 77), M.Sarr (N’Diaye 64), Laaziri (Tagliafico 63); Lepenant (Da Silva 64), Tolisso (Alvero 64), El Arouch (Kumbedi 65); Jeffinho (Kadewere 64), Lacazette (c) (Reine-Adelaide 63), A.Sarr (Lega 64).
Attendance: 48,484
