'Deja vu' is a phrase that rings very true about the nature of Manchester United's 1-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid on Saturday afternoon in Oslo. It was a friendly by name but hardly by nature.
Realistically though, a pre-season match against a Diego Simeone side was hardly ever going to be a non-competitive affair. And in many ways, the contents of the match won't ultimately transpire to be too bad a thing, even if they were frustrating and, in the scheme of things, slightly ridiculous.
Still, Erik ten Hag was frustrated by the nature of the game given that it is now only one week in advance of the new season. "I like competitiveness but with respect," he said. "I don't want to have injuries as well. That's why you have to keep respect for each other. I have seen some tackles which are maybe a little bit over the limit."
Simeone's sides get under teams' skin more than any other whenever possible, which, in terms of a pre-season game, offered a real mentality challenge for United.
The foul count for the match reached 33, with Atletico committing 14 and United reaching a total of 19 in the spirit of the affair. And this resulted in some aggro at stages, including at the end of the half when Scott McTominay was aggravated.
Atletico ultimately came away with four bookings compared to two for United - obscene given that it was a 'friendly' (inverted commas necessary). In the closing stages, things boiled over again as Fred seemed to pick up a second yellow card for a foul on Alvaro Morata, subsequently appearing to stamp on the Atletico striker. If VAR was operational, Fred would likely have been in trouble beyond just a second yellow card. The incident very much outlined the requirement for further discipline to be instilled for certain individuals.
Throughout, Atletico played their classic games, with diving antics and all. Given that it was a friendly, you may say this was slightly stupid. But it is these well-engrained habits that make Simeone's team such a force.
As well as their mental tactics, Atletico also deployed their renowned high press from the outset. And United matched Atletico's energy and intent well . They were willing to physically exert themselves in what became a real battle. Physicality was something that Ralf Rangnick heavily criticised United for lacking last season, though they did show this in greater abundance in Oslo.
It further benefitted United's final pre-season preparations that Atletico operate just about the most regimented and well-drilled low block in world football. Such deep-lying defensive lines in the Premier League will be encountered often, thus facing a side coached by a defensive specialist in the form of Simeone will have been another helpful lesson for Erik ten Hag about his team.
United actually created to a decent extent, finding inroads against such a low block. This impressed Ten Hag, though he was also frustrated at wastefulness. "The team's performance was really good, the score is not good," Ten Hag said. "We created a lot of chances, to score at least one goal, but we didn't score. I'm not satisfied on this point and I said it to the team - it is not acceptable."
And this wasteful nature stemmed beyond just in front of goal, with some stray passes possibly signifying frustration amidst Atletico's antics. There were strong passages as possession was dominated overall, though there was a sense at times that United never had absolute control in midfield whereby you never sensed complete authority against an aggressive Atletico outfit.
Fred is improving in the deep midfield role, mind. His ball retention is getting better, especially impressive against a high-pressing Atletico side. He showed more accurate passing from deep, also winning the ball plenty of times too.
There was no start for Christian Eriksen, but there was a noticeable technical boost offered to the midfield when he was introduced at around the 70-minute mark. Ten Hag claimed that Eriksen isn't yet ready to play a full match, so he was given just over 20 minutes - along with Donny van de Beek - when Anthony Martial appeared to suffer a knock (Scott McTominay also made way). The dynamics were interesting as Bruno Fernandes moved to the left flank and Marcus Rashford took up the central striker role.
Eriksen operated a free midfield role after being introduced and, while United failed to score, he bolstered creation from various areas where nobody else could have the desired impact as the side faltered slightly as the match progressed. This included one cross, which just failed to meet Anthony Elanga, from a deep area - where he favoured playmaking from during his time at Brentford. He also showed his set-piece prowess, setting up Harry Maguire from a corner for a free header that was squandered.
Maguire himself, aside from missing the aforementioned header, put in a laudable display again. Atletico are well-known for their strength on the counter attack, but United's defence did well to stand firm and hold fort - Victor Lindelof contributed significantly to these efforts too. In the end, Ten Hag opted not to introduce Lisandro Martinez - also judged to not be ready to play a full match - given that it is likely that Maguire and Lindelof will begin the season alongside one another due to a lack of minutes for alternatives.
The majority of those who started the match completed the full 90 minutes, which is arguably the biggest positive that came from the trip to Norway. Luke Shaw (who didn't travel) and Jadon Sancho (who did travel) both missed out through illness so are frustratingly behind on a completed match; it is uncertain as to whether either will face Rayo Vallecano with some of the more second-string players on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford.
Tyrell Malacia did prove his worth as an alternative to Shaw in the absence of the supposed first-choice left-back, showing his completeness through security both defensively and technically on a more attacking front. Elanga deputised for Sancho and, whilst not offering exactly the same quality, showed he is there to be called upon.
While United sustained a good standard and had a decent hold of affairs for most of the match, Atletico did gain an edge towards the latter stages, partially down to the fact that they are behind in their pre-season. Thus, the Spanish side's programme was different, meaning they made near-wholesale changes around the hour mark which added fresh legs against a United outfit only just re-adjusting to playing an entire match.
Atletico ultimately took the lead through the supremely talented Joao Felix, who cut inside of Diogo Dalot and found the net from the edge of the box in the closing stages of the match. He also scored against United in the Champions League last term.
This was an occasion that the result didn't tell the entire story, though it was still frustrating for Ten Hag that his unbeaten run was ended. United just fell short by way of quality at times, further outlining the need for more reinforcements. But it is another challenge by way of opposition that the current crop of players have progressed through, with valuable minutes in the tank for fitness.
If anything, while losses are never a good thing, the reality check offered is a positive tool to prevent expectations from raising unrealistically high ahead of the season.
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