Concluding the Thai leg of their 2022 pre-season tour, Erik ten Hag's Manchester United made the trip to Australia following their emphatic 4-0 victory against Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday. Three days later, Melbourne Cricket Ground - the 11th largest stadium in the world - was the next venue to welcome United.
However, facing A-League outfit Melbourne Victory was an entirely different prospect for Ten Hag's side given they are a relatively unknown entity to clubs outside of Australia. And the unfamiliarity of the challenge caught United out in the very early exchanges, when a counter attacking move saw Victory take the lead after only five minutes.
From a United standpoint, it showed weaknesses in defensive transition, whereby they were left exposed when their press was breached. It was abundantly clear that relative unacquaintance with the high line that Ten Hag has ordered left some susceptibility to being counter attacked, with both Victor Lindelof and the returning Harry Maguire outrun whilst Luke Shaw was uncovered for when caught out of position.
Although they weren't punished for it, United did suffer similar lapses against Liverpool after turnovers. For Ten Hag, whether it be through improving counter-pressing or refining the high line, this is something glaring to work on over the course of the upcoming matches.
On the whole, Victory offered a vastly different challenge to that posed by Liverpool. Much like a host of Premier League teams, they operated a low block and looked to counter (as they did for the goal). It was an excellent opportunity for Ten Hag to observe some of his side's strengths and weaknesses against such a system given that they have notoriously struggled to break down stubborn, deep-lying defences.
United were afforded the majority of possession, but looked more purposeful than has become typical. The use of the ball still wasn't flawless with the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay not the most adept in terms of building from deep, though phases of possession were largely sustained with minimal giveaways regardless.
The main takeaway from such a forced possession-dominant performance against a very defensive set-up was that creation remained at a high level, especially through the use of the flanks. There was a noticeable impetus placed on the wide areas, which is a hallmark of Ten Hag's management; there are already blatant signs that the players are buying into his ideas, with particular strategies more visible on the pitch.
One pattern of play that emphasis was clearly placed on was the use of cut-backs when in wide areas - something not particularly seen at United in recent years. In addition, ensuring a number of players were inside the box made a difference to one isolated figure having to try and engineer openings from slim pickings.
United's right-hand side was especially threatening throughout the first half, which is a contrast to recent seasons where an imbalance has often been caused by the left inflicting more damage in an attacking sense. Jadon Sancho again showed more promise on his more natural side, establishing a very effective connection with Diogo Dalot.
Maguire also contributed to this efficiency with his ball-playing capabilities from right centre-back - as opposed to his usual left centre-back berth. On the right, given that he is right footed, there is a viable argument that his technical ability is better utilised given that his stronger foot is on the outside. Given that Raphael Varane, who missed the match with a minor injury, started on the right against Liverpool, it would suggest that pending signing Lisandro Martinez may be first choice to the left.
Despite their constant pressure through possession, it took until the latter stages of the half before United gained any avail. There were a selection of unsuccessful shots from range as impatience grew (which Ten Hag will not have liked), though McTominay managed to score the opening goal through such means albeit courtesy of a sizeable deflection. He does, however, warrant credit for winning the ball high up the pitch prior to the effort.
McTominay's strike opened up the floodgates to an extent, with United finding the net again prior to the break. It was a goal that involved most things that were positive throughout the period as the use of the right flank paid dividends.
Sancho ultimately fed Dalot, who made one of a number of aggressive overlapping runs to the byline from right-back, into a channel as they combined once again. Dalot cut the ball back into the box, where Anthony Elanga touched the ball onto Anthony Martial, who controlled the ball well before finishing with composure. The eventual goal evidenced the benefits of having more than just a single player inside the penalty area.
Into the second half, there were understandably once again wholesale changes (bar Tom Heaton, who was deputising for the injured David de Gea) in order to share around game-time. All of the same personnel featured aside from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Facundo Pellistri, who remained on the bench as Ethan Laird and Tahith Chong were introduced.
Once more, Alex Telles featured at centre-back alongside Eric Bailly. Realistically, it is highly unlikely Telles will ever play there into the season; it says a fair amount about the left-back's uncertain future that he is filling a vacant centre-back role, with Ten Hag not seemingly eager to sample him in his actual position. In addition, being left footed, there is a chance he has almost been used to simulate the role Martinez will likely play.
The general structure remained consistent in both the first and second half. Charlie Savage was relied upon to drop amongst the defence as a playmaker, where he again proved adept at building from deep. He proved a reliable passer with a wide passing range, allowing him to dictate when he was on the ball. Meanwhile, he proved that he possesses the intelligence to keep things simple and not overplay.
Zidane Iqbal was equally as assured and comfortable on the ball as Savage, also adding an element of flair. He was utilised in a slightly more advanced midfield role, operating in a block of two with one of the full-backs whilst the remaining five players formed an attacking overload.
Whilst the young midfielders caught the eye, it was Bailly who took the onus to engineer the third United goal - much like against Liverpool. His hot and cold nature was proven by a selection of near-costly errors, however a purposeful carry out from defence and decisive through ball saw him provide an assist for Marcus Rashford.
Rashford, who was deployed through the middle as a striker after coming on at the juncture, showed his centre-forward instincts to time his run and show a burst to latch onto Bailly's through ball. To finish, he produced a simple-looking, measured tap past the goalkeeper without any sense of panic. All in all, Ten Hag's trial of Rashford in a central role can be rendered a success - he is clearly intrigued by the option.
United confirmed another encouraging four-goal haul towards the climax of proceedings as Chong found space on the right, playing the ball across into the box to force an own goal. Again, it was effective use of wide areas.
So after two matches, there are plenty of positives for Ten Hag to take as his United side already look on their way to forming a genuine identity. There are, of course, negatives to take too, but the positive from that is that the areas that require work are clear. Ten Hag will be aware of what requires work, and there is plenty of time to rectify current pitfalls.
The players have so far seemed entirely committed to buying into Ten Hag's philosophy and ideas, so you can imagine there will be a certain willingness to take further pointers onboard. There seems a definite new lease of life about them.
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