So a few things I’ve noticed from the first two Manchester United pre-season games (obviously take this with a sizable pinch of salt as these are early pre-season games).
1. Yoro yesterday looked very comfortable and I don’t think there will be too much of a problem with him playing most weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing him with Martinez. Rangers were a good test of the kind of physicality he will come up against, although nowhere near the quality. He didn’t look like the physicality was a problem.
2. Vitek looks more than capable as a 2nd / 3rd choice keeper next season if Bayindir pushes to leave. No need to go into the market for a replacement.
3. Collyer looks neat, tidy and ready for more minutes in the first team.
4. Amass has been bright in spells going forward, but it’s obvious that he still has some growing to do, and to learn how to use his body better at men’s level. While defensively he was caught in the wrong position a few times, so needs to work on his defensive awareness. On these two showings I’d say he isn’t quite ready for the first team. He needs to work on his defensive awareness, positioning and use of his body to make him harder to go by. Unfortunately I don’t think he can go on loan until he is 18 (which isn’t until March), so probably a mixture of playing games at under-23 level and some training sessions with the first team.
5. Sam Murray has shown that he should be ahead of Amass in the pecking order if the club needs to use an academy player at LB this season. He’s been solid, and not at all overawed. If he isn’t going to get any first team minutes this season then maybe a loan would be best for his continued development. Personally I’d wait until January, see how Shaw and Malacia are doing on the injury front. If both are fine then maybe loan Murray out for the second half of the season.
6. Oyedele has also looked bright and is another alongside Collyer who needs more game time at a higher level. While Collyer looks like he’ll get game time in the first team, I’d be tempted to find a good loan for Oyedele for him to continue his development.
7. Will Fish has been solid and could step into the Kambwala role of last season as the first CB option from the academy to step into the first team if needed. If we don’t get a second CB then he’ll definitely be needed to keep around next season.
8. The final academy player who stood out was Ethan Wheatley, he looks like he should be the third choice CF this season. Looking very composed and ready for more first team minutes.
These last two games will probably be used to gauge which youngsters will make the pre-season tour, Vitek, Fish, Murray, Collyer, and Ethan Wheatley should all definitely make the tour, the others might depend on which first teamers don’t go on the tour.
As for the established first teamers, Sancho hasn’t been poor, but also hasn’t done anything to stake a claim for a starting spot. While Amad has shined and has definitely staked a claim for a starting spot on the right. Mount has been bright in spells, but it’s obvious that he still hasn’t quite found his groove in this United side. The others didn’t show us anything that we didn’t already know and expect.
I’m looking forward to seeing who makes the pre-season tour and how we line up in those games, whether we start to see clear tactical tweaks compared to how we played last year, and what those are.
Finally just for nostalgia it’s been great seeing Ruud on the bench and at games. Just great to see him back at United.