Manchester United field weak side
It’s preseason, a time when young players make their mark, shock results happen, and fans head into meltdown.
However, in the case of Manchester United, even an Andreas Pereira thunderbolt could not prevent the Red Devils slipping to a 2-2 draw with Premier League newcomers Brentford.
The Red Devils named a weak side, with many of their players still recovering from their exploits at the European Championships. There were starts for young prospects Teden Menghi and Anthony Elanga, while experienced heads Juan Mata, Tom Heaton and Nemanja Matic also featured from the off.
#MUFC v #BrentfordFC team sheet. Former United academy player Max Haygarth starts for the visitors pic.twitter.com/uW0zsdFvsc
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) July 28, 2021
And it was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side who took the lead, with Elanga netting his second goal of preseason, volleying home from an Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross.
A well-worked, and expertly finished, opener by the Reds! #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 28, 2021
However, the London side levelled six minutes later, with Shandon Baptiste firing home.
Long-time United midfielder Andreas Pereira restored United’s lead ten minutes into the second half with a world-class finish from outside the box
🚨⚽️ | NEW: Andreas Pereira has just scored this absolute worldie in the Man Utd vs Brentford game… pic.twitter.com/7VpEYnCZlp
— Football For All (@FootballlForAll) July 28, 2021
United’s poor pre-season
Despite the goal being well-worthy of proving decisive, the Bees hit back once more through Bryan Mbuemo late in the encounter, the young Frenchman providing a fine curling finish into the far corner.
It continues a disappointing pre season for Manchester United so far, with the North West side having fallen to a surprise defeat to Queens Park Rangers four days earlier. Of course, with the stature of the teams, the result has been blown out of proportion, but it is fair to say that it is far from ideal preparation for the new season.
