Thursday 3 August 2017 23:20, UK
Manchester United continued their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 3-0 win over Valerenga on Sunday. We look at the talking points from the match…
This was another strong pre-season performance from Paul Pogba, who ran the game, particularly in the first half, as United set the tempo and dominated possession.
The France international popped up all over the pitch, looked composed and strong on the ball, won tackles and went close to scoring with a left-footed shot that struck the post. He seemed to relish playing in a free role on the left of the midfield three and was given the captain's armband in the second half.
Will the expected arrival of Nemanja Matic allow Pogba to break and get forward more? If it does that can surely only be a good thing for United, but whatever happens, Pogba's pre-season form suggests he is going to be integral in the 2017/18 campaign.
One of United's most impressive pre-season performers, Scott McTominay netted his first senior goal against Valerenga.
The build-up was a little scrappy as the ball broke for him in the box, but the finish was composed and accurate as he slotted into the far corner on the half volley.
He could have scored again as well as he saw a shot blocked with the 'keeper out of his goal and then had another effort charged down late in the game after starting an attack with a good ball out to the wing.
His promising form might have some Premier League clubs enquiring about the potential for a loan deal this season.
Aside from one clear chance in the second half, United looked completely untroubled in defence as they comfortably dealt with everything Valerenga had going forward.
Phil Jones and Eric Bailly started the match in a back four and they appear to be the favourites for the centre-back pairing in United's opening match of the Premier League season against West Ham.
Summer signing Victor Lindelof, who played in a back three in the second half, might have been expected to go straight into the starting XI, but Jose Mourinho has suggested he is still adapting after his move from Benfica.
"He needs time and we are going to give him his time to develop," said the United manager. "Such a young player needs time. Manchester United is a huge club with huge responsibility; the Premier League is the same. So let's give him time, but we're happy with what he is doing, step by step."
For all their domination of the game, United somewhat laboured in attack at times in the first half against a packed Valerenga defence, with Marcus Rashford struggling to have an impact on proceedings.
Romelu Lukaku did not take long to make his impact after coming on at half-time, though, heading in from a corner to score his third goal of pre-season after his big-money move from Everton.
Lukaku also went close with a powerful drive that flashed across goal and appeared motivated for more, shouting instructions at team-mates even as the game petered out.
While it is not clear who else will play in attack on the opening day - Anthony Martial again showed flashes, Henrikh Mkhitaryan put in a good cross for the first goal and Juan Mata was largely quiet on his return - it is clear that Lukaku is going to be a key player for United this season.
After reports on Saturday that Galatasaray were after Marouane Fellaini, there followed suggestions that this could be the midfielder's last game for Manchester United.
Yet if that was going to be the case it would have been unusual for Mourinho to name him in his starting XI.
And Fellaini was one of United's better performers, showing his strength on several occasions to win possession and also distributing well from the start.
He broke Valerenga's resistance when he headed in just before half-time with the help of a deflection, and Mourinho was clear afterwards that he wants Fellaini to stay.
"It's easier for Galatasaray to get me than Marouane," he said. "If they need a manager, they have a chance, but Marouane? Forget it. He is too important to me."
For all his critics, Fellaini was a key player at crucial times for United last season, and Mourinho's words suggest he could be again in 2017/18.
