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Result: Manchester United put four past Melbourne Victory in second pre-season encounter

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 July 2022, 12:05
Manchester United continued their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign with a 4-1 victory over Australian outfit Melbourne Victory in a friendly on Friday.

The Red Devils started their pre-season with a 4-0 success over Liverpool on Tuesday and have now made it two wins from two on tour courtesy of a comprehensive victory over the A-League Men outfit.

Victory took the lead in the fifth minute of the contest when Ben Folami broke clear down the right before delivering a brilliant cross into Christopher Ikonomidis, who expertly fired the ball past Tom Heaton.

Man United had the majority of the possession in the first half, with the bulk of their threat coming down the right, with Diogo Dalot often an outlet for the Red Devils.

Anthony Martial had a good chance to level late in the first period when he was picked out by Luke Shaw inside the Victory box, but the Frenchman could not make a proper connection with his head.

Man United were level in the 43rd minute, though, when Scott McTominay's deflected effort from distance found a way into the back of the net, and it was no more than Erik ten Hag's side deserved.

The Red Devils then took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Martial slotted into the back of the net from close range after Anthony Elanga had turned the ball towards the Frenchman.

Ten Hag made 10 changes at the interval, with new signing Tyrell Malacia taking to the field once again, while Charlie Savage, Zidane Iqbal and Marcus Rashford also entered for the second 45 minutes.

As expected, Man United continued to dominate the ball in the early stages of the second period, with Iqbal and Savage again impressing in the midfield areas for the visitors.

The Red Devils had a half-chance in the 66th minute when Tahith Chong broke into the Victory box, but the attacker saw his effort blocked, and the hosts then dealt with the resulting corner.

A mistake from Eric Bailly almost allowed Ikonomidis to level the scores 20 minutes from time, but Heaton was quick off his line to make the claim.

Man United scored their third of the match in the 78th minute when Bailly's clever pass released Rashford, and the forward cleverly found the back of the net from a difficult angle.

Rashford could have had a second in the 83rd minute following a super cross from Malacia, but the forward headed straight at the home side's goalkeeper.

Former Man United attacker Nani, who has only just moved to Victory, was introduced in the 88th minute of the contest, with the Portuguese having the chance to take on the team that he represented between 2007 and 2015.

The English giants completed the scoring in the 90th minute when Chong's low cross was turned into the back of his own net by Edmond Lupancu.

Man United will be looking to make it three wins from three when they take on Crystal Palace in their next match on Tuesday before facing more Premier League opposition in the shape of Aston Villa next weekend.

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