With Manchester United playing two pre-season games within a 24-hour window it allowed Erik ten Hag to unleash his young talent for 90 minutes. Ten Hag fielded an inexperienced team against Wrexham in San Diego on Tuesday night, and things didn’t exactly go to plan.
Midfielder Daniel Gore was sent off for United during a 3-1 defeat to Wrexham, with starting goalkeeper Nathan Bishop also lucky to escape a red card.
Goals from Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden, and Sam Dalby helped Wrexham on their way to a famous victory over the Red Devils, with former United goalkeeper Ben Foster in goal for the Welsh side. Wrexham were quickly left without star striker Paul Mullin, as after 13 minutes he was caught by the United goalkeeper and suffered a worrying injury.
Bishop came racing out of his goal and caught Mullin in the ribs, with the Wrexham striker needing an oxygen mask on the field. Bishop escaped with a yellow card and Mullin went to a nearby hospital, suffering a potential punctured lung.
Impressed
Isak Hansen-Aaroen
The 18-year-old was brought to the club by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was aware of his talents due to the midfielder playing in his native Norway. Hansen-Aaroen made his senior debut for Tromso at the age of just 15, before being signed by United.
He’s since featured in their academy and must have impressed Ten Hag after being selected for the US tour and handed a start against Wrexham. The youngster looked bright in possession and was unselfish at every given moment with the ball, even when a shot from the edge of the box may be tempting.
His work rate is exactly what Ten Hag looks for, and Hansen-Aaroen has earned a reputation in the academy as a future star for United. Not much has stayed the same since Solskjaer left United, but Ten Hag agrees that the Norwegian has talent.
Marc Jurado
Jurado scored the only goal of the game for United and did so with a flying run down the right wing as he got on the of Alvaro Fernandez’s cross. Jurado beat Wrexham striker Lee who didn’t see him coming but still had a lot to do with the finish.
The Spanish right-back could be one for the future, and with Ten Hag still undecided over whether to put his faith in Aaron Wan Bissaka or Diogo Dalot, Jurado could provide healthy competition. Jurado is certainly an attacking full-back, and the fact that he linked up with fellow Spaniard and opposite full-back Fernandez will give Ten Hag confidence they could be a future partnership.
Daniel Gore
Just one day after signing a new contract with United, Gore was given a shown a straight red card for a tackle on Andy Cannon after 47 minutes. Unlike Bishop’s tackle which should’ve been red, Gore was rather unlucky to be sent for an early shower.
Gore and Cannon collided simultaneously for a loose ball, although the Wrexham player came off worse in the tackle. Gore’s studs weren’t showing, and if VAR had been in use the red card would likely have been overturned.
But it was still a needless tackle, and although his physicality and aggression could be useful at times for United, it wasn’t worth the risk in a pre-season game. Gore missed the chance to impress Ten Hag, and he knew it as he left the field with his shirt covering his face.
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