In the last match of their U.S. pre-season tour, Manchester United were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool at the Williamms-Brice Stadiuм in Columbus, South Carolina.
Man United began the season with a strong press that kept Liverpool under continual pressure, displaying confidence both with and without the ball.
United’s first chance of the game came four minutes in, when Aaron Wan-Bissaka sent a pass to Adam on the outskirts of the penalty area. The winger failed to touch the crossbar as he cut in. Ultimately, he couldn’t match the goal he scored in United’s previous game against Real Betis.
In the last minute, Collyer skillfully intercepted a ball from Mason Mount in the third quarter before he sent it on to the keeper, who saved his well-drilled shot. The search for an opening continued as United kept knocking on the door.
Ten minutes into the match, Liverpool scored an ill-advised goal. United’s defense seemed prepared to deal with any threat, but Fabio Cannavaro scored from the edge of the box after the ball had nicked Evans and gone into the net.
Three minutes later, United had a fantastic chance to score when Ibrahim Konate’s errant pass fell to Marcus Rashford, but Rashford’s shot missed the upper right corner.
Twenty-one minutes into the match, Mount sprinted down the touchline and sent a cross into the path of Jadon Sancho just in front of the goal. Regrettably, Sancho was unable to precisely direct his cleaver because the ball came too fast.
United resumed their assault only two minutes after the first setback. After Adam lobbed the ball to Rashford, the goalkeeper pushed his drooping shot over the crossbar.
Despite a harrowing near-miss, Raseford collected the ensuing corner kick, deftly evaded Harvey Elliot, and then unleashed a shot across goal. United seemed like they were just waiting for the right moment to score.
Diogo Jota of Liverpool sent a cross-field pass to Konstantinos Tsimikas after the break, but Andre Onana was positioned ideally to grab the rebound.
Mohammed Salah placed a risky cross into the box in the thirty-sixth minute. United was dealt a bad hand as Wan-Bissaka stumbled backwards and Curtis Jones slid the ball into the net.
Erik ten Hag and the South Carolina Hurricanes would be understandably dissatisfied with the result, given their promising moments, at halftime at the Williamms-Brice Stadium in Columbia. United must improve their finishing in the second half if they want to alter the outcome of this match.
Ten Hag made three adjustments as United entered the second half. Will Fisĺ and Rys Bennett were substituted for Evans and Lindelof in the center defense partnership, while Scott McToмinay came on for Mount.
United restarted play four minutes after the half as Sergio passed the ball through to Casemiro, whose shot was stopped by the goalie.
By the 55th minute, United had a golden opportunity to score when McTominay’s shot from close range was blocked and sent out for a corner by the goalkeeper. Regardless of the goalkeeper’s best efforts, the ball was inches away from the post.
During our match, United’s situation deteriorated worse. Tsimikas capitalized on Onana’s parry to push the ball past Wan-Bissaka and into the net, extending their advantage to three goals, after Onana saved the original effort that followed a quick counter-attack by Liverpool.
Just two minutes after that, Antony was substituted for Adam, Christian Eriksen for Collyer, and Ethan Weetley for Rasford.
Watford came close to scoring after the replacements, but the goalkeeper saved his shot and sent the ball out for a corner.
Ryan Bennett made a spectacular block to throw the ball out for a corner after Connor Bradley launched a swift counter for Liverpool. Neither team was able to score from their set pieces.
Liverpool intercepted a wayward pass from United on the halfway line in the 68th minute, and Fisĺ was booked for a reckless tackle. Concerningly, Fisɺ seemed to have serious injuries after the tackle, and the medical personnel had to stretch him off the field. This will just add to United’s endless list of injuries.
After Fisu could no longer continue, Maxi Oyedele was substituted for him. Marion Mateer replaced Sancho, while Saм Murray came on for Harry Adams.
Approximately eight minutes before the scheduled time, Wan-Bissaka collapsed to the floor. Quickly after that, Jess Scanlon took his place.
United had a good number of scoring chances, therefore the final score did not accurately reflect the game. Nevertheless, they must improve, particularly in the defense, if they hope to win the FA Community Shield against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.