Manchester United were seconds away from completing a perfect pre-season tour but for Calum Chambers’ last-gasp strike in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in Perth.
Erik ten Hag will have learnt a lot from his first four games in charge of his new side, in which they have scored 13 and conceded only four. The team still have two more friendlies to play; Atletico Madrid in Norway on July 30 and Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford a day later.
Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez will soon meet up with their new teammates. United fans have been able to see Ten Hag’s tactics in action during the tour with virtually all being left impressed.
READ MORE:What Ten Hag told Man United players in dressing room after Aston Villa
A number of players have stood out over the last two weeks while the summer didn't go as planned for others. Here are four winners and four losers from the tour.
Winners
Jadon Sancho
Arguably United’s standout player, Sancho netted three goals and looked lively in all four games. He has been mainly used on the right-hand side and has looked far more comfortable and effective, linking up well with Anthony Martial.
Anthony Martial
The striker himself looks rejuvinated under Ten Hag. After a dismal season, the Frenchman also netted three times and has benefitted from the coach’s attacking wing play and direct through-balls.
Zidane Iqbal
The midfielder put in a number of terrific substitute appearances this summer, showing classy touches and linking play well. Out of all the academy hopefuls on tour, he looks most likely to be handed a place in Ten Hag’s squad next season.
Eric Bailly
The defender unexpectedly came to life this summer, putting in a memorably heroic display in the opening 4-0 win over Liverpool in Bangkok. Many had tipped Bailly to be shown the door this transfer window, but instead he looks to have moved up the pecking order by showing his ability to start attacking moves.
Losers
Victor Lindelof
This has come at the expense of Lindelof, who had an underwhelming tour. The Sweden captain looked quite slow and turgid during his outings, clearly struggling against attackers with any kind of pace.
Alejandro Garnacho
Many had tipped the youngster to be the academy starlet to take the bull by the horns during the tour, but in the end he failed to play a single minute of action. Garnacho is the youngest player in Ten Hag’s pre-season squad but he will be gutted not to have had at least a taste of play.
Alex Telles
Not only was Tyrell Malacia’s arrival damning for the full-back, Telles was also played as a left-sided centre-half when used by Ten Hag. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t look secure and may take his make-do inclusion as an indication of his manager’s preferences at left-back.
Anthony Elanga
Elanga had been a regular under Ralf Rangnick but this may change judging by his summer performances so far. He didn't necessarily do anything wrong, but he certainly didn't light up the pitch, which will concern him given Marcus Rashford’s good form in the four friendlies.
Joining Rashford in other honourable mentions are Bruno Fernandes, Charlie Savage - who showcased a number of applaudable pieces of play in his outings - and Diogo Dalot, who was trying to prove to Ten Hag he is capable of being his primary right-back next season amid his search for a new recruit.
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