Erik ten Hag, the new manager of Manchester United, has managed his first game at Old Trafford, drawing 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano.
This was a friendly encounter without the majority of the players who are anticipated to start the club’s Premier League opener against Brighton next week.
After the game, Ten Hag spoke with MUTV about two players in particular who stood out: Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martinez.
Garnacho was making his first start of pre-season, while Martinez was making his debut as a Manchester United player.
Ten Hag gives verdict on Garnacho and Martinez
Speaking after the game about Garnacho, Ten Hag said: “What you want is young players who deserve a chance, you want to give them a chance. He shows himself in pre-season and that’s why he came in, he played well.”
He also spoke positively about new signing Lisandro Martinez and said he thought he worked well with Raphael Varane.
Ten Hag said: “It was a really good combination with Rapha. They played solid that’s good to see. He integrated quite well into the team.”
It’s possible Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane develop as Manchester United’s best pairing, although Harry Maguire may get the first shot to partner the new signing as club captain.
Varane still has questions over his fitness, although did complete all 90 minutes against Rayo Vallecano and captained the side in this fixture.
It’s unclear how United will line up at center-back next week when the Premier League against Brighton, with Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly also in the mix.
Separately, Garnacho looked bright whenever he got on the ball and did his first team chances no harm at all, while it was substitute Amad who scored Manchester United’s opener.
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