WHO WAS OUR MAN OF THE MATCH IN PERTH?

 WHO WAS OUR MAN OF THE MATCH IN PERTH?

Erik ten Hag used 21 Manchester United players in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in Perth, Australia, but there was a clear winner in the poll to name our Man of the Match.

We can confirm that Jadon Sancho earned 67 per cent of the votes that were cast by supporters in the United App and on ManUtd.com, following another exciting performance from the razor-sharp Englishman. 

Sancho was named in the starting XI for the fourth successive match on Tour 2022 and he continued his encouraging form at the Optus Stadium against a Villa side that was really competitive.

After hitting an early shot on target, Jadon opened the scoring by volleying home at the back post to complete a superb move that was engineered by Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw on the left wing. 

Our former Borussia Dortmund forward wasn’t finished there, either: late in the first half, his pass led to Marcus Rashford hitting a shot that forced an own goal from Villa’s Matty Cash. 

Ten Hag stuck with his starting line-up for 67 minutes before making 10 outfield changes, which meant Sancho and the team all registered another beneficial workout in this pre-season tour. 

Notably, conditions in Perth were extremely difficult as heavy rain poured down on the pitch and the surface was visibly cutting up throughout the game, which only added to the physical challenge. 

Although Villa managed to restore parity thanks to second-half goals by Leon Bailey and Calum Chambers, the Reds were satisfied with the display and managed to avoid any injuries. 

Speaking after the draw, Ten Hag told us: “The first half was a decent performance, 2-0 up, but the second half we came back out of the dressing room, we had control of the game and we gave it away. That’s not good so that is a lesson.

“For the players, for the team, I think we make a lot of progress, a lot of positive aspects. I would say also, at the end, a set-back, but it’s also part of the season. You also have to have setbacks and have to deal with it.”