Manchester United kicked off their pre season fixtures with a forgettable 0-0 draw against arch rivals Leeds United in Stockholm this afternoon.
Chances were at a premium for United throughout the 90 minutes and barring a late goalmouth scramble which saw Kobbie Mainoo hit the bar, it was hard to see where an opener was going to come from.
Leeds were arguably the better side for the majority of the affair with United coming to life in the last 5 minutes but ultimately failing to trouble the scoreboard.
Getting minutes in the legs is always the priority at this early stage of the campaign and Ruben Amorim will expect his side to improve in the rest of the pre season fixtures.
Words from the boss
After the game United’s head coach spoke to MUTV and said the game reflected where his side is at this stage of the preparations. But he admitted there was a lack of energy in midfield.
“It was a pre season game, we suffered a little bit when we tired to press high. We have a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park and you can feel it,” he said.
However, Amorim did feel his side “made chances” and singled out heaped praise on new signing Matheus Cunha, who was arguably United’s brightest spark on the day.
“Matheus Cunha showed what we need, a player who can receive the ball between the lines and be really aggressive in the direction of opponent.
We watched that during last season, in a different team (Wolves), so we expect the same thing,” he said.
Amorim admitted the relationship between Cunha and Bruno Fernandes is “not quite there yet” but he will expect that to develop in the tour of the States. He said Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo will also be used in and around the Brazilian this season.
United’s other new face, Diego Leon, also got minutes under his belt and the United boss was pleased with his efforts in the Swedish heat.
“It’s his second week at Manchester United. He did really well, he’s powerful and will be a very good player,” said Amorim.
Environment improving
Amorim was then quizzed on the atmosphere in and around the squad with many outgoings and incomings still expected before the end of the transfer window.
“I felt the environment is really good. Of course, sometimes we are going to struggle but what I feel is that we are going to struggle together and that is the start of it.
Then we have to bring the quality because it’s not just about effort, we have to win games,” he said.
Amorim concluded that he is looking forward to “improving everything” on the U.S. tour and can’t wait to interact with supporters across the pond.
United’s next fixture and first game of the tour comes against Premier League rivals West Ham United, in New Jersey on July 27th.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
