Reaction and Highlights : Derby 1-2 Manchester United

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Manchester United got their pre-season up and running with a 2-1 win at Derby County.

Tatith Chong scored in the first half, and Pellestri in the second, to get Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s friendly schedule off to a winning start.

Due to the fact that the European Championships concluded last week, and also that Derby have a healthy contingent of former Reds, this game was effectively a low-intensity workout between and past and present Manchester United reserve sides. There was also a reunion with United legend Wayne Rooney, now Rams boss of course.

In fact, many of the second string on display today will be loaned out for the season when it begins, but it was still a welcome opportunity for supporters to get their eyes on what was, after all, a United first team, considering the time spent away due to the enforced restrictions caused by coronavirus.

Tom Lawrence, Ravel Morrison and even Tom Heaton in the United goal could serve as warnings to the likes of Chong, James Garner and Brandon Williams that you only get one true chance to establish yourself at the club. Having said that, United had a fairly comfortable first half, and took the lead before the twenty minute mark when Chong anticipated some home team rustiness to find himself some space in the box. From there he tried to chip the keeper, who was wise to it, but from the rebound, Chong was able to tap into the empty net.

Williams had a fine first half, as did Heaton, who was called upon to make one fine save.

After wholesale changes at the break, Shoretire found Pellestri with a brilliant through ball. The Uruguay winger, who was impressive in the second half, dribbled around the goalkeeper and scored.

Lingard – who had his own loan spell at Derby – could have made it three with an excellent shot from the edge of the box, but it hit the bar.

Closing the club connections was Lee Grant, making a rare appearance – he was unable to keep a clean sheet as Colin Kazim-Richards hit a good shot from long range to make the score more respectable for the hosts.

United team :

Heaton

Wan-Bissaka Tuanzebe Mengi Williams

Garner Levitt

Mata

Chong Greenwood Elanga

Subs : Grant, Telles, Matic, Galbraith, Lingard, Pereira, Pellistri, Shoretire, Hugill, Fish, Bernard, Hannibal

Wayne is a writer and producer. His numerous books on Manchester United include the family-authorised biography of Jimmy Murphy. He wrote and produced the BT Sport films 'Too Good To Go Down' in 2018, and 'True Genius', in 2021, both adapted from his books of the same name. In 2015 he was described by the Independent as the 'leading writer on Manchester United' and former club chairman Martin Edwards has described him as 'the pre-eminent writer on the club'.

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