Erik ten Hag is off to another perfect start to pre-season after his side comfortably dispatched Leeds United in Oslo on Wednesday, with goals from Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill securing the win.
Ten Hag named two different starting elevens for both halves and it was the second batch of players, the more inexperienced one, that got the job done in the end.
United dominated proceedings for all of the 90 minutes but could not find a breakthrough over the first 45. Mason Mount’s promising debut was, however, one of the highlights of the first half.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag stressed that the ‘foundation’ has already been laid over the last 12 months and that was on display in Oslo.
“First game, we have seen some good stuff,” the Dutchman told the official Manchester United website after the game.
“What we already have trained over the last year so we have a good foundation, you can see that in the game. Also some young lads came in and they fit in.
“We are now one week training, we present them the rules and the principles. We have seen some good stuff.”
Emeran’s sweet second-half finish was followed by a striker’s goal by Joe Hugill and Ten Hag reserved special praise for the pair.
“Of course,” he said when quizzed on the special moment for the two youngsters. “They’re coming in and it’s a big moment. When you come in the first squad, the first team, you deserve game time because all over long years, you work for it.
“In that moment, in a very good stadium, good crowd and in such ambiance. Coming in and then score, win the game, that’s very good and nice.”
United will now look forward to their next game on a very busy fixture list this summer, with the Reds making the trip to Scotland to face Lyon.
Ten Hag could have a number of first-team regulars back in the squad by then, with Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro among the players to be missing.
Fred had already returned to training prior to the game against Leeds but he was left out of the squad due to a precaution.
