Man Utd 1 Lyon 0: Wasteful Red Devils show why they’re desperate for Hojlund but forgotten man bails them out vs Lyon
DONNY VAN DE BEEK produced a stunning volleyed finish to boost his hopes of yet becoming a main man for Erik ten Hag.
United set themselves up nicely for their US tour with a decent display in front of 48,484 fans at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium, the home of Scotland rugby.
And £35million Dutchman Van de Beek – off the bench after the break – brilliantly executed a 49th-minute cross from fellow sub Dan Gore.
The ex-Ajax midfielder has endured a torrid three years at Old Trafford and managed just 10 appearances last season with a meagre 23 starts overall since swapping Amsterdam for Manchester.
But the 26-year-old was lively against a Lyon side led by ex-Reds star Laurent Blanc.
Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana has agreed a £47.2 million move to United as David de Gea’s replacement while Marcus Rashford has just signed a new five-year deal – but they weren’t involved.
Nor were a whole host of other big names including deposed captain Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Anthony Martial while Scotland ace Scott McTominay, his future in doubt, was also absent from the 24-man match squad.
But boss Ten Hag was still able to field a team containing a staggering £389million of talent captained by Raphael Varane and with £60m recent capture Mason Mount lining up for his second pre-season appearance since leaving Chelsea.
Also getting a game were Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan Bissaka, Jadon Sancho and Antony with former Rangers and Sunderland loan winger Amad Diallo also starting.
Among the other subs were short-term signing Jonny Evans and last season Hibs loanee Will Fish who both featured.
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Winger Amad Diallo – impressive for the Black Cats last season and 10 league games for Rangers in 2022 – was the eye-catching performer in the opening stages.
The Ivory Coast youngster had two chances while Antony also had a point-blank shot saved by Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes.
Mount also couldn’t convert a tee-up from Sancho in front of goal while he had another first-half effort clear the crossbar.
But it was mainly a non-event first half, with ex-Arsenal striker and Lyon skipper Alexandre Lacazette passing up a gilt-edged opportunity.
Van de Beek’s top-drawer goal briefly lit up a generally drab second half and he showed desire to shine.
Keeper Lopes denied United prospect Isak Hansen-Aaroen with a terrific finger-tip stop as Ten Hag’s men ran out comfortable winners.
United, who beat Leeds 2-0 in Oslo last week, headed off immediately for the States where they will take on Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in four different cities.
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