Manchester United’s tour of the United States ended with a disappointing 3-2 friendly loss to Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas. Erik ten Hag criticized his team for betting like “11 Americans on the field” in the final hour of the match.
After beating Arsenal before their youth lost to Wrexham and the first team fell to Real Madrid, the Red Devils stumbled on another defeat at the end of their visit to the United States.
A very good effort from Diogo Dalot gave United a deserved lead at the magnificent Allegiant Stadium, only for Donyell Malen to score a brace during two crazy minutes just before the break.
Antony equalised for United before Harry Maguire, booed early by some and admonished by Andre Onana for a second-half error, saw a header return from his own crossbar.
The messy theme continued and both teams made drastic changes, with Youssoufa Moukoko finally giving Dortmund the win after cutting off a pass from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Erik ten Hag has made 11 adjustments since Wednesday’s loss to Madrid, and Scott McTominay returned the armband to the recently fired captain Maguire.
There were some boos against the 30-year-old when his call was read, as well as when he knocked out a diagonal ball early.
Omari Forson, Nevada’s least experienced starter, forced Gregor Kobel to make a blank stop after a loose pass from Dortmund.
United controlled most of the time and took the lead in surprising fashion midway through the first half, with a brilliant 22-metre roller from Dalot locating the most sensitive right corner.
Eyebrows were raised in the 37th minute when Forson hooked Ten Hag. The 19-year-old had been cautioned for a heated exchange with Karim Adeyemi just before and the United manager spent 30 seconds explaining his resolve on the bench.
Things looked comfortable for United, and Dortmund turned the game around just before the break.
Brandon Williams slipped when Adeyemi ran down the right, and United failed to clear when the ball appeared for Malen to pass home from six yards.
Dortmund scored their second goal 18 moments after play resumed.
Their greatest tension ended with Tom Heaton betting against Victor Lindelof, whose ball went through Marcel Sabitzer and the former United loanee temporarily fed Malen to score again.
Williams had passionate words with a teammate after confronting the Dortmund striker and, at half-time, André Onana was the next to yell at a colleague.
The new recruit was quick to reprimand Maguire after his mistake led to a penalty from Sebastian Haller and Adeyemi hitting from the side.
United survived that moment and equalized in the 52nd minute. A poor clearance from Mats Hummels intercepted Donny van de Beek and Antony recovered the ball from a low shot.
Maguire inadvertently directed a header onto his own crossbar while trying to clear a corner and Dortmund regained the lead in the 71st minute when they put in a pass from Wan-Bissaka and broke through, Marco Reus’ ball at the second post being returned through Moukoko. .
Antony shot in front of goal after Marcus Rashford was nullified, and Joe Hugill also saw a save attempt.
Erik ten Hag spoke on MUTV after the match:
“The first hour was smart, we played as a team, a lot of dynamics, smart pressure. So it was great to see him and that’s what I meant at half-time, but suddenly they concede two goals. .
“They were gifts and it was boring. But the last part of the hour was bad, a bad performance. They did not comply with the rules at all, neither in the pressure, nor in the preparation, nor in the attack. There were 11 other people in the group. “
“It’s not smart at all. I told the team that I think it’s a smart ride, but you have to finish with smart functionality and there were only 60 minutes that I was satisfied with, but not with the goals we scored. Because the first bad in defense and the poor moment in preparation.
“It’s not us, we have to keep control, keep the ball and the same for the 3-2. It can’t happen and it’s unforgivable, even if it’s a friendly match. “
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Atalanta for the signing of Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund this weekend.
The deal is expected to be worth an initial amount of £64 million, with an additional £8 million added. Atalanta has entered into negotiations before securing £77 million.
After the friendly against Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen admitted he was excited about the possible arrival of his compatriot.
“How is it? It’s number nine,” Eriksen said.
“He evolved a lot last year, from the first time I saw him with the national team [to] a year, so yes, he’s a very smart player. “
Explaining to Eriksen that Hojlund had gone unnoticed by many until the recent talks about moving, he said: “I guess we don’t get enough media attention in Denmark, that’s why other people outside Denmark don’t know enough.
“He’s a great guy, he’s a smart player. As I said, he developed, being just a nine, who played for the national team.
“I have to be honest, I haven’t noticed many games for Atalanta, but I know how they play and he’s incorporated well there, so yes, he’s a player. “