Eriksen, Malacia and Ronaldo – the winners and losers of Man Utd’s loss to Atletico Madrid

Robin Bairner

• 30 Jul 2022 15:13 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United’s pre-season schedule is drawing to an end, and though there is a friendly with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday that Cristiano Ronaldo has pledged to play in, their last first-team match came against Atletico Madrid in Oslo.

It was a fixture that ended in a 1-0 defeat for Erik ten Hag’s side, but while they went down to a late goal from Joao Felix, it was another encouraging performance from the Red Devils overall.

The match itself was a fiery affair, with Atleti living up to their tenacious reputation under head coach Diego Simeone. As a preparation exercise for competitive action, then, it was very instructive to Ten Hag.

Related articles

Out of contract in 2022: The best free agents available on a Bosman

Football Transfer News LIVE: Tomiyasu signs new Arsenal contract

Premier League 2022/23 summer transfers: All the completed deals

Winners

Tyrell Malacia was a player who caught the eye, particularly in the first half. Left-back might not have been a position that Man Utd fans had earmarked as a transfer priority, but the former Feyenoord star looks a very smart acquisition indeed.

He was ambitious on the ball and regularly probed forward when in possession. His range of passes was eye-catching. In particular, one rangy through pass nearly unlocked the Atletico Madrid defence for Anthony Martial to score. Much of Man Utd’s best attacking moments came down the right.

Christian Eriksen made his public debut for Man Utd off the bench, with the Denmark international immediately hitting his stride after a summer transfer from Brentford.

He was dropping deep to pick up the ball and finding space easily in between Atletico midfielders.

He looked like the nearest thing Man Utd have had since Paul Scholes later in his Man Utd career. Ridiculously comfortable on the ball, spreading the play, comfortable on both feet.

And he should have had an assist to put United in the lead when his floated cross found Harry Maguire with a simple header in front of goal. But Maguire fluffed his lines.

Losers

Cristiano Ronaldo might not have been in Norway, but he could have done with one of Man Utd’s forwards taking some of the heat off him. The Red Devils looked mediocre through the centre and a quiet display from Martial, who has enjoyed a decent pre-season, means that Ten Hag will be increasingly eager to keep the wantaway Ronaldo.

Certainly, this match only highlighted how short of dangerous forwards Man Utd are when Ronaldo is not available. With a poor offensive display, Ronaldo’s absence was even more striking – and that will do his prospects of leaving no good at all.

In what was otherwise a solid performance, Diogo Dalot’s part in Joao Felix’s winning goal will be scrutinised. The Portuguese has looked good offensively this summer but was found wanting defensively as he provided his countryman with too much space.