LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Harry Maguire recovered from yet another stunning error to serve as Facundo Pellistri’s provider as Manchester United and Athletic Club drew 1-1.
Against Athletic Club in Dublin, United finished their preseason with a 1-1 tie. In contrast to the lineup that defeated Lens 2-1 on Saturday, Erik ten Hag started a squad that was primarily made up of fringe and inexperienced players.
Jadon Sancho, one of the players who quickly asserted his right to play when United returned to Premier League action in eight days, helped the team get off to a fast start despite the extensive alterations.
After just two minutes, the much-maligned winger was passed through on goal, and Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon made a stop with his legs. The winger started in the No. 9 position.
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United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but it was the Spanish side who scored the only goal of the first half after pouncing on yet another Harry Maguire mistake.
The out-of-form centre-back, who has been strongly linked with a transfer after being stripped of the United captaincy, gave the ball away 25 yards from goal with a lazy flick, allowing Nico Williams to race into the box and stab beyond Tom Heaton.
Things then went from bad to worse for Maguire when large sections of the Dublin crowd started booing his every touch.
Little else of note happened before the interval – bar a biblical downpour – an United emerged for the second half with Hannibal replacing Donny van de Beek.
The Dutchman cut an anonymous figure in the first half, doing little to suggest he has much of a future at the club.
Hannibal, on the other hand, proved a handful for the Athletic Club defense, so much so that center-back Aitor Paredes saw red with 25 minutes to go when he dallied on the ball and hauled down the Tunisian youngster.
It looked as though the highlight of the second half was going to be the standing ovation received by former United midfielder Ander Herrera, but 21-year-old forward Pellistri gave those in the Aviva Stadium something to cheer when he slammed home a 92nd minute equalizer.
Maguire somewhat redeemed himself with a smart header across the box, which Pellistri slammed home with the final touch of the match.
Sancho was United’s best player in the first half, and will be hoping to kick-start his United career after two mixed seasons at Old Trafford.
Over the whole 90 minutes, though, Pellistri deserves the MVP tag, as he linked up well with Aaron Wan-Bissaka to keep the Athletic Club defenders on their toes.
A last-minute equalizer will do his confidence good as he looks to feature more prominently this season, though he has been linked with a loan move in recent weeks.
Maguire’s chances of starting United’s Premier League opener against Wolves have most likely been eliminated by this point.
Whether playing in a friendly or competitive game, the England defense just can’t seem to get a break.
According to the response he received from United’s supporters following his most recent blunder, it becomes more and more likely that parting ways would be beneficial for everybody concerned.
Following the conclusion of preseason, Ten Hag and his team will concentrate on their Premier League debut against Wolves.
On Monday, August 14, Old Trafford will host the Midlands team for a 20:00 kickoff.