LYON 0 – 1 MANCHESTER UNITED
With a 1-0 victory over Lyon in Scotland, Manchester United improved to two victories from two games as the Reds completed their preseason training.
Donny van de Beek came off the bench to make an immediate impact by volleying home Dan Gore's wonderful cross in the 49th minute after the Reds had missed a series of first-half opportunities.
Following up on last week's 2-0 victory over Leeds United with a productive workout at BT Murrayfield in Edinburgh, the midfielder's goal was crucial.
Two changes were made to the starting XI from the victory over Leeds in Norway seven days earlier by Erik ten Hag. Tom Heaton was replaced in goal by Matej Kovar, and Antony made his injury-related comeback in lieu of Omari Forson. Jonny Evans, a seasoned defender who recently signed a short-term contract to rejoin the team, was on the bench.
Former Arsenal attacker Alexandre Lacazette and former Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso were both named to Lyon's starting lineup for the first half. Lyon is coached by former United defender Laurent Blanc.
NO GOALS IN THE FIRST HALF
On a lovely afternoon in the capital, the two sides received a traditional Scottish greeting. The Reds had a strong start, creating a number of early opportunities.
After a controlled layoff from Jadon Sancho inside the area, Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes blocked the returning Antony, and Raphael Varane mishit the next corner with his head. After persistent United pressure, Amad had a one-on-one opportunity but missed the far post with his shot. Later, the 21-year-old stung Lyon goalkeeper Lopes' hands after receiving a low cutback from the vivacious Antony.
After Sancho, who was superbly located by Varane's clipped ball, burst in behind the Lyon backline and looked to pick out his fellow countryman, Mason Mount, making his second start for the Reds, agonizingly struggled to find his feet. After United took the lead early on, the French opposition gradually gained ground.
After their captain Lacazette's cross-shot flashed over the goalmouth, Jeffinho's effort from inside the box was deflected into the side netting. Then, Kobbie Mainoo shown bravery by blocking Amin Sarr's strong drive into Kovar's goal.
The ball ricocheted off the Lyon defensive wall and into the Lyon goalie after Mount was fouled from behind by Clinton Mata. Our new No. 7 took the free kick himself from 22 yards after the foul.
Mount, who continued to display flashes of his abilities, was unfortunate for United to enter halftime still level with a whipped attempt from a similar distance after connecting up with Amad.
Second half: DONNY'S RISE TO THE TOP
As scheduled before the game, Ten Hag substituted 10 outfield players at halftime. Evans, a center-back, was one of those players, wearing number. 27, and making his first appearance in a United jersey since 2015.
Van de Beek was another half-time arrival, and the Dutchman, who struggled to recover from an injury last season, immediately made an impact. Gore did a fantastic job of maintaining possession after Marc Jurado's throw-in and delivering a controlled cross into the area for van de Beek to score by tipping the ball over Lopes.
More deft play in the final third allowed Joe Hugill to poke the ball into the direction of the charging Jurado, who was stopped by Mamadou Sarr's intervention as the Reds continued to probe. After a corner, Van de Beek attempted to loft a shot from the back post, but the Lyon goalkeeper was unconcerned.
Just after the hour mark, the Ligue 1 team made 10 substitutions, with Ivorian defender Sinaly Diomande being the only one to stay on the field.
After a successful left-side break, Lyon swiftly relied on substitute goalkeeper Remy Riou to deflect a curling effort from Isak Hansen-Aaroen.
However, opportunities were few and far between in the second half as United kept control. Gore in particular stood out and occupied some shrewd positions in midfield with the more seasoned Fred.
WHAT COMES UP?
Prior to playing Premier League rivals Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday (kickoff 22:00 BST), the Reds will board a trip to the United States to officially kick off Tour 2023.
The preseason friendly versus the Gunners will be shown, much like the rest of our preseason games.
FIRST HALF LINEUPS
Kovar; Wan-Bissaka, Varane (c), Martinez, Fernandez; Hannibal, Mount, Mainoo; Antony, Sancho, and Amad are the United players.
Lepenant, Tolisso, El Arouch, Mata, Diomande, M. Sarr, Laaziri, Jeffinho, Lacazette (c), and A. Sarr are the players for Lyon.
SECOND HALF LINEUPS
.Kovar, Jurado, Fish, Evans, Williams, Gore, Fred (c), van de Beek, Forson, Hugill, and Hansen-Aaroen are the players for the United team.
.Bishop, Harrison, and Emeran were not substitutes.
Van de Beek scored 49.
.Leper Ant (Da Silva 64), Tolisso (Alvero 64), El Arouch (Kumbedi 65), Jeffinho (Kadewere 64), Lacazette (c) (Reine-Adelaide 63), and A.Sarr (Lega 64) are the Lyon players. Lopes (Riou 63) is the Lyon goalkeeper.
Participants: 48,484
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