Manchester United vs Perth Glory. Friendly Match.
Optus StadiumAttendance50,206.
Report as United hand debuts to Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in first match of pre-season tour
Saturday 13 July 2019 19:32, UK
Manchester United kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 victory over Perth Glory at Optus Stadium.
Marcus Rashford broke an hour of Perth resistance with an instinctive first-time volley, before substitute James Garner wrapped up the win with his second touch with a 20-yard drive five minutes from time.
Rashford and Paul Pogba were among the 11 half-time changes made by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who handed debuts to summer signings Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in either half, both of whom impressed.
United remain in Perth ahead of their second pre-season match against Leeds at the same stadium on July 17, before embarking on the south-east Asian leg of their tour.
United, aided by pacey debutant James - who tormented the Perth defence down the left flank - dominated possession from the outset but took 19 minutes to fashion a chance as captain Ashley Young lashed a free-kick into the side-netting from 25 yards.
After Andreas Pereira and Anthony Martial fired shots wide, Jesse Lingard introduced himself to the game just before the half-hour mark with a curling shot towards the top corner which drew a fine save from Perth goalkeeper Liam Reddy at full stretch.
Perth's forays forward were few and far between but, when they did manage to cross the halfway line, they were swiftly dealt with by Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe, who was back in United colours after spending last season on loan at Aston Villa.
Unable to find the breakthrough before the break, Solskjaer went ahead with his planned wholesale changes at the interval and they had the desired effect as a mix of youthful exuberance and top talent piled the pressure on Perth.
Pogba dragged wide when presented with an early sight of goal and Mason Greenwood lashed an effort into the side-netting before Rashford made the breakthrough on 60 minutes, the England international watching Pogba's flick fall over his shoulder before lashing a first-time volley beyond Reddy.
Greenwood should have doubled United's lead instantly after being played through on goal by Juan Mata, dragging a shot wide with just the 'keeper to beat. But with United firmly in control, a second soon followed as 18-year-old Garner pounced on the loose ball in midfield and fired a crisp strike into the bottom corner.
Greenwood then saw an effort impressively tipped onto the post by goalkeeper Tando Velaphi but the result was in hand as United got up and running with a win in Australia.
Romelu Lukaku was one of four United players not included in the squad for Saturday's match against Perth Glory, as speculation over his future continues.
Lukaku joined injured trio Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and Lee Grant in the stands to watch the game, with Solskjaer providing this update before kick-off.
"They're all OK but have small niggles that we just want to protect really," he told MUTV. "We will probably see them on Wednesday."
Sky Sports News understands United and Inter Milan remain apart in their valuation of Lukaku, increasing the chances he could stay at Old Trafford beyond this summer.
Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told his post-match press conference: "The game was all about continuing the good work the players have already done, fitness work with most of them playing 45 minutes and, most of all, working, running on the pitch and trying new things. We played against a very well-organised team that made it difficult to make chances, but we did enough in the end."
Luke Shaw was substituted with seven minutes remaining after appearing to pick up a hamstring injury. Solskjaer has stressed his withdrawal was strictly a precautionary measure.
"He felt his hamstring being a little tight," the United boss added. "There was no point taking any more risks. He made a signal that he wanted to come off and kept on running, so it's not a bad one, but we took him off as a precaution."
Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper in Perth: "This was always going to be a run out against a side they were expected to beat but that doesn't always mean you will win, especially in the first game of pre-season.
"The positives are that new signings Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka played 45 minutes apiece - both looked strong and looked like Manchester United players in the making.
"Perth Glory didn't have a single shot on target while United created numerous chances. When you consider that Chelsea came here at the start of last season and won 1-0 there are a lot of positives."
Manchester United's remaining pre-season fixtures
