Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri bagged a last-gasp equaliser as his side ended their pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday (August 6).
Erik ten Hag's men were in action in Dublin just a day removed from a 3-1 friendly win over RC Lens at Old Trafford. Hence, the Red Devils boss selected a completely different team that comprised youngsters and fringe players.
Manchester United started well, with Jadon Sancho particularly threatening but failing to convert early on. However, Bilbao grew into the game, but it was a mistake by Harry Maguire that led to their opener.
Maguire tried a flick with the outside of his foot in his own half that was quickly intercepted. Oihan Sancet's superb ball to Nico Williams was put away tidily by the forward in the 29th minute.
It was a mistake from the former United captain that does him no favours amid question marks over his future at Old Trafford. He was cruelly booed by fans soon after the error.
The Red Devils searched for an equaliser and ended the game with 13 shots to Bilbao's eight. They were aided in their efforts to do so when Aitor Paredes picked up a red card in the 66th minute.
Pellistri, 21, has shone in pre-season and gave Ten Hag food for thought regarding more game time. Maguire turned from villain to hero in the 90+2nd minute as his brilliant header found the young Uruaugyan at the back post. He made no mistake in netting an equaliser and a deserved goal.
Ten Hag was able to get a look at players in his squad who are on the outside looking in. It will be intriguing to see if any of the players did enough to earn a place in Manchester United's Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers, August 14.
One fan couldn't help but comment on Maguire following his calamitous error:
"Maguire just really isn’t helping himself is he…"
Another fan even compared Pellistri to the legendary Lionel Messi:
"Pellistri was actually moving like Lionel Messi."
Here's how Twitter reacted to the last-gasp draw for the Red Devils:
Manchester United new boy Rasmus Hojlund to miss weeks through injury
Rasmus Hojlund sealed a £72 million, including add-ons, move to Manchester United and was unveiled at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Danish striker makes the move from Serie A side Atalanta and is tasked with becoming Ten Hag's centre-forward.
However, Hojlund is set to miss the start of the season. as Manchester Evening News reports that he's nursing a slight knock. It could be around three weeks before the 20-year-old makes his debut for the Red Devils.
Ten Hag and Manchester United fans will be eager for him to get on the pitch, as they have lacked firepower during pre-season. He bagged ten goals in 34 games across competitions for Atalanta last season.
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