This means we're winning the Premier League now, right 😅? I thought this is how the whole pre-season thing works. You lose, the manager is shite, sack him and United are useless. You win, you're winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and Carabao Cup, right?

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Jokes aside, it is great to see United win a game of football even if it is pre-season but more than that, it was good to see the team put in a relatively decent performance.

The first three matches saw MUFC play some pretty woeful and drab stuff which resulted in two losses and one win.

Against Real Betis though, it was much improved, although the bar wasn't set very high.

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Erik ten Hag made some eye opening changes to the starting XI as there was no place for Antony or Mason Mount with the manager instead opting for Jadon Sancho and Scott McTominay.

Speaking of the Scotsman, it was a surprise and a bit of a risk that he was playing at all. As he is a wanted man with Fulham putting in another bid to acquire the services of the midfielder, why put any jeopardy in that deal as if he gets injured...

The same can be said of Aaron Wan-Bissaka given the heavy interest in him from West Ham.

However, all's well that ends well, at least with those two players.

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Four of the five goals came in the first half with Real Betis taking an early lead as they went 1-0 up in 15 minutes. United didn't have to wait long after to equalize as Marcus Rashford slotted a spot kick to make it 1-1 just 3 minutes later.

The most in-form player in this pre-season has been Amad. He has been head and shoulders above anyone else with him continuing his good form he showed towards the end of last season.

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His finish was very similar to that strike of his against Newcastle at Old Trafford in our last home game of the 23/24 campaign.

United did get a little lucky when you look at the build up to that goal. The ball went perfectly into Harry Amass' path after a deflection giving him space and time to deliver a dangerous cross.

The ball then found its way to Amad and sat up nicely on the half-volley to be hit first time. He obliged with the ball flying into the bottom corner.

No chance for the 'keeper and MUFC were in the lead 24 minutes in. A quick turnaround for Erik ten Hag's team.

And just 7 minutes later, Casemiro makes it 3-1 to get his first goal of the pre-season. He was captain once again.

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Regarding Amad, I just wanted to make one thing clear about him as I don't think that this is one of those 'pre-season Pirlo' moments. He has been good for a while. Nobody else is performing at his level either and I believe that this is more than Amad just destroying it because it's pre-season. He seems to have this drive and positive energy about him that none of the other players have.

Keep it going lad 👊.

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United did go on to concede a second in the 61st minute but managed to hold out until the end to give the team their second win of pre-season.

Erik ten Hag didn't do what he's done in the other games and switch his entire team at halftime. He waited until the hour mark to do this with only Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire coming off at the interval.

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I'm sure the manager will be delighted at this improved display as well as the victory because he didn't appear too happy after the other three matches.

The manager said that he thinks the performance was "okay" and that despite not having that control early on and going a goal behind, "we then took over and we bounced back." He was also really with happy with the goals by United, "I think we made three really good goals."

ten Hag also mentioned the performances of Amad saying that he is "performing well and he's having a good pre-season so far."

In terms of the play style, the manager wants his side to be "proactive and very aggressive" when it comes to pressing. This he feels, is in regardless of whether it is higher up the pitch or in a low block.

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However, as ever, we have some shit to rain on our parade.

That's just how we roll. Yeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh!!! 🤙

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Despite several positives, as in keeping with United from last pre-season and throughout last season: injuries.

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Indeed, MUFC picked up two more as Marcus Rashford and Antony had to be taken off because of injuries.

Rashford's didn't look too bad as he did walk off, come back later onto the field to clap the fans after the game and was seen walking (although somewhat gingerly) out of the stadium. He needed no crutches to aid him nor was there any protective boot, or strapping anywhere to be seen.

With signs like that, I expect him to be out for the next four months.

That is sarcasm but with the way things are going...

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We haven't had any updates on Antony and the severity of his injury. He was seen throwing tape that he had around his wrist to the floor in frustration. Not good signs at all.

This adds to the woes of Erik ten Hag as Leny Yoro will be out for THREE MONTHS as confirmed by the club with Rasmus Hojlund being out for SIX WEEKS!

Good Lord! Perhaps David de Gea was right, maybe we are cursed.

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Four injuries in pre-season to key players, one in a new signing and two that are relatively long-term, this tour of the US is quickly becoming a nightmare and a complete waste of time.

I say forget about the Liverpool game on Sunday and leg it back to Manchester, give our players a break and avoid any new injuries.

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At this point, we're going to need Ruud to put his boots back on.

What is going on at United with these injuries?

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At least we won a trophy tho 🤷. This is in keeping with tradition with ten Hag as he's now won a trophy in every season he's been at the club 😅.

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Background Image: Tom Heaton and Casemiro with the Snapdragon cup | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)