Manchester United - Once Again

AS Nancy Lorraine 2-0 Manchester United

Manchester United Starting Line-Up
- De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Thorpe, Digne, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Nani, Young, Hernandez.

Goal Scorers
Djamel Bakar 34'
- Tchoukreil passes it to Bakar, who overpowers central defender Tom Thorpe, leading to a one-on-one situation against De Gea. A nice curling effort into the corner gives Nancy the lead.
Djamel Bakar 45+1'
- Moukandjo runs at debutant left-back, Lucas Digne and passes him easily, allowing him space and time to pick out Bakar in the box, who scores with a half-volley.

Other Facts
Michael Carrick 12'
- Challenging for a header against Nancy winger Sidney, Carrick landed awkwardly and held his right arm. The physio assessed the situation for a couple of minutes, but the defensive midfielder would have to be taken off. After his hospital visit, we were notified that Carrick would be for nearly four weeks, and could easily miss the start of the season.

Youngster Watch

- Lucas Digne started his very first game for the very first time and didn't do too well. This was to be expected, however, as he was playing in France and was heavily booed for most of his time on the pitch. He will mature and learn from the experience as the opposition players applauded him off when he was substituted.

- Tom Thorpe had a really good game in the centre of defence. He played a game expecting from someone way beyond his years and will certainly grow from this experience.

- Ryan Tunnicliffe was someone I particularly had an eye on during this game because I wanted to make sure he is good to move to a Championship side on loan. His performance was determined as he passed the ball around well, shifting the play to the flanks with ease.

- Scott Wotton and Tyler Blackett came in together and got compliments from the seniors in the team for their play. Solid and no non-sense defending, they kept Nancy Lorainne's lead down to two.

Opponent Watch

- Helder, the 23-year old, playing right-back for the opposition made some runs past Young, and created havoc on the wing. His late runs were one of the reasons Digne had such a miserable time on the wing.

- Djamel Bakar, scoring both goals for his team, obviously comes under our radar, but his earlier performances were short of expectations.

US Boulogne Côte d'Opale 0-2 Manchester United
From Stade de la Libération, Boulogne-sur-Mer

Manchester United Starting Line-Up
- De Gea; Tunnicliffe, Ferdinand, Smalling, Digne; Wootton,Scholes, Cleverley, Valencia, Young; Welbeck.

Goal Scorers
Michael Fornasier 74'
- The young defender replaced Rio Ferdinand early in the second half and attacked the near-post, jumping beyond Issou Dao and heading the ball into the net. The eighteen year old is known for his heading ability and he did not disappoint, much to the delight of his family, who were in attendance.

Dimitar Berbatov 90+3'
- The fans had already started leaving, trying to avoid traffic, when Valencia took a corner, aiming for Berbatov in injury time. A dangerous high-boot from Kevin Rimane was reason enough for the referee to point to the spot. The Bulgarian stepped up and sent Bague the wrong way to score.

Other Facts
Tom Cleverley 12'
- A tackle from Loic Damour took the ball and the player. With Carrick injured in the last game, we could do without another injury to a central midfielder. Even though the physio gave us a thumbs-up, it was better that we replace Tom, who is still just coming back from a lengthy injury in the off-season.

Youngster Watch
- Ryan Tunnicliffe started at an almost unfamiliar position of right-back and did fairly well. Solid in defense and attack, Tunnicliffe continues to impress in pre-season. He will definitely be shipped out for first-team experience.

- Lucas Digne had an amazing game at left-back, playing an integral role in every move on the left flank. A much better performance than last time and surely, it seems he will play some part in the first-team in the upcoming season.

- Scott Wootton was confident in the anchor-man role, mopping up loose balls and stopping play when needed. Another youngster that should be going on loan for experience in the first-team.

- Michele Fornasier, scoring his first ever goal for the team, looked in-form, taking over from Ferdinand effortlessly. He is one of those players that isn't necessarily ready to go out on loan, but shouldn't be playing in the reserve team.

Unlucky with the Carrick injury, he's a cracking player. I'm loving this style of match reports.

#64510 The FM Rookie : Unlucky with the Carrick injury, he's a cracking player. I'm loving this style of match reports.

Thanks, Rookie. I appreciate the comment
This style of match report will be much more detailed when the season officially begins.

Here's a review of the friendly Phelan was talking about.

LeMans FC 2-3 Manchester United

Manchester United Starting Line-Up
- De Gea; Valencia, Ferdinand, Evans, Brady; Tunnicliffe, Cleverley, Rooney, Young, Welbeck; Berbatov.

Goals Scorers

Patrick Ekeng Ekeng 5'
- Kante picks it up in the centre of midfield, and dissects our central defenders. A delayed reaction from De Gea gave Ekeng Ekeng the opportunity to capitalize so early in the game.

Danny Welbeck 8'
- A good, quick move starting from the back. Valencia-Tunnicliffe-Berbatov-Rooney-Welbeck, who slots it in the corner of the goal.

Tom Cleverley 19'
- Yet again, Valncia starts the move, passing it to Young, cushioning the ball for Cleverley, who shoots from outside the box. Lemans keeper, Janot, had no chance as the ball goes sailing in the top corner.

Ashley Young 78'
- Rooney runs along the sideline before passing it back to Michael Keane whose first-time cross is met by Young.

Anthony Derouard 89'
- Confusion between Ioannou and Vermijl helped Derouard take advantage and score a consolation goal.

Youngster Watch

- Robbie Brady didn't have the best of games at the left back position, letting in too many crosses, which eventually led to the goal.

- Ryan Tunnicliffe has a future in top-flight football, if not at Manchester United. Took over the role Carrick usually takes effortlessly and dictated play very well.

Im loving the story! You're doing a really good job of story telling.

#64676 jimgooner : Im loving the story! You're doing a really good job of story telling.

Thanks, Jim. I'm just going too slow with this as I keep getting distracted by the thought of FM13
*Bunny falls*

#64859 akash.vidyasagar : #64676 jimgooner :
Im loving the story! You're doing a really good job of story telling.


Thanks, Jim. I'm just going too slow with this as I keep getting distracted by the thought of FM13
*Bunny falls*

Haha yeah!

Manchester United Starting Line Up:
- De Gea; Rafael, Wootton, Thorpe, Brady; Jones, Cleverley, Giggs, Nani, Kagawa; Hernandez.

Goalscorers:

- Robbie Brady takes a freekick from just beyond the halfway line towards some free space beyond the Atletico defense. Nani runs towards the ball, and hits it first-time beyond Courtois.

- The move starts with Kagawa pushing the ball to Nani on the right wing, who runs past Miranda and crosses the ball into the box. Hernandez rushes in, putting the ball into the back of the net.

- A very silly mistake made by Francisco Javier let substitute, Joshua King pick up the loose ball and score.

- Juanfran puts an early cross into our box, and Ioannou is caught napping as Adrian, unmarked, heads the ball into the net. Something that made the away fans happy as they left.

Youngster Watch
- Scott Wootton had yet another commanding performance in the centre of defence. He is really impressing during pre-season and should be receiving offers from teams in the npower Championship very soon.

- Rafael is never really considered in the 'Youngster' category, but he is barely 21 and still consistently improving. The Brazilian had a spectacular game - making five important tackles and eleven interceptions.

- Robbie Brady had an especially good game, even if you don't take the assist into consideration. He was a real workhorse for the team, running 10.38 km and still being in top condition till the end of the match.

Opposition Watch:

- 19-year old Koke played a cool and composed game, completing all thirteen of his passes, more importantly passing it forward. He showed off his defensive abilities by winning all three of his tackles, and making some crucial interceptions.

Man of The Match - Nani

Very interesting and different story. I like that!

#65085 Henna96 : Very interesting and different story. I like that!

Hey, Henna. What a coincidence. I just came across your Nomad story. Why did you ever stop it? You were in 2021!
Thank you for the compliment

Manchester United Starting Line Up:

Goalscorers:

I like the way you talk about the matches. Its not too much but very revealing. And also, did u see that koke had a coke bottle infront of him? lol

#65174 sevannime : I like the way you talk about the matches. Its not too much but very revealing. And also, did u see that koke had a coke bottle infront of him? lol

Yes, sevannime, I had noticed, and am glad you did too. Expect some more hidden gems in my future photos.