New signing Leny Yoro made his first appearance for Manchester United in their 2-0 preseason win over Rangers on Saturday.
The 18-year-old was thrown straight into the starting lineup, just a couple of days after his €62 million ($67.6m) move from Lille. Jadon Sancho too, started for United in what was his first outing for the club since returning from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.
“For me, it was incredible,” he told MUTV after the game. “It was a really good game from the team. I’m happy with my performance and I hope we continue like that.”
Erik ten Hag fielded a host of regular first-team players at Murrayfield, including André Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Amad. Antony, Victor Lindelöf and Marcus Rashford all missed out with minor niggles.
Amad gave United the lead in the first half, with a left-foot finish into the bottom corner.
“We have to see Amad in a different way, of course he’s still young but he’s not inexperienced anymore,” Ten Hag told MUTV afterward.
“Last season he had a bad time with bad injuries but before that he was in the Championship and had a great season. And in the end of last season, he had a very good time in our first team and played some good games. Now for this season, this has to be the year.”
Ten Hag opted to replace all 10 outfield players at the break, bringing on a host of academy players for the second half. It was one of them — Joe Hugill — who doubled United’s lead with a powerful strike in the 70th minute.
It was the first win of United’s preseason, following their 1-0 loss to Rosenberg on Monday.
“I want to win every game so I was very disappointed on Monday, especially with the performance and that is even more important in preseason — the performance,” Ten Hag added. “You want to grow and that is what we have seen today.”
“In comparison with Monday — low standard — today was much better, especially in prospect of the aggressiveness, it was much better. We were much more on the front foot and it was a team both halves so it was enjoyable to watch.”
Man United will next head to the United States to continue their preseason, and Ten Hag expressed pleasure that the club had already made two significant signings in Yoro and Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee.
“It’s very good that we are also there on the front foot, we are very proactive, leadership is doing a great job at the moment,” he said. “That’s how we want to act.
“As United, we are highly ambitious and you have to be on the front foot and be ready for the season. The earlier you get your players in then you can work on your team.”
