If Erik ten Hag or Manchester United fans wanted a glimpse of what they would be getting with new £60m signing Mason Mount, they didn’t have to wait long in their opening pre-season friendly against Leeds in Oslo.
Barely 15 minutes had gone when Jeremiah Mullen dallied in possession. Mount was straight onto him, nicked the ball, before attempting an audacious lob from 30 yards that landed on top of Kristoffer Klaesson’s goal.
It was a bright early outing for the former Chelsea man in United’s 2-0 victory over their rivals which came thanks to fine goals from Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill in the second half.
Mount – who played the first 45 minutes and took every set piece – linked up well in a youthful United side given not every senior first team star was back from their summer holidays yet, providing an opportunity for several academy products.
One of those who impressed in the first half was Hannibal Mejbri – fresh from a loan spell at Birmingham last season – but the Tunisian international wasted a golden chance just minutes in after good work from Amad Diallo by firing straight at Klaesson.
Goals from Noam Emeran (pictured) and Joe Hugill helped Man United beat Leeds 2-0 in Oslo
The game marked Mason Mount’s debut for the club after he completed his £60m transfer
The former Chelsea star was impressive and was put straight on to set piece duty for United
Left back Alvaro Fernandez also went close from a corner as United exposed the high-line of their opponents in what was Daniel Farke’s first game in charge of the newly-relegated side, but were unable to make their pressure pay.
Kobbie Mainoo shone at the base of midfield, while Jadon Sancho looked bright as he operated as a false 9, before a much-changed and youthful XI took to the field for the second period.
The Championship outfit had a more experienced side out with the likes of Patrick Bamford, Daniel James, Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk coming on and it was the latter who should’ve put them ahead as he nodded wide from a corner.
Erik ten Hag selected a youthful side given several senior stars are not yet back for pre-season
Kobbie Mainoo, 18, shone at the base of midfield during the first half before being withdrawn
However, United’s young starlets held firm and showed their undoubted talent as Emeran put them 1-0 up with a cool finish after 67 minutes.
Norwegian youngster Isak Hansen-Aaroen played a delightful through ball to the Frenchman and he slotted it under Dani Van den Heuvel in the Leeds net.
Archie Gray, 17, almost levelled with a sensational 30-yard effort that crashed into the side netting with Matej Kovar beaten.
Hugill secured the victory for Ten Hag’s side after fine work from Emeran who found the United striker with a reverse pass, before he tucked it home with aplomb as they began their pre-season with a well-deserved win.
Hugill made it 2-0 late on with a neat finish after yet more fine work from the bright Emeran
It was a positive outing for Erik ten Hag as they got their pre-season underway with a victory
