After a fairly hectic pre-season which has seen United travel the world to take on some big-name opposition, it was a return to home soil for a clash with French side Lens to give the home fans something to cheer on, while the first XI starts to take shape with 9 of the 11 playing the full 90 minutes in the morale boosting win.

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Teams

Manchester United: Onana, Shaw, Martinez, Varane, Dalot, Mount, Casemiro, Garnacho (Sancho 68′), Fernandes, Antony (Forson 81′), Rashford

Subs: Wan-Bissaka, Eriksen, Van de Beek, Pellistri, Mejbri, Maguire, Kovar, Heaton, Lindelof

RC Lens: Samba, Medina, Danso, Gradit (Khusanov 86′), Machado (Haidara 72′), Diouf (Sishuba 85′), Samed (Spierings 72′), Frankowski (El Anyaoui 85′), Fulgini (Costa 73′), Thomasson (Guilavogui 73′), Sotoca (Cortes 85′)

Subs: Leca, Cardinal, Pandor

Manchester United 3-1 RC Lens

Manchester United overcame an early setback to defeat RC Lens 3–1 in an entertaining pre-season clash at Old Trafford on 5th August 2023. The visitors stunned the home crowd in the first half when Florian Sotoca opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, lobbing André Onana from near the halfway line after pouncing on a loose ball. The goal highlighted a shaky moment for United’s new goalkeeper, who was making his first appearance at Old Trafford since joining from Inter Milan. Despite dominating possession, Erik ten Hag’s side struggled to break down a disciplined Lens defence before the interval.

The second half, however, saw United come alive with a flurry of goals that turned the contest on its head. Marcus Rashford equalised just after the break, calmly slotting home after a clever pass from Antony. Moments later, Antony himself got on the scoresheet, finishing off a swift counter-attack with a precise low strike. The momentum firmly swung in United’s favour, and Bruno Fernandes added a third with a clinical finish following another flowing move, capping off a ten-minute spell of attacking brilliance that left Lens reeling.

United’s improved tempo and fluid attacking play in the second period offered encouragement ahead of the new Premier League campaign. Rashford looked sharp in his central role, while the link-up between Fernandes and Antony hinted at growing cohesion in Ten Hag’s system. Despite Lens’s bright start and moments of threat on the break, the French side couldn’t match United’s intensity after halftime. The 3–1 victory provided an ideal boost for Ten Hag’s men, who closed out their Old Trafford pre-season fixtures with a convincing comeback win.

Talking Points

Manchester United rounded off their pre-season schedule with a morale-boosting 3–1 victory over RC Lens at Old Trafford. The win ensured Erik ten Hag’s side ended their summer preparations on a positive note before the Premier League campaign kicked off a week later. Having struggled for consistency in earlier friendlies, United produced a strong second-half display to overturn an early deficit, with goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Bruno Fernandes sealing the comeback. The result gave fans a glimpse of the attacking fluency Ten Hag is aiming to instil, while also providing a confidence lift after a mixed run of results.

The win came at the end of a demanding pre-season that saw United travel extensively across multiple continents. From games in the United States to fixtures in Norway and now back in Manchester, the squad has covered thousands of miles in preparation for the new campaign. The hectic travel schedule gave Ten Hag a chance to rotate his squad and integrate younger players, but it also tested the team’s fitness and cohesion. Returning to Old Trafford for their final friendly provided a welcome opportunity to reconnect with home supporters and gain rhythm in familiar surroundings ahead of competitive action.

While United’s attacking play was a major positive, defensive lapses remained a concern, highlighted by the manner of Lens’s opening goal. Florian Sotoca’s audacious long-range lob exposed a moment of miscommunication between André Onana and his defenders, a reminder that United’s new-look backline still needs time to settle. Nevertheless, the team’s response to the setback was impressive, with their attacking trio combining fluidly to turn the game around. Ten Hag will take encouragement from the attacking cohesion and resilience shown, even as defensive discipline remains an area for fine-tuning before the season begins.