After a trip to Norway saw United start their pre-season with a win over Leeds, a trip to Scotland to take on Lyon was the next stop before the US-leg of the tour. With another youthful squad, Ten Hag introduced a handful more of the senior players into the mix as the squad continue to gel again after the summer. With another victory to their name, the US now awaits as some arguably bigger opponents are upcoming, but the experience for the younger players and minutes in the legs of the senior squad are all invaluable.

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Teams

Manchester United: Kovar, Fernandez (Evans 46′), Martinez (Williams 46′), Varane (Fish 46′), Wan-Bissaka (Jurado 46′), Mainoo (Fred 46′), Mejbri (Van de Beek 46′), Antony (Gore 46′), Mount (Hansen-Aaroen 46′), Amad (Hugill 46′), Sancho (Forson 46′)

Subs: Bishop, Harrison, Emeran

Olympique Lyonnais: Lopes (Riou 63′), Laaziri (Tagliafico 63′), Diomande (Camilo 77′), Sarr (Mboup 64′), Mata (N’Diaye 64′), Tolisso (Da Silva 64′), Lepenant (Alvero 64′), Sarr (Kadewere 64′), El Arouch (Lega 64′), Jeffinho (Kumbedi 65′), Lacazette (Reine-Adelaide 63′)

Subs: Diawara, Chaib, Patouillet, Joao

Manchester United 1-0 Olympique Lyonnais

Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory over Lyon in their pre-season friendly at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 19 July 2023. The game offered Erik ten Hag’s side another valuable workout as preparations for the new campaign gathered pace. United dominated much of the first half, with Antony and Amad both going close, while Raphael Varane headed narrowly over from a corner. Lyon, managed by former United defender Laurent Blanc, had their own moments, most notably through Alexandre Lacazette and Jeffinho, but neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval.

Ten Hag made wholesale changes at the break, introducing a number of young players alongside the returning Jonny Evans and Donny van de Beek. The decisive moment arrived just four minutes into the second half when Dan Gore kept a loose ball alive on the right and whipped in a clever cross. Van de Beek timed his run perfectly to meet it with a crisp, first-time volley that found the far corner, a confident finish that marked his first goal since recovering from a long-term injury. United’s youngsters continued to impress, with Gore in particular catching the eye through his energy and composure in midfield.

Lyon pushed forward late on in search of an equaliser, but United’s restructured defence stood firm to see out the win. It was another encouraging display for Ten Hag’s men, who combined sharpness in attack with discipline at the back. The result followed their earlier pre-season win over Leeds, maintaining a 100% record and offering further signs of progress ahead of the tour in the United States. For van de Beek, it was a timely reminder of his quality, and perhaps the start of a fresh chapter in his United career.

Talking Points

Manchester United maintained their perfect start to pre-season with a 1-0 win over Lyon at Murrayfield, continuing Erik ten Hag’s preparations on a positive note. Following their opening victory against Leeds, United once again displayed control and intensity, even with a heavily rotated squad. The first half saw the Reds dominate possession and create the better chances, with Antony and Amad testing Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. While the breakthrough didn’t arrive before the interval, United’s composure and sharpness suggested the squad was building rhythm and fitness nicely ahead of the U.S. tour.

One of the day’s standout stories was the return of Jonny Evans, who pulled on a Manchester United shirt for the first time since 2015. The 35-year-old defender, training with the club to maintain fitness, was given a second debut in the second half and slotted in seamlessly. His calm distribution and positional awareness offered stability to a youthful backline, and his presence was a reminder of the experience and leadership that once made him a reliable figure at Old Trafford. For Evans, it was a nostalgic and well-earned moment, greeted warmly by both teammates and supporters in the stands.

The winning goal came from another familiar face making a return, Donny van de Beek. The Dutch midfielder, side-lined for much of the previous season with a knee injury, marked his comeback in style with a superbly taken volley just minutes after coming on. His composed finish and lively movement suggested a player eager to re-establish himself in Ten Hag’s plans. Beyond the result, Van de Beek’s performance was perhaps the biggest positive of the day, offering a glimpse of the creativity and composure United hoped to see more of when he first arrived from Ajax. For both Evans and Van de Beek, it was a day of fresh starts, and for Ten Hag’s side, another step in the right direction.