Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is considering Paul Pogba for the captaincy, despite the Manchester United‘s midfielder desire to leave this summer.
Marcus Rashford’s fine strike was followed by an impressive James Garner effort as the Red Devils opened pre-season with a victory far more comfortable than the 2-0 scoreline against Perth Glory suggests.
Pogba came on at half-time as Solskjaer completely rotated his side at the huge Optus Stadium, where the World Cup winner received a largely warm reception despite publicly admitting his openness to “a new challenge somewhere else”.
Agent Mino Raiola compounded matters by talking about how he is working to get his client a move, but Solskjaer says he would still consider the midfielder for a leadership role this season.
“No, it hasn’t (been decided),” the United boss said of the captaincy, having seen Antonio Valencia depart in the summer
1/22 Sergio Romero – 6 out of 10
Had almost nothing to do in the first half and kept things ticking over in possession when required.
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2/22 Diogo Dalot – 6
Offered some good width in attacking areas.
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3/22 Axel Tuanzebe – 6
Appeared to have no problem in slotting in alongside Phil Jones at centre-back and did his job well throughout the first half/
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4/22 Phil Jones – 6
Looked composed in possession and did not have to do any defending, thankfully for United.
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5/22 Ashley Young – 6
Nearly opened the scoring from a free-kick and was providing space for James by underlapping.
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6/22 Nemanja Matic – 4
Even a pre-season friendly seemed too fast-paced for him as he strolled around midfield passing sideways and backwards.
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7/22 Andreas Pereira – 5
United were struggling to create chances in the first half and Pereira did little to change that.
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8/22 Jesse Lingard – 7
Was always looking to make things happen in possession and nearly opened the scoring with an effort from range.
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9/22 Tahith Chong – 5
Took a while to get himself into the game.
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10/22 Daniel James – 7
Started brightly and caused Perth problems every time he got on the ball. His energy and direct nature had the opposition chasing shadows throughout and fouling him as a means to stop him. You feel he has slotted into how Solskjaer wants to play and he may be a very useful player from the bench next season.
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11/22 Anthony Martial – 5
Struggled in a central forward role and did not lead the line very well. United were found it hard to get in behind Perth and Martial offered very little variation in attack.
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12/22 Joel Pereira – 6
Like Romero, there was very little for him to do.
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13/22 Aaron-Wan Bissaka – 7
Was always looking to attack in possession and won the ball back well throughout.
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14/22 Chris Smalling – 6
Very rarely tested at the back. Had an effort on goal but headed wide.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
15/22 Marcos Rojo – 6
Did all he needed to do at the back and tried to channel his inner Pedro Mendes with an attempt from an audacious range, which went well wide.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
16/22 Luke Shaw – 6
Failed to see out the 45 minutes after coming on at the break
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17/22 Scott McTominay – 6
Looked full of life in the middle and kept things ticking over. Could he challenge Matic for a regular place in the team?
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18/22 Juan Mata – 6
Captained the side in the second half and made a difference in midfield alongside Pobga.
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19/22 Paul Pogba – 7
Asserted himself where and chipped in with an assist for Rashford.
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20/22 Mason Greenwood – 6
Worked hard, but did little to shout about.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
21/22 Angel Gomes – 6
Had a couple of shots that went off target.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
22/22 Marcus Rashford – 7
Opened the scoring with a nice left-footed strike after letting the ball run across his body inside the box.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
1/22 Sergio Romero – 6 out of 10
Had almost nothing to do in the first half and kept things ticking over in possession when required.
Getty Images
2/22 Diogo Dalot – 6
Offered some good width in attacking areas.
Getty Images
3/22 Axel Tuanzebe – 6
Appeared to have no problem in slotting in alongside Phil Jones at centre-back and did his job well throughout the first half/
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4/22 Phil Jones – 6
Looked composed in possession and did not have to do any defending, thankfully for United.
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5/22 Ashley Young – 6
Nearly opened the scoring from a free-kick and was providing space for James by underlapping.
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6/22 Nemanja Matic – 4
Even a pre-season friendly seemed too fast-paced for him as he strolled around midfield passing sideways and backwards.
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7/22 Andreas Pereira – 5
United were struggling to create chances in the first half and Pereira did little to change that.
Getty Images
8/22 Jesse Lingard – 7
Was always looking to make things happen in possession and nearly opened the scoring with an effort from range.
Getty Images
9/22 Tahith Chong – 5
Took a while to get himself into the game.
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10/22 Daniel James – 7
Started brightly and caused Perth problems every time he got on the ball. His energy and direct nature had the opposition chasing shadows throughout and fouling him as a means to stop him. You feel he has slotted into how Solskjaer wants to play and he may be a very useful player from the bench next season.
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11/22 Anthony Martial – 5
Struggled in a central forward role and did not lead the line very well. United were found it hard to get in behind Perth and Martial offered very little variation in attack.
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12/22 Joel Pereira – 6
Like Romero, there was very little for him to do.
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13/22 Aaron-Wan Bissaka – 7
Was always looking to attack in possession and won the ball back well throughout.
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14/22 Chris Smalling – 6
Very rarely tested at the back. Had an effort on goal but headed wide.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
15/22 Marcos Rojo – 6
Did all he needed to do at the back and tried to channel his inner Pedro Mendes with an attempt from an audacious range, which went well wide.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
16/22 Luke Shaw – 6
Failed to see out the 45 minutes after coming on at the break
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17/22 Scott McTominay – 6
Looked full of life in the middle and kept things ticking over. Could he challenge Matic for a regular place in the team?
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18/22 Juan Mata – 6
Captained the side in the second half and made a difference in midfield alongside Pobga.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
19/22 Paul Pogba – 7
Asserted himself where and chipped in with an assist for Rashford.
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20/22 Mason Greenwood – 6
Worked hard, but did little to shout about.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
21/22 Angel Gomes – 6
Had a couple of shots that went off target.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
22/22 Marcus Rashford – 7
Opened the scoring with a nice left-footed strike after letting the ball run across his body inside the box.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
“So we’ve got quite a few possibilities there and when the season starts we’ll announce.
“Of course we’ll have a good assessment, see how pre-season goes, so there we go.
“But, as you saw, Ashley (Young) will wear it when he’s playing until we decide on someone, yeah.”
Asked if Pogba is under consideration for the role, Solskjaer said: “Yeah.”
The France midfielder regularly captained United at the start of the 2018-19 season, only for Jose Mourinho to swiftly take away any vice-captain responsibilities as their relationship deteriorated.
Pushed further on Pogba’s resuming a captaincy position, Solskjaer added: “Well, I don’t think that needs explaining. We’ll discuss that later on.”
The club-record signing was asked for an interview as he made his way out of Optus Stadium, but simply responded: “No need”. Pogba said similar to another reporter.
Speculation about outgoings will continue throughout the tour, while Solskjaer kept his cards close to his chest when it came to signings.
It is understood that United are still trying to sign Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire, while they are scouring the market for a midfielder.
“I think you need to speak to Ed (Woodward, executive vice-chairman) or others,” the United boss said about transfers.
“At the moment, I can’t give you any updates, no.
“Well, timing is obviously an issue but we’re working, as I’ve said before, so of course we’re optimistic.”
Solskjaer was more forthcoming when it came to the performance of his squad in their pre-season opener, with Daniel James impressing and Aaron Wan-Bissaka showing signs of promise in their first match in a United shirt.
“Both the new lads did well, both Dan and Aaron,” he said, having confirmed Luke Shaw went off with a hamstring issue.
“You had Mason (Greenwood), Angel (Gomes), Jimmy (Garner), you know the young lads, Chongy [Tahith Chong].
“I think they also showed that they can make it as a Man United player and the more experienced ones did a job because we got 45 minutes out of most and it was a professional workout from everyone.”
