Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the United States took an unsettling turn as they suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund. Despite making significant signings during the summer transfer window, the Red Devils showcased some alarming defensive weaknesses that manager Erik ten Hag will need to address before the start of the upcoming season.
Manchester United started the game brightly, taking a 1-0 lead just before halftime thanks to a superb curling effort from Diogo Dalot. However, their defensive lapses soon crept in, allowing Dortmund to exploit the backline. Brandon Williams’ mistake and Victor Lindelof’s inability to stop the attack led to Donyell Malen’s equaliser for Dortmund. The Red Devils’ defence was breached again with Lindelof’s errant pass intercepted by Karim Adeyemi, who set up Malen for Dortmund’s second goal in quick succession.
United fought back after the break, with Antony levelling the score. Aaron Wan-Bissaka had an opportunity to put his team ahead but squandered a chance to score. Tragically, defensive frailties resurfaced once again as Wan-Bissaka’s misplaced pass in his own half allowed Marco Reus to orchestrate a brilliant move, resulting in Youssoufa Moukoko tapping in Dortmund’s third goal.
The defeat against Dortmund highlighted Manchester United’s vulnerability at the back. Despite assembling a talented squad during the transfer window, the defensive line’s performance in the preseason game raises concerns about their ability to withstand top-class opposition.
As Manchester United continues their preparations for the new season, manager Erik ten Hag must address the team’s defensive vulnerabilities urgently. The signings of key players during the summer have bolstered their squad, but unless they tighten up at the back, the Red Devils may face a challenging campaign ahead. The clock is ticking, and improvements are needed to ensure they can compete at the highest level when the real action begins.
