Garnacho and Antony spare Onana blushes as Man Utd stage Lens comeback – 5 talking points

MANCHESTER UNITED 3-1 RC LENS: Goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony and Casemiro see Erik ten Hag’s side recover from 1-0 down to win comfortably at Old Trafford

Manchester United came from behind to beat Lens 3-1 (

Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United geared up for the start of the Premier League season next weekend with an impressive friendly win over Lens at Old Trafford.

United found themselves 1-0 down at half-time after Andre Onana was audaciously lobbed from distance by Florian Sotoca following a loose pass by Diogo Dalot. But they came flying out of the blocks after the break, equalising through Marcus Rashford’s deflected effort.

Antony, the architect of the first goal, made it 2-1 with a composed finish from Alejandro Garnacho’s pass and it was 3-1 minutes later when Rashford’s header hit Casemiro and found the corner.

With the game under control, Erik ten Hag brought on Jadon Sancho and Omari Forson in the closing stages. Here are Mirror Football’s takeaways from the match.

Hojlund announced Rasmus Hojlund was unveiled at Old Trafford on Saturday (

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Manchester United via Getty Imag)

There was plenty of excitement before a ball was even kicked at Old Trafford as United used the occasion to announce the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund.

The Danish striker has joined in a £72million deal from Atalanta and comes with an impressive CV for a 20-year-old, having scored 10 times in 34 appearances last season.

United beat off competition from Paris Saint-Germain to sign the youngster, who will provide competition for Rashford up front. Erik ten Hag has been missing cutting edge upfront ever since he arrived, with Wout Weghorst doing little to plug the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

First-choice side clear Mason Mount started in midfield vs Lens (

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Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Pre-season friendlies are often used for fitness purposes, to give everyone in the squad a run-out, but Ten Hag went strong from the off against Lens and chose not to make any changes at half-time.

His starting line-up could well be the same one which takes on Wolves in the season-opener next weekend. It looked like this: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mount; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford.

That looks like a strong team. Now it will be about keeping them fit, selling off unwanted players and strengthening before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Onana lobbed Andre Onana ended up in his net trying to save the effort (

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Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

United created a few good openings in the first half, but Mason Mount and Garnacho could not put the ball in the back of the net. It was a huge surprise when Lens took the lead against the run of play.

Dalot played a sloppy pass behind his intended target near the half-way line, allowing Sotoca to intercept. The Lens forward then produced a piece of magic, lobbing Andre Onana from long distance to stun the home crowd.

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It was, in many ways, a freak goal, but it did serve to highlight Ten Hag’s chosen style of play. Onana was high up, ready to get involved in possession, while Dalot was looking to play out, rather than go long.

Garnacho stars Alejandro Garnacho caught the eye on the left wing (

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Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

He himself did not get on the scoresheet, but Garnacho was the livewire throughout the match.

United’s play flowed down the left flank in the first half and the young Argentine was full of running and invention. He blasted one chance over the bar and was unlucky not to open the scoring.

In the second he got himself an assist, benefiting from Rashford’s craft to run forward on the break and play in Antony to make it 2-1. Jadon Sancho did come off the bench in the second half, but it seems Garnacho has leap-frogged him for now.

Antony sharp Antony made it 2-1 with a well-taken finish (

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Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Garnacho stole the show, but many United fans may have been even more pleased to see Antony productive in pre-season. The Brazilian showed plenty of promise in his debut campaign following a big-money move from Ajax last summer, but more consistency is needed.

He unlocked the Lens defence with a beautifully-weighted through-ball to Rashford to make it 1-0 and took his own goal very well too. His first touch appeared heavy, but he reeled it in and beat the on-rushing Brice Samba with a delicate finish.

If he can hit the ground running this season, then United will have a serious weapon on their hands.