Manchester United continued their strong early momentum under new manager Erik ten Hag with a 4-1 win over A-League side Melbourne Victory.
They recovered from the ignominy of falling behind after just five minutes to win comfortably at a packed MCG courtesy of strikes from Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and a late own goal.
It was the perfect way to follow up Tuesday’s 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool in Bangkok as Ten Hag looks to revive this United team following a disastrous 2021-22 campaign.
Manchester United celebrate Marcus Rashford’s third goal during a 4-1 victory in Melbourne
The comfortable win at the MCG was the perfect way to follow up their thrashing of Liverpool
Given the relatively early stage of pre-season, Ten Hag was once again keen to take a look at all of his squad and he fielded a strong starting line-up with the intention of introducing youngsters at half-time.
But United made the worst possible start when Chris Ikonomidis handed Victory a fifth-minute lead following some flat-footed defending that was a disturbing echo of United’s problems last season.
Ben Folami was played clear down the right touchline with Victor Lindelof caught out by the pass and unable to keep up in pursuit.
The quick Folami simply had to cross low into the pass of Ikonomidis, who’d left Harry Maguire for dead to finish into the bottom corner.
United recovered their composure and came to dominate possession but struggled initially to break down a compact and disciplined Victory defence.
United made a dreadful start when Chris Ikonomidis took advantage of some sluggish marking
Melbourne Victory’s players celebrate their shock early lead at the MCG on Friday
Scott McTominay’s deflected shot drew United level on the stroke of half-time in Melbourne
McTominay marks his goal with a low key celebration as United dragged themselves level
McTominay saw a couple of shots blocked before Bruno Fernandes saw an angled shot beaten out by Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo after the lively Jadon Sancho had picked him out inside the box.
Fred blazed two efforts high and wide from range before Maguire used his muscle to reach a corner, only to see his looping header drop onto the top of the net.
It took until the 43rd minute for United to muster an equaliser, through McTominay who gladly accepted a huge slice of fortune when his strike from the edge of the area deflect off a defender’s boot and loop over Izzo.
United had turned the contest around in first-half stoppage time. Martial, who once again showed Ten Hag what he can produce, finished from close range after Anthony Elanga touched on a right-side cross by Diogo Dalot.
Anthony Martial finished from close range to complete United’s turnaround before half-time
An assured finish by Marcus Rashford put United 3-1 ahead and settled the contest
Every outfield player was changed by Ten Hag at the break, with the likes of Zidane Iqbal, Charlie Savage and Ethan Laird coming on alongside more familiar figures such as Marcus Rashford and Eric Bailly.
Twice the Ivorian defender almost played United into danger with loose touches or sloppy passing but he atoned by supplying the defence-splitting through ball for Rashford to score the third.