Manchester United received a rude awakening during their pre-season campaign as they crashed to a 4-2 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have hoped for a better effort after committing his future to the Premier League club by signing a new three-year contract.
However, United were outplayed at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium by a well-oiled QPR side.
The Red Devils started positively, with Jesse Lingard scoring. However, a three-goal burst after the break left Solskjaer's team in shock. Lyndon Dykes scored twice for QPR while Moses Odubajo netted the fourth, all within a span of five minutes.
Anthony Elanga scored United’s second in the 73rd minute to add some respectability to the scoreline.
Below are the player ratings for Manchester United from the friendly:
Tom Heaton - 6: Could do little about QPR’s early equaliser, a free header from close range. Confident but not as busy as he was at Derby a week ago, despite QPR being the better side in the 45 minutes Heaton was on the pitch.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5: Cross for QPR’s equaliser came in front of him and his silent fellow defenders. Fine challenge on 46 as QPR started brightly but nowhere as they scored their second after 53. The 2,000 vocal United fans behind the goal deserved better than their young side conceding four.
Axel Tuanzebe - 5: Like fellow central defender Mengi, was nowhere for QPR’s opener. The second deflected off him after 53. It’s early in pre-season, but hardly impressing enough when given the chance.
Teden Mengi - 5: Was absent as QPR equalised after six minutes as he left Austin – an experienced pro who went in hard on him throughout - in too much space. If only someone had communicated that to the young defender. Inadvertently deflected the second towards a QPR player too.
Brandon Williams - 5: Fine defending to stop a 32nd minute attack, though QPR’s second came past him – and a lot of other red shirts in the box for a disappointing goal. Twisted inside out by Dykes as he scored QPR’s fourth as the game became a rout.
Nemanja Matic - 5: Played for 45 minutes and that’s about the most notable thing we can say beyond these games being essential to build up pre-season fitness.
Andreas Pereira - 5: Curled a weak shot on goal after 56, but little impact on the game against a side more advanced in their pre-season. Did nothing as Odubajo sped past him before striking QPR’s third.
Jesse Lingard - 6: Excellent at Derby last week, put his team ahead after three minutes, sidefooting a Pellistri pass. Quieter today.
Facundo Pellistri - 6: Like Lingard, excellent at Derby last week and he smartly changed direction to set him up for the first goal, but little success against QPR’s well organised defence. Off at half time but getting solid pre-season minutes ahead of a likely loan move this season.
Daniel James - 5: Went for goal in a 42nd minute attack, but United threatened little in the first half as a disciplined QPR stifled their visitors.
Mason Greenwood - 5: One of the few players in the starting XI who can expect to be a regular this season, his neat pass set up Pellistri which led to United’s opener. Also involved in a goal ruled out for offside. Saw the ball in wide areas but limited impact closer to goal.
Subs
Juan Mata - 5: On at half time for Pellistri. Set up Elanga on 73 – and then told him that he should have played the ball into the middle rather than shoot. Busy encouraging and setting up the far, far younger players around him.
Anthony Elanga - 6: On at half time for James, the speedy winger went left and clean through on goal after leaving his marker, but a heavy second touch. Made another heavy touch after 51 but was given offside. Had a chance for United’s second on 58. Finally scored on 73 – a fine finish for a player who runs at defenders.
James Garner - 5: On at half time for Matic and the player who did so well in the Championship at Forest last season couldn’t stop QPR’s three second half goals.
Lee Grant - 6: On at half time for Heaton. Three goals flew past him but he was at fault for none.
Shola Shoretire - 6: On for Greenwood after 60 and set up Elanga on 73 for United’s second with a pass across the area.
Hannibal Mejbri - 5: On for Pereira after 60, his best moment was a through ball towards Hugill on 88, but he overhit the pass.
Dylan Levitt - 5: On for Lingard after 60. Had a shot on goal blocked after Mata teed him up after 81.
Ethan Galbraith - 5: On for Wan Bissaka after 60, the Northern Ireland international who excelled last season for United’s under 23s went in at right back.
Di'Shon Bernard - 5: On for Tuanzebe after 77 and went to central defence. Another player likely to go on loan this season.
Joe Hugill - 5: On for Williams after 77, the striker who scored ten times for the under 23s last season had a shot saved.
William Fish - 5: On for Mengi after 77, the 18 year old central defender will join fifth tier Stockport County on loan for the new season.
