4 Talking Points as Bayern Munich beat woeful Manchester United 1-0

Bayern Munich played Manchester United at Allianz Arena in one of the biggest football games of the ongoing pre-season Friendlies. Spanish defender Javi Martinez headed in the only goal of the game after the break in Munich.

Lineups:-

Manchester United XI:- De Gea; Darmian, Bailly, Lindelof, Luke Shaw; Ander Herrera, Fred, A. Pereira; Juan Mata, Rashford, Alexis Sanchez

Anthony Martial was absent, while Nemanja Matic, Diogo Dalot, Sergio Romero and captain Antonio Valencia are not involved due to injury

Bayern Munich XI:- Neuer, Sule, Hummels, Thiago, Ribery, Martinez, Robben, Gnabry, Muller, Alaba, Kimmichester

With pre-season friendlies, we keep hearing that the matches are just a workout and the results are not to be taken too seriously. But a good performance surely adds to the confidence of both the first team and second team players. Manchester United have finished their pre-season with only 1 win. A terrible preseason ended with a woeful match against a strong Bayern Munich side. They start their Premier League campaign against Leicester City.

Here are 4 talking points from the game.

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1) Terrible Performance Manchester United's Midfield and Full

Backs:

Alexis Sanchez struggled to create a single chance throughout the game

Jose Mourinho's side was playing without their main man Paul Pogba, and Manchester United's performance in the middle of the park today clearly reflected that United need him badly to command the midfield. Alexis Sanchez was poor as he played too deep to create any sort of chance whatsoever. Fred, too, failed to impress as he hardly made an impact on the game. Juan Mata did help Darmian every now and then on the defensive end but was woeful going up front.

Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben put Darmian and Luke Shaw under tremendous pressure throughout the game and the two looked clueless. It is not the first time that we have seen a poor performance from United's defenders as they hardly showed resistance in a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool. Bailly impressed the fans but was subbed off for Smalling after an injury scare.

2) Where is Anthony Martial?

Anthony Martial left out of Manchester United squad for Bayern Munich friendly after Chelsea transfer link

There is growing speculation that the French youngster could be sold this week before the transfer deadline - and that will only intensify after he was nowhere to be seen at the Allianz Arena.

The 22-year-old left United’s pre-season tour of the United States last week to be present at the birth of his son. Martial was reportedly fined two weeks’ wages for failing to report back to training but the forward revealed that he had remained in Paris due to complications with the birth of his child and said that ‘family always comes first’.

Jose Mourinho clapped back -

"Anthony Martial has the baby and after the baby is born – beautiful baby, full of health, thank God – he should be here and he is not here"

Have we seen the last of Anthony Martial in a Manchester United Jersey as Chelsea rumours continue to grow?

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3) Rashford, Bailly and De Gea impress

It looks like Marcus Rashford is the new No 10 for Manchester United as he was spotted wearing the #10 jersey for the first time. The 20-year-old England international wasn't supposed to participate in the pre-season games but made himself available because of Manchester United's injury crisis. Although his positioning wasn't the greatest, he did show a great attitude and was probably the only player that looked as if he was playing with some intent.

Bailly partnered with Lindelof for the first time and it looks promising. Bailly was the pick of the defenders as he looked sharp and active amongst the otherwise lethargic Red Devils. Manchester United would have been 2 or 3 down at Half Time if it wasn't for David De Gea as the Spaniard made some good stops in the first half.

4) The Big Red Bus of Manchester United was on full display yet again!

Jose Mourinho was criticized heavily for playing 'boring football' last season

You would expect a team of Manchester United's calibre to step up and challenge the Bayern Munich defenders in a pre-season friendly. However, it looked like Jose's men were playing for a draw at an away fixture in a knockout game.

Manuel Neuer could've very easily enjoyed the game from the stands as the Manchester United failed to hit a shot on target. Looking at the scoreline. one might think that it was a close game but Manchester United played the entire match in their own half.

Mata and Sanchez were too deep in their own half and hardly challenged the Bayern defence. The midfielders kept passing the ball sideways and did not create a single chance throughout 90 minutes.

5 days remain before the curtain opener at Old Trafford as Manchester United will face Leicester City and United are wondering whether Manchester United are ready for the season.