Manchester United 0-1 Bayern Munich: 5 Talking Points 

Manchester United faced Bayern Munich at a packed Allianz Arena on Sunday. Marcus Rashford and Victor Lindelof returned to the first team as Mourinho fielded a strong side. Bailly and Lindelof started as the two centre-backs, with Darmian and Luke Shaw on the flanks.

Mourinho started with the same 3 man midfield from the last game, with Fred and Pereira partnering Herrera. Rashford, wearing the number 10 jersey, led the line for United, as Sanchez reverted back to his natural position on the left of the front 3. Mata started in the right of midfield.

Contrary to expectations, Bayern fielded a strong team themselves, using the same 4-3-3 formation. Manuel Neuer started in goal. Kimmich, Süle, Hummels and Alaba made up the back four. Thiago, Javi Martinez and Gnabry were the three-man midfield.

The front 3 had old guards Robben and Ribery teaming up with Muller. New Bayern Manager Niko Kovac wanted to use this game as a preparation ahead of their German Super Cup tie against Eintracht Frankfurt next Saturday and Bayern did not disappoint.

United looked lively at the start and attacked well, but as the game wore on, Bayern took control of possession. The first half was almost entirely played in the United half, as Bayern attacked well, but United held on with all their might, defending deep, but defending well.

Unfortunately, there weren't too many chances created for United even though in Rashford, they had a willing runner who tried to put his pace to good use. The first half ended 0-0, but Bayern had the upper edge.

In the second half, Bailly was taken off as a precaution and Smalling came on in his place and soon after, Bayern took the lead, with Xavi Martinez leaping the highest from a Thiago corner to head the ball past a helpless De Gea.

There were not too many chances for United in the second half either and the fact that they could not muster a single shot on goal said volumes of their display. Mourinho will have to regroup and regroup fast. As of now, the season seems to be arriving too soon for him.

Even though the game ended 1-0 against Manchester United, there were a lot of things to ponder upon and we take a look here at 5 talking points from the game.

---

#5 Lindelof and Bailly looking good together

Lindelof looked assured alongside Bailly

Bailly has been the standout defender for United ever since he joined 2 years ago and he seems to be getting even better. He had a stellar pre-season but suffered for a lack of a stable partner, who could perform at his level. But that problem looks to be over, at least for now.

Victor Lindelof gathered all round praise for his strong performance for Sweden in the World Cup and he seems to have brought his A game back to the club set-up. Lindelof looked comfortable alongside Bailly, combining with him well and looking to play the ball out of defence.

He also looked strong and shrugged away Muller more than once in the game. He recovered well when United were caught out and has brought a sense of assurance that was missing in the preseason games so far. Alongside him, Bailly was fast, calm and cool as usual, until he was substituted as a precaution.

Bayern Munich pegged United back for much of the game and put in one ball after another, but apart from that one goal after Bailly’s departure, Lindelof and the United defense did decently, even after Jose brought Jones on and switched to a back three.

Darmian and Shaw had good games as well, both were strong in their tackles and the 4 who started this game, should start the game against Leicester City.

#4 Manchester United had an urgency on the ball initially, but could not keep up the momentum

Pereira had an unusually quiet game

Unlike the previous games, United had an urgency on the ball today. Much of it was due to the presence of Fred and Herrera, who wasted little time on the ball and kept it moving. But every player seemed to have a desire to hit Bayern on the counter.

At the start of the game, Darmian and Shaw joined in the attack whenever United went forward. Shaw almost put Mata through with a fabulous ball, before the diminutive Spaniard was brushed off the ball. Darmian linked well with Mata and Herrera, and Sanchez covered for Shaw frequently.

In one instance, Shaw stepped up to intercept the ball, then ran the length of the pitch to receive it back from Rashford but unfortunately overhit his final pass to Fred. United played to their strengths initially and tried to catch Bayern on the counter and they displayed a rare urgency to make the strategy possible.

However, they could not keep up that momentum all through the game, and the main man Pereira was unusually quiet. It could be due to the fatigue of a packed preseason, but it definitely is something Mourinho must look to address.

#3 Manchester United did not offer much in the final third

Rashford is United's new No. 10 and he looked lively

Rashford started his first pre-season game after cutting his vacation short and joining the United Squad. He started the game as the focal point of the United attack, wear jersey number 10.

Sanchez and Mata started to his either side. Mata and Sanchez, who showed brilliant combination play in the pre-season, could not combine much in the game due to the difference in the team set up and most of United’s problem in attack lay here.

Rashford was busy and committed in his runs, but his understanding with Sanchez and Mata left a lot to be desired. It is expected from the player who has not played with this two in too many games. Sanchez looked lively, switched play very well and with the added responsibility of the armband, showed desire, but was ineffective in the final third.

Mata did not make those runs and was not in the game at all. In fact, the Bayern defence was not a bit concerned all through the game and Neuer hardly had a save to make. Also, the case of the Right Winger came to the fore in this game again, in fact, it is a cause of concern now. Unless United get someone for that position, things look bleak.

#2 Fred looks confident

Fred had a composed outing

Regardless of the outcome of the game, Fred continued his strong start to the season. He was his skilful self, easily beating the first man and releasing his teammates in the counter on a couple of times. He was also very strong on the ball, with Bayern players unable to shake him off without committing a foul.

Apart from that, he was his usual busy self, connecting with everyone on the pitch, until he was replaced in the 79th minute. He even tried to release Rashford with long balls and helped out while defending regularly. During the start of the game, before United were forced back,

Fred looked lively while joining the attack. When United were defending deep, he took time on the ball to bring his teammates into play. He even attempted a shot in the second half, but unfortunately, it was mishit. His partnership with Herrera and Pereira showed improvements but United will need more from him in the final third.

Like his Shakhtar days, Fred needs to start unlocking opposition defences and play those glorious passes and hit those thunderous volleys. It is too early to draw conclusions, but Fred has shown improvements so far, so he should get better as the season progresses.

#1 Manchester United need Pogba

United are missing Pogba's creativity and power in the midfield

Pereira played the deep playmaker’s role all through the preseason and was in charge of creating United chances, but even though he was the standout performer in the preseason, sometimes the burden is too much for a single shoulder.

Pereira looked to unleash Rashford with long balls more than once, but he had a quiet game and was mostly tied up helping the defence out and as such, United need someone to ease the burden on the young Brazilian.

Love him or hate him, United need Paul Pogba and with Pereira and Fred in the set up, the Manchester United midfield, finally looks interesting. There are varied options available to Mourinho, but no one sees a pass like Pogba.

The French World Cup winner also influences the players around him and his presence would vastly improve Pereira and Fred’s game. Even with the addition of Fred, Paul Pogba is a vital cog in the United engine room and Mourinho will be desperate to have his main man back.