Manchester United 2-1 Sampdoria: 5 talking points

Manchester United overcame Italian Serie A outfit Sampdoria 2-1 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, emerging 2-1 winners on the night thanks to two goals – one from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the other late on from Juan Mata.

The match was a decent contest between two competitive sides, but it was the Red Devils’ class that told in the end.

It also brought an end to United’s preseason contests, and will set them up nicely for the forthcoming UEFA Super Cup clash against Champions League winners Real Madrid next week, which Mourinho described as 'our first big match' before the season starts.

Take a read of our talking points of the match.

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#1 United still suspect at the back

Dennis Praet’s goal, arriving in the 63rd minute, saw United fail to deal with a breakaway

Although Jose Mourinho will be glad that his side emerged with a victory, a few eyebrows will surely have been raised at a number of defensive lapses that almost put paid to the great offensive work they had produced.

Obviously, the goal they conceded is not something that United fans would have been terribly happy about, especially considering that this was a match they could, and should, have won by several clear goals.

Dennis Praet’s goal, arriving in the 63rd minute, saw United fail to deal with a breakaway that led to Vasco Regini’s cross being only half cleared by the United rearguard as the ball bobbled into the path of the Belgian star to slot home.

The signs had been there from as early as the eighth minute, however, that United were a little shaky at the back.

Daley Blind’s over-hit back-pass for De Gea almost saw the ball roll into the back of the net only for the Spanish ‘keeper to reach out a palm to stop it. In the process, they conceded a free kick inside their own 18-yard box, and although that was cleared away, it was hard not to wonder how different the outcome could have been against a superior dead-ball specialist.

Sampdoria threatened little, but when they did, United looked suspect, like when Fabio Quagliarella latched onto a dinked through-ball with an attempted lob only to see his effort land marginally wide.

Lots of work for United to do at the back, then.

#2 Valencia link-up play will be important

Valencia has it in him to become the best right back in England over the coming nine months

Antonio Valencia is undoubtedly one of the most versatile players in the modern game, and his output against the Italians in Dublin was also a reminder that he is one of the most industrious.

Powering up and down the left flank all evening long, United’s captain proved to be a lopsided focal point that worked wonders in moving their attacks forward. Providing a target for Paul Pogba to hit cross-field passes to, he also linked up neatly with Andreas Perreira a few times.

While he instigated the move that led to the opening goal, perhaps most pleasing of all was his interchanges with Romelu Lukaku.

In the 24th minute, Valencia played a sharp long ball down the flank for the Belgian international to chase before he turned, cut-in and fired a shot on goal that flew narrowly wide. Then, in the 33rd minute they were at it again, forcing Marco Giampaolo’s men to track back and snuff out the danger with some last-gasp challenges.

Indeed, it was Valencia who was involved in a United move seconds before Sampdoria equalised but the strike was ruled offside; the Ecuadorian crossed for Marouane Fellaini to control before the towering Belgian touched on for Herrera to slot into the back of the net – but it was correctly flagged for offside.

Valencia has it in him to become the best right back in England over the coming nine months. We all know he has it in his locker to contribute to a stellar United career and be the talisman he needs, so it’s going to be exciting watching him try.

#3 Martial coming into his own

The French forward assisted Juan Mata for United’s second and final goal of the night

The “Special One” rang a plethora of changes following the restart, essentially emptying his bench to give the substitutes a decent run-out and while the introduction of Martial should cool talk of a move away from the Theatre of Dreams, Mou's post-match comments should prove that he really wants Martial on board.

Mou commented: "Lukaku, Martial, Rashford – they are all different players and we need everybody" in Dublin and it wasn't surprising he did so, considering one of the standout impact subs on the night was Martial who produced some great football on the left wing against a tiring Sampdoria back-line.

Producing two very good crosses in the second half that deserved more enthusiastic responses from the frontline, the French forward also assisted Juan Mata for United’s second and final goal of the night.

Dazzling with some fine dribbling on the left flank, the 21-year-old kept his wits about him late in the game to squeeze the ball into the path of Mata who coolly passed into the back of the net to send the United fans into a frenzy.

Martial has blown hot and cold ever since coming into the United squad, but against Sampdoria, he proved that he can become the long lost left winger the fans have been crying out for, for so long.

#4 Matic needs time to adjust to new surroundings

Matic could become a genuine Stretford End icon

He might not be the flashiest of footballers, but Nemanja Matic certainly first the bill of a typical Mourinho player – he is strong, athletic and adds to the strong spine that Mou normally likes to adorn his best sides with.

Indeed, Mourinho was eager to sing the Serbian’s praise in the post-match press conference:

“He needs time, but he is experienced, intelligent, genius in the way he plays,” the Special One said to a packed-out media room in Dublin.

Despite Matic enduring what Mourinho labelled ‘a lonely preseason’, it’s obvious that the pair have a good rapport, something that should bode well for their relationship moving forward.

Matic’s performance was low-key on the night against the Italians, but he performed his link-up play well, distributed the ball coolly and added a typically Matic-like calmness to the midfield, carrying out his duties with minimal fuss and utmost professionalism.

Given time, Matic could become a genuine Stretford End icon, especially if he proves to be the reliable anchor United need to dock their ship in the rough seas to come.

#5 Mkhitaryan and Rashford can provide much-needed goals in the coming months

Mkhitaryan started alongside Lukaku in 3-5-2

The headlines have been dominated by talk of Neymar’s ludicrous fee in his transfer to PSG, and although Manchester United have spent big themselves in recent times (Pogba, Lukaku etc) they should also be content in the knowledge that they have made some shrewd additions for relatively little money.

Rashford is United through and through – not only has he come through their system, but he is young, dedicated to the club and eager to play in roles that Mourinho deems fit; he is happy to do whatever benefits the team and doesn’t put himself first.

Against Sampdoria, he once more proved that he can play the lone-striker role with ease and he was unlucky not to grab a goal or two with the industry he displayed.

In the 69th minute, shortly after being introduced for Lukaku, he was cast in the role of lone frontman as he bore down on goal with the ball at his feet to win a free kick in a dangerous position, and he was also instrumental in feeding Martial to cross for Fellaini’s half-chance header in the 65th minute that drifted away from danger.

Rashford has been evolving ever since coming to the club and is as exciting to watch as he was when he first burst onto the scene.

Mkhitaryan, too, was in fine form took his goal well and looked lively throughout. If he maintains that sort of form and breeds consistency within himself, he could be set for a memorable season.