Manchester United's third match of their pre-season tour pitted the Premier League side against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan.
It was the home side that took the lead inside the opening minute when Marquinhos found the bottom corner after some poor defending from United.
However, a Jesse Lingard strike, his third on tour, and an own goal from Masakazu Tashiro saw United enter the interval 2-1 ahead.
Yokohama equalised in the early stages of the second period, however, when Fabio planted a powerful header into the top corner.
United had chances to regain the lead in the latter stages, but it was Yoshihito Fujita that won it for the home side in the final minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Manchester United’s pre-season preparations continue in Japan as the Premier League outfit take on Japanese side Yokohoma F. Marinos. The home side are in the middle of their domestic campaign and therefore are sure to provide a difficult test for David Moyes’s side.
As mentioned, United recorded a 5-1 win over the A-League All Stars in their second match of pre-season on Saturday, but in truth, the Australian outfit did not provide much of a test. That was not the case in their first match of the tour, however, when the Premier League side were beaten 1-0 by Singha All Stars on July 13.
That said, in terms of numbers available, Moyes’s squad has certainly grown in recent days. David de Gea and Robin van Persie both returned for the match in Australia, while home favourite Shinji Kagawa, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young have all linked up with the squad ahead of the remainder of the tour.
In terms of the home side this evening, there is one player who should be recognised by Celtic supporters. Shunsuke Nakamura, who is the club captain, has certainly enjoyed recent games against United with the midfielder scoring both home and away against the Premier League side during his Champions League career with Celtic.
As mentioned, the Japanese side are in the middle of their domestic campaign. They have won their last two matches, while a points total of 34 has left them in third position in the table after 17 games. They will be hoping to improve on the previous campaign, when they finished fourth in Japan’s leading division.
Looking ahead for a moment, following this match United face Cerezo Osaka on Friday, before their pre-season tour ends with a match against Kitchee on July 26. Moyes’s side then return to Europe for a tie against AIK Fotboll on August 6, before Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla takes place on August 9. The new season is just round the corner.
I think it would be fair to admit that it hasn’t quite happened for United in the transfer market thus far. If reports are to be believed, Moyes did not really fancy Spanish midfielder Thiago, who eventually joined Bayern Munich from Barcelona, but you have to wonder whether the Scot was purely admitting defeat in the latter stages of the race.
The club have now made three separate bids for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas, but it is difficult to see the Spanish outfit selling two midfielders in the same window. Even Moyes admitted in his pre-match press conference that the club could be forced to look elsewhere. The problem is that elsewhere there are not too many top-class options.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale remain the dream signings, but again, it is extremely unlikely that either will end up at Old Trafford this summer. One thing is for certain, United desperately need to add to their midfield if they are to stand a chance of retaining their Premier League title next season.
There have been plenty of positives for Moyes on tour, however, with the performances of young trio Wilfied Zaha, Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj. The former, who joined from Crystal Palace, has looked extremely promising with his tricky style causing defenders all sorts of problems. He is raw, but he has the talent to worry Premier League defences next season.
Lingard, meanwhile, scored a brace in the 5-1 win over the A-League All Stars last time out. It had been suggested that the youngster would be sent out on loan next season, but his performances during the tour could have given Moyes food for thought. As for Januzaj, he is just about the most exciting young player that United have had in recent seasons.
One player who will be a big player for United next season is Kagawa. The former Borussia Dortmund attacker took time to settle last season, but there is no doubting his quality. If the playmaker is selected in his best position next season – off the forward – then he is certain to shine. In terms of his popularity in Japan, well, he is an absolute movie star.
Kagawa, who joined up with the rest of the squad on Monday, told reporters at a press conference: “I’m very happy to be a member of Manchester United and to be playing in Japan for them. I’m looking forward to meeting the fans tomorrow and I hope we have a very good game. I’d like to give them my very best.”
TEAMS:
YOKOHAMA: Enomoto; Kobayashi, Tashiro, Aguiar, Dutra; Nakamachi, Tomisawa; Hyodo, Nakamura, Sato; Marquinhos
UNITED: De Gea; Fabio, Jones, Evans, Evra; Anderson, Cleverley, Lingard; Zaha, Januzaj, Van Persie
So there we have it. David de Gea and Robin van Persie both come in for their first starts on this pre-season tour. Jonny Evans also returns to the heart of the defence, while Patrice Evra is given the left-back role. There are also starts for young trio Zaha, Lingard and Januzaj, who have all impressed thus far. We are still awaiting the confirmed team news for the home side.
Another issue which refuses to go away is the Wayne Rooney saga. It doesn’t help that the England striker is back in Manchester receiving treatment for a hamstring injury, with reports surfacing each day that he is close to joining Chelsea. If Moyes had any doubts about the difficulty of this job, then this summer has reaffirmed all those points.
Of course every manager needs time, but it doesn’t help that United have been given just about their toughest start to a league season in recent years. Their first five games are as follows: Swansea City (away), Chelsea (home), Liverpool (away), Crystal Palace (home) and Manchester City (away). I think that is what you call a difficult beginning to the season.
Manchester conditions for the English outfit this evening with storms and rain swirling around this stadium. However, the pitch remains in fine condition, with the water being soaked up like a sponge. It should suit United's style of football, but the home side are certainly ahead in terms of their fitness at this stage of the season.
We are still awaiting the confirmed team news for the home side this evening, but I will bring you up to speed as soon as possible. Both sets of players have just emerged onto the field in front of a passionate crowd in Japan. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Little under five minutes until kickoff.
Just a reminder of the United team news this evening. De Gea and Van Persie both come in for their first starts of the tour, while Evans returns to the back four. Kagawa is on the bench, but Ferdinand and Carrick both miss out altogether. We are just about ready to get underway on this mild evening in Japan.
The atmosphere inside the stadium is absolutely electric with around 70,000 supporters present. It would be fair to say that the majority of the stadium are supporting United, which is not much of a surprise. Thus far the cameras have been focused on Kagawa, but United have just got the match underway. Let's hope for a cracker in Japan.
GOAL! Yokohama 1-0 Manchester United (Marquinhos)
Well, that was certainly not in the script. Not the best defending from United as Fabio's header drops straight to the experienced striker, who rattled a powerful effort into the back of the net. Inside the opening minute the Japanese outfit lead. Incredible opening minute to this match.
United have just settled with possession in the last couple of moments with Jones and Evans keeping hold of the ball in the United half. A half-chance arrives for the English outfit from a Cleverley corner, but Evans can only head over the crossbar. Early indications that we will have an end-to-end pre-season tie in Japan.
Half-chance for United once more as Zaha collects possession in the middle of the park before attempting to release Van Persie, but it just had too much weight for the Dutchman. A mistake from Cleverley almost allows the home side to burst into the box, but Fabio is across on the cover. Nervous start from the Premier League champions.
Again United take control of possession in midfield with Anderson, but his pass towards Zaha skips off the turf. Aguiar has possession for the home side moments later, with the defender attempting to find the run of Sato, but Evans is across to clear. Bright opening eight minutes, but the only real chance has brought the opening goal of proceedings.
Good possession for United in the last couple of moments with Lingard and Evra combining down the left, a half-chance arrives moments later as Januzaj strikes a powerful volley from just inside the box, but it whistles past the post. Plenty of indications that United will score goals this evening. However, we have not seen too much from Zaha in the opening 10 minutes of action.
There is no question that Japanese football is on the rise with the national team's recent performances. It had been suggested that this evening would be United's toughest match on tour, which has been the case thus far. Another half-chance arrives for the home side from a Nakamura free-kick, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner.
Yokohama come close to making it 2-0 as Nakamura whips a dangerous corner into the box, it evades De Gea, but Januzaj is on hand to clear off the line. United attempt to counter down the other end with Anderson, but again his pass is too long for Van Persie, who had made the same run behind the defence. Still the incredible noise erupts around this stadium.
CHANCE! Marquinhos comes close to scoring his second of the match as the experienced striker meets a low cross from Sato, but De Gea is down to make a fine save. The home side have not given United a moment to rest here as Dutra fires a long-range effort over the crossbar. What a pulsating opening 16 minutes to this pre-season encounter.
Not too much for United to get excited about in the last couple of moments with the Japanese outfit dominating possession in the opposing half. Nakamura again attempts to dictate from the middle of the park as he sweeps a ball towards Sato, but Fabio is across to clear. Lingard has a half-chance down the other end, but his strike is blocked by Aguiar.
GOAL! Yokohama 1-1 Manchester United (Lingard)
United have their equaliser with 19 minutes on the clock as Lingard taps home from close range. However, the youngster owes it all to Zaha, who burst into the box before rolling a low cross towards the 20-year-old. The home side have made a change, meanwhile, with Fujita replacing Nakamura, who appears to have picked up a knock.
It had been suggested that Zaha would struggle to have an impact for United next season, but it must be said that he has been very impressive in this pre-season tour. His pace and trickery have caused defenders all sorts of problems. Half-chance for the home side as Dutra strikes a powerful effort from the left, but De Gea makes the save.
Yokohama have just settled the match down in the last couple of moments with a spell of possession, but they are finding it harder to break through this United defence. Marquinhos attempts to probe outside the box moments later, but his low cross is deflected behind for a corner. Even match with 24 minutes on the clock.
Kobayashi and Dutra continue to cause problems in wide areas with the full-backs whipping dangerous crosses into the United box, but Evans and Jones continue to dominate in the air. The away side attempt to break with Cleverley, but his pass finds Van Persie in an offside position. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining in Japan.
Good spell for United in the last couple of moments with Van Persie twice taking control on the edge of the Yokohama box, but the Dutchman cannot find the run of Evra, before Tashiro clears the second opportunity. End-to-end football, but neither has been able to really test the opposing goalkeeper in the last 10 minutes or so.
GOAL! Yokohama 1-2 Manchester United (Tashiro OG)
United have the lead with 30 minutes on the clock as Tashiro turns into his own net after Januzaj had whipped a dangerous cross into the box. It is a bit of a horror show from the goalkeeper, however, with Enomoto getting nowhere near the free kick. United take the lead with little under 15 minutes of the half remaining.
First yellow card of the match is handed to Cleveley as the United midfielder chops down Hyodo in the middle of the park. It was not a bad foul to give away, however, with United short in defence. The atmosphere inside the stadium remains electric as both sides continue to commit players forward in each attack.
There is always a danger that pre-season games can become really dull and uninteresting, but that is certainly not the case this evening. Another half-chance arrives for United as Fabio whips a low cross towards Van Persie, but Dutra clears, before Januzaj tests Enomoto with a curling effort outside the box.
Van Persie is again the target for Anderson as the Brazilian takes control in midfield before sliding a pass towards the striker, but again Aguiar is on hand to make the clearance. The home side break down the other end with Sato, but Evans ushers it back to De Gea. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for the home side as Fabio concedes a free kick outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Marquinhos, but his effort is wide of the post. The rain has just stopped in the last five minutes or so, with a rather humid temperature inside the stadium. It has been a very worthwhile work-out for United thus far.
Free kick for United this time as Van Persie finds the head of Evans inside the box, but the defender can only clip his effort wide of the post. That should have been number three with 42 minutes on the clock. Januzaj looks for the run of Van Persie moments later, but Enomoto is out to make the clearance.
The tempo has noticeably dropped in the final few moments of the first period, which is not much of a surprise in truth. Zaha continues to cause problems with his pace and trickery winning a corner, but Januzaj curls his set piece straight out of play. Little over one minute of normal time remaining in what has been an enthralling first period.
HALF-TIME: Yokohama 1-2 Manchester United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with United leading 2-1. Yokohama had the lead inside the first minute when Marquinhos found the bottom corner from close range, but a Lingard strike and an own goal from Tashiro has left the Premier League side ahead at the interval.
In terms of work-rate and quality of the opposition, this has been the toughest test that United have faced in pre-season thus far. Again Zaha has been impressive with his direct style, while Januzaj and Lingard have also been involved in the opening 45 minutes. United boss David Moyes will certainly be pleased with what he has seen thus far.
Both sides are expected to make changes at the interval. Let's hope that it does not dampen the tempo in the second period. One thing is for certain, this stadium will erupt when Kagawa is introduced for the English outfit. Yokohama, meanwhile, have domestic football to focus on and are therefore also expected to make changes.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. I have a feeling it is going to be a bit of a nightmare with changes at the interval. I shall bring you up to speed when it becomes clear. United have had two changes, meanwhile, with Van Persie and Lingard leaving the field in place of Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck. Right, Yokohama get the second period underway.
The first period started in dramatic fashion with the home side scoring within the opening minute, but lightening has not struck twice. Bright start from Januzaj as the young Belgian evades the challenge of Hyodo, before Dutra brings him to the ground. Young whips the free kick into the box, but Evans fires wide after Zaha had turned back into the danger area.
GOAL! Yokohama 2-2 Manchester United (Fabio)
Yokohama have levelled in the early stages of the half as Fabio rises highest in the box before planting a header into the back of the net. Poor defending from United once more, but the defender did appear to hang in the air for some time. Welbeck has a half-chance down the other end moments later, but the goalkeeper makes a fine challenge at the vital moment.
There have indeed been two changes for the home side with Rokutan and Narawa replacing Sato and Enomoto at the interval. I suspect we will have a host of changes as this second period continues to gather pace. Januzaj has a free kick for United down the other end, but his low cross is cleared by Dutra.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with Zaha bursting down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Dutra is across to clear the danger once more. Another free kick arrives for the Premier League champions down the right, but Young's delivery is headed over his own crossbar by Fabio.
Again it's good work from Welbeck as the striker collects a long pass from Anderson before rolling a ball to Cleverley on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The noise inside the stadium has just lifted once more as Kagawa begins his warm-up on the sidelines. Welbeck has another half-chance moments later, but Rokutan is on hand to make the save.
United have another free kick down the right, but again Young's cross is cleared by Fabio, who has been outstanding in the air this evening. Meanwhile, it does appear that Kagawa will soon join us on the field as he talks to coach Phil Neville on the sidelines. This place is about to go absolutely crazy.
Indeed the change is made as Kagawa is introduced in place of Januzaj. The noise inside this stadium is just deafening. The home side have also made a couple of changes, which I shall bring you up-to-date with when the information becomes available. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in Japan.
The match has become slightly scrappy in the last couple of moments with neither side taking too much care in possession of the ball. Welbeck is again a threat down the middle with his pace and power, but it just runs away from the striker at the vital moment. Kagawa's first touch, meanwhile, is greeted with deafening noise.
It was indeed a couple of changes for the home side with Dutra and Tashiro being replaced by Hanato and Kumagai. As important as this match is for the Japanese outfit, they do have a domestic campaign to focus on. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, but the tempo remains extremely high.
Half-chance for Marquinhos as the experienced striker thumps an effort from a wide position, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that we are going to have a couple more goals in the final 20 minutes or so. It appears that Smalling could also soon join us on the field as the centre-back begins his warm-up.
The change is indeed made as Smalling replaces Evans, who has been struggling with the pace in the last few moments. Opportunity for Kagawa to send this stadium into meltdown as he bursts into the box, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. The chances are starting to arrive as the game continues to open up.
Another change for Yokohama as Marquinhos is replaced by Ogura. You just get the feeling that there are a few tired legs out there as the players struggle to make that extra yard. Good spell for the home side with Narawa and Hanato both involved outside the box, but the latter can only clip his effort into the arms of De Gea.
Good possession for the home side in the last couple of moments with Hyodo and Tomisawa keeping hold of the ball in the final third. The latter attempts to force the issue with a low ball into the box, but Jones is across to make the clearance. Not too much for United in the last few moments with each through pass having too much weight.
Another change for the home side with Amano replacing Kobayashi for the final 10 minutes or so. In truth, the tempo of the match has dropped in the last five minutes or so with both teams struggling to find that extra bit of energy. However, the ever-willing Welbeck is causing problems with his pace and power in the final third.
Half-chance for the home side once more as Narawa takes control outside the box before striking towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Meanwhile, United make another change as Zaha is replaced by Ryan Giggs. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in Japan.
Again Kagawa is involved for United as the midfielder collects possession in the final third before attempting to find Welbeck in the box, but his cross was over-hit. It must be said that the crowd have been sensational from the first minute this evening. The noise is just deafening even though the tempo has seriously dropped in the latter stages.
Half-chance for Young this time as the England winger thumps an effort from close range, but Aguiar is across to make a fine challenge. Good possession for United in the last couple of moments, but they are finding it difficult to find that elusive pass in the final third. Will we have a winner in the final five minutes or so?
Another change for the home side as Hyodo is replaced by Higa for the final stages of this match. As with any pre-season match, fitness is the main goal, which has certainly been the case this evening. It has been a very tough workout for the Premier League champions.
CHANCE! Opportunity for United to win it as Young burst down the left before driving a low cross towards Kagawa, but Rokutan just manages to gather at the vital moment. Yokohama are down the other end with Hanato moments later, but De Gea makes the save.
GOAL! Yokahama 3-2 Manchester United (Fujita)
The home side have the lead in the final couple of moments as Fujita collects a loose ball in the box before finding the bottom corner from close range. Again, not the best defending from the Premier League champions. It could be their second defeat on tour.
United attempt to break down the other end with Kagawa, who finds Cleverley outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. A free kick from Young comes close to finding the head of Jones, but it just moved too high for the defender. That could be just about that.
The referee has indicated that will play five additional minutes at the end of this match. We are indeed into the second of those and still United trail. Giggs attempts to force it with a low pass towards Welbeck, but again it is just too long for the England striker.
Perhaps the last chance for United as Kagawa whips a low cross into the box, but again it is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. It is a cliché, but the result will not really worry David Moyes this evening. It has been a very worthwhile workout for the Premier League champions. We are into the final minute of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: Yokohama 3-2 Manchester United
So there we have it. Not the result that United would have wanted, but it was a good workout against a good Japanese team. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around the site for all the news and reaction. Good afternoon!
