Manchester United pre-season tour review: Luke Shaw fit again, concerns over Ashley Young

Manchester United arrived back in Manchester yesterday after a four-game, 17-day pre-season trip to the United States.

United won three of those matches, including a 3-1 win over a Barcelona side without Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Neymar, Daniel Alves and Claudio Bravo, but boss Louis van Gaal was more concerned with their performances than result.

There were many positives from the tour and a few negatives. We look at the good and the bad...

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The left-back looked much fitter than when he arrived from Southampton as the world’s most expensive teenager a year ago. I spoke to him after the first game in Seattle.

“I didn’t arrive at the club in the correct shape and things didn’t go to plan,” he explained. “The manager told me his feelings and I totally accepted that. At a massive club like United you have to be at your best. But I learned and this season I feel much fitter, much sharper and I have the experience of a year at Manchester United behind me. The big difference is my fitness and I got a good 45 minutes (against Club America) and hopefully I can keep pushing on.”

Taking one of United’s fitness coaches on holiday helped to Dubai helped. Shaw started every game and is set to be United’s first choice left-back.

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A few misplaced balls against Barcelona aside, the Italian international full-back impressed.

“I think I shall play (Luke) Shaw with Blind and Matteo Darmian (versus Spurs on the opening day of the Premier League). The right central defender’s position I have to consider,” Louis Van Gaal said after Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to PSG. “I’m pleased with Darmian – I can see he can play left and right.”

The former Torino man looks solid and the misconstrued talk that he’ll be second choice right back behind Antonio Valencia is just that. Fellow right-back Rafael? He’s up for sale.

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In theory United’s fourth choice ‘keeper, in reality, the Preston born 22-year-old played 100 more minutes than De Gea in America. He performed well, conceding a single goal to Barcelona’s Rafinha.

“Bit gutted about that,” said Johnstone, the only native English speaker from United’s five stoppers. One of the three Spanish speakers, Victor Valdes, was dropped from the tour a few days before after a big argument with Louis van Gaal. He had plenty of those at Barcelona.

Johnstone, who finished last season getting promotion to the Championship with his hometown team at Wembley. Preston want him back this season and he’s likely to go, especially as United have brought Argentinean international stopper Sergio Romero.

“I should be playing professional football every week,” said the ‘keeper who has also been on loan at Oldham, Scunthorpe, Walsall, Yeovil and Doncaster. He’s right. And with two years left on his United contract, he can continue to improve with a view to returning to the club he’s been at most of his adult life.

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He’s got nothing to be gained by saying it publicly, but United’s number one wants to join Real Madrid. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, he’s got another year left on his contract at Old Trafford and United have no intention of selling him.

De Gea played only 106 minutes in three games and was fine until he made uncharacteristic errors – along with the central defenders in front of him - as Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored first half goals for PSG in Chicago. At least he was professional, unlike Angel di Maria, who is sat at home in Argentina pending a move to the club who bought 20 per cent of the fans to the friendly v United.

It’s difficult when you have players who want to leave a club, but United need clarity or an understanding with the players who want to be there.

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The Belfast born United fan didn't put a foot wrong – but nor did he have a chance to against Barcelona or PSG. Having not been offered a new contract to his current one which expires in 2016, Evans is aware that his future might not be at Old Trafford after mediocre performances last season. Despite denials, Everton are interested in him. It’ll be a shame if he goes, he’s an excellent footballer, intelligent, level-headed and, according to fellow central defender Tyler Blackett, knows more about United than any of the other players. If he goes, he’ll be a valued central defender elsewhere in the Premier League.

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Young was man of the tour a year ago and stood out against Real Madrid. That was to be a precursor for a hugely edifying season ahead when many fans changed their opinion of the once much criticized former Villa winger. Young’s United future wasn’t in doubt before this year’s tour where he played well and he’s still set to feature prominently, but he’s 30 and after one big final contract, his second since joining United in a five year deal in 2015.

If Pedro joins United – and don’t expect to hear anything about that until after Barça’s Super Cups - Young’s chances could be limited. The club also have high hopes for the Brazilian youngster Andreas Pereira, though Van Gaal initially wanted him to go on loan this season.

Young suffered an unnecessary put down as Van Gaal described him as not being like Neymar or Hazard.

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He's confident, powerful and skilful. Rated by compatriots as the best young Dutch player, he needs to be given time to adjust to the Premier League.

He showed glimpses of intelligent link up play with Wayne Rooney, especially against Paris St Germain. He was confident enough to take responsibility with free-kicks too, but pressure will be on every United player to perform right from the start of the season.

If Van Gaal’s side are to win trophies this season as the club expect, they need to start well. United’s coach has been given everything he’s asked for pre-season, with games switched and cancelled to suit his plans. With a year in the job, numerous signings of his own and no injuries, now he and his players have to deliver.

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