Manchester United vs RC Lens. Friendly Match.
Old TraffordAttendance70,000.
Manchester United 3
- M Rashford (48th minute)
- Antony (53rd minute)
- Casemiro (59th minute)
RC Lens 1
- F Sotoca (23rd minute)
Man Utd 3-1 RC Lens: Andre Onana beaten by halfway line stunner but hosts roar back for victory
Report as Man Utd came from behind to beat RC Lens 3-1; Andre Onana beaten by Florian Sotoca's strike from centre circle; United roared back for victory after goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony and Casemiro; Man Utd finish pre-season with a game against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin on Sunday
Saturday 5 August 2023 17:33, UK
Manchester United continued their preparations for the new season with a 3-1 victory over Ligue 1 side RC Lens at Old Trafford, despite new goalkeeper Andre Onana being beaten by a stunning halfway line strike.
There was a buzz around Old Trafford before kick-off when new Manchester United £72m signing Rasmus Hojlund was presented to the home fans.
United tried to capitalise and make a fast start but Mason Mount wasted a glorious opportunity after Bruno Fernandes' brilliant pass released Alejandro Garnacho. The 19-year-old squared the ball for Mount, but he could not find the back of the net after failing to make a clean connection with his shot from eight yards.
United fell behind, somewhat against the run of play, in the 23rd minute and the goal came in spectacular fashion.
Sotoca pounced on some loose United passing on halfway and with Onana starting outside his own penalty area, the Lens forward went for goal and the ball dropped over the backpedalling goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
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Despite going behind, United continued to create chances but they went in at the break frustrated as Garnacho fired over and Antony's strike was deflected over the crossbar.
Erik ten Hag's side roared back after the break. Antony's pass released Marcus Rashford, who with the help of a deflection finished past Brice Samba to bring the scores level.
Five minutes later and United were in the lead. The impressive Garnacho broke down the left before playing in Antony and the Brazilian found the far corner.
United's quick-fire turnaround was complete with three goals in 11 minutes as Rashford's goalbound header hit Casemiro before finding the bottom corner as the home side completed another impressive pre-season outing ahead of their return to Premier League action next weekend.
In pictures: Going, going, gone! Onana beaten by stunning strike
Ten Hag: Hojlund is a real frontman
Ten Hag hailed new signing Hojlund after he was unveiled ahead of United's win against Lens.
"He is a real frontman," Ten Hag said. "Very direct to the goal, very good presser, a physical presence.
"I think in the balance of this squad, we needed that, alongside (Marcus) Rashford, another player who is direct and can score a goal. That is all in his mind - he wants to score goals.
"I think he has huge potential. And now it's up to him first, to explore that and we will support him, all the coaches, the team, the team was waiting for a type like him. They will integrate him in the dressing room and in the pitch, they will help him."
What's next for Man Utd?
Manchester United's pre-season concludes with a clash against La Liga side Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin; kick-off 4pm.
Ten Hag's side's Premier League campaign then gets under way on the first Monday Night Football of the season (Monday August 14) when they take on Wolves at Old Trafford. MNF gets under way at the new time of 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League before the action kicks off at 8pm.
Live MNF
Man Utd's pre-season fixtures and results
- July 12: Man Utd 2-0 Leeds
- July 19: Man Utd 1-0 Lyon
- July 22: Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal
- July 26: Man Utd 1-3 Wrexham
- July 27: Real Madrid 2-0 Man Utd
- July 31: Man Utd 2-3 Dortmund
- August 5: Man Utd 3-1 Lens
- August 6: Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao, kick-off 4pm (Aviva Stadium)
Man Utd to start season vs Wolves on MNF
Manchester United will start the 2023/24 season against Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday Night Football on August 14, live on Sky Sports.
Erik ten Hag's side, who finished last third in the Premier League last season, then face a trip to Tottenham on August 19 and the visit of Nottingham Forest on August 26 before heading to Arsenal on September 3, also live on Sky Sports.
Man Utd's first Manchester derby is on October 28 when they welcome treble-winning Man City to Old Trafford with the return fixture taking place on March 2 at the Etihad.
Liverpool host Man Utd at Anfield - the venue of last season's 7-0 thrashing - on December 16 while Ten Hag's side play their bitter rivals at Old Trafford on April 6.
How to watch free Premier League highlights
Throughout the 2023/24 season, you can watch Premier League match highlights for free - without being a Sky Sports subscriber.
You'll find highlights from every Premier League game in the Score Centre, as well as on the Sky Sports website and Sky Sports app shortly after full-time, or from 5.15pm for midday Saturday kick-offs. You can also watch them on the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.
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The Premier League drama keeps coming - make sure you don't miss a thing by signing up for goal alerts with the Sky Sports Score Centre app.
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It's simple - just set up goal alerts and other notifications on the Sky Sports Football Score Centre app.
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Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
