Manchester United 1 Club America 1: Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial impress as Juan Mata nets
Jose Mourinho's depleted squad battle to a draw as Alexis Sanchez heads out to link up with his team-mates following visa issues
MANCHESTER UNITED opened up their tour yesterday with a 1-1 draw against Mexican side Club America.
They went behind in the 59th minute when Antonio Lopez’s cross was headed home by Henry Martin.
But teenage substitute Tahith Chong came on for his debut and sent over a deep cross which Ander Herrera headed against the post and Juan Mata thumped home the follow up.
There were good performances from two players determined to prove to Jose Mourinho they are worthy of a regular starting place – Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial.
It was Martial who looked particularly sharp going forward in the first half.
He came close to opening the scoring in the 22nd minute when he cut inside and had a low shot deflected just wide.
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Shaw commanded the left flank superbly before coming off in the 76th minute.
He also got forward and came close to scoring with a low curling shot that went wide of the far post.
COME ON, MY SAN Alexis Sanchez flying out to LA to join Manchester United team-mates with visa nightmare over
His fitness has been questioned in the past but you could not fault him last night in the University of Phoenix Stadium.
On the eve of the game Shaw had said he was determined to show Mourinho why he was worthy of a regular starting place and he was going to use this five-game tour in the states to do it.
This was not a bad start for the former Southampton youngster as he performed well both at left-back and as a left winger after Matteo Darmian came on.
It was 18-year-old Dutch winger Chong who came on in the 60th minute who really stood out but Mourinho will not be rushing him into the first team next season.
Mourinho said: “I have plans to make him train the most possible times with us because that increases his evolution but he has to play where he belongs, he has to play in the academy and develop physically because physically is where he is not ready.
“Technically he is very good. Tactically he understands the game and he understands his position but by the physical point of view, when the game gets into contact situations he is in trouble, he is fragile, he is still a kid.
“But the talent is there, the personality is there, the passion to play, the humility to learn, so this is a fantastic experience for him.”