Manchester United concluded their summer tour of Thailand and Australia with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday, with Calum Chambers levelling for Steven Gerrard's side in the final exchanges.
Despite the late setback against Villa, it proved to be a strong tour for the 20-time English champions, who beat Liverpool 4-0, Melbourne Victory 4-1 and Crystal Palace 3-1 before the draw on Saturday.
Man United will play their final two friendlies of the summer against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano next weekend before beginning their 2022-23 Premier League campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7, while the opening month also sees them face Brentford, Liverpool and Southampton.
New head coach Erik ten Hag has been shaping his side for the new season during the club's tour, and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks out three players who would have impressed the Dutchman.
Jadon Sancho
There is no getting away from the fact that Jadon Sancho found it difficult during his first campaign at Old Trafford, only managing five goals and three assists in 38 appearances, but there were plenty of positive signs in the second half of the season.
The 22-year-old was a goal and assist machine during his time at Borussia Dortmund, scoring 50 and setting up a further 64 in 135 appearances, and he has looked back to his best during Man United's pre-season tour.
Sancho scored against Liverpool, Palace and Villa, while he also set up his side's second against Gerrard's side in Perth, providing the cross that Matty Cash ultimately deflected past his own goalkeeper.
The England international was brilliant off the right of a front three, impressively combining with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in the final third of the field.
Sancho is one of a number of players who look to be benefitting from Ten Hag's style of football, and he is certainly capable of being a real star for Man United next season, but he must translate his pre-season form into consistent displays in competitive fixtures.
Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial has perhaps been the main beneficiary from the situation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo, with the France international being given the chance to lead the line on tour.
Earlier this summer, it looked likely that he would be leaving Old Trafford, but it would now be a huge shock if he departed the 20-time English champions before the end of the window.
Martial was excellent against Liverpool on July 12, finding the back of the net in the 33rd minute, while he also netted against Melbourne Victory and Palace, in addition to setting up Sancho for the Englishman's goal in the success over Patrick Vieira's side.
The 26-year-old was also lively against Villa, and he has looked hungry to prove a point during pre-season.
Talent has never been a problem for Martial, and his ability has also never been called into question, but he has to prove that he has the attitude and desire to reignite his Man United career.
Even if Ronaldo returns, Martial is set to lead the line against Brighton, and it will be fascinating to see whether the former Monaco youngster can star for Ten Hag's side following a disappointing loan spell at Sevilla in the second half of last season.
Diogo Dalot
Diogo Dalot ended last season as Man United's first-choice right-back, with the Portugal international preferred to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has allegedly now been made surplus to requirements.
If the Red Devils can find a buyer for Wan-Bissaka, then a new right-back could arrive before the end of the transfer window, but Dalot is currently in charge of that position, and the 23-year-old will have impressed Ten Hag with his strong displays on the club's pre-season tour.
Dalot will know that he needs to improve his end product, having failed to provide a single assist last term, but he started all four of their matches on tour and set up Martial for the Frenchman's opening goal against Palace in Melbourne on July 19.
The Portuguese has been a strong presence down the right for the Red Devils, and he could hugely benefit from Ten Hag's desire for his full-backs to break forward.
Dalot still has a long way to go before he can be considered as one of the top right-backs in the Premier League, but his ceiling is very high, and the 2022-23 campaign could prove to be a special season for the former Porto youngster. body check tags ::
