‘Ten Hag Ball’ – Man United Scored ‘Ajax Style’ Goal vs Crystal Palace

Manchester United are flying high in pre-season, as they ended another outing away from Manchester with a big win.

On the latest leg of their tour, the Red Devils played Crystal Palace with over 75,000 fans in attendance in the iconic MCG.

The lineup that Erik ten Hag picked from the kick-off against Patrick Vieira’s side wasn’t much different to the one that Ralf Rangnick used in their last match of the 2021/22 Premier League season. United lost 1-0 to Palace and barely avoided the Europa Conference League place, with Ten Hag in the stands at Selhurst Park. But the performances couldn’t have been more far apart.

Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford all got on the score-sheet before Ten Hag decided to give minutes to his second-team, which couldn’t maintain a clean sheet, but nonetheless secured a 3-1 win.

Pre-season results achieved against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, and Crystal Palace on Tuesday aren’t paramount for United, but the way Ten Hag’s ideas are being executed by his players is bound to give him encouragement ahead of the new season.

https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1549356778667888642

#MUFC 2-0 Crystal Palace

That felt very Ajax. Martial + Van de Beek electing to pass rather than shoot, teeing up the tap-in for Rashford.

Martial's touch to Fernandes's pass was sublime.

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) July 19, 2022

 

Ronaldo on his way back from Portugal ready to ruin all of ten Hag’s teamwork building by demanding the ball from every angle pic.twitter.com/w2HThhSzDU

— Jordan (@FourFourJordan) July 19, 2022

 

In particular, the second goal against Palace had the shades of Ajax’s football, who were both beautiful in possession and ruthless in front of goal under the Dutch coach.

Martial, Sancho, and Donny van de Beek combined to put it on a plate for Rashford to finish and double United’s lead. The link up was so good that even Ten Hag applauded on the touchline.