Three key considerations for fans as Manchester United face Lyon in pre-season

Manchester United are travelling to Edinburgh to face French side Olympique Lyonnais in part two of their pre-season fixture list.

Erik ten Hag will likely be fielding a heavily youth-player-featuring XI as he leads Manchester United for game two of their eight-match pre-season fixture list.

United saw a fantastic 45 minutes from young French forward Noam Emeran lead them to a 2-0 victory over Leeds United, with the U21 player turning both scorer and provider against the Championship club.

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Further to this, many were impressed by the performances of other academy players such as Isak Hansen-Aarøen and Kobbie Mainoo, who have both travelled with the squad to Scotland.

Here are three things to look out for in United’s second pre-season tie.

#1 – The performance of Amad

Amad Diallo is a player who has produced many special performances over his career before, producing multiple mesmerising moments both in a United shirt and more recently while on loan at Sunderland.

With United fans keen to witness his improvement, Amad was fast, direct, and creative against Leeds, playing as part of the stronger XI in the first half.

Amad will likely start on the right wing once again as Ten Hag produces his XI against Sunderland, and with his immediate future hanging in the balance depending on his performances over pre-season, how he plays against Lyon will be a key feature.

#2 – A youth team goalkeeper

A second thing to note is that none of United’s first-team goalkeepers have travelled to Edinburgh – With David de Gea gone, Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton potentially out the door, and André Onana yet to officially sign for the club, there is a spot for the taking.

Nathan Bishop, Matěj Kovář, and 17-year-old Elyh Harrison have travelled as the goalkeepers, with Kovář, in particular, catching the eye of fans when he played in the second half of the fixture against Leeds.

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Kovář spent last season on loan at Sparta Prague, where he helped the club win their first league title since 2014 – and if he continues to impress in pre-season, he may have a place in Ten Hag’s goalkeeping department last season.

#3 – More game time for Mount

It is key for Mason Mount to get as much game time as possible with his new teammates ahead of the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

Mount is expected to play a pivotal role in Ten Hag’s squad both next season and beyond, with the manager keen to have the Englishman as a significant part of his midfield in the coming years.

Having Mount through the doors before pre-season even started was a relief for the Dutch manager, and with Mount having trained with and played 45 minutes with his new team in the last few weeks, the more game time the better.