F RED DEVIL
Midfielder’s stamp sums up United as Felix strikes late
IMPRESSIVE Christian Eriksen dropped Erik ten Hag a crumb of comfort as Manchester United’s summer tour ended in a first defeat for the unhappy Dutchman.
The United boss saw a glimpse of a brighter future as free agent Eriksen made an immediate impact on his debut in Oslo.
But it didn’t stop him ripping into United who finished with 10 men as Fred was sent off in the 90th minute for a second yellow card after a stamp on Alvaro Morata.
Ten Hag was furious his stars failed to finish off an Atletico Madrid side who produced a late sucker-punch from Joao Felix. At least Eriksen lightened his mood with Ten Hag saying: “We know what he is in from
STEVE BATES Oslo
able to do. I think with our front men he is able to give them, in the right moment the right chances and then it is about finishing.”
This wasn’t the way Ten Hag wanted United’s tour to end – and it’s left the Dutchman with a few questions he’ll need to answer after his stars failed to score for the first time this summer.
And it may accelerate their pursuit of RB Salzburg’s Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko.
The teenager is said to be on the Old Trafford radar after an impressive campaign last season – and with Cristiano Ronaldo’s future still in doubt, Ten Hag may yet still need more fire-power.
It hadn’t started that way as United began on the front foot with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who later limped off injured, looking lively. Despite not scoring, United looked in control – until Diego Simeone made 10 changes on the hour sending on big hitters Antoine Griezmann, Koke, Saul Niguez, Felix and Morata. United then looked vulnerable and with just minutes left Felix fired the winner before Fred’s dismissal to sum up a frustrating day for Ten Hag.