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Manchester United vs Paris St-Germain: Things we learned

By Mike Dyce

Jul 29, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi (14) reacts after a goal against the Manchester United during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi (14) reacts after a goal against the Manchester United during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here is what we learned from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain’s International Champions Cup match.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are playing in the International Champions Cup in North America as part of their preseason tours. It provides Americans an opportunity to see some huge European clubs and stars they’d normally only see on television, and also provides a window in to the upcoming season.

This is what we learned from the game.

Wayne Rooney seemed determined to get Memphis Depay involved

Wayne Rooney consistently tried to get the ball to Memphis Depay on the left wing. Depay however didn’t make the most of the opportunities Rooney created for him. Coming down the left side of the penalty box, Rooney put the ball into the middle of the field where a charging Depay had space. He laid into the ball more concerned with power over precision and missed the goal high and wide.

Wayne Rooney is getting better

It might not be possible for a player of Wayne Rooney’s stature to get better, but there have been doubts about him as the focal point of the offense. Rooney’s ability to direct the Manchester United offense with some dazzling skill was on full display. Little flick passes to open defenders, finding teammates in space and creating space for himself, Rooney was out in full force.

Manchester United loves the long ball to Juan Mata in the right corner

Manchester United loves lobbing the ball from the left side or center of the field to Juan Mata blazing down the right wing behind the defense. It didn’t work out terribly well for Mata and United in the first half, but that didn’t deter them from trying.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic seemed to be alone on offense for PSG

In all fairness to PSG, they had Edinson Cavani and other offensive stars on the side line, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic seemed to be alone on offense. Paris Saint-Germain’s best goal scoring opportunities early in the game came from Ibrahimovic. He sailed a shot over the cross bar really early on, and beat a defender on a corner kick to get a header on goal.

The first goal came from Blaise Matuidi, but it was a bit of luck as he fought off a defender to get a foot on the ball as he fell down. Some how David De Gea, who was charging out, couldn’t get a foot to it. Ibrahimovic scored the second goal, leading the attack and getting the hockey assist on his own goal, an easy tap in from a few yards out.

The second half seemed to be played primarily in PSG’s defensive half of the field.

Phil Jones is a defensive liabilty for Man United

If there wasone weak point in Man United’s defensive line up, it would be Phil Jones. Granted United went with a back line of three defenders, but Jones was constantly a victim of the PSG offense. Note that it was Jones who Ibrahimovic ran behind for that tap in goal, Jones apparently under the impression that the play was over.

Really, this about sums it up better than anything I could write.

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