A selection debate and new pecking order - what Manchester United learnt from their pre-season tour

Fewer wins but better games

That United lost two and won one of their friendlies is meaningless. United won three and drew one on their tour of Thailand and Australia last year and their start to the season was the most chastening in a generation.

United had as many wins on their last Stateside tour in 2018 but the mood was fraught, with a rudderless communications department powerless to rein in Jose Mourinho. Erik ten Hag left the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas waving to reporters in the mixed zone.

The intensity and quality of the matches were better than last year and Ten Hag's criticism of United's performance against Borussia Dortmund is a timely jolt with the first game of the season less than two weeks away.

Onana is no shrinking violet

Onana, what's his name? The teamsheet at the Allegiant Stadium had him down as 'Andrew Onana'. There was nothing different about Onana's performance; he nailed his first lateral pass and brilliantly foiled Sebastian Haller.

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Harry Maguire was berated for playing an apparent hospital pass and Onana said afterwards, "I demand a lot." The Cameroonian is the same age Peter Schmeichel was when he joined United and he has greater experience. The early signs are promising.

Mainoo becoming one of the main men

What a pity Kobbie Mainoo's tour consisted of one enterprising half against Arsenal. As premature as his enforced withdrawal was against Real Madrid, it was significant that Mainoo was accommodated in the same XI as Casemiro and Mason Mount.

This year, Mainoo has leapfrogged Zidane