Bruno Fernandes' captaincy pep talk sparks Manchester United comeback vs Lens

Welcomes galore at Manchester United: the new striker is injured, the new midfielder missed an open goal and the new goalkeeper was lobbed from 40-odd yards. And United still won.

A previous United manager would have laughed off such misfortune. Erik ten Hag does not do friendlies and United's players were sufficiently jolted during the interval with Lens 1-0 up. United scored three times within the first 15 minutes of the restart.

Ten Hag's XI could feasibly remain unchanged against Wolves in United's Monday night opener. United's approach play in attack was enterprising and Alejandro Garnacho was a worthy wingman.

United's penultimate pre-season friendly will be the last for the starters as the reserves fly off to Dublin to play Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Ten Hag treated the exercise against Lens seriously enough that Jadon Sancho and Omari Forson were the only entrants in the second half and Forson's was recompense for his punitive withdrawal against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas.

Also read: Garnacho and Casemiro good: United player ratings

United's reinvention was evident without the ball as they switched to a 4-3-3 formation to maximise Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount's pressing. Fernandes often withdrew from the final third to utilise his vision and coax Mount forward. It procured United's first standout chance that Mount squandered.

Fernandes's leadership was prominent in his first game at Old Trafford as United's official captain. He admonished Antony on the walk towards the tunnel at the pause after a needlessly overhit pass from the Brazilian denied Casemiro a probable attempt at goal. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Antony had created one goal and scored another.

Antony's pass for Rashford trumped the