Manchester United ended their preparations for the new campaign with a 2-1 victory over Italian outfit Sampdoria at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday night.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's ninth-minute header saw Man United lead 1-0 at the break, but Sampdoria levelled the scores in the 63rd minute courtesy of a smart finish from Dennis Praet.
Juan Mata came up with a winner nine minutes from time, however, as the Red Devils recorded their sixth pre-season win.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's pre-season coverage continues from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin as Manchester United face Sampdoria. This will be Man United's final friendly this summer, although Italian outfit Sampdoria will continue their preparations for the new campaign with a clash against Swansea City this weekend. Be sure to stay tuned for what should be an entertaining match!
Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Dublin. Has Jose Mourinho selected a full-strength XI, or is it another experimental side? I can confirm that a certain new signing, a certain Serbian international, makes his debut tonight!
TEAMS!
MUFC: De Gea; Lindelof, Smalling, Blind; Valencia, Matic, Pereira, Pogba, Darmian; Mkhitaryan, Lukaku
SAMP: Puggioni; Sala, Silvestre, Regini, Pavlovic; Barreto, Torreira, Linetty; Praet; Caprari, Quagliarella
The big team news, of course, is that Nemanja Matic makes his Man United debut tonight. The Serbian only joined the Red Devils from Chelsea earlier this week, but he goes straight into the XI. It looks like a 3-5-2 formation for the 20-time English champions, with Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind in central defence. Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also all start.
© SilverHub
As for Sampdoria, the Italian side's line is led by 34-year-old forward Fabio Quagliarella, who netted 12 times in 38 appearances for the club last season. Gianluca Carari is also given a spot in the final third of the field, while highly-rated Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet will operate in an advanced position. Christian Puggioni, 36, starts between the sticks for the Italians tonight.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 45 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Dublin. There are no points or prizes on offer tonight, but this match will be Man United's final friendly this summer. The new campaign is just around the corner, with competitive action to begin next week when they face Real Madrid in the European Super Cup.
Indeed, Man United's Europa League success last season means that they will play Champions League winners Real Madrid in the Super Cup on August 8. The match will provide Mourinho with the chance to land his fourth trophy as head coach of the Red Devils, and they might well fancy their chances against a Real Madrid team that are further back in their preparations for the new season.
© SilverHub
Man United began their pre-season campaign with a 5-2 win over Los Angeles Galaxy on July 15, before recording a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake two days later. Then came an impressive 2-0 success over rivals Manchester City, before the Red Devils beat Real Madrid on penalties after the pair had played out a 1-1 draw in California. Man United's tour of the United States did end with a defeat, however, as a Neymar goal proved enough for Barcelona to record a 1-0 win.
Man United have since been in action in Norway, with Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay scoring the goals in a 3-0 victory over Valerenga. In truth, it was a very straightforward night for the 20-time English champions, and Mourinho will be looking for more of a test in this match.
Last stop. 🇮🇪 #MUTOUR pic.twitter.com/PSspfsQljV — Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 2, 2017
In terms of what is ahead for Man United, as mentioned, they will face Real Madrid in the European Super Cup on August 8. Then comes the start of the new Premier League campaign, with the Red Devils welcoming West Ham United to Old Trafford on August 13. Mourinho will be pretty pleased with how his team have performed during pre-season, and tonight is their final test.
As for Sampdoria, the Italian outfit began their preparations for the new season with an 11-0 win over Sellero Novelle on July 15, before beating FeralpiSalo and Cremonense in their next two friendlies. However, the Serie A side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Hellas Verona on Saturday.
A reminder of the two teams tonight...
📄 #MUFCSamp: ecco le formazioni ufficiali dell'"Aviva Stadium". Forza Doria! pic.twitter.com/DoqXiTFKjJ — U.C. Sampdoria (@sampdoria) August 2, 2017
This is Man United's final pre-season fixture ahead of the start of competitive action, but Sampdoria will face Swansea City this weekend. They also have a Coppa Italia fixture on August 12 – opposition yet to be confirmed – before opening their Serie A campaign on August 20 at home to newly-promoted Benevento, who will play top-flight Italian football for the first time in their history next term.
Sampdoria, who won Serie A in the 1990-91 season and have also landed four Coppa Italia titles, finished 10th in Italy's top flight last term after collecting 48 points from 38 matches. They actually dropped out of Serie A at the end of the 2010-11 season after finishing 18th, but have finished 14th, 12th, seventh, 15th and 10th since returning to the top flight.
A reminder that Matic will make his Man United debut tonight...
Our new signing turns 29 today! 🎉
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 1, 2017
What better way to see in your birthday... #MaticIsRed 🔴 pic.twitter.com/tXPL8OXloI
"Mourinho knows exactly what he is getting. It is fantastic, the season is fast approaching. It is great to see him on board and great to see him involved," former Man United defender Denis Irwin has just told MUTV when questioned on the arrival of Matic. Kickoff is now just around the corner here!
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Aviva Stadium. It must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium is wonderful. This really is a brilliant stadium. Let's hope that Man United and Sampdoria serve up an entertaining fixture tonight.
Quick word from Mourinho before things get underway here...
Jose Mourinho previews tonight's #MUTOUR clash with Sampdoria... pic.twitter.com/6db2Ar6LSJ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 2, 2017
KICKOFF! Sampdoria kick things off in Dublin...
... Man United have indeed started this match with a 3-5-2 formation. Lindelof, Blind and Smalling form the three-man defence, with Darmian and Valencia in the two wing-back positions. It is Pereira, Pogba and Matic in midfield, with Mkhitaryan supporting lone forward Lukaku.
All Man United in terms of possession in these early moments, with the Red Devils comfortably moving across the pitch. Sampdoria have had a couple of chances to counter, although the Italians are yet to put together a serious passing move. Nice, open feel to this pre-season fixture.
Left wing-back Darmian finds space down the left after a sweeping pass from Mkhitaryan, but the Italian cannot find Pereira with a pass, and Sampdoria manage to clear their lines.
It must be said that the pitch tonight is absolutely wonderful. Man United are enjoying sweeping the ball across the pitch, and the English side have certainly settled into this match quicker than their opponents. That said, Sampdoria goalkeeper Puggioni has had a routine eight minutes here.
WOW! Incredible moment. De Gea has just flung himself across his goal to keep out a terrible back-pass from Blind. I am not sure what Blind was thinking! The referee has awarded Sampdoria an indirect free kick about five yards from goal. Incredible scenes at the Aviva Dublin...
... Man United are lined up on their own goal-line!
It was almost impossible for Sampdoria to score, and the ball rebounds off a red shirt!
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Sampdoria (Mkhitaryan)
Man United go straight down the other end and score! It is Mkhitaryan with the goal as the Armenian heads a brilliant Darmian cross into the back of the net from close range!
I am still extremely confused with what happened with Blind. I am not sure why the Dutchman decided to smash the ball back to De Gea, but it happened. Man United went straight down the other end and scored, however, with Mkhitaryan continuing his excellent form in pre-season.
CLOSE! Sampdoria come close to levelling as Quagliarella meets a sweeping pass from deep, but the striker's looping effort just drops wide of the post. It would have been some goal.
It has been an entertaining opening 17 minutes to this match, with both teams contributing to the action. Valencia and Darmian are really stretching the Sampdoria defence in wide areas.
Man United look pretty good in this 3-5-2 formation. Louis van Gaal is a big fan of the system, and there is a place for it in the English game. I would be surprised if this is how Mourinho stated the season, but you just never know what the Portuguese has up his sleeve. Still 1-0 Man United here.
Matic and Pereira are deep in the Man United midfield tonight, with Pogba being given licence to push forward in a left-sided position. Lukaku has actually been quite quiet in the opening 22 minutes, but it would not be a surprise to see the Belgian pop up with a goal or two tonight.
SAVE! Super save from Puggioni to keep out a close-range Mkhitaryan header, with the Armenian meeting an excellent cross from Valencia. Super goalkeeping from the Italian there.
CLOSE! Super work from Lukaku as the Belgian cuts inside his defender before curling one towards the far corner, but his effort is deflected just wide of the post!
Man United are playing some super football at the moment as they continue to work space in the final third of the field. Valencia and Darmian are causing all sorts of problems in wide positions.
Half-chance for Pereira as Valencia finds the midfielder just outside the Sampdoria box, but his effort was always curling over the crossbar. Might have done better from that position.
Pogba breaks into the Sampdoria box to meet a cross from Pereira, but the offside flag is raised. Still 1-0 Man United with 30 minutes on the clock, and the Red Devils have dominated this match.
Bit naughty from Darmian as he catches Praet with a high challenge.
Pogba delivers a super cross into the Sampdoria box as Lukaku makes a run towards goal, but Puggioni comes flying through the air to make the clearance. Super work from the Italian again.
Man United have played some wonderful stuff in the first half of this match, and it must be said that Mkhitaryan has been involved in a lot of it. The Armenian showed glimpses of his talent last season, and you just get the feeling that this will be his season. Exciting signs, that is for sure.
CHANCE! Another chance for Mkhitaryan - another headed chance at that - as the Armenian meets a super cross from Valencia, but his effort is just wide of the far post!
Better from Sampdoria as a little bit of pressure leads to a corner. The set piece does not cause a problem inside the Man United box, however, as Pogba rises to clear, and the Italians are forced back.
Sampdoria win a free kick in a wide position as Blind brings Caprari to the ground...
... Lindelof turns just past his own post after a dangerous free kick from Praet.
Brilliant work from Lukaku as the big striker chases down Sampdoria's two centre-backs before winning a throw down the left. Lukaku has not really had any clear chances to score tonight, but he sent a curling effort just wide of the post in the 24th minute, and has absolutely worked his socks off here.
HALF-TIME: Man United 1-0 Sampdoria
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Man United leading Sampdoria 1-0 courtesy of a header from Mkhitaryan in the ninth minute of action. The English giants should be further ahead, but some wasteful finishing has kept Sampdoria in the contest.
BENCH WATCH! Alvarez, Capezzi, Dodo and Verre are among those that should see some minutes for Sampdoria in the second half. Man United, meanwhile, are expected to use the likes of Bailly, Fellaini, Herrera, Mata, Martial and Rashford. Youngsters Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe are also here.
#MaticIsRed 🔴 pic.twitter.com/DqyCcbd8L4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 2, 2017
RESTART! Man United resume the action here...
... SUBS! Changes galore. Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini are all on for Man United. Sampdoria? Give me a moment! This is always the fun part of these pre-season games!
MAN UNITED SUBS! Mata, Carrick, Herrera and Fellaini have replaced Matic, Pogba, Pereira and Mkhitaryan. Just the four changes for Man United at the interval.
Still waiting to find out the confirmed Sampdoria changes. Once that information has been made available, I shall be sure to release it! For now, let's crack on with the match. Possession football for Man United in these early stages of the second period. The Red Devils are still playing 3-5-2.
Smart defending from Blind as the Man United centre-back comes across to clear ahead of Quagliarella, who had threatened to meet a low cross from Sala. Better from Sampdoria there.
Sampdoria continue to find space in the final third, with the Italians certainly more adventurous. Barreto breaks into the Man United box before delivering a cross towards Praet, but the offside flag had been raised. Not an awful lot from Man United in the last five minutes or so here.
The match is quite disjointed at the moment as both teams relinquish possession of the ball.
Awful decision from the linesman as Lukaku is flagged offside despite the Belgian clearly being level with the final defender. Blistering pace from the powerful forward to meet the through pass.
MAN UNITED SUBS! Rashford and Martial replace Blind and Lukaku.
Man United have now gone to a back four here - Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Darmian.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Herrera fires home from close range after good work from Fellaini, but the Spaniard is ruled offside. Celebrations cut short inside the Aviva Stadium!
GOAL! Man United 1-1 Sampdoria (Praet)
Sampdoria level the scores here as Praet smashes the ball home from the edge of the box after it had fallen nicely for the 23-year-old midfielder. Out of nothing, the Italians are level here!
SAMPDORIA SUBS! Murru and Alvarez have replaced Linetty and Pavlovic.
Man United were very good for long spells of the first period, but they have struggled in the second. It is Sampdoria pressing forward here as the Italians look for a second goal in Dublin.
Man United have a free kick just outside the Sampdoria box as Rashford is felled by Silvestre...
... Mata's free kick is very comfortable for the Sampdoria goalkeeper Puggioni.
Quite an untidy game at the moment as the referee continues to award free kick after free kick. Mourinho cannot be happy with what he has seen from Man United in the second period.
BOOKING! Torreira (Sampdoria) is booked for a foul on Herrera.
Martial makes ground down the left before feeding Darmian, but the Italian is crowded out at the vital moment, allowing Sampdoria to clear their lines. Still 1-1 with 75 minutes on the clock here.
SAMPDORIA SUBS! Djuricic, Verre, Bereszynski and Bonazzoli replace Praet, Sala, Caprari and Barreto.
MAN UNITED SUBS! Joel Pereira, Bailly, Jones and Tuanzebe replace De Gea, Lindelof, Smalling and Darmian.
Are we going to have a winner in the final 10 minutes or so? Man United have really struggled to get going in the second period after impressing in the first. Plenty for Mourinho to think about here.
Herrera heads straight into the arms of the Sampdoria goalkeeper after good work from Martial.
GOAL! Man United 2-1 Sampdoria (Mata)
Man United regain the lead in Dublin as Mata sweeps the ball into the bottom corner after Martial had driven into the Sampdoria box and picked out the Spaniard. Super work, super finish!
Martial can frustrate, but the Frenchman has caused all sorts of problems since entering the field. Sampdoria are under severe pressure here as Valencia delivers another super cross from the right.
SAMPDORIA SUBS! Quagliarella, Puggioni and Torreira are replaced by Kownacki, Tozzo and Capezzi.
SAVES! Two stunning saves from Tozzo as the Sampdoria goalkeeper first keeps out a Herrera volley, before tipping a Rashford effort over the crossbar. He has only just come on!
Man United still lead 2-1 entering the final stages of this pre-season fixture.
We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
Good goalkeeping from Joel Pereira as the Man United stopper claims a loose ball. Not long left in Dublin, and it does appear that Man United are going to record their sixth pre-season win.
FULL-TIME: Man United 2-1 Sampdoria
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man United beating Sampdoria 2-1 in Dublin. The Red Devils have now won six of their seven pre-season matches this summer, and will play for real against Real Madrid in the European Super Cup next week. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live commentary once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
