Manchester United completed a final pre-season test on Sunday, with a closely contested 90 minutes against Athletic Club at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
A first-half goal by Nico Williams seemed to have secured victory for our opponents, but a dramatic late equaliser from Facundo Pellistri brought the house down. The Uruguayan found the net with almost the last kick of the game, and rewarded huge late pressure from United following a red card for Aitor Paredes with 23 minutes to go.
The final pre-season game of Manchester United’s extensive summer schedule took place on Sunday with a clash against La Liga side Athletic in Dublin. Bilbao proved sturdy opposition for what, as expected, was a largely second-string United team at the Aviva Stadium.
Erik ten Hag’s first-team secured a victory over Lens at Old Trafford yesterday to set themselves up for the Premier League kick-off against Wolves next week and will take something from this draw, secured in the last minute by Facundo Pellistri’s goal, too. The game saw Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and plenty of United youngsters get valuable game-time, as they staked their claim for more involvement in the season to come.
Erik ten Hag's side will be in Premier League action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14, while Athletic are set to start their La Liga campaign by hosting Real Madrid on August 12.
Among the final few friendlies amid their preparations, the Red Devils defeated Lens 3-1 after losses against the likes of Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, whereas the Spanish outfit come off a two-goal draw against Eibar in a friendly.
Manchester United brought their 2023 pre-season schedule to a close with a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin on Sunday afternoon.
Facundo Pellistri netted a last-gasp equaliser deep into stoppage time to rescue a draw for the Reds, who had been trailing since the 29th minute.
Bilbao had defender Aitor Paredes sent-off with 66 minutes on the clock and that invited United to apply plenty of pressure in the latter stages, a tactic that eventually paid off with the very last kick of the game.
The draw at the Aviva Stadium meant that United brought their pre-season campaign to an end with four wins, three defeats and one draw from their eight matches.
United will now switch their focus to their season opener against Wolves at Old Trafford in eight days time. It remains to be seen if the club will add any new faces to its squad before the season curtain-raiser.
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