Manchester United disappoint again in tedious draw with San Jose Earthquakes

Manchester United have carried on where they left off last season, slow and witless once more in drawing with a poor Quakes side.

But they actually started fairly well, missing the best chance of the match after only four minutes, Eric Bailly heading hilariously against the bar when picked out, three yards from goal, by Alexis Sanchez's free-kick.

Very little happened in the remainder of the first half, save for Antonio Valencia limping off with a thigh injury; with Diogo Dalot injured and untried, and Ashley Young resting, United will hope that he is back quickly.

Quakes changed their whole team at half-time and were the better for it, Tim Fosu-Mensah forced to block brilliantly when Vako shot past Lee Grant. Tommy Thompson then forced Grant to save, before Scott McTominay missed United's only other chance, heading tamely at Matt Bersano after Mason Greenwood's fine cross.

Then, with just eight minutes left, Yeferson Quintana crashed a header against the bar, and that was more or less that. So United have some problems; though not too much should be read into pre-season, especially when so many players are missing, their lack of speed and cohesion was a problem last season. If they cannot resolve it, they will again fall short of the biggest prizes.

Will Andreas Pereira get a go? Mourinho wanted him to stay last season and had he done, the way things worked out he'd have got games. But he opted to seek regular football and is now trying to force his way into a team that could use his vision and composure; will Mourinho be prepared to let bygones be bygones?

Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United) - Showed drive and intensity while looking the sharpest attacker on the pitch. The rest appears to have done him good and United will need him to start the season well.

San Jose Earthquakes: Marcinkowski 6, Qwiberg 6, Cummings 6, Kashia 5, Lima 6, Hyka 5, Jungwirth 6, Felipe 5, Wehan 5, Amarikwa 5, Hoesen 5. Subs: Bersano 6, Salinas 5, Quintana 7, Affolter 6, Marie 5, Thompson 6, Godoy 5, Wondolowski 6, Yueill 5, Vako 5, Eriksson 5, Ockford 5, Calvillo 6, Fuentes 6, Akanyirige 6.

Manchester United: Pereira J 6, Valencia 6, Smalling 6, Bailly 5, Shaw 5, Garner 5, Herrera 5, Pereira 7, Chong 5, Martial 4, Sanchez 7. Subs: Darmian 5, Grant 7, Fosu-Mensah 7, Tuanzebe 6, Mata 5, McTominay 5, Greenwood 7, Gomes 6.

4’ - Ye've gottae score! Sanchez curls to the back post because Cummings on the front one misses his header. Bailly is there, two yards out, taking it away from Garnetr to nut against the bar! Hilarious!

7’ - But here comde Quakes, winning a corner down the right, at which point Valencia limps off with something or other; Darmian replaces him and United get the corner away.

56’ - Something happened! Quakes attacked down the right with Thompson who crosses, and with Eriksson missing the ball while Darmian played everyone onside, Vako rifled in a shot which Fosu-Mensah did brilliantly do block with Grant beaten.

70’ - Martial comes in off the left and given time on the ball slides a pass straight to Quintana. Forward come Quakes, and Tommy Thompson turns on Salinas' pass unmolested shooting high and hard towards the far top corner, but Grant flies over to tip behind. The corner comes to nothing.

79’ - Lovely from Greenwood, pulling right, moving the ball onto his left, and painting a delicious cross into the middle. McTominay should score, but his header is tame and Bersano collects easily.

82’ - Quakes win a corner down the left and Wandolowski's kick is a difficult height, but Quintana bends at the waist to crunch a header against the bar.