There were knee-jerk meltdowns aplenty on Twitter as reports began to circulate that United had lost their sole pre-season friendly to Aston Villa.
The result wouldn't be confirmed until close to midnight on Saturday but there is a section of United's Twitter fanbase that seems to revel in negativity and this occasion was no different.
As of yet there has been no explanation as to why the meeting at Villa Park wasn't broadcast live but United and Villa did not disclose details of the match until it was shown on the clubs' respective in-house TV channels at 10pm.
As it happens, United had lost 1-0 — but it was not a defeat from which no positives could be taken.
There were maiden United appearances for Dean Henderson and Donny van de Beek, both of whom impressed. Henderson was blameless for Ollie Watkins' first-half winner and his distribution was good, while Van de Beek was United's best outfielder. The Dutchman, unsurprisingly, was slick in possession and provided a couple of highlights-reel moments with a Maradona turn as well as a backheel that could have led to a goal for the visitors.
In attack, Odion Ighalo and Marcus Rashford picked up where they left off last season: toiling, but Daniel James and Jesse Lingard must've emerged with elevated statuses in Solskjaer's mind.
It seemed inconceivable early on in the previous campaign that Lingard would end it in finer form than James but that is exactly what happened. Lingard scored against Leicester and LASK while James only struck once after his August 2019 glut. Both are starting this season from low bases but they encouraged in the Midlands, with Lingard sprightly and purposeful, and James' pace predictably causing problems.
United's midfield axis of Scott McTominay and Van de Beek was central to the team's good work in the first half and they were far less threatening after the Scot was withdrawn at the pause. McTominay was one of United's most important players before Christmas last season and he showed again why he can be an asset to this side, even if he is no longer a guaranteed starter.
Harry Maguire was OK but should've done better for Villa's winner and Diogo Dalot spurned another opportunity to prove his worth. United's other two defenders on show, though, were better. Like James and Lingard, Fosu-Mensah is starting from a low base but Solskjaer clearly values his versatility and he was competent. United missed Luke Shaw following his injury towards the end of their league campaign and he contributed to plenty of attacks down the left flank.
Possible United XI vs Crystal Palace: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Van de Beek, McTominay; Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood; Martial
