Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid’s latest signing, had an immediate impact in a pre-season friendly versus Manchester United in Houston, Texas. The 20-year-old English midfielder scored his first goal for Real Madrid in only his second match after joining the Spanish champions for £88 million.
Bellingham Makes His Mark
Bellingham made an immediate impact on the pitch in front of a crowd of 67,801 at NRG Stadium. His clever lob in the sixth minute fooled United’s debuting goalie Andre Onana, kicking off Madrid’s dominance. He proved his worth further as he adeptly handled an altercation with United defender Lisandro Martinez after a rough tackle, exhibiting a blend of skill and maturity beyond his years.
Following his impressive debut against AC Milan, Bellingham’s outstanding performance against Manchester United shows that he is adjusting into his new role at the apex of an attacking diamond. With a price tag of up to £115 million, it appears that this young prodigy is not feeling the pressure, but rather thriving under it, indicating a promising future at the Bernabeu Stadium.
United’s Struggles Come to Fore
Contrary to Bellingham’s rising star, Manchester United’s lacklustre performance underlined some significant concerns for the team. Manager Erik Ten Hag’s urgent need for an additional striker became more pronounced in the face of defeat. A strong squad that included Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, and Alejandro Garnacho failed to convert chances into goals, adding weight to Ten Hag’s search for a more clinical finisher.
The troubles mounted with the early departure of 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo due to an injury, followed by Scott McTominay’s visible struggle towards the end of the match. These difficulties indicated that the squad needed to be strengthened before the competitive season began.
Onana’s Debut Overshadowed
United’s new £47m goalkeeper, Andre Onana, had his debut against Real Madrid. Despite conceding an early goal to Bellingham, Onana showed outstanding ball distribution skills, distributing to his fullbacks with both feet and moving confidently out of his penalty area. Although the defeat might be a tough start, his performance suggested that he could bring valuable skills to United’s defence.
Madrid’s Resounding Victory
Spanish giants, Real Madrid, firmly closed the game with a late goal from Joselu, capping off a strong performance in this pre-season friendly. With Bellingham’s promising performance and the team’s overall dominance, Real Madrid’s preparation for the upcoming season looks potent. Bellingham’s early success has shown that he could be a significant contributor to their push for glory. Meanwhile, Manchester United will undoubtedly be revisiting their strategies and team composition as they reflect on this defeat.
