Cádiz x manchester united
Manchester United are back in action on Wednesday night as they host Cadiz CF at the Nuevo Mirandilla in Spain. The Red Devils will aim to continue their positive start to the season while getting some vital experience.
Erik ten Hag is expected to make some changes from the side that lost against Cadiz. The former Spain international will seek some game time from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams.
Cadiz: Ledesma
Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma drew plaudits on social media after running across the pitch with a defibrillator to help a fan in cardiac arrest during Saturday’s match against Barcelona. It was a stunning show of heroism from Ledesma as he quickly got the device and then ran to the stands to throw it to the medical staff.
Fans quickly praised Ledesma, and many posted videos of the heroic action on Twitter. One tweeted: ‘Appreciation to the Cadiz goalkeeper, Canan Ledesma, who rescued the life of a fan that collapsed watching the game between Barcelona and Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday night. He will go down in history as a saviour!’
The man in question was resuscitated and taken to the hospital. According to reports, he is now in stable condition.
After the incident, the Cadiz team was forced to withdraw from the field, and the match was suspended. After a delay, the groups reemerged and played out the rest of the game.
Despite losing a 2-0 lead, Manchester United held Cadiz to a draw thanks to an Anthony Martial penalty kick. The win means the Red Devils are back on track in their quest for a top-four finish. They must get the most out of their players as they face a tough trip to Real Madrid this week.
Bongonda
Manchester United need an attacking winger, and Bongonda is a player Jose Mourinho will be looking to sign. He is a hard-working and dynamic player with the potential to become a world-class attacker, and he could fit into Mourinho’s plans for next season.
He joined Celta Vigo from Belgian side Zulte Waregem in 2015 for EUR1.5 million and has become one of their most important players. Despite having only scored once this season, he has been a key part of their rise to the top half of La Liga and into the Europa League quarter-finals.
His dribbling and running ability has seen him register a high number of key passes, chances created, and take-on in La Liga this season. Having only started 21 matches so far, Bongonda is still proving himself to be an exciting talent and has a big future ahead of him.
He is on the verge of breaking into Roberto Martinez’s senior squad and has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Europe’s big clubs, with Real among his targets. He has also stated that he would love to join Antonio Conte at Chelsea and is believed to have watched him play on TV.
Espino
Luis Alfonso Espino Garcia (born January 5 1992), commonly known as Pacha Espino, is an Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Cadiz. A regular starter, he has won two league titles with the club.
Manchester United’s players are in Spain ahead of their mid-season friendly with La Liga side Cadiz, which features several players not involved in the 2022 World Cup. The Spanish outfit is in decent form, having won five of their last six games and only lost once since the start of October.
The hosts took the lead in the 8th minute with Carlos Garcia nodding home a cross from Alex Fernandez. It was a brilliant goal, and Anthony Lozano doubled the lead by finishing off a fantastic passing move from Brian Ocampo.
United was sluggish in the first half, but a brilliant penalty from Anthony Martial just after the break brought them level and the game to life. But a thumper from substitute Ruben Sobrino fired Cadiz back in front.
This was a solid win for Cadiz, who will be keen to keep their place in the top flight after slipping into the relegation zone. The Spanish outfit will also use this as a positive preparation for their return leg against the Red Devils.
Alarcon
Angel Alarcon was a surprise selection for the Reds against Cadiz in their mid-season training camp in Andalusia. He had been a key member of Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup-winning side last season, but Xavi decided to give him some time out on the bench.
Despite his lack of game time, Alarcon has managed to make an impact at the back, with three clean sheets and three interceptions in the last four games. He’s a solid midfield option in most fantasy formats and should be able to do some damage against Valencia on Saturday.
He was also an excellent defending presence against Cadiz and made some timely challenges on the break. Especially at the start of the match, when United was a little vulnerable, Cadiz pressed high up the pitch with great purpose, and inexperienced defenders stifled any chance of progress.
United was rewarded with a goal after just 21 minutes when Anthony Martial smashed home a penalty from the spot, following good work from Zidane Iqbal. The youngster had been on the wrong end of a late challenge from Luis Hernandez, and the goal was enough to give United a foothold in the contest. But with the young players struggling to hold up the play, the hosts could see the game out comfortably.
Sobrino
On Wednesday, a hat-trick from Ruben Sobrino helped Cadiz claim a 4-2 win against Manchester United at the Nuevo Mirandilla. After early goals from Carlos Garcia and Anthony Lozano put the hosts in front, United fought back through an Anthony Martial penalty and a Kobbie Mainoo goal three minutes after he came on as a half-time substitute.
Cadiz exploited gaps in the United defence with a well-organised press, harrying the inexperienced Red Devils and winning the ball repeatedly. They went ahead after 57 minutes when Iza Carcelen’s cross from the right was met by Sobrino, who stuck out a leg to volley home.
Sobrino’s goal was his second in four games for the Spanish club, while Tomas Alarcon added a fourth with a late strike. This was a vital win for Cadiz, who sit 19th in La Liga, while United have yet to register a victory after Cristiano Ronaldo left the club.
Despite the defeat, this game was important for United’s young players. It will give them vital experience leading to Real Betis on Sunday. Follow Sports Brief on Twitter for more trending and breaking news!
Lozano
Lozano is a name that has been linked with Manchester United in recent weeks as Erik ten Hag looks to strengthen his forward line. While Anthony Martial has been out injured and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still struggling to get into the flow of the game, the Mexican winger is a proven goal scorer and would add depth and competition to the squad.
Lozano scored in the Champions League final against Juventus in May and has been a regular feature since then, scoring four goals and three assists this season with Napoli. His performances have prompted a number of clubs to show interest in the forward, and Manchester United are reported to be ‘closely monitoring him.
Cadiz began the match in impressive fashion, pressuring United’s youthful midfield with every touch and threatening gaps in their defence. It paid off in the 57th minute when Ruben Sobrino volleyed home Theo Bongonda’s cross from the left.
It got worse for the visitors in the 77th minute as Di’Shon Bernard whipped in an excellent cross from the right, and Tomas Alarcon slotted home a composed finish to put the hosts in front once again! It’s a devastating rout and could be curtains for Manchester United’s youngsters!
Martial
As expected, Anthony Martial was a big part of the Manchester United starting XI against Cadiz. A player who has divided opinion across the board, he was signed from AS Monaco for £ 17 million and has quickly become one of the most exciting players in the world.
He was a key man in the last campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and it would be no surprise to see Erik ten Hag rely on him at least until the transfer window opens next month. However, a friendly against a top-flight side will be a very different challenge for the Frenchman.
Despite the scoreline, United was still in the match and had a few chances to pull level in the second half. Kobbie Mainoo, who had a great game, scored the equaliser after coming on as a half-time substitute.
The goal came from a penalty kick. As expected, he executed it well, using his ‘Panenka’ technique, but there was no denying that the goal came from his teammates.
After a good display, United will be looking to build on this and put their first win of the pre-season tour behind them as they prepare for the opening game against Real Betis in Seville on December 7. With many players still at the World Cup, this is an opportunity to build a strong team with some academy stars stepping up for the first time.
