Manchester United closed out our pre-season campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool – with the scoreline perhaps a harsh reflection on the nature of our display, given the Reds created a number of opportunities to score throughout the contest.

Unfortunately, we didn’t come through the bout unscathed, with injuries hitting hardest in the defensive area of our squad.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all started the game against our Premier League rivals, but were withdrawn at various stages – all appearing to be unable to continue.

Lindelof and Evans departed at half-time and one of those who came on to replace them, Will Fish, was also unable to close out the game, having come off worse in a challenge with Liverpool’s Harvey Blair.

“Always, we have to see what has gone on,” the boss said in his post-match interview with MUTV.

“The assessment, of course, with Will Fish is it’s an impact injury. We also had to sub Jonny Evans at half-time because he was ill. Victor Lindelof [was] a precaution. So, yeah, there are some injuries, but we have to see how bad it will be.”

Another defender, Harry Maguire, was not included in the Reds’ matchday squad for the contest, with Ten Hag explaining the reasoning for his absence prior to kick-off.

“Pre-season is always tough. But, yeah, Harry Maguire, as a precaution, we leave him out,” Ten Hag had said, before kick-off in South Carolina.

“And we had, of course, some injuries, but that is part of club football. We have to develop our team and make some good progression.”

United will now return to Carrington ahead of our first competitive game of the campaign next Saturday against Manchester City, in the traditional Community Shield curtain-raiser.