Man Utd 1 Borussia Dortmund 4: How Jose Mourinho's side suffered a draining defeat and why Memphis Depay flattered to deceive.

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Gonzalo Castro and Dortmund celebrate their first goal in Shanghai Credit: Reuters

Plenty for Mourinho to work on

The thermometer gauge hit 102F at one point in Shanghai Stadium and, by the end of a draining 4-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United’s players looked ready for little more than a cold shower and bed. Dortmund have played five more pre-season games and it showed, even if Jose Mourinho might have been surprised there was quite such a gulf between the teams.

Jose Mourinho and his staff have plenty to work on after this pre-season friendly Credit: Getty Images

The United manager said yesterday that he was happy to let Zlatan Ibrahimovic skip the club’s pre-season tour of China, in part because it was other areas of his team, namely the defence and midfield, that require the most work and, on this evidence, he was not wrong. Dortmund cut through United’s defence with alarming ease and provided something of a reality check after a much easier run-out in a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

Depay flatters to deceive... again

There was a moment shortly before half-time when Memphis Depay showcased so many of the shortcomings that infuriate team-mates and supporters, all in full view of Mourinho stood directly in front of him in the technical area.

Memphis Depay infuriated team-mates and supporters again today Credit: Getty Images

Head down, unable to see what was around him, the Holland winger tried to turn his man, almost lost the ball, then eventually wiggled free before cheaply losing possession with an aimless pass that was intended for Ander Herrera. Mourinho barely flinched on the sides. Perhaps what he witnessed came as no surprise. The Dutchman’s decision-making routinely lets him down and if he is to have a future under Mourinho at Old Trafford he will have to make some significant improvements to his game.

How much longer will the hapless Rojo be around for?

Mourinho said on Saturday after the 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic that 10 minutes was all he needed to appreciate the talents of Axel Tuanzebe, United’s young centre-half. By the same token, 10 minutes was probably all the United manager needed to form a judgement of Marcus Rojo, a half-time substitute.

Rojo's Old Trafford future is under threat.

The Argentina defender’s future at Old Trafford is under threat after two underwhelming seasons at the club and he set the tone for a chaotic second half display with a dreadful first touch that almost allowed Ousmane Dembele in. It wasn’t much longer before Rojo was properly embarrassed by the lively Dortmund forward, though, the defender barely moving as Dembele skipped past him with ease before firing past Sam Johnstone to make it 3-1.

He was also guilty of standing off when Gonzalo Castro fired in Dortmund’s fourth goal late on. Not good enough to be a United centre-half and error prone at left back, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Daley Blind should be well ahead of Rojo in the pecking order to be Luke Shaw’s  understudy.

Mata determined to keep plucking away

Mourinho has made it clear that there is “space” for Mata at United and that he can still be “useful” to the team. The Spaniard has been told in private this week, though, that he cannot expect to start regularly once everyone is fit and available and there have been a couple of glimpses as to why in United’s first two pre-season friendlies of the season. Against Wigan on Saturday, Mata failed to hold the ball up in a key area as United sought to break, lost possession and the chance to counter attack broke down. Mourinho threw his arms in the air in frustration.

Mata's control let him down against Dortmund

There was a similar moment against Dortmund. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Herrera did extremely well to dig United out of a tight hole under pressure, with Herrera drilling an excellent pass into the path of his team-mate. But Mata’s control let him down, Dortmund intercepted and United were again on the back foot.

Mkhitaryan scored against his old side Credit: Getty Images

Mourinho has stressed his desire to play with speed on the transition and the importance of having a central playmaker or centre-forward who can hold the ball up in such positions and help kick-start attacks is crucial. Mata is a capable footballer and teed up Mkhitaryan for United’s goal but does he have that extra quality required to hold down a No. 10 position? Mourinho seems doubtful.

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