Manchester United lost their third straight preseason friendly match as the Red Devils fell 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Donyell Malen’s quickfire double right before halftime was the key for the German side, who struggled to gain a foothold on the game through the opening 45 minutes but pounced on a host of United defensive errors to snatch the lead at the break.
United got goals from Diogo Dalot (an absolute stunner) and Antony, but it wasn’t quite enough to match Dortmund’s output.
The three preseason defeats are worrying, as United’s first team lost 2-0 to Real Madrid on Thursday on the heels of a 3-1 defeat to Wrexham just days prior. While the results aren’t themselves harmful, the performances do flag a few issues for Erik ten Hag to sort out, especially at the back.
The Sporting News followed the Manchester United vs. Borussia Dortmund match live and providing updates, commentary, and highlights as they happened.
MORE: Man United lose 2-0 to Real Madrid in preseason friendly
Man United vs Borussia Dortmund final score
Score | Goal scorers | |
Man United | 2 | Dalot (24′), Antony (52′) |
Dortmund | 3 | Malen (43′, 45′), Moukoko (71′) |
Starting lineups:
Man United (4-2-3-1): Heaton (GK — Onana, 46′) — Dalot (Wan-Bissaka, 61′), Lindelof (L. Martinez, 61′), Maguire (Evans, 61′), Williams (Shaw, 61′) — McTominay (Mount, 61′), Eriksen (Casemiro, 61′) — Forson (Antony, 37′), van de Beek (Fernandes, 61′), Pellistri (Rashford, 61′) — Sancho (Hugill, 77′).
Dortmund (4-3-3): Kobel (GK — Meyer, 46′) — Wolf (Bensebaini, 46′), Sule (Papadopoulos, 76′), Hummels (Bueno, 76′), Ryerson (Meunier, 62′ — Pohlmann, 68′) — Sabitzer (Ozcan, 46′), Can (Reus, 62′), Brandt (Besong, 76′) — Malen (T. Hazard, 62′), Haller (Moukoko, 62′), Adeyemi (Bamba, 62′).
Man United vs Dortmund live updates, highlights, commentary
FULLTIME: Man United 2-3 Borussia Dortmund
A match full of defensive errors on both sides sees Borussia Dortmund come out on top.
It’s three consecutive defeats for Manchester United in preseason, which doesn’t truly matter but also certainly cuts a worrying tone heading into the beginning of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
United have plenty of issues to sort out at the back, although in truth most of the errors were committed by backups, with United trotting out a second-choice lineup at the start of the match. On the flip side, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were bright spots for United, which Erik ten Hag will surely be happy to point out.
Obviously a lot of changes and it’s pre-season but it’s been a bit of a shambles defensively from #MUFC tonight. Poor individual errors proving costly for Dortmund’s second and third goals. Ten Hag will be furious with that. Currently 3-2 to Dortmund
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) July 31, 2023
Man United vs Dortmund: Second Half
85th min: Chance, Man United! Joe Hugill is nearly the difference-maker for United in this match, but Alex Meyer comes way off his line to make a great save! Bruno Fernandes feeds Hugill through on goal, but Meyer sees it coming and charges down the chance, smothering Hugill’s hit before he can shape the ball around the goalkeeper.
83′ ALEX MEYER!!! 🧤#MUNBVB 2:3
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) July 31, 2023
83rd min: Chance, Man United! Rashford has made a difference since coming on, and he skins Antonios Papadopolous to get free on goal down the left, but his finish doesn’t have the necessary height, and Alex Meyer makes a quality diving stop.
82nd min: Antony smartly wins a free-kick on the right edge of the Dortmund penalty area. Bruno Fernandes takes, and Marcus Rashford goes down to the turf, defended by Antonios Papadopolous, but there’s no call. Replay shows it was very soft.
76th min: Bruno Fernandes gets behind the Dortmund back line, but is thwarted by the offside flag. The crowd, which always roots for more attacking play, boos the decision.
Dortmund make a trio of substitutions, as the final three starters are withdrawn, including the two centre-backs. United also withdraw their final starter, as Jadon Sancho is take off for Joe Hugill.
71st min: GOAL! DORTMUND! Marco Reus remains in stunning preseason form, playing a one-two with Julian Brandt down the left flank before feeding a pinpoint cross right to Youssouf Moukoko who slides and puts it past Andre Onana. It’s a very well-worked goal! Pleasing on the eye.
Had Moukoko not scored, Luke Shaw would have had a big issue, having yanked the Dortmund striker to the ground by his shirt. If that didn’t go in, Shaw would have conceded a penalty, and he may have possibly been sent off as well.
Youssoufa Moukoko pone por delante al Dortmund nuevamente. 🔥
3-2 sobre los Red Devils. pic.twitter.com/nI8pKakDrg
— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) July 31, 2023
67th min: Thomas Meunier, just onto the field, has yanked his hamstring. He stretches his leg into the air to intervene with a deep ball for Marcus Rashford, but pulls a muscle in the process. Rashford receives the ball, but in a moment of sporting kindness, he stops and doesn’t fire a shot, knowing his man has just suffered a real problem.
Meunier is withdrawn just five minutes after entering, replaced by Ole Pohlmann, with Thorgan Hazard slotted into the right-back spot.
Rashford about to skin Meunier but sees him pull up with an injury so stops playing. We’ll allow it cos it’s a friendly 😂
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) July 31, 2023
65th min: The first chance for Manchester United comes from Bruno Fernandes to Marcus Rashford, but his cross is just a bit deep for Mason Mount. The England midfielder chases for a moment, but then leaves it for a charging Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who rips the shot high into the Las Vegas night. That ball might not come down until it reaches Reno.
60th min: Chance, Dortmund! A corner meets the head of Bensebaini who turns the ball off the Man United crossbar! Then moments later, Karim Adeyimi slices a powerful shot just wide left!
A slew of Man United subs are about to enter. Eight changes in total, and one of them is Jonny Evans. Jadon Sancho the only United starter to remain. Couple of changes for Dortmund as well, including Marco Reus now onto the pitch.
58th min: The referee tells Facundo Pellistri he has to exit the pitch after spotting blood on the youngster’s lip. He gets patched up as Man United try to kill the time they’re down a man. They nearly create a man-down chance with Pellistri on the touchline, as Christian Eriksen produces another delicious ball from deep, but the forwards can’t quite generate it into a shooting chance.
55th min: Christian Eriksen delivers a sensational ball from deep in midfield that springs Brandon Williams free down the left. The full-back’s cross is diverted out over the end line by Mats Hummels who makes a vital intervention to prevent a point-blank effort.
52nd min: GOAL! MAN UNITED! How has that made its way into the back of the net??? Antony has a speculative hit with his left foot at the top of the penalty area as three Dortmund players fail to clear it, and somehow it slow rolls its way in. It’s Dortmund’s turn to concede a sloppy goal!
💥 @Antony00 levels it up!
Now let’s kick on, Reds 💪#MUFC || #MUTOUR23
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2023
48th min: Chance, Dortmund! Andre Onana makes a wonderful save! Sebastian Haller is clean through on goal as the two Man United centre-backs are totally off the pace, but the new United netminder takes control. Onana immediately gets up and makes a beeline for Harry Maguire to give him a verbal thrashing! He’s not happy at all!
Andre Onana absolutely rollicking Harry Maguire there 😅
— Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) July 31, 2023
Kickoff: The second half is nearly under way, and there are hefty substitutions both now and coming up throughout the second half. For Man United, Andre Onana comes into goal, with Tom Heaton’s evening complete.
Borussia Dortmund bring two field players on, with Ramy Bensebaini and Salih Ozcan both entering the pitch. The Germans also replace their goalkeeper, with Gregor Kobel being replaced by Alexander Meyer.
HALFTIME: Man United 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
It’s hard to sort through what happened there at the end of the half, but at the end of the opening 45 minutes, it’s Borussia Dortmund who lead!
Man United dominated for much of the first half, with Dortmund failing to capitalise on a few half-chances but not really putting much else together in front of goal. Then all of a sudden, they turned the game on its head, with a pair from Donyell Malen.
The front three for United were positive for much of the half, but the persistence of Karim Adeyimi paid off in a big way for Dortmund.
HT: Manchester United 1-2 Borussia Dortmund. I have no idea how Erik ten Hag’s side trail. Two defensive errors in the space of a minute mean they trail. The performance, aside from that mad minute, was impressive with so much to like about it. Jadon Sancho lively.#MUFC
— George Smith (@_GeorgeSmith99) July 31, 2023
Man United vs Dortmund: First Half
45th min: GOAL! DORTMUND! WHOA! Out of nowhere, the Germans have turned this around on the stroke of halftime! Donyell Malen has another! It started with an awful Victor Lindelof giveaway playing out of the back, and Malen easily turns in Marcel Sabitzer’s assist. In a moment, suddenly Dortmund lead!
¡En dos minutos el Dortmund le dio la vuelta! 💥
Malen aprovechó dos errores para poner 2-1 arriba al Borussia sobre el United. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/85V02DXC03
— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) July 31, 2023
43rd min: GOAL! DORTMUND! It’s a messy chance for Dortmund as bodies for both teams collide outside the six-yard box, but it’ll do nonetheless! Karim Adeyimi is again the trigger man, as he gets sandwiched by two defenders as he pokes it across to the far post for Donyell Malen. The Dortmund winger then pokes it home acrobatically into the back of the net with a scissor kick for the equalizer.
Got heated all of a sudden. Heaton and Williams had a blazing row after Dortmund’s second. Looked like Williams said ‘It was your f**k up’. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 31, 2023
42nd min: Jadon Sancho sends Mats Hummels for a hot dog with a glorious turn, but Niklas Sule makes a vital intervention, getting his toe to Sancho’s vertical ball for Facundo Pellistri, which would have resulted in a big chance had it not been for Sule’s step.
37th min: Omari Forson is substituted off for Antony. Forson is unhappy, but Erik ten Hag is even angrier about Forson’s conduct, likely having to do with the coming-together with Karim Adeyimi, in which Forson was booked. The two have a LONG chat on the touchline, with ten Hag doing all the talking. It ends with a pat on the back.
Ten Hag had a lengthy chat with Forson after he came off. Spent best part of a minute chatting to him before giving him a pat on the head. #mufc pic.twitter.com/xg5QfOatis
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 31, 2023
36th min: Chance, Man United! Mats Hummels earns a booking for a tackle on Facundo Pellistri just a few feet outside the top of the penalty area, and the German loses his mind on referee Ismael Elfath for the decision. Replay shows he got the ball first and Pellistri was going down before the contact, but he did leave his leg out late and bring the young winger down.
Christian Eriksen takes the set-piece, and he forces a very good save from Gregor Kobel who dives down to his left to make the stop.
35th min: Karim Adeyimi takes another hit, but again this one’s right at Tom Heaton. It’s got lots of power, and even with the effort straight at his chest, Heaton has to pop it up in the air before he can catch it, but Adeyimi will need better accuracy from that.
32nd min: Jadon Sancho runs a Man United break down the right edge of the penalty area, and Facundo Pellistri is waiting unmarked at the far post, but Sancho’s cross is very overcooked and goes way over Pellistri’s head. Poor.
28th min: Yikes, handbags early in this preseason match. Karim Adeyimi and Omari Forson are nose-to-nose, with Adeyimi grabbing Forson’s jersey and the young United winger attempting to push Adeyimi away. They both earn yellow cards for their efforts, as well as a stern talking to from the official.
It appears that it started because Forson kicked out at the heels of another Dortmund player and Adeyimi didn’t appreciate it.
27th min: Chance, Dortmund! The German side are looking for an immediate response, and Karim Adeyimi charges through the middle, feeding Julian Brandt who gets past the United defensive line. The Dortmund midfielder has an opening to shoot, but takes it poorly, hitting right at Tom Heaton while sliding.
24th min:GOAL! MAN UNITED! A STUNNER FROM DIOGO DALOT! The Red Devils win a free-kick out on the left flank, and when Christian Eriksen’s delivery was easily dealt with, it seemed the chance had gone. Yet it fell to Diogo Dalot at the top of the penalty area, and cutting onto his right, he places the ball into the top-right corner with a sensational strike. Out of nothing!
GOOAAALLLL!!! 😱@DalotDiogo opens the scoring with a wonderstrike 😍☄️#MUFC || #MUTOUR23
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2023
20th min: Dortmund finally have a buildup and Karim Adeyimi has a hit on goal but it’s not anything to trouble Tom Heaton.
Then Scott McTominay tries to win a penalty, but American referee Ismael Elfath, who is a World Cup veteran, is having none of it. McTominay initiated hip-to-hip contact with a defender and went over easily. The Man United midfielder doesn’t protest the decision.
14th min: The start of this match has been a bit dull, with Man United holding most of the possession but not finding much to do with it. Dortmund have hardly had a touch on the ball.
Omari Forson takes a hit at the top of the 18-yard-box but it’s blocked by Emre Can at the inception of the shot.
I’ve been impressed by Omari Forson and Jadon Sancho inside this opening quarter of an hour. Both look sharp and hungry to prove a point. Certainly something about Forson that generates positivity. Could be one to watch for a loan move before the summer’s out.#MUFC
— George Smith (@_GeorgeSmith99) July 31, 2023
6th min: Chance, Man United! Dortmund are next with a bad giveaway at the back, and Omari Forson pounces. The youngster knows he has to shoot with a defender closing, and in his hurry, he scuffs it which allows an out-of-position Gregor Kobel to recover and get a slight touch to save the goalbound effort.
4th min: Dortmund are first into the attack on a Donny van de Beek giveaway but Karim Adeyemi shoots right at Tom Heaton. Down the other end, United have a response but the cross from the right is out of reach of Facundo Pellistri who was open at the top of the six-yard box.
The Premier League side is holding the majority of early possession. Harry Maguire hoofs one out of play and the boos rain down.
Maguire’s name was booed by some fans and it seemed to stop five minutes in. Then he punted the ball out and some booed him again. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 31, 2023
Kickoff: The match is under way in Las Vegas! The weather in Sin City is muggy, but Allegiant Stadium is a dome so it won’t affect the match in any way.
Looks like Jadon Sancho is playing at the top of the Man United attack, which does not have a true No. 9.
Can see why the Super Bowl will be here next year 🏈 pic.twitter.com/FOcBcOtUuf
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 30, 2023
Man United vs Dortmund: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more
15 mins to kick: Some Manchester United players not in the squad today include Raphael Varane and Alejandro Garnacho. The Red Devils announce that both are dealing with slight injuries and are held out as a precaution. Amad Diallo has also picked up a knee injury that will trigger additional tests, which is worrying.
Varane and Garnacho not in the squad as a precautionary measure. Amad has a knee issue that requires additional assessment. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 31, 2023
30 mins to kick: 19-year-old Omari Forson only just started training with the first team, and now he gets a chance to start. He’s an attacking midfielder or winger by trade, but this lineup is devoid of a true striker, so it’s possible he plays up front as either a traditional No. 9 or a false nine. He scored eight goals in the Premier League 2 last year, and made his senior debut earlier this month against Leeds in their first preseason friendly.
Omari Forson on playing with the first team: “It’s crazy, it’s something I’ve never done before, and something I’ve got to get used to, but I’m enjoying it so far.” [United Stand YT] #mufc pic.twitter.com/6oWhJyXKBD
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) July 23, 2023
55 mins to kick: Now the Dortmund lineup is out, and it’s a far more recognizable list of names than the United one. Notably, Marcel Sabitzer starts for his new club after moving from Bayern Munich, after spending last season on loan against Man United, while Marco Reus doesn’t appear despite a prolific four-goal preseason to this point.
Playing against Sabitzer tonight 😕 pic.twitter.com/DHhDvaN0jH
— Riley (@UtdRiley_) July 30, 2023
1 hour 5 mins to kick: Man United have released their lineup a few minutes early, and it’s far from a first-choice lineup. After the main starters were mostly deployed against Real Madrid, Erik ten Hag has rotated the side almost completely.
19-year-old Omari Forson is deployed, and interestingly, Scott McTominay will wear the captain’s armband for the Red Devils even with Harry Maguire also in the lineup.
Two games running Antony isn’t starting, having started vs Arsenal. Amad isn’t on the bench. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 30, 2023
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Results aren’t of the utmost importance in these warmup matches, but with Man United dropping two straight preseason games, a third straight defeat would prove some slight cause for concern.
United matched Real Madrid on 15 shots and five on target last time out, and even out-passed Los Blancos through the 90 minutes. Yet two moments of brilliance from Jude Bellingham and Joselu made the difference. The Red Devils will need to grab a few glittering moments of their own if they wish to challenge Man City and Arsenal this year through the Premier League season.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
¡Apaguen todo y vámonos!
¡GOLAZO DE JOSELU DE CHILENA! 🙌🙌🙌
Sigue la Champions Tour en #StarPlusLA pic.twitter.com/X5xEBMzcYX
— ESPN.com.mx (@ESPNmx) July 27, 2023
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Dortmund playmaker Marco Reus is sporting a new hair color this summer, but he’s the same old attacking wizard, having scored four goals and assisting another through BvB’s preseason so far.
Marco Reus rolling out a new look for the new season ✂️🟡 pic.twitter.com/SAqDOOuAzc
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) July 29, 2023
1 hour 45 mins to kick: Losing Kobbie Mainoo to an ankle injury is a blow to the youth ranks at Manchester United, but as one goes down, another returns to the fold.
Alejandro Garnacho was having a wonderful season last year before an ankle injury of his own robbed him of the final few months. Will he be able to snatch a starting spot amidst a crowded Man United squad at the winger position? He will have to earn time amidst the likes of Antony, Jadon Sancho, Amad Diallo, Facundo Pellistri, and even players like Mason Mount or Marcus Rashford who could end up with minutes out wide as well.
Passing drills at #mufc training. Garnacho very popular with the hundred or so fans here. Eric Ramsey demanding energy and tempo during the drills pic.twitter.com/gpdUNckqv2
— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) July 29, 2023
2 hours to kickoff: This matchup will bring extra focus on the two players who featured for the opposite side: new Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, and former BVB star Jadon Sancho.
Players who have played for both Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund. Marcel Sabitzer is the latest pic.twitter.com/CwR0kCdpvR
— United Radar (@UnitedRadar) July 30, 2023
Manchester United vs Borussia Dortmund lineups
United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been a regular for manager Erik ten Hag during pre-season but the 18-year-old has flown home from their tour with a knee injury and is expected to miss the first part of the Premier League campaign.
Forward Anthony Martial was absent from their 2-0 defeat to Jude Bellingham-inspired Real Madrid in Houston on Thursday.
The club spent big money on two transfer acquisitions this summer, with goalkeeper Andre Onana and midfielder Mason Mount joining Erik ten Hag’s squad. Both were involved from the start last time out against Real Madrid, but neither starts here as ten Hag makes the maximum eleven changes.
Man United starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Heaton (GK) — Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams — McTominay, Eriksen — Sancho, van de Beek, Pellistri — Forson.
Man United bench (15): Onana (GK), Bishop (GK), Evans, Fernandez, Martinez, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Fernandes, Casemiro, Gore, Hannibal, Mount, Antony, Hugill, Rashford.
Defender Nico Schlotterbeck is heading back to Germany, and forward Julien Duranville is a doubt for Dortmund after picking up injuries during their 6-0 win over San Diego Loyal on Thursday. New signing Marcel Sabitzer, who was on loan at United from Bayern last season, features, while former Manchester City midfielder Felix Nmecha is not yet deployed.
USMNT fans will miss out on seeing Gio Reyna because he has a calf injury, although he is with the squad in his home country. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens may not be fully fit as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery back in May.
Dortmund starting lineup (4-3-3): Kobel (GK) — Wolf, Sule, Hummels, Ryerson — Sabitzer, Can, Brandt — Malen, Haller, Adeyemi.
Dortmund bench (12): Not yet released.
Watch Man United vs Dortmund live stream, TV channel
There are broadcasters in select regions which are carrying this match.
In the USA, the game is televised on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, which are streamed on Fubo (free trial for new users) or on ESPN+ for subscribers.
Paramount+ will stream the game in Australia, as well as meWATCH in Singapore.
In the UK and other parts of the world, the match can be watched on Man United club channel MUTV via a subscription that costs £7.99 a month or £29.99 a year.
MORE: Watch Premier League on Fubo in USA and on Fubo in Canada
Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
USA | Sun, Jul 30 | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes |
Fubo, ESPN+ |
Canada | Sun, Jul 30 | 9 p.m. ET | MUTV | MUTV |
UK | Mon, Jul 31 | 2 a.m. BST | MUTV | MUTV |
Australia | Mon, Jul 31 | 11 a.m. AEST | MUTV | Paramount+ |
India | Mon, Jul 31 | 6:30 a.m. IST | MUTV | MUTV |
Malaysia | Mon, Jul 31 | 9 a.m. MYT | MUTV | MUTV |
New Zealand | Mon, Jul 31 | 1 p.m. NZST | MUTV | MUTV |
Singapore | Mon, Jul 31 | 9 a.m. SGT | MUTV | meWATCH |
Hong Kong | Mon, Jul 31 | 9 a.m. HKT | MUTV | MUTV |