Manchester United vs. PSG: Things Learned from International Champions Cup

Paris Saint-Germain won the North American section of the International Champions Cup following a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday night at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the goals as the French champions recorded their third win in four matches at the ICC. PSG finished level with the New York Red Bulls on 10 points but claimed the title on total goals scored. 

Here are some of the lessons we learned from Wednesday night's match.

Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian Sparkle Again

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Although Manchester United's U.S. tour ended in defeat, manager Louis van Gaal can still take a few positives from the match. New signings Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian sparkled again, and that's good news for the Red Devils ahead of the Premier League campaign.

Playing in the front line, Depay's performance suggested a growing understanding with Wayne Rooney. The two often linked up to dangerous effect, especially early in the match. In addition, Depay threatened PSG's goal with a shot taken directly from a free kick in the opening half.

Darmian, meanwhile, excelled at right-back and gave Van Gaal more reason to consider him in a starting role once the season begins. The Italian defended well for the most part and even moved forward into the attack on occasion.

Writing after United's win over Barcelona earlier in the tournament, B/R's Sam Tighe noted:

"

Darmian is a solid right-back who is a natural fit at the position; he can defend, attack and cross and has enough speed to recover. Throughout the International Champions Cup, he's looked like everything the Red Devils have been yearning for from their right-back for years, so why would (Antonio) Valencia start ahead of him?

"

If anything, that question feels even more valid on Wednesday's evidence.

With Depay and Darmian playing well, United supporters are understandably excited about the upcoming season. After finishing fourth in the Premier League last year and securing Champions League football, the Red Devils will be hoping to mount a serious title challenge and advance deep in European competition this time around.

The two new signings seem set to play vital roles in those endeavors. 

But the Defense Has Problems

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic took PSG's goals well, but Manchester United were guilty of poor defending on both strikes.

The opener came in the 25th minute as Lucas Moura curled a long pass into Matuidi's path. Matuidi held off Phil Jones and Luke Shaw before poking past David De Gea. Jones' positioning and decision-making in the build-up were poor, and De Gea will feel he could have done better himself.

PSG's second goal arrived nine minutes later as Ibrahimovic tore United apart. Leading an attack through the heart of United's midsection, Ibra steamed down the middle and laid off for Maxwell, who curled the ball back into the center of the box. From there, Ibrahimovic poked into the net between De Gea's legs.

Jones failed to track Ibrahimovic, and so did midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who appeared off the pace and clearly short of match fitness. We shouldn't read too much into two goals conceded in a preseason match, but it appears Louis van Gaal has to sort out a few defensive issues ahead of the season.

Is the defense good enough as it currently stands? Or does Van Gaal still need to sign a world-class center-back? Jones' struggles on Wednesday suggested it's the latter.

Zlatan's Last Stand?

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Is this Zlatan Ibrahimovic's last season with PSG? His last season as a professional footballer?

If you read this August 2014 report by the Guardian's Alan Smith, you would certainly think so. If it's true, football will lose a true legend after the upcoming season, a genius striker who can influence any game and score the greatest of goals.

On Wednesday night, Ibra netted another fine strike, PSG's second of the match. It was by no means the best—or even among the best—of his career, but it reminded us all of just how good the Swede can be.

If this is his swansong for PSG, it could be a memorable season.

Kevin Trapp the Choice Again in Goal for PSG

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After signing goalkeeper Kevin Trapp from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, PSG kindly informed incumbent No. 1 Salvatore Sirigu that he could leave the club if he was unhappy about the move, according to Ian Holyman of ESPN FC. Manager Laurent Blanc was apparently unconvinced by Sirigu's displays in the Champions League last season and decided to sign the 25-year-old German for €9 million.

"When you're at a big club, you need competition in every position. Laurent Blanc has indicated a hierarchy has been established," PSG deputy sporting director Olivier Letang said, per Holyman. "The choice has been very clearly communicated to the players. We have talked; his decision has not yet been taken."

Maybe not, but all indications point to Trapp being the starter when PSG begin their latest defense of the Ligue 1 title next month. Wednesday's match did nothing to change that, as Trapp didn't do anything to hurt his chances.