It has been a while since twin strikers were the fashion, with false nines and solitary front men dominating the scene in recent years, but Jose Mourinho believes Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford can play together up front. The Manchester United pair backed up their manager's theory in Houston.
They both possess pace and power, with Rashford more inclined to work across the front line than his new £90 million teammate, but their first-half goals against Manchester City at the NRG Stadium also highlighted their ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
Lukaku's finish from a tight angle after goalkeeper Ederson had rushed out of his penalty area was sublime, world-class goal scoring, while Rashford was clinical two minutes later, shooting past the Brazilian keeper from 10 yards following Henrikh Mkhitaryan's pass.
Playing with two strikers went out of fashion because teams began to pack the midfield, leaving managers wary of being short in the centre of the pitch by having two players up front.
But as Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke proved by inspiring United to the Treble in 1999, when it works well, two up front can be unstoppable.
Defending an issue for both City and United
Vincent Kompany gave a defensive master class during his 45-minute outing in Houston, but the Manchester City captain is a rarity in the modern game in that he can defend and keep mistakes to a minimum.
John Stones looked shaky in the second half, while United's Chris Smalling was also unconvincing during the first half for Mourinho's team.
And Victor Lindelof, United's £30.75m summer signing from Benfica, struggled to impress, with the Sweden international careless in position and suspect positionally against Sergio Aguero.
At full-back, Kyle Walker impressed for City and looked a real upgrade on Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna, but Eliaquim Mangala was given the runaround while playing out of position at left-back after the interval.
On the red side, Daley Blind continues to fill a gap at left-back, despite looking as though he would rather be somewhere else.
Mourinho was able to marshal United into a tight defensive unit last season, but with Marcos Rojo out until the autumn, they still look vulnerable at the back.
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