MLS All Stars 2-5 Manchester United – Full time Report
Manchester United played their last game of the North American tour in Texas against the MLS all stars, and the English club showed them just why they are considered one of the best sides in the world. Despite fielding a number of young players, Manchester United won the game 5-2 in a very entertaining encounter at the Reliant Stadium in Houston.
The MLS side consisted of the best players from the league and included the likes of Sebastien Le Toux, Javier Morales, Marco Pappa, Shalrie Joseph, and Guillermo Schelotto. Juan Pablo Angel was playing on his own upfront, in a very formidable looking side. Manchester United rested star striker, Dimitar Berbatov, and started instead with youngster Frederico Macheda. It was Nani and Obertan on the wings, who were supported from midfield by Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and John O’Shea.
It was the club from Manchester that got off to a flying start with a goal inside the first minute of the game. Macheda pounced on a mistake from defender, Kevin Alston, and finished neatly to make it 1-0 to Manchester United.
By the 12th minute the game looked to be getting out of control of the MLS side, after Macheda leaped highest from a Manchester United corner and headed into the net with a powerful header to make it 2-0. Bad marking from the MLS All Stars, Macheda was given too much space and scored with what was ultimately an easy header.
Before the half time whistle was blown, there were a number of chances for both sides, with Darren Fletcher coming closest with an effort rebounding off the post. It stay 2-0 to Manchester United, however, and there was cause for concern for Sir Alex after Gabriel Obertan had to be taken off due to an injury, he was replaced by another youngster, Tom Cleverly.
MLS All Stars brought on a number of players at half time, including Brian Ching and Omar Gonzalez , and these changes helped them get a stronghold in the game for the first time during the match. After a spell of sustained pressure, with a number of free-kicks in and around the Manchester United penalty area, the MLS side finally got a goal when Ferreira’s magnificent free-kick found the head of local hero Ching, who scored with a towering header to make it 2-1.
Any thoughts of a come-back were put to bed when Manchester United made it 3-1 through a stunning free-kick from Darren Gibson. The Manchester United man scored from all of 30 yards, after just seven minutes of the goal from Ching.
Tom Cleverly made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute with a wonderful individual effort. With 70,000 fans watching on, Cleverly lobbed the ball over a defender before slotting past the goalkeeper with ease to score his first goal of the game.
There was time for two more goals before the end of the game as Manchester United’s new signing, Hernandez, scored to make it 5-1 before Dwayne De Rosario scored what was only a consolation to reach the final score of 5-2.
The game was good preparation for Manchester United as the Premier League season is very close and although the score-line doesn’t suggest it, they got a very good work out. The performances from the youngsters were particularly impressive and Sir Alex will have a selection headache as the Community Shield game against English Champions Chelsea draws closer.
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