Manchester Utd 3-1 Club America - Match Report

Manchester United have won their 2^nd game of their tour of the USA, to maintain their 100% record, with a comfortable 3-1 win over Mexican out-fit Club America. 

Sir Alex Ferguson made many changes to his starting line-up which defeated Glasgow Celtic 4-0 last week. Roy Carroll, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunner-Solskjaer all were rested, Ricardo, Juan Seba Veron, Kieran Richardson, Diego Forlan and David Bellion replaced them. 

The first opputunity of the game went to United, 9 minutes in, when Veron chipped the ball to Forlan, whose flick-on set up Dutchman Ruud Van Nistelrooy, whose shot was saved by ‘keeper Rios. 

United were playing far superior football to Club America, thrusting fantastic crosses into the box, and producing inch perfect passes to each other. Club America have played many more games than United have and are mid-way through their season in Mexico, but they performed as if they hadn’t played a game in weeks. 

After 20 minutes, the referee had to calm things down after Forlan was fouled by Rojas, and every member of America’s team was pushing and shoving their opponents. 

Club America’s first real chance of the game came half way through the first half when Torres crossed the ball into Abreu who missed the header completely, and went wide.

Half time – Manchester United 0 – Club America 0 

After a disappointing start for both teams, United came out more lively, and scored instantly when Forlan made a headed pass to Dutch international Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took it past his marker to slot the ball home from the outside of the area; Ruud’s first goal from outside of the 18-yard box for United, and the first goal of the game. 1-0 United.

Three minutes later, Diego Forlan nodded in a fantastic Quinton fortune cross to double their lead to 2-0 United.

The Mexican team had a goal disallowed when midfielder Alvaro Ortiz curled into the top corner a David Beckham type free kick, which was disallowed for shoving in the wall. Still 2-0 United.

On the 61^st minute, Sir Alex Ferguson made some changes when he brought on Welsh international Ryan Giggs for Quinton Fortune, and introduced some young talent bringing on Mark Lynch, Darren Fletcher and Danny Pugh, who replaced Phil Neville, David Bellion and Kieran Richardson.

Just after the substitutions, Nicky Butt tested 36-year old ‘keeper Rios with a fantastic low, powerful shot, which he saved.

There was a bit of confusion for the referee and players when he booked Ryan Giggs for a Danny Pugh tackle. Therefore, Ryan Giggs received a booking for something he didn’t do. Pugh tried to explain to the ref’ in vain - Sir Alex wasn’t happy at all.

Ferguson brought Solskjaer on for goal scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy. A fantastic clearance from United ‘keeper Ricardo was flicked on by Solskjaer and left Diego Forlan to take on the Club America defence and slot home a top-class shot on the 79^th minute. 3-0 United.

Club America got their goal 5 minutes after, when Christian Patino finished a fine move by Club America to make the scoreline more respectable. 3-1 United.

Overall a great match, capped off by a great win by United.

"The making and the taking of the goals was very, very good,” said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "I thought the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic. I think the blend of the Mexican and United fans added a competitive element to the match. I thoroughly enjoyed it," He added. 

 Full time – Manchester United 3 – Club America 1 

Manchester United: Ricardo; P. Neville (Lynch 61’), Ferdinhand, O’Shea; Fortune (Giggs 61’), Bellion (Fletcher 61’), Butt, Veron, Richardson (Pugh 61’), Van Nistelrooy (Solskjaer 73’), Forlan. 

Club America: Rios; Castro, Rojas, Ortiz, Salinas; Torres, Villa, Oviedo, Mendoza; Blanco, Abreu.

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