United complete US tour with fine Barca win
Winning goal
By Chris,
July 31 2011
Manchester United gained small revenge for May's Champions League final defeat with a 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Barcelona in the United States. A capacity crowd watched on as goals from Nani and Michael Owen handed the Red Devils a morale-boosting win as the new campaign draws nearer.
United started brightly and Wayne Rooney fired Nani's through ball wide after only nine minutes.
Nani himself broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. The winger latched onto a neat through ball from Danny Welbeck before sending a cool finish home.
De Gea was properly tested for the first time four minutes into the second-half as his save denied Pedro's shot.
Domiantn United continued to look sharper, however, and Nani spurned a chance to grab a brace as he bundled the ball over the bar with 27 minutes remaining.
But Barcelona fought back - and a moment of brilliance from Tiago restored parity in Washington. A curling, long range effort from outside of the penalty box gave De Gea no chance.
United were not disheartened, however, and hit the winning goal shortly after Tiago's wondergoal. Youngster Tom Cleverley snatched a lazy cross-field pass and played in Owen; who maintained composure and fired home a trademark finish.
Owen's confidence, however, was shattered later in the game as he missed an easy chance to put the result beyond doubt, bundling over the bar from only yards out.
Full Time - Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona
Attendance - 81,807
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael (Fabio 17), Vidic (Jones 76), Evans, Evra (Smalling 46); Nani, Cleverley, Anderson (Giggs 46), Young (Obertan 62); Rooney (Owen 46), Welbeck (76)
Substitutes not used: Amos, Berbatov, Ferdinand, Carrick, Park, Macheda