United end US tour with victory over Real

JOSE Mourinho nho was finally given something mething to smile about as a tempestuous trip to the United States ended with a 2-1 victory over former club Real Madrid thanks to first-half t-half strikes from Alexis Sanchez anchez and Ander Herrera. ra.

Mourinho has cut a miserable figure gure during their two week ek trip to the United States, s, lashing out at a lack of transfer ransfer activity while reserving rving stinging criticism for a number of first team players. ayers.

But seeing g his side establish a two wo goal lead in the first half was encouraging, enc as was holding Real at bay after Karim Benezema’s goal just ju before the half-time halfinterval gave gav the Spanish side hope of mountm i n g a comeback. c An extraord dinar y outb u r s t l a s t w weekend after lo losing to Liverp pool in Michiga gan has seen que question marks about squad morale su s ur f ace once again.

The Portug u e s e h a s been without 1 12 key players for most of the tour with many enjoying an extended break following the World Cup.

In front of 64,141 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, United were finishing off their preseason preparations against a Real Madrid side just starting theirs.

La Liga starts a week later than the Premier League, so new Real manager Julen Lopetegui was able to name the likes of Gareth Bale to start, while Germany star Toni Kroos was on the bench.

Spanish international David de Gea was making his first start since returning from the extra time given to him following the World Cup and he was almost beaten in the eighth mi nute – Ba le s t a r t i ng a move that saw Benzema fire just wide from close range.

Brazilian Fred, who was signed earlier this summer for £52 million ($68 million), was making his first United start and looked comfortable in his new surroundings.

And on 18 minutes, United were ahead. Ander Herrera fed Matteo Darmian and teed up Sanchez who clinically swept the ball home (pictured, AFP).

It was a Mourinho’s side’s first real opportunity – and it was taken superbly.

So too was the second goal which arrived on 27 minutes.

Darmian lifted the ball to Mata and once the Spaniard had regained his composure he crossed for Sanchez who was able to divert the ball into the path of Herrera who made no mistake.

Bale curled wide soon after but just before the interval, Benzema tapped in an excellent Theo Hernandez cross to give the vast amounts of Madrid fans in Miami something to cheer.

Bale, a one time target for Mourinho, was withdrawn for the second half as Lopetegui shuffled his pack and one of the substitutes, Martin Odegaard should have levelled on 56 minutes when he blazed over the bar from eight yards.

The Norwegian saw a freekick saved by De Gea late on but United held firm to lift Mourinho’s mood.

It was their first victory in regulation play this pre-season – AC Milan were defeated on penalties in Los Angeles last week.