Man United hold on to beat Real Madrid
Premier League giants finish US tour with something to cheer
Jose Mourinho was finally given something to smile about as a tempestuous trip to the US ended with Manchester United’s 2-1 win over former club Real Madrid thanks to first-half strikes from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera.
Mourinho has cut a miserable figure during their two-week trip to the US, lashing out at a lack of transfer activity while reserving stinging criticism for a number of first-team players.
But seeing his side establish a twogoal lead in the first half was encouraging, as was holding Real at bay after Karim Benzema’s goal just before the interval gave the Spanish side hope of mounting a comeback.
“I didn’t learn anything [from this tour],” said Mourinho. “I know what Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez are.”
The Portuguese has been without 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 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 minute – Bale starting a move which saw Benzema fire just wide from close range.
Brazilian Fred, who was signed earlier this summer for 52 million pounds ($68 million), was making his first United start and looked comfortable in his new surroundings.
And on 18 minutes, United were ahead. Herrera fed Matteo Darmian and teed up Sanchez who clinically swept the ball home. It was United’s first real opportunity – and it was taken superbly.
The second goal which arrived on 27 minutes was equally impressive.
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Bale, a one-time target for Mourinho, was withdrawn for the second half as Lopetegui shuffled his pack and one of the substitutes, Martin Odegaard, should have leveled on 56 minutes when he blazed over the bar from eight yards (7.3 meters).
The Norwegian saw a free kick saved by De Gea late on but United held firm to lift Mourinho’s mood.
It was their first victory in regulation play this preseason – AC Milan were defeated on penalties in Los Angeles last week.