Chivas 3 United 2

United’s first visit to Mexico ended in disappointment as the Reds lost 3-2 to Club Deportivo Guadalajara - aka Chivas - at the newly-opened Estadio Omnilife.

As expected, the night was all about one Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez. He began the evening in the red and white of his former team and gave the home fans the perfect farewell gift with a brilliantly-taken goal after just 10 minutes. Chicharito changed teams at the break to make his second appearance for United, and therefore finished on the losing side after further Chivas goals from Adolfo Bautista and Hector Reynoso. Chris Smalling - with his first goal for the club - and Nani were the Reds' scorers.

A spectacular opening ceremony (the party continued at half-time as well) preceded the game with an on-pitch ‘show’ akin to what we’re used to seeing before the World Cup kick-off with lasers, dramatic music, dancers and fireworks all involved to mark the first game at Chivas’ hugely impressive, spaceship-like arena.

The pre-match performers eventually made way for the evening’s main acts – kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes - with Sir Alex opting to give youth a chance against Chivas’ first choice eleven which included, of course, Chicharito. A sprinkling of experienced heads also lined up for United with Tomasz Kuszczak, John O’Shea – captain for the night, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov all starters.

Source : Man Utd

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MLS All-Stars 2 United 5

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez got his United career off to a dream start as he helped the Reds claim the MLS All-Star trophy following a 5-2 victory in Houston.

Below the closed roof of the hugely impressive Reliant Stadium – home of the Houston Texans’ American football team – the Reds bounced back from a shock defeat in Kansas City to hammer the MLS All-Stars thanks to goals from Federico Macheda (2) – the first of his brace coming after just 24 seconds – Darron Gibson, Tom Cleverley and new boy Chicharito.

The Mexican striker came on for the final half an hour and looked lively throughout. His looping finish from the edge of the box over goalkeeper Nick Rimando was a goal of top quality and certainly bodes well for the future.

After a two-game break, Edwin van der Sar returned between the sticks, while Rafael and Fabio flanked Wes Brown and Jonny Evans across the back four. Despite doubts before the game over Darren Fletcher and John O’Shea, both were deemed fit to start, interestingly, alongside each other in the centre of midfield. Gabriel Obertan and Nani provided the supply from the wings to Ryan Giggs and Federico Macheda in attack.

The All-Stars were led by former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel, while star man Landon Donovan started on the bench following his CONCACAF Champions League exertions on Tuesday night for LA Galaxy.

Source : Man Utd

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KC Wizards 2 United 1

United suffered a first defeat of the North America tour in Kansas City, albeit with major doubts over the legitimacy of Kei Kamara’s winner for the Wizards.

Kamara had earlier set up his captain Davy Arnaud to fire the home side ahead, before Dimitar Berbatov’s penalty - following another debatable decision by referee Terry Vaughn who controversially sent off Jimmy Conrad for his part in the incident - drew the Reds level. Kamara then headed Ryan Smith’s corner past young United goalkeeper Ben Amos, but even TV replays were inconclusive as to whether the whole ball crossed the line.

The 2-1 victory for Kansas City Wizards delighted large sections of the 52,000 crowd at the impressive Arrowhead Stadium, home of the local American football outfit, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field a relatively young side, including the likes of Ben Amos, Ritchie De Laet and Mame Biram Diouf, but ensured there was a sprinkling of experience with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov all starting. Nani made his first appearance of the tour having recovered from the collarbone injury which kept him out of the World Cup.

The Portuguese winger was involved in United’s first real attack on 10 minutes. After his free-kick was blocked the ball fell to Scholes who fired a typically well-struck effort goalwards which was well saved by Jimmy Nielsen down to his right.

The Wizards, who had started the brighter of the two sides, sprung a shock a minute later when they took the lead.

Source : Man Utd

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Philadelphia 0 United 1

Gabriel Obertan’s well-taken winner ensured a second successive tour victory for the Reds, who ran out 1-0 victors over Philadelphia Union at the Lincoln Financial Field.

Obertan collected a clever pass from the impressive Danny Welbeck before slotting home from close range 14 minutes from time to claim a hard-fought win.

The Reds survived a couple of scares at the other end, with Tomasz Kuszczak making a fine reflex stop just before Obertan fired the decisive strike. The Frenchman's goal was the highlight of a match that was good in patches but largely uneventful.

Sir Alex made six changes to the side that started against Celtic in Toronto five days earlier. Kuszczak started in goal behind a back four of John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans and Fabio. Obertan and Ryan Giggs took up wide positions, with Tom Cleverley, scorer of United’s third goal in the win over Celtic, given his chance alongside Paul Scholes in the centre of midfield. Welbeck, another scorer against the Bhoys, partnered Federico Macheda in attack.

Just like the match against Celtic, the Reds started brightly and went close to breaking the deadlock on three minutes when Macheda put Obertan in down the right. The winger took a touch before letting fly from a tight angle but his low shot found the side-netting. Obertan was involved again six minutes later when he connected with Welbeck’s fine cross, but his well-struck volley flew wide.

Source : Man Utd

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Celtic 1 United 3

United kicked off their tour of North America with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Celtic at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Dimitar Berbatov, who impressed throughout, gave the Reds a first half lead with a fine finish, before Bhoys substitute Georgios Samaras fired an equaliser from the spot six minutes after the restart following debutant Chris Smalling's foul in the area. Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley followed suit in coming off the bench to score as they sealed victory for the Reds.

Sir Alex gave a first start to summer signing Chris Smalling, who lined up alongside Jonny Evans at the heart of the defence with the Da Silva twins down both flanks. Captain for the evening Darren Fetcher partnered Paul Scholes in midfield, with Gabriel Obertan and Ryan Giggs, who was the big favourite amongst the Canadian fans, on the right and left wings respectively. Mame Biram Diouf lined up in attack alongside Dimitar Berbatov.

Just under 40,000 watched on from the stands with most of them there to cheer on the Reds who donned their new home kit for the first time. The setting was quite spectacular with Toronto's famous CN Tower stretching high into the blue skies above the pitch which was only laid 24 hours earlier after the Toronto Argonauts opening CFL home game on astroturf.

It didn't seem to have a negative effect on United though who, having seen Marc Antoine Fortune test Edwin van der Sar with a low drive on seven minutes, began to take a foothold in the game.

Source : Man Utd

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