18-time English Premier League champions Manchester United proved to be a class above the Major League Soccer All-Stars with Federico Macheda scoring twice and new signing Javier Hernandez adding another in their 5-2 victory on Wednesday (28 July) in Houston.
Manchester United wrapped up its American tour with a match against an All-Star squad from Major League Soccer on Wednesday at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
MLS All-Star teams had won five of their last six match ups against international competition, including a 1-0 win over former Premier League champions Chelsea in 2006.
But United, still stinging after a 2-1 loss to Kansas City on Sunday (25 July), took the lead within the first minute of the match.
Federico Macheda intercepted an ill directed pass by defender Kevin Alston and the Italian striker produced a world class finish to put the ball past goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts after just 24 seconds.
It became clear why a number of high profile European Clubs have been linked with Macheda after he made it 2-0 within 13 minutes.
Nani, who missed the Portuguese World Cup campaign with injury, whipped in a corner and Macheda beat Ricketts once again this time with a header.
Macheda has pledged his immediate future to the Red Devils and United went into the break leading 2-0.
The All-Stars, who were completely outplayed, received some fresh legs on the field after the break and it paid dividends when Houston Dynamo star Brian Ching scored in the 64th minute.
The four-time All-Star headed in David Ferreira's free kick from the left side but United hit straight back.
Darron Gibson, who is known for his rocket like free kicks, placed his curving free kick from just outside the penalty area into the upper left corner of the goal to make it 3-1 United in the 70th minute.
Now for a pure piece of class and one for the United fans to watch for the future as Tom Cleverley scored about three minutes later.
Cleverley chipped the ball over Wilman Conde with his right foot and then slotted the ball past substitute goalkeeper Nick Rimando with a low left-footed shot to extend United's lead to 4-1.
American star Landon Donovan, who has been linked with a move to United's across town rivals Manchester City in recent days, came on in the 74th minute, drawing a loud ovation. Donovan played the final 16 minutes without taking a shot.
One of Alex Fergusson's few signings of the summer, Mexican striker Javier Hernandez proved that the Red Devils coach still knows how to pick them.
Veteran Paul Scholes sent a long pass up field for the speedy striker and Hernandez calmly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, who had come off his line.
5-1 after 84 minutes but there was still another goal for the crowd to enjoy with Dwayne De Rosario scoring for the All-Stars in the 90th minute to round out the scoring.
United, who played without several top players, circled the Reliant Stadium field and applauded the sell out crowd of 70,728 after the game.
Manchester United will play Chivas Guadalajara on Friday in Mexico before returning to England and playing Chelsea in the Community Shield on the 08th of August before beginning their new season against Newcastle a week later.
Details:
Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA. 28 July, 2010.
MLS All-Stars (blue/black) v. Manchester United (red/white)
1. 00:00 Stadium Interior
First Half
2. 00:06 1st minute: Federico Macheda Goal, Manchester United 1-0
3. 00:20 13th minute: Macheda Goal, Manchester United 2-0
Second Half
4. 00:32 64th minute: Brian Ching Goal, MLS trails 2-1
5. 00:49 70th minute: Darron Gibson Goal, Manchester United 3-1
6. 01:04 73rd minute: Tom Cleverley Goal, Manchester United 4-1
7. 01:22 Landon Donovan enters game
8. 01:38 84th minute: Javier Hernandez Goal, Manchester United 5-1
9. 01:53 90th minute: Dwayne De Rosario Goal, MLS trails 5-2
10. 02:12 Final seconds of match
FINAL SCORE: Manchester United 5, MLS All-Stars 2
