Manchester United end tour of USA with win over Real Madrid – WHO WERE THE STAR PERFORMERS?

Manchester United ended their pre-season tour of the USA in style after defeating heavyweights Real Madrid 2-1. In this piece, I rate the star performers from Tuesday nights win and review the Red Devils Amercian road trip.

Perhaps the win against the Spanish giants can help improve the mood of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. It has felt like the Portuguese-man has been moaning all tour, despite the players insisting otherwise.

It was important to finish the tour on a good note. The team can hopefully continue the winning run in Munich this week and emulate a similar performance.

Mourinho again went with a back three, a formation United have used three times on tour so far. Scott McTominay was a surprise inclusion in that three-man defence, however, the Scottish international equipped himself very well.

couldn’t beat the keeper.

In between the two, Karim Benzema had a chance at the other end. His first-time shot was wide of the front post following a cut back from Odriozola.

It was the dominant United who took the lead. Ander Herrera’s threaded pass to Matteo Darmian was pulled back perfectly to Alexis Sanchez, whose first-time shot was fired through the keeper and into the net.

Herrera started the move for the first and he ended it to make it 2-0. Mata and Sanchez linked up again, as the number eight crossed for the Chilean, whose header back to Herrera was laced home.

Gareth Bale tried to respond instantly as the Welshman got the ball out of his feet and onto his favoured left-foot. He unleashed an effort at De Gea’s goal but thankfully for the United keeper, it didn’t possess enough whip on it to curl it into the corner.

Manchester United continued their threat with the likes of Sanchez, Fred, Mata and Shaw all linking once again down the left, but it was down Madrid’s left-flank where the next goal came.

Hernandez’ inch-perfect cross was met by Karim Benzema who managed to get across Eric Bailly before touching the ball past De Gea.

Los Blancos started the second half how they finished the first and created their best chance of the match so far. Odegaard placed the ball over the bar from the penalty spot after Rodriguez’s cut back.

After not thinking they would get a better chance to equalise, Madrid missed another sitter. Asensio’s cross, so good Raul De Tomos just had to let the ball hit him in order for the equaliser to go in. But the substitute somehow managed to turn the ball over the bar.

That was how the match finished as Manchester United finished their tour of the USA with a win. Alexis Sanchez and Juan Mata stood out again with both really developing an understanding for one another. Brazilian Fred, also impressed in his first start in a red shirt.