LA Galaxy 2 Manchester United 5
Manchester United kicked off Tour 2017, presented by Aon, in impressive fashion thanks to another thrashing of LA Galaxy.
The Reds had strolled to a 7-0 victory over the same pre-season opponents in Pasadena three years ago and the players wasted no time in picking up where they left off with a goal after just two minutes through Marcus Rashford’s fine finish following a Jesse Lingard interception.
Juan Mata had a fine clipped shot well saved before the Spaniard, on 20 minutes, set Rashford up for another excellent goal. Six minutes later it was 3-0 when the lively Lingard turned in the box and found Marouane Fellaini who smashed the ball home.
Lingard himself went close with an effort soon after, as did Mata, while Chris Smalling had a goal ruled out just before the break for offside. Rashford had the perfect opportunity to complete his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time after being put clean through by a sublime Michael Carrick pass but Galaxy goalkeeper Jon Kempin thwarted his attempt.
Juan Mata had a fine clipped shot well saved before the Spaniard, on 20 minutes, set Rashford up for another excellent goal. Six minutes later it was 3-0 when the lively Lingard turned in the box and found Marouane Fellaini who smashed the ball home.
Lingard himself went close with an effort soon after, as did Mata, while Chris Smalling had a goal ruled out just before the break for offside. Rashford had the perfect opportunity to complete his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time after being put clean through by a sublime Michael Carrick pass but Galaxy goalkeeper Jon Kempin thwarted his attempt.
The second half began with a completely new United line-up as Mourinho stuck to his promise of giving as many players as possible 45 minutes. Two of the second-period arrivals were new signings Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku, and the latter wasted no time in trying to score, only to have his shot saved.
Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were also both denied by Kempin, but the keeper could do little to stop Mkhitaryan when the Armenian intercepted the ball before being set up by Martial to slot home. The Frenchman then finished with aplomb after being found in the box by a Tim Fosu-Mensah cross.
The Galaxy pulled a couple of goals back in the final 11 minutes, both from former Barcelona and Tottenham striker Giovani dos Santos, but it was too little too late for the hosts as United ran out deserved winners.
Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were also both denied by Kempin, but the keeper could do little to stop Mkhitaryan when the Armenian intercepted the ball before being set up by Martial to slot home. The Frenchman then finished with aplomb after being found in the box by a Tim Fosu-Mensah cross.
The Galaxy pulled a couple of goals back in the final 11 minutes, both from former Barcelona and Tottenham striker Giovani dos Santos, but it was too little too late for the hosts as United ran out deserved winners.
THE LINE-UPS
LA Galaxy first half: Kempin, Smith, Steres, Arellano, Diallo, Garcia, Villarreal, Jamieson IV, Mendiola, Lassiter, McInerney.
LA Galaxy second half: Rowe, Smith, Romney, Van Damme, Cole, Pedro, Garcia (Jones 60), Lassiter (Alessandrini 61), Dos Santos, Boateng, McBean. Sub not used: Van Anholt.
United first half: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Carrick, Herrera, Fellaini, Lingard, Mata, Rashford.
United second half: J. Pereira, Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Bailly, Darmian, Fosu-Mensah (Mitchell 85), Pogba, A. Pereira, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Lukaku. Subs not used: Romero, McTominay.
TALKING POINT
It was a big night for two players in the squad as new signings Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku experienced how it felt to pull on the Red shirt for the first time, and both looked more than comfortable in it. Lukaku was involved in all of United’s positive attacking play and such was his determination to do well he even ended the night with a ripped shirt as he gave everything for the cause. Lindelof, meanwhile, had a great opportunity to score his first goal but blasted over the bar from close range when a corner dropped to him. He looked at ease as part of a back three and made a brilliant sliding tackle towards the end of the match as Emmanuel Boateng threatened.
TRENDING TOPICS
There were a number of topics relating to the match trending throughout the 90 minutes. #LAvMUN and #MUTOUR were popular hashtags as was #UnitedInRed following encouragement from United's social channels for fans to wear red and share their selfies. #Rashford and #Kempin were also posted a lot in relation the youngster’s fine strikes and Kempin’s theatrics in goal to prevent an even bigger difference in the scoreline.
STARS SPOTTED
Scattered around the StubHub Center were a number of famous faces. The most recognisable of all was a former player for both teams, a certain Mr David Beckham, who waved to the crowd when the big screen cameras panned to him. The former England captain remains a hero to both sets of supporters.
Also in attendance were a couple of personalities who had attended training earlier in the week, Harry Potter and Batman star Gary Oldman, Lord of the Rings’ Dominic Monaghan and Games of Thrones actor Conleth Hill. He was joined by fellow cast-mate Joe Dempsie, while comedian and lifelong United supporter Patrick Kielty was also cheering on the Reds.
It was a big night for two players in the squad as new signings Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku experienced how it felt to pull on the Red shirt for the first time, and both looked more than comfortable in it. Lukaku was involved in all of United’s positive attacking play and such was his determination to do well he even ended the night with a ripped shirt as he gave everything for the cause. Lindelof, meanwhile, had a great opportunity to score his first goal but blasted over the bar from close range when a corner dropped to him. He looked at ease as part of a back three and made a brilliant sliding tackle towards the end of the match as Emmanuel Boateng threatened.
TRENDING TOPICS
There were a number of topics relating to the match trending throughout the 90 minutes. #LAvMUN and #MUTOUR were popular hashtags as was #UnitedInRed following encouragement from United's social channels for fans to wear red and share their selfies. #Rashford and #Kempin were also posted a lot in relation the youngster’s fine strikes and Kempin’s theatrics in goal to prevent an even bigger difference in the scoreline.
STARS SPOTTED
Scattered around the StubHub Center were a number of famous faces. The most recognisable of all was a former player for both teams, a certain Mr David Beckham, who waved to the crowd when the big screen cameras panned to him. The former England captain remains a hero to both sets of supporters.
Also in attendance were a couple of personalities who had attended training earlier in the week, Harry Potter and Batman star Gary Oldman, Lord of the Rings’ Dominic Monaghan and Games of Thrones actor Conleth Hill. He was joined by fellow cast-mate Joe Dempsie, while comedian and lifelong United supporter Patrick Kielty was also cheering on the Reds.
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