Philadelphia Union 0 - 1 United
Match
Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcJ-3bhmvtU
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
and slotted home from close range 14 minutes from time.
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 highlight of a match which was good in
patches, but relatively uneventful for the most part.
Sir Alex made six changes to the side that started against
Celtic in Toronto five days earlier. Tomasz Kuszczak started in
goal behind a back four of John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans and
Fabio. Gabriel Obertan and Ryan Giggs took up the wide positions
once more with debutant Tom Cleverley, who claimed United’s third
goal in the win over Celtic, given his chance alongside Paul
Scholes in the centre of midfield. Danny Welbeck, another scorer
against the Bhoys, partnered Federico Macheda in
attack.
Just as 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 Frenchman took a touch before letting fly from
a tight angle, but his low shot found the side netting. The winger
was involved again six minutes later when he connected with
Welbeck’s fine cross, but his well-struck volley flew wide.
Having soaked up United’s early pressure, the home side had their
first sight of goal on 12 minutes when Danny Mwanga worked space to
find Alejandro Moreno in the area. Thankfully for United the
striker couldn’t connect properly with his shot allowing Kuszczak
to claim easily.
Proceedings turned somewhat scrappy thereafter with both
teams struggling to find their rhythm. Welbeck did his utmost to
liven things up just after the half-hour mark. After firing a
looping 25-yard volley just wide of Brad Knighton’s goal, he was
denied by a fine stop from the Philly goalkeeper from close range
after lovely wing play from Fabio.
Sebastien Le Toux was presented with an equally great chance at the
other end after being found by the lively Mwanga. But the Frenchman
dragged his low effort just wide of Kuszczak’s left-hand
post.
Peter Nowak made seven substitutions at the start of the second
period and as the new personnel settled in Welbeck almost caught
them off guard when he hooked an effort over his left shoulder
which dropped just wide of substitute keeper Brian Perk’s far
post.
At the other end, two of the Zolos newest introductions almost made
an immediate. First, Jack McInerney blasted a low drive inches wide
of Kuszczak’s far post after being well found by Mwanga. Soon after
Nick Zimmerman stung the palms of the Polish stopper with a well
struck effort from 20 yards.
Sir Alex followed his opposite number in making a raft of
substitutions just after the hour-mark with Corry Evans – like
Cleverley making his first senior appearance – Darren
Fletcher, Rafael, Chris Smalling and Dimitar Berbatov all entering
the fray.
A frenzied few minutes followed with the Reds having a penalty
shout turned down when Obertan appeared to have his heels clipped
by Toni Stahl and Kuszczak brilliantly pushing away Danny Califf’s
flicked header from Kyle Nakazawa’s free-kick.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 76 minutes when two of
United’s liveliest performers combined. Welbeck picked up
possession on the right wing and slotted a lovely pass into the
onrushing Obertan who finished neatly from close
range.
Three minutes later Berbatov rattled the woodwork after picking up
a loose cross and turning and letting fly, while Giggs was denied a
stonewall penalty six minutes from time after being blatantly
blocked in the area.
The Reds survived a last-minute scare when Zimmerman’s cross was
blasted over by Le Toux from three yards out, while Ritchie De
Laet's late burst into the area almost brought a second for
the visitors in stoppage time.
It was another good work-out for Sir Alex's men whose
next pre-season test will be against the Kansas City
Wizards on Sunday.
United: Kuszczak; O'Shea (De Laet 76), Brown
(Smalling 61), J.Evans, Fabio (Rafael 61); Obertan, Scholes
(C.Evans 61), Cleverley (Fletcher 61), Giggs; Welbeck, Macheda
(Berbatov 61).
Subs not used: Amos. Booked:
Scholes
