In a game in which both managers balanced youth and experience, Manchester United earned its first win of the preseason, beating Real Madrid 2-1.
The match began with both teams starting some stars, but featuring some players who may not get first-team minutes as the season wears on. Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea made his first start of the preseason, rejoining the club after playing with Spain in the 2018 World Cup.
Real Madrid also featured some big names, including Karim Benzema (who was not selected for France’s World Cup-winning squad) and Welshman Gareth Bale. However, players like Vinícius Júnior (who made his club debut) also featured.
The first goal of the night came in the 18th minute from Alexis Sánchez, off a cross from Matteo Darmian. Darmian, the Italian fullback, pushed forward in the United attack throughout the night.
United doubled its lead in the 26th minute. Ander Herrera completed a nifty piece of play, when Juan Mata centered a ball for Sánchez, who unselfishly left it off for Herrera.
Real were able to claw one back right before halftime, when Theo Hernández connected with Benzema to drag Los Blancos back into the game.
Despite Real’s efforts to get a result from the match (Nacho, Toni Kroos, Isco and Marco Asensio were all brought in in the 77th minute), De Gea and United grinded out the result.
More Mourinho minginess
After the match, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho repeated a common theme for the preseason tour United participated in: dismissiveness and misanthropy.
“I didn’t learn anything,” Mourinho said, when asked what the preseason friendlies in the United States provided the manager.
“La Liga understands better than the Premier League the needs of the clubs and the players,” Mourinho added, taking a shot at United’s home league.
This story will update throughout the night.
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