Match Report - MLS All-Stars 0-4 Manchester United

Competition: Pre-Season Friendly
Kick-Off & Date: 9pm, Wednesday, 27th July 2011
Venue: Red Bull Arena, New Jersey, US (Neutral)
Attendance: 26,716


Manchester United proved much too strong for the best of America's Major League Soccer, although improvement was clear to be seen in Hans Backe's side, comprising mostly of New York Red Bulls' footballers. Oliveira Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov, Ji-Sung Park and Danny Welbeck all made it on to the scoresheet on Wednesday, as The Red Devils smothered the MLS All-Stars 4-0 at the sell-out Red Bull Arena in New Jersey...

Anders Lindegaard was again trusted with the goalkeeping gloves in net, as new signing Phil Jones started at right back. Nemanja Vidic captained the side, with Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra filling-in beside the Serbian supremacy. Michael Carrick was twinned with Oliveira Anderson in midfield, with support from Ji-Sung Park and summer arrival Ashley Young on either wing. Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov were placed in attack.  

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez was denied the chance to face boyhood hero Omar Bravo, after United's Mexican talisman spent Tuesday night in hospital with minor concussion. However, Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed his 'all-clear' on Wednesday, and the 23-year-old watched from the comfort of the New Jersey team hotel. 20 minutes it took for The Reds to gain the advantage, with an unlikely goalscorer in Oliveira Anderson !

Anderson collected the ball deep in United's half, sending it up to Rooney who exchanged passes with Berbatov numerous time before spreading it out wide to Ash Young, with the ball moving back into the centre for Ando to make a sneaky run, receive the ball and knock it past MLS All-Stars goalie Faryd Mondragon with ease. There was nothing the likes of former United star David Beckham or ex-Arsenal ace Thierry Henry could do to reverse the balance. 

Becks did try his luck from range, but Lindegaard kept 'Golden Balls' at bay. Brad Davis also put The Devil's 27-year-old Danish keeper to the test, but Anders was determined to keep another clean sheet between the posts. Mondragon came to the All-Stars' rescue when Rooney attempted to put his unique mark on the occasion, drawing an 'oooh' from the crowd - shy of 30,000 - mostly comprised of New Jersey and New York City Reds. 

But with seconds remaining in the first period of play, Ji-Sung Park entertained the onlookers with some brilliant football. The 30-year-old, who is close to penning a 2-year contract extension, twisted and turned into the box to beat two MLS defenders before unleashing an unforgiving shot into the right midsection of the goals. There was little Mondragon could do in goal, but admire the sheer class of the Premiership Champions. 

The second half brought an influx of substitutes, but United didn't confuse too many with solely Ben Amos replacing Anders Lindegaard in goal. A mere 8 minutes after the interval, Berbatov latched onto Rooney's ball by chipping over the keeper, but only to hit the crossbar. Berba continued his run and met the rebound with an outstretched leg to put Sir Alex's side 3-0 up, and cruising at this stage. A far cry from the goalless Chelsea striker, Fernando Torres !
 
Chris Smalling, Luis Nani, Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Federico Macheda and Michael Owen all left the substitutes bench to join the action on the hour mark. The referee was dealing with a couple of fouls using his marking spray, something which no doubt The FA will never bother their backsides to look at. Meanwhile, Becks was still pulling the strings for the MLS All-Stars in midfield, but Amos had the American strike force well sussed. 
 
Danny Welbeck became the last of United's six active strikers to score on the 2011 US Tour with 68 minutes on the clock, meaning Mame Biram Diouf, Federico Macheda, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney have all scored this summer. The nimble 20-year-old took a pot shot from outside the box, which beat sub goalkeeper Tally Hall thanks to a sizeable change in direction from defender Geoff Cameron. Well, Welbeck we've waited !

Mame Diouf and Fabio Da Silva also got a run out in the main attraction in NYC on Wednesday night.

The game finished 4-0 to The Red Devils, despite David Beckham almost scoring from a trademark free-kick. David hit the side netting, as did Pat in the closing stages of the game. It's now onwards and upwards for Manchester United, who fly to the capital of The United States Of America, in advance of facing FC Barcelona in Washington on Saturday. An early chance to see if Sir Alex and his players have successfully closed the gap on the thorn in our side ?


United Team: Anders Lindegaard (Ben Amos '46), Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand (Chris Smalling '61), Nemanja Vidic (Mame Diouf '73), Patrice Evra, Ji-Sung Park (Luis Nani '61), Michael Carrick (Tom Cleverley '61), Oliveira Anderson (Fabio Da Silva '73), Ashley Young (Danny Welbeck '61), Wayne Rooney (Federico Macheda '61), Dimitar Berbatov (Michael Owen '61).

Goals: Anderson '20, Park '45, Berbatov '53, Welbeck '68

• Video Highlights: MLS All-Stars 0-4 United