Match Report – Manchester United 6-0 New York Cosmos

Competition: Paul Scholes Testimonial (Friendly)
Kick-Off & Date: 7:30m, Friday, 5th August 2011
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home)
Attendance: 75,957


Paul Scholes marked his Testimonial with a cracking goal on front of a full 76,000 supporters at Old Trafford, as Manchester United beat the New York Cosmos 6-0 in a fitting tribute to the midfield genius. Scholesy struck in ironic circumstances with 9 minutes on the clock, direct from a short corner. A Wayne Rooney penalty led to goals from Oliveira Anderson, Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf with the likes of Pelé and Eric Cantona looking on…

The man of the moment captained the side, as David De Gea and Ashley Young were handed their first appearances at The Theatre Of Dreams, along with Rafael Da Silva, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra in the backline. Luis Nani and Ryan Giggs completed the midfield line-up, and Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t hold back with his selection – choosing Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to start in attack in the strong eleven.   

With some fine passing and crossing in the opening minutes, it was clear Scholes wouldn’t let anybody steal his show. Forget the tackling though. Within 10 minutes, United were pressing New York hard, and from a short corner Pat Evra cued to Paul Scholes… Bang. Goal. Cosmos’ goalkeeper Brad Friedel was beaten by a fabulous 25-yard strike that landed in the top left corner of the goals. Old Trafford went wild. Take a bow, Scholesy, take a bow.

The 36-year-old former England International will tell you it was just like any of his other 150 goals, but this goal was special. The stage was set for Scholes, and boy did he exceed expectations. His trademark shot hasn’t changed in 17 seasons, and he will prove one of the most difficult players to replace at Manchester United. The midfielder pulls the strings in nearly every game he plays, and Friday night was no different, similar to his 676 other club games. 

In most Testimonials, a penalty is the only way the centre of attention will score, but when Ash Young was chopped-down in the box by Marvin Iraheta, Scholes ordered Wayne Rooney to do the honours. He did just that, firing past Friedel with a little help from the crossbar. This coming after New York Cosmos nearly tied the occasion through former United employees Dwight Yorke and Nicky Butt. However, the night belonged to Paul’s side.

Scholes almost doubled his tally, but Cantona’s side did the business at the back. The game was 2-0 in United’s favour when the interval arrived, with Anders Lindegaard, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Oliveira Anderson and Danny Welbeck all entering. The subs combined, as Anderson exchanged passes with Welbeck before slotting home no.3 in Paul Scholes’ Testimonial match 5 minutes after kick-off. 

Welbeck grabbed his own slice of the action on the hour mark, with Rooney providing the assist thanks to some shabby defensive play by Pelé’s men. Mame Diouf, Kiko Macheda and Tom Cleverley entered the fray alongside second half substitute Phil Jones, making his home debut. Gary Neville came on for The Cosmos to probably the best reception for an opposition footballer, although fellow ex-Reds also drew applause from the ground. 

Paul Scholes narrowly missed the target from a free-kick, not content with his eye-catching opener. It wasn’t long before Sir Alex’s Red Army stretched their lead, this time Welbeck turned provider after missing two sitters to tee-up Mame Diouf for another pre-season goal. 5-0 now the scoreline on 69 minutes. Before the night was up, Diouf bagged a brace 4 minutes after his first score, Anderson finding his man with an accurate through ball.

The legend made a quick exit for Paul Pogba, but there was no escaping the rapturous, standing ovation from the best fans in the world. Scholes will be sorely missed, but his Testimonial was all about celebrating his phenomenal one-club career that has brought him 24 titles at the world’s biggest club. There is no time for crying despite the fitting goodbye though, a certain Derby lies around the corner with Sunday’s Community Shield v Manchester City…

United Team: David De Gea (Anders Lindegaard ’46), Rafael Da Silva (Jonny Evans ’46), Patrice Evra (Fabio Da Silva ’46), Rio Ferdinand (Chris Smalling ’46), Nemanja Vidic (Phil Jones ’46), Luis Nani (Tom Cleverley ’62), Paul Scholes (Paul Pogba ’74), Ryan Giggs (Oliveira Anderson ’46), Ashley Young (Mame Diouf ’62), Dimitar Berbatov (Danny Welbeck ’46), Wayne Rooney (Federico Macheda ’62).

Goals: Scholes ‘9, Rooney (Penalty) ’28, Anderson ’50, Welbeck ’59, Diouf ’69, ’74

• Video Highlights: United 6-0 New York Cosmos