Manchester United's second match of their pre-season tour pitted the Premier League champions against the A-League All Stars in Sydney.
David Moyes's side suffered a 1-0 loss to Singha All Star XI last Saturday, but there was no sign of a hangover as they dominated the early stages of possession.
Jesse Lingard sent United ahead in the 11th minute with a cool finish, before Danny Welbeck extended their lead from close range in the latter stages of the half.
The A-League All Stars struck first in the second period courtesy of a smart finish from Besart Berisha, but Lingard had his second moments later with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
United continued to dominate in the latter stages, scoring their fourth with 20 minutes remaining as Welbeck thumped a powerful header into the back of the net.
There was still time for Robin van Persie to get in on the act, however, with the Dutchman adding United's fifth in the final five minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Manchester United’s pre-season preparations continue this morning as the Premier League champions travel to Australia to face the A-League All Stars. The English outfit enter the match off the back of a defeat having suffered a 1-0 reverse to Singha All Star XI last weekend, but David Moyes has a number of returning first-team players.
Teams:
A-League All Stars: Covic; Boogard, Rose, Topor-Stanley, Beauchamp; Bojic, Emerton, Miller, Berisha; McGlinchey, Broich
Manchester United: Lindegaard; Rafael, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra; Zaha, Carrick, Cleverley, Lingard, Giggs; Welbeck
So there we have it. Some familiar faces in the home team's starting side with former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Brett Emerton captaining the side. Former Manchester United and Sunderland midfielder Liam Miller also starts, while ex-Millwall attacker Paul Ifill has been named among the substitutes.
United, meanwhile, have David de Gea and Robin van Persie among their substitutes. Anders Lindegaard is given the starting spot in goal, while Phil Jones and Patrice Evra are also handed starts in defence. Wilfried Zaha will operate from the right, while Danny Welbeck continues to lead the line.
United’s players will also be glad to learn that the weather conditions in Sydney are far less oppressive than they faced in Thailand last Saturday. Unsurprisingly, the match is a sell-out with the majority boasting the colours of the Premier League outfit, who will be keen to return to winning ways against a largely makeshift team.
As mentioned, the A-League All Stars will be managed by Melbourne Victory boss Ange Postecoglou, but Australia’s involvement in the East Asian Cup has left his options limited for this particular match. Meanwhile, foreign stars Alessandro del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono have also been made unavailable.
It will be a tough ask for the home side having spent just five days together as a team. However, Western Sydney Wanderers skipper Michael Beauchamp has insisted that they will be ready to compete. He told reporters at a press conference: “We’ve worked a lot on keeping the ball moving and possession working out from the back. It’s been a great experience (getting) another coach’s perspective.”
A certain Wayne Rooney continues to dominate the headlines for United, but Moyes continues to insist that the England striker is not for sale. Whether that is indeed the case come the end of next month remains to be seen, but for now, Rooney remains a United player. However, he will play no part in the club’s pre-season tour having suffered a hamstring injury earlier this month.
United’s chief executive Ed Woodward had been expected to be in attendance for this match, but he departed Australia last week to complete some “urgent transfer business”. It had been expected that the news would involve Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas, but that deal appears more unlikely with each passing day.
Right, we are just about two minutes from kickoff inside this wonderful stadium. I would be surprised if United did not put on a show this evening after losing their first pre-season match last week, but there is no question that the Australian A-League is on the rise. Let's hope for a entertaining 90 minutes of football.
Just a quick reminder of the team news this morning. Former Blackburn midfielder Emerton skippers the home side, while former Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller also starts. For United, Zaha makes his full debut, while Lingard is given a chance to impress from the start. We are running a couple of minutes behind schedule here, but the players are expected to emerge shortly.
More than 80,000 spectators inside this fabulous stadium. Who says football is not the favoured sport of the Australians? Such excitement among the crowd. The temperature inside the stadium is just about 15 degrees, which is welcome news for the English outfit following their clash in Thailand last week. Kickoff is almost upon us.
Right, the handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. I expect the home side to be nice and compact, but I cannot see anything other than a comfortable United victory in Syndey. The home side finally get the action underway.
It is understood that this match sold out in five minutes, which considering the size of the stadium, is some feat. Good tempo to the early stages with Giggs and Cleverley combining in midfield, but Miller is across to make the challenge. Plenty of suggestions that we will see end-to-end football in Sydney.
Bright start from Zaha as the England international collects possession on the left before cutting inside and finding Cleverley, but eventually the move breaks down. McGlinchey is involved down the other end, but his cross is cleared by Ferdinand before Bojic fires high and wide of Lindegaard's goal moments later.
Again it's good work from United as Rafael combines with Carrick before driving a low cross into the box, but Boogard is across to make the challenge. Giggs plays the resulting corner short to Zaha, who finds Lingard in the box, but Berisha makes the block, before Jones heads into the arms of Covic. Bright opening six minutes in Sydney.
Half-chance for United this time as Lingard finds Welbeck in the box, but the England striker's effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Evra has the game's best opportunity from the resulting corner, but the skipper heads wide of the target. That really should have been the opener. Not too much for the home side to get excited about in the last few minutes.
One-way traffic in the last few moments as United continue to dominate possession in midfield. Emerton attempts to settle it down for the A-League All Stars, but the move breaks down with Broich. Zaha and Welbeck combine down the right moments later, but McGlinchey is on hand to make the clearance.
GOAL! A-League All Stars 0-1 Manchester United (Lingard)
United have their first match of pre-season as Lingard collects possession inside the box before slotting into the far corner. Wonderful composure from the young midfielder. In truth, it had been coming with the Premier League outfit impressing in the opening 10 minutes or so. I suspect that will not be the last of the goals.
Almost an immediate response from the home side as Broich thumps an effort from outside the box, but it just moves high and wide of the target. Good grief that was travelling. Zaha is involved down the other end moments later, but Beauchamp fells the winger outside the box. Bright opening 14 minutes from the former Crystal Palace winger.
The opportunities continue to arrive for United as Evra meets another corner from Giggs, but his effort moves over the crossbar. Really impressive passing from the Premier League champions with Cleverley and Giggs moving possession into the wide areas. Evra has another opportunity from a corner, but again he can only flick over the crossbar.
It would be no exaggeration to say that Evra could have had a hat-trick in the opening 18 minutes of this match. A hat-trick of headers. In truth, the home side have just been blown away in the opening stages of this match, with Broich's long-range effort the closest they have come to worrying Lindegaard.
Good possession for the home side in the last few moments with Bojic and Emerton dictating the passing from the middle of the pitch. However, neither can find that elusive ball in the final third. Rose has an opportunity to whip a low cross into the box moments later, but Phil Jones is across to make the clearance. Nothing pre-season or indeed friendly about this match at the moment.
First real involvement for Lindegaard as the United stopper is forced to pluck a Beauchamp cross out of the air. The Dane attempts to find Welbeck on the counter, but the striker is penalised for a push on Boogard. The home side do appear to have just found their feet in the last couple of moments with plenty of movement in the final third. However, United continue to lead courtesy of that Lingard strike.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure in the last couple of moments with both sides struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Zaha continues to impress with his tricks in wide areas, but there have been no takers on one of his crosses thus far. I suspect David Moyes will be impressed with what he has seen of the England international thus far.
Lingard is involved once more as the youngster combines with Welbeck before bursting into the box, but his effort is blocked by Rose. Welbeck is involved with Cleverley moments later, but the latter is penalised for a push on Emerton. Little under 20 minutes of what has been a very enjoyable first period remaining.
First real opportunity for the home side as Bojic collects a pass from Miller before striking an effort from outside the box, but Lindegaard is down to make a fine save. The resulting corner is whipped into the box by Broich, but Topor-Stanley's header is straight at Jones. Really competitive match at the moment with the A-League All Stars certainly growing in confidence.
Another half-chance for the home side as Berisha meets a low cross from Rose, but the midfielder just could not make proper contact. United are quickly on the counter with Zaha, who finds Welbeck, but again the danger is cleared for a corner. Giggs again whips the set piece into the box, but Beauchamp is on hand with a powerful header. End-to-end football in the last couple of moments.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments, but United remain a threat on the counter with the pace of Lingard, Zaha and Welbeck. Rafael takes matters into his own hands moments later, but his cross is cleared by Rose. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Sydney.
GOAL! A-League All Stars 0-2 Manchester United (Welbeck)
Lovely, lovely goal from the Premier League champions. It's Giggs with the assist as the Welshman pokes a low ball towards Welbeck, who simply slots into the bottom corner. That will do his confidence no harm at all. United lead 2-0 in the latter stages of the first half.
Complete and utter domination from United in the latter stages of this half with Carrick, Giggs and Cleverley controlling the middle of the pitch. It has also been a very productive half for Zaha, who has surely impressed boss David Moyes. I would be surprised if we did not see more goals in the second period, especially with a certain Robin van Persie on the United bench.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments with Emerton and Miller twice finding Broich in the box, but the forward was quickly crowded out. Zaha and Welbeck threaten on the counter down the other end, but the latter just loses control at the vital moment. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in Sydney.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Welbeck to score his second of the match as he bursts beyond the opposing defence, the striker rounds the goalkeeper, but his shot is blocked by Boogard. That would have put this game to bed there is no question about that. This is a completely different United team to what we saw last week.
Possession football for United in the last few moments with Ferdinand and Jones prepared to keep the ball in their own half. You just get the feeling that this could get very nasty for the A-League All Stars in the second period, especially with the amount of changes that are expected. Where has this first period gone?! It has absolutely flown by.
Another half-chance for United as Zaha drives down the right before finding a low cross towards Lingard, but Rose is back to clear at the vital moment. Welbeck has another opportunity to score his second moments later, but the striker fires his effort straight at the goalkeeper, before another corner is cleared by Broich.
HALF-TIME: A-League All Stars 0-2 Manchester United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with United leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Lingard and Welbeck. The home side have had a couple of half-chances, but it has been a half utterly dominated by the team in red. David Moyes will be impressed with what he has seen in the club's second match of their pre-season tour.
There has been no sign of a Mexican wave in the first period, which is always a good indication of how entertaining a match has been. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Emerton has been the standout player for the A-League All Stars, while Broich has had a couple of bright moments. That said, the Australian outfit are lucky to only be two goals behind after 45 minutes of football.
There is a danger that the tempo will drop in the second period as both sides make changes, but as far as pre-season games go, this has been extremely entertaining thus far. It has been another impressive showing for Zaha, who has caused all sorts of problems with his pace and trickery, while that goal for Welbeck will do his confidence no harm at all.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that if United score a couple of early goals in this half then it could get very nasty very quickly for the Australian outfit. Bare with me while the changes from both sides are confirmed. Let's hope for more of the same in the second period as United get the half underway.
Just the one change at the interval for United with young defender Michael Keane introduced in place of Rio Ferdinand. Three changes for the home side, meanwhile, with Billy Celski replacing Ben Miller, Michael Theo taking Ante Covic's place in goal and Josh Risdon slotting into the defence in place of Pedj Bojic. Right, now that is sorted we can get on with the second half.
Half-chance for the home side in the opening stages of the half as Broich beats the offside trap before advancing on goal, but the number 11 can only fire his effort wide of the target. That could and perhaps should have been 2-1. Lingard attempts to find Zaha down the other end moments later, but the cross was always too long for the England international.
CHANCE! Again it's really bright play from Zaha as the winger drives past Rose before finding Welbeck in the box, but Topor-Stanley just manages to make a challenge at the vital moment. Michael Keane has a chance from the resulting corner, but his header is high and wide of the target. Really bright seven minutes to the second period.
GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-2 Manchester United (Berisha)
The home side open their tally for the evening as Berisha turns on the edge of the box before stroking a low effort into the bottom corner. For me, Lindegaard just has to do better from that angle. Game on in Sydney. Safe to say David Moyes was not best pleased with that goal.
GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-3 Manchester United (Lingard)
Wow, that's some strike from Lingard. The young midfielder has his second of the evening as he collects possession on the edge of the box before thumping an effort into the top corner. He has done his chances of first-team selection no harm at all here. United regain their two-goal lead.
United want a penalty as Zaha bursts into the box before being chopped down by Boogard, but the referee is not interested, much to Zaha's frustration. The resulting corner is met by the head of Lingard, but Theo is down low to make the save. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in this enthralling pre-season friendly.
A certain Dutchman is preparing to enter the field for United. Van Persie? He is supposed to be quite good. I would be astounded if we did not see more goals in the latter stages of this match with the home side tiring. They are not used to playing at this tempo there is no question about that. The home side are also preparing some changes as we enter the final 30 minutes of action.
Half-chance for Rafael this time as the Brazilian collects a pass from Welbeck before striking from close range, but it moves wide of the post. Changes for the home side as Mark Bridge and Rhyan Grant replace McGlinchey and Rose. Van Persie is also indeed introduced in place of Giggs, who has been impressive in the middle of the park.
Evra takes a nasty one in a challenge with Rose, with the Frenchman holding his knee in distress. Fabio is being put through a warm-up on the side of the pitch, but for now Evra is continuing. The home side attack down the other end moments later with Grant, but his pass towards Broich is just too long.
The changes do appear to have given the home side new-found belief with Bridge and Grant both causing problems in wide areas. A half-chance arrives for Broich outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Jones. United are down the other end with Lingard, but the move breaks down.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Just a reminder that Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea is on the bench this evening, but it is unlikely whether we will see him in the final 20 minutes or so. Still United lead 3-1 courtesy of a double from Lingard and a smart finish from Welbeck.
GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-4 Manchester United (Welbeck)
United have their fourth of the evening as Welbeck rises in the box before thumping a Van Persie corner into the back of the net. Wonderful header from the striker. That proves to be his last piece of action as Welbeck is replaced by Adnan Januzaj, while Anderson replaces Carrick.
Double change for the home side as Broich and Berisha are replaced by David Williams and Paul Ifill. Another half-chance for United moments later as Lingard finds Evra in the box, but the Frenchman can only clip his cross straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Little over 15 minutes of this pre-season fixture remaining.
Zaha comes close to scoring his side's fifth of the evening as the winger bursts into the box, but Beauchamp is across to challenge at the final moment. The resulting corner is whipped into the box by Van Persie, but Lingard can only clip wide of the post. United are closing in on goal number five here.
Another change for United as Evra is replaced by Fabio, who started the clash with Singha All Star XI last Saturday. Evra takes off the armband and hands it to Van Persie for the final 15 minutes. Just a reminder that following the completion of this match United travel to Japan to continue their pre-season tour.
Half-chance for Fabio as the Brazilian collects possession on the left before attempting to bend an effort into the top corner, but Theo is on hand to collect with relative ease. Emerton attempts to find the run of Grant down the other end, but Jones is across to challenge. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in Sydney.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments, but the home side have been able to quell some of the United pressure with a spell of possession. Januzaj attempts to force the issue for United with a low pass towards Lingard, but Theo is out to gather at the vital moment.
Oh no, the Mexican wave has arrived! Another double change for the home side this evening with Connor Chapman and Marcelo Currusca replacing Emerton and Beauchamp. In fairness, the amount of changes has not dampened the tempo of this match with both sides continuing to force the issue in the final third. Little over five minutes of football remaining in Sydney.
Anderson takes matters into his own hands moments later as the Brazilian collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the run of Zaha, but Boogard is across to clear at the vital moment. David Moyes is sure to be delighted by his side's performance in this match. A big positive has been the performance of Zaha.
GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-5 Manchester United (Van Persie)
Van Persie gets in on the act for United as the Dutchman collects a pass from Lingard before thumping a powerful effort into the back of the net. In truth, five goals does not flatter the Premier League champions. They have been that dominant against the Australian outfit.
Chance for Zaha to add United's sixth as the winger collects a pass from Van Persie before striking an effort towards goal, but it just moves wide of the post. Another corner arrives for the English outfit moments later, but Bridge is on hand to make the clearance.
POST! Wonderful chance for Januzaj to score United's sixth as the youngster collects a pass from Zaha inside the box, but the Belgian smashes his effort against the post. Little over one minute of added time remaining in Sydney. It has been a very confident performance from the Premier League champions.
FULL-TIME: A-League All Stars 1-5 Manchester United
So there we have it. David Moyes picks up his first win as United boss as Lingard (two), Welbeck (two) and Van Persie score in a 5-1 win for the Premier League outfit. Next stop for the club is Japan. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
