Manchester United have won the opening game of their pre-season tour 1-0 against Amazulu FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
The Premier League side, who had Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov in their starting lineup, could have gone ahead inside the opening two minutes when Federico Macheda nearly got to the rebound of Javier Hernandez's shot.
However, the Italian striker didn't have to wait long to put the ball in the net as he calmly slotted in following Berbatov's incisive pass.
In a first half of few chances for the hosts, they forced a good save from Anders Lindegaard on 23 minutes after Ayanda Dlamini drilled a low shot towards goal.
United came close to doubling their lead before the break when Berbatov's stinging volley from 25 yards was pushed away by Tapuwa Kapini.
Berbatov had another effort cleared off the line inside the opening minute of the second half before Lindegaard was called into action as Amazulu enjoyed a brief attacking spell.
Substitute Davide Petrucci was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the final five minutes as his drive came back off the underside of the bar.
As the game headed towards the final stages, there was just enough time for new signing Shinji Kagawa to make his debut for the Red Devils.
Jack Prescott
