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Played
July 13, 2011 7:45 PM EDT
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
July 13, 2011 7:45 PM EDT
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
New England Revolution 1-4 Manchester United: Red Devils have no problems in U.S. tour opener
With no players getting injured and a victory in front of a packed house, it was an overall success for Sir Alex's squad in the first game of the World Football Challenge.
By Mike Slane
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United and Franco Coria of New England Revolution (Getty Images)
What would you expect to see when you put the second-best team in Europe against the second-worst team in Major League Soccer?
A blowout.
And that exactly was the case as English powerhouse Manchester United coasted by MLS cellar-dweller New England Revolution in an entertaining 4-1 decision Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium.
"I think we showed good quality and we made some amazing goals," Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard said. "I am sure the American fans have enjoyed their evening here."
Federico Macheda scored two goals while Michael Owen and Park Ji-Sung had one apiece for the Red Devils, who scored all four of their goals after halftime following a scoreless first half. Kenny Mansally tallied New England's only goal.
"You are playing against one of the best teams in the world, so it's just good to be out there and to challenge yourself against that kind of competition," Revolution forward Benny Feilhaber said.
Manchester United owned possession in the first half, but it couldn't sneak one past New England goalkeeper Matt Reis, who made some spectacular saves to keep his team in the game before being substituted at halftime.
Replacement Bobby Shuttleworth wouldn't be so lucky.
Owen, who came in for Wayne Rooney in the second half, began United's scoring burst in the 51st minute. The 32-year-old forward completed a poacher's effort by coming from his left side and tapping the ball past the backup goalkeeper. Michael Carrick provided the assist.
It took only three more minutes before Manchester struck again. This time it was a goal from Macheda, another second-half substitute.
Macheda scored the first of his two off a great pass from Carrick after splitting two Revolution defenders and finishing with his left foot. It looked like he had put the game away, but New England made things interesting minutes later.
Mansally got one of the luckiest goals of his career after Benny Feilhaber drilled the ball off the side of his leg on a free kick from just outside the box at the 55th minute. The deflection went by a helpless Lindegaard, who started at goalkeeper in place of the absent David de Gea.
That would be the closest New England would get to pulling off what many would have considered a major upset despite it being a friendly.
In the 61st minute, Macheda recorded his second goal in a seven-minute span and narrowly missed the hat trick two minutes later. Park, who came in with 18 minutes left to play, put the game away with a chip shot in the 80th minute.
"Overall it was good and then obviously they turned it up a knoch in the second (half)," Feilhaber said. "I think the first three goals we could have done better at."
The game was the first of the 2011 World Football Challenge, which also features Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City among other teams.
United players were happy to be back on the field ahead of their season opener on Aug. 14.
"It is always difficult to play your first game and it was a difficult pitch to play on, but I was pleased to get a run on," Rooney said.
As the case in most preseason friendlies, there was plenty of experimenting going on for both sides. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson played a total of 17 players, including Ashley Young, who made his debut with the squad.
Young, who came over from Aston Villa this summer, started at midfield and played 67 minutes.
Justin Churchill contributed reporting for this article
Follow MIKE SLANE on
Follow Goal.com on to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
A blowout.
And that exactly was the case as English powerhouse Manchester United coasted by MLS cellar-dweller New England Revolution in an entertaining 4-1 decision Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium.
"I think we showed good quality and we made some amazing goals," Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard said. "I am sure the American fans have enjoyed their evening here."
Federico Macheda scored two goals while Michael Owen and Park Ji-Sung had one apiece for the Red Devils, who scored all four of their goals after halftime following a scoreless first half. Kenny Mansally tallied New England's only goal.
"You are playing against one of the best teams in the world, so it's just good to be out there and to challenge yourself against that kind of competition," Revolution forward Benny Feilhaber said.
Manchester United owned possession in the first half, but it couldn't sneak one past New England goalkeeper Matt Reis, who made some spectacular saves to keep his team in the game before being substituted at halftime.
Replacement Bobby Shuttleworth wouldn't be so lucky.
Owen, who came in for Wayne Rooney in the second half, began United's scoring burst in the 51st minute. The 32-year-old forward completed a poacher's effort by coming from his left side and tapping the ball past the backup goalkeeper. Michael Carrick provided the assist.
It took only three more minutes before Manchester struck again. This time it was a goal from Macheda, another second-half substitute.
Macheda scored the first of his two off a great pass from Carrick after splitting two Revolution defenders and finishing with his left foot. It looked like he had put the game away, but New England made things interesting minutes later.
Mansally got one of the luckiest goals of his career after Benny Feilhaber drilled the ball off the side of his leg on a free kick from just outside the box at the 55th minute. The deflection went by a helpless Lindegaard, who started at goalkeeper in place of the absent David de Gea.
That would be the closest New England would get to pulling off what many would have considered a major upset despite it being a friendly.
In the 61st minute, Macheda recorded his second goal in a seven-minute span and narrowly missed the hat trick two minutes later. Park, who came in with 18 minutes left to play, put the game away with a chip shot in the 80th minute.
"Overall it was good and then obviously they turned it up a knoch in the second (half)," Feilhaber said. "I think the first three goals we could have done better at."
The game was the first of the 2011 World Football Challenge, which also features Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City among other teams.
United players were happy to be back on the field ahead of their season opener on Aug. 14.
"It is always difficult to play your first game and it was a difficult pitch to play on, but I was pleased to get a run on," Rooney said.
As the case in most preseason friendlies, there was plenty of experimenting going on for both sides. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson played a total of 17 players, including Ashley Young, who made his debut with the squad.
Young, who came over from Aston Villa this summer, started at midfield and played 67 minutes.
Justin Churchill contributed reporting for this article
Follow MIKE SLANE on
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
5 | 1 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
5 | 0 |
|
Heiðar Helguson
Striker QPR |
5 | 0 |
|
Jason Roberts
Striker Blackburn Rovers |
4 | 1 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Man United |
4 | 0 |