Club Friendlies
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Played
July 18, 2012 7:00 PM BST
Moses Mabhida Stadium — Durban
 
 
Federico Macheda 20′
 
That rounds off our live commentary of this evening's clash between Amazulu and Manchester United. Thanks for joining us, and remember, stick with Goal.com for all the pre-season action and latest transfer news!
 
 
A first-half Macheda effort proved to be the only goal of the evening in Durban, and while the hosts arguably deserved to get off the mark, the Red Devils were comfortable and created chances throughout, even if they are still searching for their finishing touch
 
 
FULL-TIME! Amazulu 0-1 Manchester United
 
90′ +1
Amazulu making one last push to grab a goal in front of their fans, but they simply have not been clinical enough in front of goal
 
90′
Three minutes of stoppage time in Durban
 
88′
Substitution Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez Antonio Valencia
Finally Kagawa gets the chance to trot onto the field and make his Man United debut
 
86′
CHANCE! Nearly a memorable goal from Italian midfielder Petrucci, whose volleyed effort from 20 yards had the beating of the goalkeeper, but not the crossbar
 
85′
Smart play by Blackett, who cuts in well to Berbatov. Unfortunately the striker's one-two attempt with Anderson fails to come off, and the hosts regain possession
 
84′
The Japanese international is still waiting by the sidelines to come on, as both teams indulge in a period of keep ball
 
81′
Cheers go up around the stadium as Shinji Kagawa heads off for a warm-up
 
80′
CHANCE! Berbatov is putting himself well and truly in the shop window with some delightful touches this evening. The Bulgarian coolly finds Hernandez through on goal with a lob, but his forward partner is unable to get a shot off on goal
 
77′
Good chance for Lekata, who does well to latch onto a deep cross into the opposition box. The striker beats Lindegaard to the ball, but is unable to direct his header on target
 
73′
SAVE! Substitute goalkeeper Mzimela does well to prevent Hernandez, who cannot double United's lead from six yards out
 
70′
Another chance for Amazulu, with Lekata holding the ball up well before working it towards Johnson. The debutant fails to connect properly, but had Lindegaard scrambling to his post as the ball went wide
 
69′
Substitution Paul Scholes Ryan Tunnicliffe
Jesse Lingard also makes way for Italian Davide Petrucci
 
68′
Nice period of play for the hosts on the edge of the box, but are unable to penetrate the United backline
 
65′
Amazulu make three changes with new signing Dulee Johnson, who joined the club earlier this week, making his debut
 
63′
NO PENALTY! Blackett is a lucky boy not to have given away a penalty just minutes after coming onto the field. The young full-back takes down the attacker with a clumsy challenge, but the linesman flags for a free-kick in his favour
 
62′
A. Dlamini turns back on goal after initially seeming to have beaten Wootton, and in turn tees up his namesake, but G. Dlamini is unable to beat Ferdinand's block
 
58′
Another couple of chances for the home side prove testing for Lindegaard, yet Dane looks solid again
 
58′
Substitution Federico Macheda Anderson
Tyler Blackett also enters the fray in place of Robbie Brady
 
54′
Senamela tries his luck from distance with a driven shot, but Lindegaard stands firm to the effort
 
53′
Top-draw again from Berbatov as the Bulgarian skims a ball across the surface to find Macheda. The 20-year-old drives towards goal, but is pushed wide and hits the ball out of play
 
51′
After an early flurry of chances, we've had a scrappy period in the middle of the park, with neither side able to get a firm grip on possession
 
48′
CHANCE! Dlamini again runs through on goal, this time after a slip up from Carrick. The attacker opts to go it alone despite support in the box and connects well with the shot, but is unable to find the angle to beat Lindegaard
 
47′
CHANCE! Two early openings for Man United. Hernandez is unable to find the back of the net before the ball finds its way to Berbatov, who hits the ball straight at the goalkeeper from a tight angle
 
46′
SUBSTITUTION: Marnick Vermijl replaces Frederic Veseli at right-back for the second half
 
46′
KICK-OFF! And Amazulu kick us off for the second-half
 
 
Back from a quick toilet break? Snacks at the ready? All settled for another half of pre-season action in South Africa? Good, so am I! Just over five minutes until we're back underway in Durban
 
 
Sir Alex will have no complaints about the opening 45 minutes of Man United's pre-season preparations, with his side controlling proceedings in Durban and the opposition rarely threatening. Macheda's goal after 20 minutes has given the away side a 1-0 lead, but the scoreline does not reflect the Red Devils dominance in the final third
 
 
HALF-TIME: Amazulu 0-1 Manchester United
 
 
Sir Alex will have no complaints about the opening 45 minutes of Man United's pre-season preparations, with his side controlling proceedings in Durban and the opposition rarely threatening. Macheda's goal after 20 minutes has given the away side a 1-0 lead, but the scoreline does not reflect the Red Devils dominance in the final third
 
45′ +1
Last kick of the opening 45 minutes is an Amazulu corner-kick, but the South African's are unable to force a chance on goal
 
44′
CHANCE! Macheda, who has looked by far the liveliest of United's front trio this evening, again has the beating of the Amazulu defence, but unfortunately for the striker, he drags his shot across goal and beyond the post
 
42′
CHANCE! Ahhhh, that could have been glorious! Brady takes a corner from the left-hand side and finds Berbatov on the 18-yard line. The Bulgarian takes a step back and catches the ball on the volley, only for Kalpini to launch a terrific save
 
41′
Yellow Card Carrington Nyadombo
 
41′
The impressive Lingard wins a free-kick 25 yards from goal after latching onto Lindegaards clearance down field. Berbatov connects well with the set piece, but is unable to beat the wall
 
40′
CHANCE! Dlamini beats Ferdinand for pace and receives the ball through on goal, but the forward is unable to keep his shot on target
 
39′
Poor from Mbele down the wing as he over hits his cross from deep. The wideman has yet to truly challenge young full-back Veseli
 
37′
First sign of a defensive uncertainty from Man United, with Brady failing to clear the ball before Rio Ferdinand eventually scrambles away for a corner. Left-back Brady is then penalised for another poor challenge on the edge of the box
 
34′
Hernandez concedes a free-kick against centre-back Kasonga, with the diminutive striker backing in to the Amazulu man, who crashes to the floor
 
32′
Another classy bit of distribution from Carrick is wasted by Hernandez, who is unable to hold his run and once again is flagged for offside. Poor from the Mexican
 
29′
Wonderful skill from Berbatov, who declared his intention to leave the club this week, finds the run of Brady on the left-hand side. The youngster again looks lively, but his cross is easily cut out by Kapini
 
28′
A definite improvement from Amazulu after conceding, with the South African's holding possession well, but they have still been limited to efforts from distance
 
26′
That man again, A. Dlamini, takes aim at the Man United goal, this time from distance, with the Red Devils shot-stopper never truly threatened by the effort
 
23′
Amazulu nearly pull one back immediately, only for Lindegaard to match A. Dlamini's pop-shot from the edge of the box
 
20′
Goal Federico Macheda
GOAL! Amazulu 0-1 Manchester United (Macheda). Wootton does well to set the away side on the counter-attack, with the ball quickly finding the Italian striker's run through on goal, who in turn slides the ball past Kapini to give the Red Devils a first-half lead
 
20′
Solid tackle from Wootton concedes a free-kick, but the youngster is looking confident at centre-back
 
17′
CHANCE! This time for Amazulu, but G. Dlamini is unable to hit the target with his side's first opening of the game, insteading looping the ball high and wide from 18-yards out
 
15′
Continued possession for Man United, who are controlling the game at a stroll from midfield, eventually results in another chance for Macheda, but the Italian is unable to pull the ball back across goal with men waiting in the box
 
12′
CHANCE! Lingard again does well from the middle of the park, this time finding the run of left-back Brady. The youngster is unable to beat his man and wins a corner, but had both Hernandez and Berbatov available in the box
 
10′
Hernandez collides with Kapini in the box after chasing down a loose ball. The Mexican hobbles to his feet and looks ok, but surely another pre-season knock for the striker will be the last thing Sir Alex wants
 
9′
Young midfielder Lingard is beginning to find his feet. After linking up nicely with Berbatov, the 19-year-old finds the run of Macheda, only for the home side to clear for a corner
 
6′
More forward possession for the Red Devils, this time Macheda finding space down the right-hand flank, but the hosts quickly fan out the danger
 
4′
Amazulu are looking a bit shaky at the back, with full-back Mokor putting his goalkeeper under pressure with a poor backpass. Kapini clears, but early signs for Manchester United
 
2′
CHANCE! Early opportunity for the visitors goes missing. Macheda does well to work a shot after receiving the ball on the edge of the box. Kapini parries the effort, but Hernandez should have done better to pounce on the loose ball
 
1′
KICK-OFF! With Manchester United playing the ball backwards from the spot and holding possession
 
 
After some rather lengthy pre-match preliminaries, we are now literally on the verge of kick-off! Hold onto your armchair for a classic... (think positively!)
 
 
And a packed crowd at the Moses Mabhida Stadium have sung Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela - the second time Sir Alex has helped wish the 94-year-old many happy returns
 
 
Just minutes away from kick-off in Durban, with the Red Devils set to get their pre-season tour under way
 
 
Shinji Kagawa, speaking to MUTV, has expressed his delight at his Old Trafford switch, and revealed his new team-mates have already been teaching him some English phrases - although no "dirty ones yet"
 
 
It's a special day in South Africa, and not because Premier League giants Manchester United are in town. Nope, today is Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday!
 
 
Amazulu starting XI: Kapini, Mokor, Kasonga, Nyadombo, Van Heerden; A Dlamini, Zhuwaro, Senamela, Mbele; G Dlamini; Vilakazi
 
 
Manchester United starting XI: Lindegaard; Veseli, Wootton, Ferdinand, Brady; Lingard, Carrick, Scholes; Macheda, Berbatov, Hernandez. Subs: Valencia, Anderson, Powell, Kagawa, Johnstone, Bebe, Vermijl, Blackett, Peteucci, Tunnicliffe
 
 
The big news coming out of Moses Mabhida Stadium is that neither Shinjia Kagawa or Nick Powell are handed a first start for the Red Devils. Full Team News on it's way shortly...
 
 
Good evening, and welcome to Goal.com's live play-by-play coverage of Manchester United's friendly clash with South African side AmaZulu in Durban
 
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