Manchester United continued their successful preseason run, outscoring European Champions FC Barcelona in an impressive 3-1 victory Saturday in Santa Clara, California. As expected, Barcelona displayed their passing prowess until the Red Devils found their stride to expose the Catalan’s defense for the win.
“Last year, we won also from the Champions League winner, Real Madrid at this time and now we win against Barcelona,” Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal told reporters following the match. “It is possible we have also a little bit of luck – three balls on the post – but I was pleased with our performance.”
As are typical in friendlies, the two sides took the opportunity to test new strategies, see how the young players are evolving, and how transfers have affected the squads against top teams they may not face for some time in season. Most promising of these was the Dutchman, Memphis Depay, who van Gaal tested as a No. 10 behind Rooney.
“They tried to do their upmost best to look for each other, and sometimes I think too much,” van Gaal explained. “It should be better when we have a wider orientation. Barcelona could not cope with the threat of the duo but I have to say that Adnan [Januzaj] was also a big threat for them for the 30 minutes he played as a striker.”
The Belgian was the surprise of the match, after the young team took to the pitch in the second half. With minutes remaining in the match, Januzaj scored the final goal moments after Barcelona Rafinha’s powerful volley that had brought them into the game in the final minute.
Wayne Rooney led United, wearing the armband following the summer departure of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. The Englishman was quick to open the scoreboard after netting a ball by a header from a corner kick in the first ten minutes of play. Barcelona would later see three attempts on goal, bouncing off the post in United’s favour.
As expected, Barça dominated possession by nearly half, but showed some confusion in their defence trying to stop the driving train of Rooney and Memphis Depay who connected for the first goal in the eighth minute of play. In the second half, it would be the young duo of Jesse Lingard and Januzaj who would connect to seal the victory.
“I think overall it was a good game,” Luis Enrique said for Barcelona. “Considering it’s preseason for both teams, there was a good rhythm from both. Obviously, the field was dry and I think that hurt both teams as well, but there were good plays overall. Post/crossbar? It’s part of the game. Today we probably weren’t as effective as with our chances as many as there were.”
Barça had three attempts on goal that bounced off the post. Luis Suarez was responsible for two of those, having played 62 minutes with such intensity as if he were competing in a cup final. The Uruguayan would be subbed after the half notching the most attempts on goal from either side.
Part of that was due to the celebrated return of Manchester United Goalkeeper David de Gea from injury. Despite missing a week of training and his imminent move to Real Madrid, he was the reason for many of Barça’s frustrations.
“You have seen him already in our first hour,” van Gaal said. “He can show his quality already in this game. The first chance was for Barcelona. When you stop the first chance, then you can score the first goal, what we have done also and that is always the difference in the game.”
When pressed about the issue of de Gea’s move, the United boss added, “Yes, of course I do hope that de Gea shall stay, but in this world of football you never know.”
Moving on to their next friendly, the two heavyweights were satisfied with their fitness and level of training at the conclusion Saturday.
“We’re on line to physically improve and that’s the road we need to take,” Barcelona defender Marc Bartra concluded. “We do want to win, but improving is what we are concerned about and that’s where we are heading.”
