Manchester United made it three wins from three
in the International Champions Cup by beating
European champions Barcelona 3-1 on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney, Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj
struck the decisive goals for Louis van Gaal's side
in the Santa Clara heat, putting them top of the
table in the friendly competition.
Rooney's well-placed header after eight minutes
put United in front, and only the right arm of Marc-
Andre ter Stegen stopped Ashley Young doubling
their advantage.
Luis Suarez was denied an equaliser on the hour
by the offside flag, and United rubbed salt in the
Spanish champions' wounds when substitute
Lingard doubled United's lead two minutes after
coming on.
Rafinha was able to pull one back for the Catalan
giants late on, but the Premier League side had the
last word when Januzaj quickly added a
third before the final whistle.
Barca could have twice been ahead inside the
opening five minutes as Suarez saw a free-kick
thud against the post, and reported Real Madrid
target David De Gea - starting his first game in
pre-season - denied Sergi Roberto.
Despite their tentative start, United found
themselves ahead when England captain Rooney
headed home Young's corner after shrugging off
the attentions of Adriano.
Young went close to doubling United's lead after 28
minutes, but his effort from the edge of the penalty
area was superbly kept out by extended arm of
Ter Stegen.
Moments later the Barca goal was under siege
again, but resolute defending ensured Young,
Rooney and Juan Mata were all kept at bay.
Having led a charmed life at the start of the half,
United's goal was again under threat as half-time
approached, with Suarez seeing an effort clip the
post with De Gea beaten.
The Catalan giants continued to press after the
break, and they thought they were level on the
hour through dangerman Suarez.
A neat one-two with substitute Pedro, who is said
to be interesting United, left the Uruguayan one-
on-one with De Gea, he slid his shot beyond the
goalkeeper but was denied an equaliser by the
assistant referee's flag.
Barca's disappointment was amplified further four
minutes later as Lingard – one of 11 United
substitutes introduced after 63 minutes –
converted a low Tyler Blackett cross from the left.
There was still time for Luis Enrique's treble
winners to be frustrated by the woodwork one last
time as substitute Munir El Haddadi saw a late
head crash against the United post.
Rafinha finally breached the United defence in the
closing minutes with a crisp left-foot volley, before
Januzaj restored United's two-goal advantage by
turning and finishing clinically in stoppage time as
Barca were caught out at the back.
United have one match remaining in their
participation in the International Champions Cup –
against Paris Saint-Germain – while Barca face
Chelsea and Fiorentina.
