Manchester United warmed up to their Community Shield clash next week with an inspiring victory over the Champions League winners Barcelona. Old warhorse Michael Owen, who was also the scorer of the famous injury time goal over City a couple of seasons ago, scored the winner at the Washington FedEx Field in front of 81,000 odd supporters.
Manchester United get a piece of revenge!
Nine months after being humbled at the Wembley, Ferguson men had a chance to put the loss behind them before the start of the season. United retained only three players from their starting lineup that night while Barcelona had six players from their lineup who thrashed United in May. Wayne Rooney, scorer of United’s only goal that night should have put his side in front when he met Nani’s cross but he shot wide. But that didn’t count for much as Welbeck, back after an impressive loan stint at Sunderland, put Nani in with a lovely through ball before the Portuguese slipped it past Valdez’s legs to give the English champions the lead. United’s new keeper Dea Gea was hardly made to work in the first half as Barcelona seemed to be missing the presence of their South American stars who were away for country duty.
Ferguson made three changes at the interval with Owen, Smalling and Giggs replacing the trio of Rooney, Evra and Anderson. But it was Barcelona who would level the scorelines after Thiago curled in a shot with the outside of his foot that gave Dea Gea no chance. But it was United’s shot at revenge and there was no way they were going down!!
Twelve minutes from time, Tom Cleverley, who had an impressive game in midfield and tipped to be the replacement for Paul Scholes, sent Owen clear before he slotted the ball past Valdes into the back of the net.
A 2-1 victory and United had their revenge although the stakes weren’t as high. Next up for the champions is their ‘noisy’ neighbours Manchester City in the clash for the Community Shield Cup – a curtain raiser for the season to come.
Tags: Barcelona, Champions League, Ferguson, Manchester United, Wayne Rooney
