Friendly match, USA Tour 2003
Manchester United 4
Celtic 0
United won the opening match of the 2003 US Tour 4-0 against Celtic in Seattle on Tuesday evening, with debut boy David Bellion coming off the bench to net his first goal for the Reds.
Further goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Giggs and Solskjaer settled the match against Martin O´Neill´s Bhoys, who face a Champions League qualifier next week.
With that UEFA match in mind, O´Neill selected a strong team to face the Reds, with Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton upfront, ahead of a midfield boasting Neil Lennon and Stilian Petrov.
But United´s team, while maybe lagging behind the Scots in terms of fitness, lacked nothing in quality with Keane, Butt and Fortune joining Ryan Giggs in a combative midfield with Ruud and Ole upfront. Fabien Barthez, Mikael Silvestre, Tim Howard and Eric Djemba-Djemba were rested after the Confederations Cup, while David Bellion started his first match for United on the bench.
A capacity crowd in the Seahawks Stadium in Seattle greeted the arrival of the teams, with Celtic fans outnumbering Reds by around three to one in the 67,000-seater arena on United´s first visit to the US in 21 years.
The first problem facing the teams was the Astroturf pitch in the stadium, usually used for hosting American Football. But, just 72 days since lifting the Premiership trophy, United settled quickly into a familiar rhythm on an unfamiliar surface.
With the match shaping up as the competitive affair predicted by both managers, the first moment of note came in the fifth minute as Roy Keane put in a crunching challenge in midfield. Note to Brian Clough - Roy´s far from finished.
The ball ran out for a throw-in, from which Solskjaer took possession. A ball into the box, a quick turn and crisp finish from van Nistelrooy later and the Reds were 1-0 up. The Dutchman had taken just six-and-a-half minutes to find the net and open his 2003/04 goals account - business as usual and the United supporters in the crowd went wild!
Ole almost doubled the lead eight minutes later after starting a right-wing move with a fantastic turn that beat Ulrick Laursen all ends up. A one-two with Ruud and Ole got a shot off, only to see it blocked by Balde. Solskjaer was making a great case for taking over the place on the flank left by You-Know-Who.
Keane, so long said to favour a move to Celtic, conceded a penalty in the eighteenth minute with a rash tackle on Petrov. Alan Thompson stepped up to take the spot-kick in place of regular taker Henrik Larsson, and promptly blasted the ball high over Roy Carroll´s bar. So far, so good!
Good turned great in the 28th minute as Ole Gunnar again played a killer ball into Ruud. His shot was blocked by Hedman but the rebound fell to the Dutchman. He unselfishless played the ball out to Giggs on the edge of the area, who hammered a left-footed drive into the back of the net and United - playing their first match to Celtic´s fifth - were 2-0 up.
The first Reds free-kick of the post-Beckham era came in the 36th minute and was taken by Ruud van Nistelrooy. A tremendous strike from distance was fumbled by Hedman, but he managed to take at the second attempt just ahead of the on-rushing Solskjaer.
Ole got the goal he deserved three minutes later, however, after blasting a finish underneath Hedman following a superb ball into the box from Gary Neville. 3-0 up, and the Reds were coasting against a team who were supposed to give us a fight.
The only note of worry from the first half was when Rio Ferdinand slipped on a late foray upfield and required attention on a slight ankle sprain from physio Rob Swire. Thankfully, one of only two centre-backs on tour was able to continue and showed no further signs of the knock.
Swire was in action again seconds later, when Gary Neville collided with Balde. He limped off to the side of the pitch to get treatment on a shin injury but returned for the second half.
Roy Keane did not come out for the second period, however. He was replaced by Juan Veron - who had a few things to prove after a summer of transfer speculation. Celtic made five changes, meanwhile, withdrawing Hedman, Laursen, Petrov, Smith and Lennon.
The new-look Bhoys started the second half stronger, with their superior fitness perhaps starting to show. With United chasing the game, Nicky Butt picked up the first booking of the match in the 53rd minute after a late challenge.
David Bellion´s moment came fourteen minutes into the second half, as the former Sunderland man was introduced for his Reds debut in place of Ryan Giggs - wearing the number nine shirt left vacant since Andy Cole´s departure. Giggs´ fellow goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy was also replaced, with Diego Forlan coming on. Paul Scholes came on eight minutes later.
Forlan came close to adding to United´s tally in the 70th minute, but his header from a great Seba Veron cross was well blocked by Douglas. Fellow sub Bellion went one better the following minute, though.
Having shown glimpses of his electric pace since coming on, he steamed into the Celtic area and confidently fired home a Scholes through-ball to make it a dream debut. The whole Reds side ran to celebrate with their new team-mate - a nice touch. 4-0 up and the Stateside United fans were being given a real treat.
Celtic responded with four changes, while the outstanding Butt and Solskjaer were replaced with youngsters Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson for the final quarter of an hour.
Diego should have made it a round five goals with six minutes left to play, but the unlucky Uruguayan put his header from Bellion´s cross inches the wrong side of Douglas´ far post.
All in all, a hugely impressive victory and a great way to start the USA Tour. If the Americans don´t like football after this performance, there´s no hope for them.
Teams:
United: Carroll; G Neville, Ferdinand, O´Shea, P Neville ( Pugh 88); Solskjaer ( Richardson 74), Keane ( Veron 46), Butt ( Fletcher 74), Fortune ( Scholes 67), Giggs ( Bellion 59); van Nistelrooy ( Forlan 59).
Celtic: Hedman ( Douglas 46); Balde, Varga ( McNamara 73), Laursen ( Mjallby 46), Agathe ( Silia 73), Thompson ( Petta 73); Petrov ( Maloney 46), Smith ( Kennedy 46), Lennon ( Lambert 46); Larsson ( Fernandez 73), Sutton ( Beattie 86).
Report by Simon Davies.
" ""bellion montre toutes son potentiel . je vous dis que ca va etre la surprise de l´année
