Friendly match, USA Tour 2003
Manchester United 3
Barcelona 1
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Manchester United rounded off their USA Tour with a fourth win in four matches as the Reds saw off Barcelona 3-1 here at the Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night.
The success of the tour can measured both by Sir Alex Ferguson’s verdict – he claims it is the best pre-season tour the team has been on – and by United’s results. With 14 goals in four games, and only three conceded – with considerable note to the level of opposition - United look in great shape for the start of season 2003/04.
However, it didn’t start off so smoothly here at the brand new Lincoln Financial Field.
Ronaldinho, named in Barcelona’s side for the first time since snubbing United in preference of the Catalans, looked particularly dangerous. The army of Reds fans among the 68, 396 crowd were left wondering what might have been as the Brazilian produced some fine trickery in the opening exchanges – the same skilfullness that so attracted Sir Alex to the former PSG midfielder earlier this summer.
And it was somewhat ironic – although perhaps predictably in the script – that Ronaldinho would make the first telling influence on the game. Stood confidently with the ball at his feet on the edge of the 18-yard box, the Brazilian took what seemed like an age without being closed down to pick out Kluivert’s clever run into the penalty area. A lovely flighted Ronaldinho cross found the Dutchman lurking at close range, and he powered a header past the unfortunate Tim Howard.
Unfortunate because only moments earlier, Howard had pulled off an amazing save to keep the score at 0-0, denying targetman Kluivert. The Dutchman burst through on goal and looked odds on to score after just eight minutes of play. But Howard managed to claw Kluivert’s shot to safety in a save reminiscent of the great Peter Schmeichel.
Ronaldinho continued to threaten the United goal with one shot that fizzed past the upright, and another strike that flew over the bar. United were struggling to contain the Nou Camp club.
Diego missed a golden opportunity to bring the scores level on the quarter hour mark, but he lifted the ball fractionally too high over Victor Valdes in the Barca goal, and the Catalans were let off the hook.
United were missing the guile and strength up front that Ruud van Nistelrooy, who started on the bench, so readily supplies.
Fergie’s side were again frustrated after 22 minutes when Darren Fletcher, starting on the right-hand side for United, picked out Ryan Giggs with a glorious 50-yard pass. The Welshman seemed to get one move ahead of himself in lining up his shot, momentarily taking his eye off the ball and allowing Michael Reiziger the chance to steal in and spoil his shot.
But it didn’t take long for the frustration to be lifted. Halfway through the first half, Giggs picked up the ball in a similar position to Ronaldinho for Barca’s goal. He found Forlan making a late run into the box, and from his cross, Diego fired in a diving header to haul United back into the game.
Ferguson´s side began to control the midfield with Keane and Butt influential – and the outstanding Quinton Fortune managing to curtail Ronaldinho’s forays down the right side. And on 37 minutes, United got their just reward. Phil Neville fed a ball through to Nicky Butt on the right wing and his cross deflected off Oscar Lopez with Diego Forlan on hand to make it two for the evening, four for the tour.
It was Barcelona who had taken the game to United early on, but the key battle in midfield, and some clinical finishing from Diego saw United wrest the momentum from Barcelona’s grasp.
Barcelona’s attacking poise was largely stunted at half time when the dangerous pair, Ronaldinho and Patrick Kluivert, were among four half time substitutions.
Tim Howard continued to impress with a handful of second half saves – one in particular from a free kick taken by Xavi. The ball looked to be heading for the top corner of Timmy´s goal, but his agility saw him palm the ball away.
Two-goal Diego made way for Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 53rd minute, and Darren Fletcher, who, despite three glorious passes, looked slightly out of position on the right, came off for David Bellion.
Van Nistelrooy instantly made a difference, and looked threatening whenever he received the ball. Ruud often had two or three defenders on his back, and it may have taken 32 minutes, but the Dutchman got himself on the scoresheet.
Patrick Anderson dawdled on the ball for a split second too long, and Ruud ruthlessly dispossessed him, held off the challenge from Oscar Lopez, rounded the keeper and scored his fourth in four games in the US – there seems no stopping United’s deadly Dutch striker.
It was fitting that Ruud, who has won a lot of friends in America on this tour, should sign off with another impressive strike to add to his already impressive collection.
Teams
United: Howard; P Neville, Ferdinand, O’Shea, Fortune; Fletcher ( Bellion 53), Butt, Keane, Giggs ( Solskjaer 66); Scholes, Forlan ( van Nistelrooy 53).
Subs not used: Veron, Lynch, Carrol, Pugh, Ricardo.
Barcelona starting line-up: Valdes; Puyol, Reiziger, O Lopez, G Lopez; Enrique, Xavi, Cocu, Ronaldinho; Kluivert, Saviola.
Referee: Kevin Stott
Attendance: 68, 396
Report by Ben Hibbs, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
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