Rooney heads MUFC in right direction to beat Barca

Matt Jones - Editor 08:57 26/07/2015
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  • Rooney opener helped United to third win on tour.

    Manchester United made it three wins from three on their summer tour of the United States, Wayne Rooney, Jesse Lingard and 
    Adnan Januzaj giving them victory in their glamour tie against European champions Barcelona.

    Louis van Gaal’s men added to a 1-0 triumph over Club America and a 3-1 defeat of San Jose Earthquakes.

    Red Devils’ skipper Rooney pulled away from his marker to nod home a simple ninth-minute Ashley Young corner past Barca stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen while substitute Jesse Lingard struck a second against the run of play in the second half. Rafinha and Januzaj then scored within seconds of each other at the death.

    Luis Enrique’s side were victorious against LA Galaxy in their opening Champions Cup tie on Tuesday, in which Luis Suarez scored, and even though he was on the losing side here the Uruguayan was chief tormenter against United too.

    David De Gea started in goal for United at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, having missed the games against Club America and San Jose because of a back injury.

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    The Spaniard thwarted Sergi Roberto when the midfielder was in on goal but he was a bystander as former Liverpool striker Suarez hit the post twice in the opening 45 minutes, initially from a free-kick and then with a left-foot effort that clipped the woodwork on its way out.

    United had been marginally on top in the opening period but Barca,  fueled by Suarez, caused problems throughout the second. He saw a crisp effort ruled out for offside on the hour mark but just as the Blaugrana were beginning to turn the screw, United doubled their lead. 

    Minutes after the disallowed goal, Lingard got on the end of fellow substitute Tyler Blackett’s goalmouth cross, tucking neatly into the net for 2-0. The Catalan club’s match was summed up when replacement Munir El Haddadi hit the woodwork for a third time with 20 minutes remaining. 

    In late drama, Rafinha grabbed a stunning consolation for Barca, but Belgium-born Januzaj wrapped it up for United seconds later with their third.

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