SteemSports Presenter: @timoshey
SteemSports Editor/Writer: @writingamigo
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United continued their 100 percent pre-season run with a penalty shootout victory over the European Champions; Real Madrid in Santa Clara. They edged the Spanish Champions 2-1 in a dismal penalty shootout after a very uninspiring 90 minutes which ended in a 1-1 draw. It was a night to forget for new boy Victor Lindelof who had a very poor performance. He arrived from Benfica in a £30m deal this summer with a reputation as one of the most promising centre-backs in Europe. So far on United’s tour, Lindelof has looked vulnerable, making a couple of mistakes late one of which led to two goals in United’s 5-2 win over LA Galaxy. It was a very impressive display from the United goalkeeper David De Gea who’s future dominated the build-up to the game. Mourinho said that Madrid failed to push through a move for the Spanish international despite United opening the door to a potential move. De Gea offered the European Champions a timely reminder of what they are missing out on with a series of heroics in an otherwise lamentable penalty shoot-out.
Only three of ten penalties were converted, with De Gea saving from Mateo Kovacic and Oscar. Casemiro, whose spot-kick had canceled out Jesse Lingard’s goal in regulation time, had to score Real’s fifth shoot-out penalty but rattled his shot against the crossbar.
This was the first of two meetings between these sides in less than three weeks; the second meeting will be when these two face off in the UEFA Super Cup Final on 8 August 2017 at the Philip II Arena, Skopje.
Manchester United Starting XI
Romero; Fosu-Mensah, Baily, Jones, Darmian; Carrick, Fellaini, Pereira, Martial, Lingard; Rashford.
Real Madrid Starting XI
Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Kross, Modric, Bale, Isco, Vazquez; Benzema
Anthony Martial played a very important role in the game, setting up the assist for Lingard to slot home. After the win, United’s coach Jose Mourinho had this to say about Martial “Obviously we want more consistency in his talent. I think today was positive for him, that’s why I left him on 90 minutes, he was enjoying trying things, and it’s important in these matches to try things, which he did so I think it’s good for Anthony and his confidence.” On Herrera, who was replaced just six minutes after being introduced at half-time, he said “At least very painful because for Ander to come out, it must be very painful. I also always say to the players, no risk in friendlies. If you feel something, or if you feel something is coming, get out, because the result is not important.”
A big talking point of the game between arguably the two biggest clubs in the world was the fact that the 67,500 capacity Levi’s Stadium had so many empty seats. Just three years ago when this same fixture was played at the 109,318 capacity Michigan Stadium, it was packed with fans. Exorbitant ticket prices for the friendly match have been cited as the reason for the low turnout for the game.
