LIVE BLOG: Barcelona vs Manchester United
This is our live blog for Manchester United’s third pre-season game.
This time out, the Red Devils take on European champions Barcelona, with many world stars set to feature.
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FULL-TIME: Barcelona 1-3 Manchester United
Rooney, Lingard and Januzaj on the scoresheet for van Gaal’s side. Nice to see some academy graduates netting for the Red Devils.
GOAL!
Their hopes aren’t long lived as Januzaj’s impressive shift as a centre-forward pays off. Calmness personified as he brought the ball from Lingard under control.
GOAL!
Rafinha turns up just in time but the minutes are scarce. That volley is one to remember though for the 22-year-old.
Jordi Alba joins Ander Herrera as the referee takes his name after the Spaniard was in protest at what he believed to be an unfair judgement.
Ander Herrera enters the referee’s book now.
The post!
Barcelona can’t make it third time lucky as they edge closer and closer to what would now be a consolation, Munir El Haddadi now see’s his headed effort collide with the woodwork.
Barcelona follow suit with four changes. Bartra, Munir, Gumbau, Sandro and Halilovic come on for Pique, Suarez, Busquets, Iniesta and Pedro.
Subsequent to the neat, side-footed finish, Januzaj is a whisker away from sealing it but he watches his effort painfully wide.
GOAL!
Immediate impact for super sub, Jesse Lingard, who blasts home a cross from the left that seemingly evaded everybody!
SUB
Mathieu takes Vermaelen’s place for the Spanish side.
A new look side enters the fray for United. They now line up as: Johnstone, Valencia, Smalling, McNair, Blackett, Lingard, Fellaini, Herrera, Wilson, Pereira, Januzaj.
The ball is in the back of the net courtesy of Suarez but it won’t count as the flag is up.
Rakatic sends a set piece rising just over the bar for Barcelona.
A pass to Roberto is easily cut out as Barcelona toy with it on the edge of the area.
Memphis sprints away from his markers, launches one at goal that requires a save to keep it out. Wayne Rooney also has a go but to no avail.
Phil Jones shown the yellow card for holding back a Barcelona player.
SUB’S
Masip and Rakitic replace Ter Stegen and Adriano respectively.
The players are back out once more for the second half. United lead a goal to nil.
Who’s been your Man of the Match so far? Drop us a tweet and let us know!
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Manchester United
An early header from Wayne Rooney has the Reds ahead. Both sides have had their chances.
One minute of added time announced for the first fourty-five.
Suarez’s curling effort goes narrowly wide of the post with de Gea flailing in mid-air to get a palm to it.
Pedro twists and turns on the edge of the area and eventually finds himself taking too much time, cleared.
Alba at full stretch for a ball over the top but unable to connect. Into the hands of de Gea.
Darmian down receiving some treatment.
Straight at de Gea, and sent back out.
Corner for Barcelona after the European giants have an attempted ball into the box blocked.
More passing play on the counter by United, Memphis brought down and it’s a free-kick in the middle of the park.
Suarez is allowed some space in the box but has no other striped shirts in sight around him for assistance.
Iniesta swiftly breaks forward and gets it out wide to Roberto. The latter launches the ball into the box which is emphatically but easily cleared.
A struggle in the box see’s Rooney amongst others have a shot blocked!
David de Gea flies off his line as his body bends acrobatically and claims the ball from the right in mid-air with Barcelona forwards lurking.
Another great save drawn from the Barca goalie by Young. A corner kick which is then sent to safety.
The set piece is too deep and results in a goal-kick for ter Stegen.
The Premier League outfit break forward, Young slides in a pin-point pass to Rooney, the goalkeeper is off his line but the angle is too tight and he see’s the ball deflected behind for a corner!
Great delivery from the right for Barcelona that Pedro has to race to receive on the left. Eventually cleared and de Gea sends it up field.
Mata racing forward which results in a United throw near the edge of the area
Barcelona having a spell now but United comfortably clear the balls forward down the wings.
The Reds frustrating Barcelona in possession, Darmian earlier attempted to cut it back as the full-back made a run down the right.
Cleared by a head and safely back to our man between the sticks.
Iniesta bursting forward again, a scramble in the box and Roberto’s effort is deflected behind for a corner.
United broke quickly again but a back pass by Mata slowed things down. Throw-in in our own half.
Barcelona chasing the men in white shirts for possession but it’s Young that received the ball down the left after it was hoisted over the top. Results in a free-kick for the former.
Only moments earlier, United’s shot-stopper denied Roberto after he was allowed through on goal but Rooney lost his marker in the box.
GOAL!
Wayne Rooney from the corner!
The post!
Suarez’s effort collides with the upright from the free-kick. De Gea was beaten there.
Good passing move by Barca to lose their markers, Enrique’s side get it out wide. Free kick to the side-in-question.
The ball is delivered into the box by Memphis, Rooney spins but can’t get the ball out of his feet as he is outnumbered. Cleared.
Rooney and Memphis exchange passes in the centre-circle and we are off!
Sole striker, Wayne Rooney, leads the lads out. Let’s go!
Despite today’s clash only labelled as a pre-season friendly to build upon the players’ fitness, who does history dictate should win this one? Take a look at our last five meetings with the La Liga giants:
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The Red Devils faithful have the chance to see transfer target, Pedro, in action this evening as he spearheads the attack for Barcelona.
De Gea dons the gloves despite his understudy, Sam Johnstone’s, promising pre-season performances, whilst the flanks are guarded by some young legs in Darmian and Shaw. Interestingly, Blind starts at the heart of the defence as the question remains of whether he can cut it as centre-half.
Manchester United Starting XI: De Gea, Darmian, Jones, Blind, Shaw, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Mata, Young, Memphis, Rooney.
With kick-off under an hour away, send us your predictions for this strong starting XI!