Juan Mata opened the scoring for Manchester United, before new recruit Memphis Depay scored his first goal for his new team in the 3-1 win over San Jose Earthquakes earlier today. Andreas Pereira also opened his account for the Senior team, with a header, as The Red Devils secured another pre-season victory in the International Champions Cup.
Louis Van Gaal persisted with the same starting XI as he did in the first match against Club America, and subbed all the 10-outfield players at half-time, David De Gea missed the game due to an injury. Fatai Alashe was the lone scorer from the MLS side, scoring from an excellent cross by Shea Salinas in the 42nd minute.
.
Depay and Pereira open their Red Devils account
A moment of silence was observed inside the packed Avaya Stadium in memory of the six students who lost their lives in a Berkeley balcony collapse last month. The Red Devils also featured black armbands in memory of the University of Liverpool Professor and eye specialist, Gail Stephenson, who recently died, she had famously advised Sir Alex Ferguson to ditch the grey away jersey of Red Devils in 1996.
Memphis Depay started well, displaying some brilliant footwork on a run in the opening minutes, before his shot was parried by the goal-keeper. Manchester United tried to assert themselves on the game, but were unable to break a stubborn San Jose defense. Mata finally opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, when he dribbled past a defender just inside the penalty box, before hitting the post with his shot barely missing the sliding Depay as the ball eventually bounced back into the net.
Depay doubled the lead only 5 minutes later, taking advantage of a horrible back pass from a San Jose defender, as he calmly guided the ball past the goal-keeper. Fatai Alashe pulled one back for the home side, after some excellent work by Shea Salinas in the wings, who cut inside and delivered a low cross.
World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger came on to play his second match for the Red Devils in the second half, which saw Van Gaal substitute all of his outfield players. However, it was youngster Andreas Pereira who helped restore the two-goal lead, connecting with a header from 6 yards out from a Jesse Lingard cross.
Manchester United will play Spanish Champions FC Barcelona and French Champions Paris Saint Germain in their remaining two fixtures.
Here are the highlights of the match:
