Philadelphia Union 0 - 1 Manchester United - Gabriel Obertan strike gives Manchester United Philadelphia win

Sir Alex Ferguson had said the MLS has made immense strides since Manchester United last visited the United States in 2004 and, as a hard-fought and slightly fortunate win over Philadelphia Union confirmed tonight, his tribute was not merely an attempt to pay lip-service to an American audience. A 76th-minute goal from Gabriel Obertan was all that separated United from a Union side that has only been in existence since 2008.

Ryan Giggs in action against Philadelphia Union. Photograph: Tim Shaffer/Reuters

Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck, two of Ferguson's principal reasons for confidence in his young players, were paired in attack and demonstrated flashes of the pace and touch required to stake a greater claim next season. Welbeck's movement was also impressive, although his finishing and the Italian's decision-making betrayed their inexperience against a well-organised and athletic Philadelphia Union side.

Welbeck went close from 25 yards in the first half and with an audacious shot on the turn at the start of the second. His simplest chance was also one to regret when, having collected Fabio's cross from the left and stepped inside his marker, the United striker shot straight at Brad Knighton in the Union goal from eight yards.

The first half lacked incident with the exception of two trademark Paul Scholes challenges that demonstrated genuine commitment to the friendly and an acknowledgement that, at the age of 35, he is not about to hone his timing in the tackle. A two-footed swipe at the Union midfielder Fred was followed by a clattering challenge through Eduardo Coudet, giving the referee no option but to show a yellow card.

Of the relative unknowns on display it was Tom Cleverley who showed arguably the greatest development in United's colours. The England Under-21 international was rewarded for a lively cameo against Celtic in Toronto with a place alongside Scholes in central midfield and delivered an astute performance, particularly in the final third.

Philadelphia went close to taking the lead several times as United's defence was easily prised apart but, with 14 minutes remaining, they undermined a resilient performance with one misplaced pass in midfield. Welbeck seized on the loose ball and threaded a perfectly weighted pass through three Union defenders into the path of Obertan, who produced a clinical low finish.

Philadelphia Union: Knighton; Fiscal, Arrieta, Califf, Harvey; Le Toux, Coudet, Miglioranzi, Fred; Moreno, Mwanga.

Manchester United: Kuszczak; O'Shea (De Laet, 77), Brown (Smalling, 61), J. Evans, Fabio (Rafael, 61); Obertan, Cleverley (Fletcher, 61), Scholes (C. Evans, 61), Giggs; Welbeck, Macheda (Berbatov, 61).

Attendance: 44,213

From Guardian.co.uk

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Review SoccerPro.com

The date is set; on July 25th Manchester United will make their return to the American Mid-West to face the Kansas City Wizards. As part of their 2010 pre-season tour of North America, the game against Kansas City will be a great opportunity for an established MLS team to test themselves against the biggest club in World Soccer.

Unlike the Philadelphia Union, The Wizards have been a force in MLS soccer since its inaugural season in 1996. The Twice winners of the MLS Cup have built up a loyal fan base over those years and thousands of Wizards fans will be hoping for an upset when Manchester United come to town. Although the Wizards find themselves competing for attention with the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) and Kansas City Royals (MLB), Kansas City has a great passion for true football.

For some American Manchester United fans, the visit to Kansas City is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the worlds biggest team. Aside from the locals, the stadium will be packed with thousands of fans travelling from “nearby” cities like St. Louis, Tulsa and Oklahoma City and Omaha. The United team can expect a real atmosphere inside the stadium.

Confusingly, Kansas City is actually in Missouri, not Kansas. The city lies on the State border but Arrowhead stadium where the game will be played is on the Missouri side of the division. The Wizards have used the stadium in the past but with a 77,000 capacity, even with a good attendance it can look pretty empty for an MLS soccer game. Arrowhead is one of the few NFL stadiums that still have a grass surface; so United’s stars won’t have to worry about adjusting to an artificial pitch.

The Wizards are in the middle of a mediocre season in the MLS. At the least they’ll be looking at the game as a welcome distraction. However there’s enough reason to believe the Americans could cause an upset. Firstly United’s fitness won’t be quite be at 100% and players may struggle to acclimatize to the heat and humidity. Psychologically, for some of the Kansas City players it could be the biggest game of their lives; that’s simply not the case for Man United’s well-travelled superstars! Lastly the Wizards have some quality players capable of producing no matter who they’re up against.

Leading the Wizards attack will be Josh Wolf, having appeared in two World Cups for the USA, the veteran striker will be doing everything possible to get on the score sheet. At this stage it’s still unclear who will feature for the Red Devils although Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov are some of the big names that are expected play a part in the tour. The game will also be a great opportunity for some of United’s younger players to impress Sir. Alex.

A new attendance record will be broken as ticket sales have already climbed above 40,000. The record attendance at a soccer game in Mid-America was 37,000 when the U.S.A faced Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier back in 2001 also held at Arrowhead stadium! The Kansas City game is a real highlight of the pre-season tour and fans lucky enough to get tickets can expect to see Manchester United put on a great show no matter who they want to win!

Written by Olly; player, coach and fan. Olly works at SoccerPro where you will find the new Manchester United Jersey from July 15th!

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Manchester United 3 - 1 Celtic - Danny Welbeck And Tom Cleverley Seal Win

Manchester United started their first match in 50 years in Ontario’s capital with their wily veterans, but it was their young guns who closed out victory over Celtic.

A Georgios Samaras penalty cancelled out Dimitar Berbatov’s first-half marker, but late goals from Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley sealed a 3-1 for the Red Devils in front of a raucous Rogers Centre on a balmy summer evening in Toronto.

United had the match’s first real opportunity in the 10th minute after superb movement from Ryan Giggs. Cutting down the left, the Welshman dinked into the Bhoys’ area and dropped a clever sidefoot to the trailing Gabriel Obertan. The Frenchman made a stride but fired wide of Lukas Zaluska’s goal.

After Celtic cleared upfield, Darren Fletcher intercepted an errant pass and headed back the other way. Spotting a streaking Mame Biram Diouf on the right, Fletcher went wide to the young Senegalese striker, who in turn sent a lovely cross to Berbatov, but the Bulgarian striker fired over.

As the half progressed, the Hoops began to assert themselves more offensively, but none of their drives forward found any real purchase.

In the 16th minute Charlie Mulgrew sent in an inviting cross to the far post, but Fabio da Silva headed it out of harm’s way. Then Johnny Evans did well to deflect an effort from Marc-Antoine Fortune, after the former West Bromwich Albion man drove into the United box.

United would came close with a pair of successive chances near the half-hour. On the counter, Rafael delivered a beautiful long ball to Obertan down the right. Coming into the area sharply, he drove wide with Zaluska coming onto to cut the angle. The former Bordeaux winger should have done better with an unmarked Berbatov heading to the net.

When the Hoops failed to move the ball down field, Berbatov came right back with a low drive from the edge of the area that went inches wide.

The third time would prove to be a charm for the Red Devils. Fabio da Silva did well to find Diouf just inside the Celtic box. Though he had room to shoot himself, he crossed to the other side of the area to Berbatov, who cut inside. Shaking his defender, United’s number nine drove a hard strike past Zaluska to give the Premier League side the breakthrough.

Neil Lennon’s men came close to restoring parity prior to the break. Both the gaffer and the player himself were incredulous in the 40th minute, when Fabio took down Fortune only yards outside the area.

Despite the protestations from Lennon from the technical area and a disbelieving Fortune, referee Silviu Petrescu waved play on, denying the Bhoys what would have been a free-kick from a threatening position.

Minutes later, Celtic had their best chance to square things when, from a narrow angle, Mulgrew sent in a hard drive that seemingly had Edwin van der Sar beaten, but it clipped the top of the near post and went out.

After the interval Lennon brought on Greek international Samaras and the lanky striker immediately signalled his intent.

After a Tom Cleverley foul, the Hoops seemed to have equalised off the subsequent free-kick. Samaras buried his free header into the back of the United goal, but the striker was flagged offside.

United attempted to double their advantage in the 55th minutes thanks to strong work from Obertan, whose impressive drive upfield and clever step-overs had the Bhoys’ defence on the backfoot.

Obertan found Diouf just outside the box, but he was taken down by Mark Wilson. The Red Devils squandered the opportunity to strengthen their hold on the match, as Berbatov sent in a weak shot right into the Celtic wall and it dribbled away harmlessly.

Following the ensuing corner, new boy Chris Smalling went from would-be hero to villain in a matter of minutes. As the Hoops were unable to clear the area, Smalling had a point-blank left-footer at goal, but was denied smartly by the trailing leg of Zaluska.

Coming back the other way, Smalling was unable to handle the run of Bhoys’ new signing Joe Ledley, as the former Fulham defender hauled down the ex-Cardiff City star inside the box. Petrescu awarded a penalty and Samaras made no mistake from the spot, resoring parity.

Celtic then have two great opportunities to take the lead. In the 64th minute, the lively Samaras had a strong run down the left. Bursting into the United area, he reached the touchline before sending in a cross, but one that was well over the head of the oncoming Morten Rasmussen.

Minutes later, Fortune beat Wes Brown on the right of the United area, but his low drive was saved smartly by a diving van der Sar.

The Bhoys would rue those missed opportunities, as the Red Devils struck twice in a period of five minutes to claim victory.

In the 79th minute Berbatov stormed into the Celtic area with an eye to goal. Seeing that Zaluska had committed to his shot, the Bulgarian dinked a pass across the box to Danny Welbeck and the sliding substitute’s left foot got enough of the ball to send it across the line.

Tom Cleverley, who starred on loan at Watford last term, scored United's third late on after taking advantage of some miscommunication in the Celtic backline. Getting a hold of the ball in the Hoops’ area, Cleverley’s strike was deflected, leaving Zaluska only able to watch the ball bulge the twine.

Manchester United:
Van Der Saar; F. Da Silva, Evans, Smalling, R. Da Silva; Giggs, Scholes, Fletcher, Obertan; Diouf, Berbatov.

Celtic:
Zaluska; Mulgrew, Rogne, Wilson, O'Dea; Ledley, Crosas, Forrest, Brown; Maloney, Fortune.

Watch the highlights here.

From Goal.com

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