Edwin Van Der Sar returned in goal with Rafael Da Silva, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans and Fabio Da Silva making up the defence. John O’Shea, Gabriel Obertan, Darren Fletcher and Luis Nani made up the midfield with Ryan Giggs and Federico Macheda upfront.
It took all of 23 seconds for Macheda to open up the scoring, the Italian youngster picked up Kevin Alstone’s ball across the back and he was able to put it past keeper Donovan Ricketts.
Man United were looking a lot sharper, the passing was a lot better compared to the game against the Kansas City Wizards. United’s lead was doubled with only 12 minutes on the clock, with Kiko grabbing his second of the game after heading the ball past the keeper.
Midway through the first half Obertan was forced off the field after picking up an injury, which is expected to keep him out for two weeks. Tom Cleverley came on to replace him.
Darren Fletcher came so close to putting the away side 3-0 up after a one-two with Cleverley, Fletcher’s strike hit the crossbar and bounced away. The move from United deserved a goal.
United were much the better team during the first half, a much-improved performance against a MLS side who don’t normally play together and that showed.
The All-Stars made a lot of changes for the second half, they got off to a much brighter start with a few threats at the United goal. With 50 minutes gone Sir Alex decided to take Giggs off, with Darron Gibson coming on as his replacement.
Just after the hour Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez made his debut for United much to the crowds excitement. Danny Welbeck also came on at the same time, Macheda wasn’t going to get his hattrick as he was brought off along with Nani.
Almost immediately after those substitutions the MLS side pulled a goal back through a header from substitute Brian Ching.
Hernandez immediately made an impact; United bagged their third of the night after the Mexican was brought down when it looked like he could be clean through on goal. Gibson scored a beauty from the resulting freekick, nothing the keeper could have done.
Minutes after that goal, United were 4-1 with another quality goal. Cleverley received the ball from a flick by Fletcher, he lifted the ball over the MLS defender, he then turned and volleyed the ball past the keeper. A stunning goal and some fantastic skill shown by Cleverley.
The crowd got what they wanted; they saw Hernandez score on his debut for United. Hernandez latched onto Fletcher’s ball over the defender and lobbed the keeper.
They may have been 5-1 down but there was still time for the All-Stars to grab a consolation goal with Dwayne De Rosario putting the ball in the back of the net in the 90th minute.
A much improved performance from United, a deserved victory and a great game to watch.
