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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Barcelona beat Manchester United 1-0 in pre-season friendly – as it happened | Barcelona beat Manchester United 1-0 in pre-season friendly – as it happened |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 2.42am BST | 2.42am BST |
| 02:42 | 02:42 |
| Final thoughts | Final thoughts |
| As seems to be the way of these pre-season games the second half of this match was more or less phoned in by both teams. It was as if a gentleman’s agreement was made at halftime to leave it at that. | As seems to be the way of these pre-season games the second half of this match was more or less phoned in by both teams. It was as if a gentleman’s agreement was made at halftime to leave it at that. |
| As such, all the action was in the first half, one in which Barcelona dominated through their big three, Messi, Suarez and Neymar (who was particularly dangerous). As good as these players are United will be disappointed they afforded them so much space in the centre of the park. I lost count of the times Barca was able to progress the ball unopposed down the spine — and from that position dangerous balls were fed out wide forcing United to defend facing their own goal and resulting in 12 first-half shots by Barca. Blind was caught out on a number of occasions and if it wasn’t for De Gea United would surely have lost by a much larger margin. As I mentioned, Rashford and Pogba were United’s best. | As such, all the action was in the first half, one in which Barcelona dominated through their big three, Messi, Suarez and Neymar (who was particularly dangerous). As good as these players are United will be disappointed they afforded them so much space in the centre of the park. I lost count of the times Barca was able to progress the ball unopposed down the spine — and from that position dangerous balls were fed out wide forcing United to defend facing their own goal and resulting in 12 first-half shots by Barca. Blind was caught out on a number of occasions and if it wasn’t for De Gea United would surely have lost by a much larger margin. As I mentioned, Rashford and Pogba were United’s best. |
| Despite the result, no damage has been done, and as far as I can tell both teams escaped without injury. And as the pre-season marches on I’ll march off. Thanks for your company and your messages. Cheerio. | Despite the result, no damage has been done, and as far as I can tell both teams escaped without injury. And as the pre-season marches on I’ll march off. Thanks for your company and your messages. Cheerio. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.52am BST | |
| 2.33am BST | 2.33am BST |
| 02:33 | 02:33 |
| Full-time: Barcelona 1-0 Manchester Utd | Full-time: Barcelona 1-0 Manchester Utd |
| Manchester Utd suffer their first loss of the pre-season, while Barca win back-to-back ICC fixtures. Handshakes all round. | Manchester Utd suffer their first loss of the pre-season, while Barca win back-to-back ICC fixtures. Handshakes all round. |
| 2.32am BST | 2.32am BST |
| 02:32 | 02:32 |
| 94 min: Tuanzebe goes on an excellent muscular run down the right flank, holding off defenders long enough to cross inside. He does so, right across the field to Martial who can’t quite create room for a shot. Moments later Utd attack down the left. Martial slips an inside ball to Rashford who can level the score from distance but his powerful shot flies high into the stands. | 94 min: Tuanzebe goes on an excellent muscular run down the right flank, holding off defenders long enough to cross inside. He does so, right across the field to Martial who can’t quite create room for a shot. Moments later Utd attack down the left. Martial slips an inside ball to Rashford who can level the score from distance but his powerful shot flies high into the stands. |
| And with that late flurry... | And with that late flurry... |
| 2.29am BST | 2.29am BST |
| 02:29 | 02:29 |
| 92 min: Jones and Bailly pass it around at the back as Utd attempt to lull Barca to sleep. | 92 min: Jones and Bailly pass it around at the back as Utd attempt to lull Barca to sleep. |
| 2.27am BST | 2.27am BST |
| 02:27 | 02:27 |
| 90 min: There will be four added minutes. | 90 min: There will be four added minutes. |
| 2.27am BST | 2.27am BST |
| 02:27 | 02:27 |
| 89 min: Rashford is down after colliding with Digne. Both men were looking at the ball so nothing untoward about it. Mourinho looks on from the sideline with a rather vacant look on his face. It’s the face I have when I daydream during my kids’ school music concert after it goes into its second hour. | 89 min: Rashford is down after colliding with Digne. Both men were looking at the ball so nothing untoward about it. Mourinho looks on from the sideline with a rather vacant look on his face. It’s the face I have when I daydream during my kids’ school music concert after it goes into its second hour. |
| 2.24am BST | 2.24am BST |
| 02:24 | 02:24 |
| 88 min: From the throw, Pogba turns with the ball on the byline and clips a well-weighted cross into the Barca six-yard box. But there’s no-one in a | 88 min: From the throw, Pogba turns with the ball on the byline and clips a well-weighted cross into the Barca six-yard box. But there’s no-one in a |
| red | red |
| dirty white shirt to get a head on it. | dirty white shirt to get a head on it. |
| 2.23am BST | 2.23am BST |
| 02:23 | 02:23 |
| 87 min: Rashford chases a ball down the right wing. Digne’s sliding tackle robs him of the chance to cross, and Digne seems to have injured himself in the process. Rashford has put in a decent shift tonight. | 87 min: Rashford chases a ball down the right wing. Digne’s sliding tackle robs him of the chance to cross, and Digne seems to have injured himself in the process. Rashford has put in a decent shift tonight. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.44am BST | at 2.44am BST |
| 2.21am BST | 2.21am BST |
| 02:21 | 02:21 |
| 85 min: Tuanzebe at right back does well to frustrate Iniesta and then hoofs the ball into the stands. | 85 min: Tuanzebe at right back does well to frustrate Iniesta and then hoofs the ball into the stands. |
| 2.20am BST | 2.20am BST |
| 02:20 | 02:20 |
| 83 min: And here’s a card for Fellaini. Roberto goes for another gallop from deep and Fellaini, knowing him can’t catch him, clips him from behind instead. | 83 min: And here’s a card for Fellaini. Roberto goes for another gallop from deep and Fellaini, knowing him can’t catch him, clips him from behind instead. |
| 2.18am BST | 2.18am BST |
| 02:18 | 02:18 |
| 82 min: Iniesta finds Munir on the right but Darmian clatters into him from behind like a distracted driver. The foul count is rising as the team’s tire. | 82 min: Iniesta finds Munir on the right but Darmian clatters into him from behind like a distracted driver. The foul count is rising as the team’s tire. |
| 2.17am BST | 2.17am BST |
| 02:17 | 02:17 |
| 80 min: Neymar is pictured sitting on the Barca bench in a black T-shirt with his cap worn backwards. Suarez and Busquets flank him and all three are talking behind their hands as if to frustrate the legion of lip-reading transfer speculators out there. | 80 min: Neymar is pictured sitting on the Barca bench in a black T-shirt with his cap worn backwards. Suarez and Busquets flank him and all three are talking behind their hands as if to frustrate the legion of lip-reading transfer speculators out there. |
| 2.15am BST | 2.15am BST |
| 02:15 | 02:15 |
| 79 min: Fellaini is down clutching a left ankle after Roberto catches him on the left foot. Nothing to see here, folks. Fellaini just wants a drink. | 79 min: Fellaini is down clutching a left ankle after Roberto catches him on the left foot. Nothing to see here, folks. Fellaini just wants a drink. |
| 2.14am BST | 2.14am BST |
| 02:14 | 02:14 |
| 77 min: Man U fans on social media being pessimistic which, to be fair, is the default position for any fan worth their salt: | 77 min: Man U fans on social media being pessimistic which, to be fair, is the default position for any fan worth their salt: |
| Lukaku won't be having a 20+ goals season. No service.#MUTOUR | Lukaku won't be having a 20+ goals season. No service.#MUTOUR |
| 2.12am BST | 2.12am BST |
| 02:12 | 02:12 |
| 75 min: Iniesta curls a free kick from wide right trying to find a Barca runner near the far post. The outswinging ball evades Romero but not Bailly who clears. | 75 min: Iniesta curls a free kick from wide right trying to find a Barca runner near the far post. The outswinging ball evades Romero but not Bailly who clears. |
| 2.10am BST | 2.10am BST |
| 02:10 | 02:10 |
| 72 min: 80,162 in attendance. That’s part of the reason these pre-season tours are so in vogue. | 72 min: 80,162 in attendance. That’s part of the reason these pre-season tours are so in vogue. |
| 2.09am BST | 2.09am BST |
| 02:09 | 02:09 |
| 71 min: Nice play by Utd. After playing out from the back, Darmian, on the left wing, knocks a smart first-time ball to Pogba who sees the field open up in front of him. He dribbles to 20 yards out and tries to pass it into the bottom right corner but Cillessen gets down to snuff it out. | 71 min: Nice play by Utd. After playing out from the back, Darmian, on the left wing, knocks a smart first-time ball to Pogba who sees the field open up in front of him. He dribbles to 20 yards out and tries to pass it into the bottom right corner but Cillessen gets down to snuff it out. |
| 2.07am BST | 2.07am BST |
| 02:07 | 02:07 |
| 70 min: A desperate Barca lunge blocks a Rashford shot on the edge of the D but the rebound falls to Pereira who rasps a left-foot drive. It’s on target but Cillessen gets down well to save. | 70 min: A desperate Barca lunge blocks a Rashford shot on the edge of the D but the rebound falls to Pereira who rasps a left-foot drive. It’s on target but Cillessen gets down well to save. |
| 2.05am BST | 2.05am BST |
| 02:05 | 02:05 |
| 68 min: Pereira is the beneficiary of a smart backwards header from a teammate and though he’s 30 yards out he attempts a highlight-reel shot. He hits it well but it climbs too high. | 68 min: Pereira is the beneficiary of a smart backwards header from a teammate and though he’s 30 yards out he attempts a highlight-reel shot. He hits it well but it climbs too high. |
| 2.03am BST | 2.03am BST |
| 02:03 | 02:03 |
| 66 min: Barca now with a chance. Alcacar catches Bailly napping as the Utd defender allows the Barca man in behind him, where he takes down a lofted ball. Bailly tries to recover but Alcacar cuts inside his lunge and he gets off a strong shot - which Romero does well to push around his left post. | 66 min: Barca now with a chance. Alcacar catches Bailly napping as the Utd defender allows the Barca man in behind him, where he takes down a lofted ball. Bailly tries to recover but Alcacar cuts inside his lunge and he gets off a strong shot - which Romero does well to push around his left post. |
| 2.01am BST | 2.01am BST |
| 02:01 | 02:01 |
| 65 min: Action! Rashford and Lukaku again link up (they’re trying) before Rashford turns back inside and passes across the face of the Barca box to Martial in space. He skips inside the first defender and tries to guide it into the top right corner. But, like an off oyster, he can’t keep it down. | 65 min: Action! Rashford and Lukaku again link up (they’re trying) before Rashford turns back inside and passes across the face of the Barca box to Martial in space. He skips inside the first defender and tries to guide it into the top right corner. But, like an off oyster, he can’t keep it down. |
| 1.58am BST | 1.58am BST |
| 01:58 | 01:58 |
| 63 min: Barca pass around the back and it’s like walking football for a moment. But not as quick: | 63 min: Barca pass around the back and it’s like walking football for a moment. But not as quick: |
| 1.57am BST | 1.57am BST |
| 01:57 | 01:57 |
| 61 min: Lukaku and Rashford execute a give and go but the ball is cleared before Lukaku can even contemplate a shot. | 61 min: Lukaku and Rashford execute a give and go but the ball is cleared before Lukaku can even contemplate a shot. |
| Lingard, who’s been quiet this half, is down being treated and he’s rubbing his groin as if it’s a genie’s lamp. But it’s not and he shuffles off to the bench, replaced by Martial. Mkhitaryan has also gone off, replaced by Pereira. | Lingard, who’s been quiet this half, is down being treated and he’s rubbing his groin as if it’s a genie’s lamp. But it’s not and he shuffles off to the bench, replaced by Martial. Mkhitaryan has also gone off, replaced by Pereira. |
| 1.52am BST | 1.52am BST |
| 01:52 | 01:52 |
| 60 min: Bailly makes a menace of himself, crashing into Denis and earning a brief chat with the ref. | 60 min: Bailly makes a menace of himself, crashing into Denis and earning a brief chat with the ref. |
| 1.51am BST | 1.51am BST |
| 01:51 | 01:51 |
| 58 min: As I mentioned, Utd have also put the broom through the place: | 58 min: As I mentioned, Utd have also put the broom through the place: |
| 46' - Changes at the break for #MUFC: Romero, Jones, Darmian and Fellaini are on for De Gea, Lindelof, Blind and Carrick. #MUTOUR | 46' - Changes at the break for #MUFC: Romero, Jones, Darmian and Fellaini are on for De Gea, Lindelof, Blind and Carrick. #MUTOUR |
| 1.49am BST | 1.49am BST |
| 01:49 | 01:49 |
| 57 min: This game really has slowed. No wonder given all the changes. | 57 min: This game really has slowed. No wonder given all the changes. |
| 🔴🔵 Barça XI 2nd half:13.Cillessen3.Piqué6.Denis7.Arda8.Iniesta15.Vermaelen17.Alcácer19.Digne20.Roberto22.A.Vidal29.Munir | 🔴🔵 Barça XI 2nd half:13.Cillessen3.Piqué6.Denis7.Arda8.Iniesta15.Vermaelen17.Alcácer19.Digne20.Roberto22.A.Vidal29.Munir |
| 1.48am BST | 1.48am BST |
| 01:48 | 01:48 |
| 54 min: Oh Fellaini, he’s once again accidentally caught someone with his elbow as they contest a header. It’s Pique down, receiving attention. | 54 min: Oh Fellaini, he’s once again accidentally caught someone with his elbow as they contest a header. It’s Pique down, receiving attention. |
| 1.46am BST | 1.46am BST |
| 01:46 | 01:46 |
| 52 min: Former Valencia man Alcacer tries to beat the offside trap and latch onto a chip from midfield but the flag goes up: Jones, it was, ensuring Alcacer was offside. | 52 min: Former Valencia man Alcacer tries to beat the offside trap and latch onto a chip from midfield but the flag goes up: Jones, it was, ensuring Alcacer was offside. |
| 1.44am BST | 1.44am BST |
| 01:44 | 01:44 |
| 50 min: Sergio Roberto dashes from fullback right over the halfway line before Lukaku decides he’s seen enough and he bundles him over unceremoniously. | 50 min: Sergio Roberto dashes from fullback right over the halfway line before Lukaku decides he’s seen enough and he bundles him over unceremoniously. |
| 1.43am BST | 1.43am BST |
| 01:43 | 01:43 |
| 48 min: Already the pace is notably slower ... although here’s Lingard linking up with Pogba, measuring a nice pass for the Frenchman to run onto but a sliding tackle dispossess him before he can shoot. | 48 min: Already the pace is notably slower ... although here’s Lingard linking up with Pogba, measuring a nice pass for the Frenchman to run onto but a sliding tackle dispossess him before he can shoot. |
| 1.40am BST | 1.40am BST |
| 01:40 | 01:40 |
| 46 min: United have also made a host of changes which I’ll get to in time. Fellaini is on, however. Barca be wary. Bailly is also on, as in Jones and Darmian. | 46 min: United have also made a host of changes which I’ll get to in time. Fellaini is on, however. Barca be wary. Bailly is also on, as in Jones and Darmian. |
| 1.38am BST | 1.38am BST |
| 01:38 | 01:38 |
| Peeeeep! | Peeeeep! |
| Barcelona kick us off... and they’ve practically an entirely different team. Neymar, Suarez and Messi, among others, are all in the showers. Metaphorically speaking at least. | Barcelona kick us off... and they’ve practically an entirely different team. Neymar, Suarez and Messi, among others, are all in the showers. Metaphorically speaking at least. |
| 1.36am BST | 1.36am BST |
| 01:36 | 01:36 |
| The players are moseying their way down the tunnel. No doubt there will be a raft of changes made to both teams. Whatever they do, Utd will need to shore up their defence. They’ve had a few good moments, mostly through Rashford and Pogba, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to get on the scoreboard, but it’s at the other end they look flakey. | The players are moseying their way down the tunnel. No doubt there will be a raft of changes made to both teams. Whatever they do, Utd will need to shore up their defence. They’ve had a few good moments, mostly through Rashford and Pogba, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to get on the scoreboard, but it’s at the other end they look flakey. |
| 1.33am BST | 1.33am BST |
| 01:33 | 01:33 |
| Half-time stats: | Half-time stats: |
| Shots on goal: 12-6 Barca | Shots on goal: 12-6 Barca |
| Shots on target: 7-3 Barca | Shots on target: 7-3 Barca |
| Corners: 3-4 United | Corners: 3-4 United |
| Fouls: 5-6 United | Fouls: 5-6 United |
| Possession: 63% - 37% Barca | Possession: 63% - 37% Barca |
| 1.24am BST | 1.24am BST |
| 01:24 | 01:24 |
| Half-time: Barcelona 1-0 Manchester Utd | Half-time: Barcelona 1-0 Manchester Utd |
| That’s oranges, with Barcelona all over Utd like a hot flannel on a filthy face. Thanks to De Gea, and some rusty shooting. they’ve only one goal to show for it. As much as one worries about these things in pre-season Mourinho will be concerned at how much space Barca have in midfield. And not the flanks, either, but mid- mid-field. Time and again Barca have marched up the guts with little resistance. | That’s oranges, with Barcelona all over Utd like a hot flannel on a filthy face. Thanks to De Gea, and some rusty shooting. they’ve only one goal to show for it. As much as one worries about these things in pre-season Mourinho will be concerned at how much space Barca have in midfield. And not the flanks, either, but mid- mid-field. Time and again Barca have marched up the guts with little resistance. |
| 1.21am BST | 1.21am BST |
| 01:21 | 01:21 |
| 43 min: After Utd break Pogba, on the right, crosses to Lukaku who is storming into the box like a headmaster into a scrum of brawling schoolboys. Again, it’s ahead of Lukaku, and despite his valiant stretch he can only clip it ineffectively. | 43 min: After Utd break Pogba, on the right, crosses to Lukaku who is storming into the box like a headmaster into a scrum of brawling schoolboys. Again, it’s ahead of Lukaku, and despite his valiant stretch he can only clip it ineffectively. |
| 1.19am BST | 1.19am BST |
| 01:19 | 01:19 |
| 41 min: Messi lobs the free kick downfield towards Suarez. Carrick gets there first but he only succeeds in knocking the ball back into the air. Suarez watches it drop and attempts a side-on bicycle kick; it would have ended up in the net but for another De Gea save. | 41 min: Messi lobs the free kick downfield towards Suarez. Carrick gets there first but he only succeeds in knocking the ball back into the air. Suarez watches it drop and attempts a side-on bicycle kick; it would have ended up in the net but for another De Gea save. |
| 1.17am BST | 1.17am BST |
| 01:17 | 01:17 |
| 40 min: Mascherano sprints out of defence and passes to Messi. Blind, who is attracting all kinds of abuse on social media from Utd fans, deals with the situation by pulling Messi down by the shirt. | 40 min: Mascherano sprints out of defence and passes to Messi. Blind, who is attracting all kinds of abuse on social media from Utd fans, deals with the situation by pulling Messi down by the shirt. |