Manchester United 2 Barcelona 1
Att: 81,807
FedEx Field, Maryland.
It might not go down as the most important goal of Michael Owen’s career, but the next time Manchester United face Barcelona, they will do so having experienced the sensation of beating the European champions thanks to the former England striker’s second-half winner in Washington.
Having endured two comprehensive Champions League final defeats against Barcelona in the last three seasons, any victory against Pep Guardiola’s team is something to be cherished.
Whether it will make any difference the next time United tackle Barca in a competitive fixture, only time will tell, but a win, as they say, is a win and Owen’s goal – a clinical finish past Victor Valdes from Tom Cleverley’s 76th minute pass – has given United proof that Barcelona can be beaten.
With just 63 days separating the 3-1 Champions League final defeat at Wembley and this friendly on the outskirts of Washington – in the somewhat less prestigious Herbalife World Football Challenge – United’s wounds were undoubtedly still raw from Barcelona’s victory in north London.
The good news for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, however, was the absence of Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and summer signing Alexis Sanchez from the Barcelona line-up due to their recent involvement in the Copa America.
Both Ferguson and Barca coach Guardiola fielded experimental starting teams, with youngsters among more experienced performers, but there was a clear opportunity for United to secure the psychological lift that would come with a victory against the European champions.
With temperatures approaching the mid-90s at kick-off, the searing heat was likely to prove the most formidable opponent for both sets of players.
But United started strongly and Wayne Rooney missed a golden chance to put his team ahead just ten minutes into the game.
Danny Welbeck’s pass to Nani on the right flank resulted in the Portuguese winger crossing to Rooney at the near post, but despite standing unmarked just six yards out, Rooney scuffed his shot wide of Valdes’s left-hand post.
In their two Champions League final defeats against Barcelona, United started well before being overrun after the opening 20 minutes, but they maintained their grip on the game on this occasion.
An early injury to Rafael, who appeared to damage his right knee in a 13th minute collision with Seydou Keita was a setback, however, and the Brazilian full-back could now miss the start of the season if the injury proves as problematic as it appeared as he limped down the touchline after being replaced by twin brother Fabio.
Having spent the last three weeks in the States, with four games against local opposition, United appeared sharper and more match hardened than Barcelona, who were playing their fourth game in a week, and they were able to suppress the Spanish team’s passing game.
And United were rewarded for their bright start when Nani opened the scoring after springing the offside trap on 22 minutes.
Nani appeared to have strayed offside before racing onto Welbeck’s pass, but replay suggested that the winger had timed his run perfectly before poking the ball under Valdes from 10 yards.
In a tetchy game that saw several late challenges and a booking for Barcelona defender Jonathan dos Santos, Barcelona were clearly missing the cutting edge of Messi and midfielder Xavi, who started the game on the bench.
But Dutch winger Ibrahim Afellay almost levelled on 35 minutes when he sent a left-foot shot inches wide of the United goal from a tight angle.
United goalkeeper David de Gea was forced into his first meaningful save on 50 minutes, however, when he denied Pedro an equaliser.
Pedro, who scored the opening goal against United at Wembley, struck early from 12 yards, but De Gea reacted well to dive low and smother the ball.
De Gea, United’s £18.3m replacement for Edwin van der Sar, was fortunate not to gift Barcelona a goal on 61 minutes, though, when a poor clearance by the 20-year-old goalkeeper dropped straight at the feet of Isaac Cuenca 35 yards from goal.
Cuenca’s cross into the penalty area was wayward, however, and De Gea escaped being punished for his mistake.
Ferguson has admitted that the youngster must improve his physique to succeed in the Premier League, but his preference for punching rather than catching routine crosses is another area which will require attention.
De Gea’s decision to punch clear a second-half corner instead of grasping the ball was unusual considering he had time to collect the ball inside his 18 yard box.
The former Atletico Madrid keeper had no chance when it came to stopping Thiago’s equaliser on 71 minutes, however.
Ryan Giggs’s failure to cut out Carlos Carmona’s pass left Thiago with a free strike on goal from 20 yards and the 20-year-old took full advantage by guiding a right foot shot beyond the motionless De Gea.
Owen secured victory for United, though, when he beat Valdes after Cleverley had cut out a loose Sergio Busquets pass before creating the chance for the 31-year-old.
Owen then missed an open goal in the final minutes after being teed up by Mame Biram Diouf, but on this occasion, he got away with it.
Manchester United (4-4-2): De Gea; Rafael (Fabio 17), Evans, Vidic (Jones 77), Evra (Smalling 46); Nani, Cleverley, Anderson (Giggs 46), Young (Obertan 62); Rooney (Owen 46), Welbeck (Diouf 77). Subs: Lindegaard (g), Amos (g), Ferdinand, Carrick, Park, Berbatov, Macheda.
Barcelona (4-1-4-1): Valdes; Dos Santos, Busquets, Fontas (Lozano 74), Abidal (Balliu 74); Keita; Pedro (Espinosa 86), Iniesta, Thiago, Afellay (Cuenca 42); Villa (Carmona 62). Subs: Jose Pinto (g), Masip (g), Pique, Puyol, Xavi, Suarez, Riverola, Cabelino, Muniesa.
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