Manchester United have won their first game under Louis van Gaal in style by putting SEVEN past LA Galaxy in front of 86,000 fans at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.
Just a day after bemoaning the fact that his club's busy schedule in America was threatening to disrupt his players’ preparations for the new season, the new United manager watched his team stroll through their opening tour game against a lamentable LA Galaxy - who are supposed to be one of America's strongest teams.
This is an iconic American stadium, which hosted the 1994 World Cup final, and United produced a clinical performance with which to grace it.
Watching them sweep Galaxy aside, it was hard to believe that it is the American team who are in the middle of their season and United who are supposed to be looking for form and fitness under their new manager.
In fact the only problem the English side had all night was actually getting to the stadium. Despite the presence of a police escort, United’s team bus took more than two hours to reach Pasadena from their hotel in Beverly Hills, meaning that at one stage the kick-off was in danger of being put back.
In the end, though, everything started on time and the night subsequently ran like clockwork for United who eased to victory through two first half goals from Wayne Rooney, one from Danny Welbeck, two goals for half-time substitute Reece James followed by two late strikes from Ashley Young.
Twenty-year-old English defender James - who was on loan at lowly Carlisle United last season - was playing his FIRST game for Manchester United and yet still managed to put two goals past Galaxy.
Manchester new boy Ander Herrera, who they bought for £28.85 million from Athletic Bilbao this summer, was the man of the match and he looks set to be a great player. He was outstanding all night.
The fact that Galaxy - one of the USA's most successful football clubs - were completely outclassed by United shows that America's best still has a long way to go before it can compete with England's, and Europe's, best.
As for United, their win means they lift yet more silverware - the Chevrolet Cup - and they'll be hoping it will be merely the first piece of silverware out of several that they'll lift this season after suffering a rare trophy drought last season.
Manchester United 7-0 LA Galaxy: Wayne Rooney, Reece James and Ashley Young doubles ensure perfect start for Louis van Gaal
Van Gaal wins first game as Manchester United manager
Dutchman played 3-4-3 formation for entire 90 minutes
Danny Welbeck opened scoring for United after 13 minutes
Rooney scored first-half double in first game after World Cup
Van Gaal made nine half-time changes
James and Young both scored twice in second-half
Manchester United win the Chevrolet Cup
Chevrolet Cup
LA Galaxy 0-7 Manchester United
...........................................Welbeck 13, Rooney 41 (pen) and 45, James 62 and 84, Young 88 and 90.
MATCH FACTS
Man United first-half (3-4-3): De Gea; Smalling, Jones, Evans; Valencia, Fletcher, Herrera, Shaw; Mata; Welbeck, Rooney.
Man United second-half (3-4-3): Lindegaard; M Keane, Fletcher, Blackett; Rafael, Cleverley, Herrera, James; Kagawa; Nani, Young.
LA Galaxy: Penedo; Gargan, Meyer, Leonardo, DeLaGarza; Ishizaki, Sarvas, Juninho, Husidic; Keane, Zardes.
Booked: Keane, Leonardo.
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Man of the Match: Ander Herrera
All smiles: Fletcher and Co will be hoping this is not United's only trophy this season
Much more of this and Louis van Gaal will be asking Manchester United to send his team on long pre-season tours every summer.
Just a day after bemoaning the fact that his club's busy schedule here in America was threatening to disrupt his players’ preparations for the new season, the new United manager watched his team stroll through their opening tour game against a lamentable LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
This is an iconic American stadium, which hosted the 1994 World Cup final, and United produced a clinical performance with which to grace it.
Roo beauty: United forward Rooney is congratulated by fellow England striker Danny Welbeck after his first goal. Three English players each scored two goals against Galaxy
Watching them sweep Galaxy aside, it was hard to believe that it is the American team who are in the middle of their season and United who are supposed to be looking for form and fitness under their new manager.
In fact the only problem the English side had all night was actually getting to the stadium. Despite the presence of a police escort, United’s team bus took more than two hours to reach Pasadena from their hotel in Beverly Hills, meaning that at one stage the kick-off was in danger of being put back.
In the end, though, everything started on time and the night subsequently ran like clockwork for United who eased to victory through two first half goals from Wayne Rooney, one from Danny Welbeck, two goals for half-time substitute Reece Jones followed by two late strikes from Ashley Young.
Flying start: Welbeck celebrates putting United in the lead after just 13 minutes
Jumping for joy: The England World Cup forward celebrates in front of the United fans
With the stadium almost full – there were more than 86,000 here - on a beautiful, warm California night, United perhaps felt compelled to put on a good show.
Whatever the case they began well and scored in just the 13th minute.
Van Gaal chose to use the 3-4-3 formation he deployed with Holland at the World Cup and it will be interesting to see if he keeps faith in it. More noticeable in the first half, though, was the performance in the centre of midfield by new signing Ander Herrera.
The Spaniard was impressive from the start, passing the ball well and helping United to set the rhythm they needed and so often lacked under David Moyes last season.
Wing wizard: Antonio Valencia - playing in a right wing back role - crosses for United
Spot on: Rooney beats Jaime Penedo from 12 yards out to double United's advantage
Midfield general: New signing Ander Herrera was outstanding all night for United
You'll have to do more than that to impress me! Van Gaal looks on sternly as United romp to victory
United almost opened the scoring in the fourth minute as Herrera forced Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo to touch his shot over from 25 yards.
Soon after, though, they did break through as Juan Mata bustled through the middle, the ball broke free and Welbeck swept a first time shot past Penedo from the edge of the penalty area.
It was a superb, crisp finish from the England player and typical of what United were to go on to produce.
Galaxy did threaten briefly after the first United goal as Stefan Ishizaki crossed low for Gyasi Zardes and United goalkeeper David de Gea had to save sharply.
That was as good as it got for the American team, though, as United scored twice more before half-time.
The second goal came from the penalty spot after Antonio Valencia’s run and cross down the right brought a handball from AJ DeLaGarza.
Rooney stepped up to convert the penalty with his right foot.
Thumbs up: Van Gaal watches the game from the bench alongside his assistant Ryan Giggs
Case for the defence: Jonny Evans was part of a back three deployed by United
Then, in first half added time, Rooney profited from a terrible mistake from Galaxy defender Tommy Meyer to lift the ball over the goalkeeper and in to the goal.
With the game won, it was tempting to wonder if United would be able to come out and play with such intensity in the second half.
Van Gaal made sure there was no slacking off, though, by making nine half-time changes. Only Herrera and Darren Fletcher remained, with the Scot dropping back to the centre of defence for the second period.
Starting role: Spaniard Juan Mata impressed for United playing in behind the strikers
Close call: Shinji Kagawa bends a second-half effort just wide of the post
Midfield maestros: Darren Fletcher and Ander Herrera started together in the middle of the park
New kid on the block: Impressive young English defender Reece James (second from the right) is congratulated after scoring his first
Doubling up: James scored two in a matter of minutes in his debut match for United to stake his claim for a regular spot
Double salvo: Young scored twice for United in the dying minutes of the match
After the break, things actually got a little surreal.
Young left back James scored twice – from a Young cross shortly after half-time and then again from 15 yards as he ran on to a loose ball with six minutes remaining – while Young himself added two of his own in the last four minutes to complete Galaxy’s humiliation.
Both of Young’s goals came from Herrera passes and certainly the Spaniard’s night was an influential one.
At the end of the game, a pitch invader was flattened by a steward in the centre circle. It was the closest an American had come to making a perfect tackle all night.
Silverware: Darren Fletcher smiles as he collects the Chevrolet Cup after the game
