• MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Andre Onana 7 - Confident. Could do little as he conceded his first goal after five minutes on his debut. Smart save from the livewire Vinicius. Kicked well with both feet and content to be in an advanced position – regularly 10/15 yards from his own box. Doubtful that any keeper could’ve stopped Madrid’s second. EPA
    MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Andre Onana 7 - Confident. Could do little as he conceded his first goal after five minutes on his debut. Smart save from the livewire Vinicius. Kicked well with both feet and content to be in an advanced position – regularly 10/15 yards from his own box. Doubtful that any keeper could’ve stopped Madrid’s second. EPA
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6 - Played Bellingham onside before the first Madrid goal, but otherwise comfortable on the ball. Good for him to play against Madrid’s pace and one-touch counters. AFP
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6 - Played Bellingham onside before the first Madrid goal, but otherwise comfortable on the ball. Good for him to play against Madrid’s pace and one-touch counters. AFP
  • Lisandro Martinez 6 - He doesn’t do friendlies. Booked for a late challenge on Bellingham in the first half, then just needed a touch to finish a chance on 51 minutes. AFP
    Lisandro Martinez 6 - He doesn’t do friendlies. Booked for a late challenge on Bellingham in the first half, then just needed a touch to finish a chance on 51 minutes. AFP
  • Raphael Varane 6 - Against the club where he won the lot, United’s defence struggled to decipher a team without a number nine. AFP
    Raphael Varane 6 - Against the club where he won the lot, United’s defence struggled to decipher a team without a number nine. AFP
  • Luke Shaw 5 - Want to see what absolute top level fullbacks look like? They were wearing white, not a new green striped away kit, in Houston. Will need to get used to playing with Onana. United had a lot of possession between the goals, yet Madrid made their possession count. AFP
    Luke Shaw 5 - Want to see what absolute top level fullbacks look like? They were wearing white, not a new green striped away kit, in Houston. Will need to get used to playing with Onana. United had a lot of possession between the goals, yet Madrid made their possession count. AFP
  • Casemiro 6 - The man who made 336 appearances for Real Madrid dragged a first-half shot wide and Madrid’s midfield were superior, broke quickly and made more telling attacking balls than United. EPA
    Casemiro 6 - The man who made 336 appearances for Real Madrid dragged a first-half shot wide and Madrid’s midfield were superior, broke quickly and made more telling attacking balls than United. EPA
  • Bruno Fernandes 7 - Played wider than normal – and longer than any of the other outfield starters. One of the few to get a grip on the pace of Vinicius, United’s captain showed the variety to his game with flicks, runs and crossfield balls. His frustration earned him a yellow on 80 minutes. Came close to scoring on 88. AP Photo
    Bruno Fernandes 7 - Played wider than normal – and longer than any of the other outfield starters. One of the few to get a grip on the pace of Vinicius, United’s captain showed the variety to his game with flicks, runs and crossfield balls. His frustration earned him a yellow on 80 minutes. Came close to scoring on 88. AP Photo
  • Mason Mount - 5. Once put Chelsea ahead in Madrid in a stand out performance. Wasn't as effective here. Snapped a shot on target after 18 minutes. AFP
    Mason Mount - 5. Once put Chelsea ahead in Madrid in a stand out performance. Wasn't as effective here. Snapped a shot on target after 18 minutes. AFP
  • Kobbie Mainoo - N/A. Deserved his start and fans were looking forward to seeing him play against one of the best teams in the world. It was huge shame that he limped off after an early challenge with Rodrygo. AP
    Kobbie Mainoo - N/A. Deserved his start and fans were looking forward to seeing him play against one of the best teams in the world. It was huge shame that he limped off after an early challenge with Rodrygo. AP
  • Alejandro Garnacho 7 - Grew into the game to become United’s main threat. The Madrid-born player tried to stretch Madrid’s defence and Carvajal and then Vasquez on the left. Shot on target after 56. AFP
    Alejandro Garnacho 7 - Grew into the game to become United’s main threat. The Madrid-born player tried to stretch Madrid’s defence and Carvajal and then Vasquez on the left. Shot on target after 56. AFP
  • Marcus Rashford 6 - Tussled with Rudiger. Shot across goal after United’s best move of the first half on 35, but let down by a poor first touch. AP Photo
    Marcus Rashford 6 - Tussled with Rudiger. Shot across goal after United’s best move of the first half on 35, but let down by a poor first touch. AP Photo
  • SUBS: Christian Eriksen (pictured) 5 - On for the injured Mainoo and a tough challenge against Madrid’s fleet-heeled midfielders; Victor Lindelof 6 - One of United's better performers; Antony 6 - Worked hard, cut in from the right to the left and had a shot, but once again he failed to hit the target. AFP
    SUBS: Christian Eriksen (pictured) 5 - On for the injured Mainoo and a tough challenge against Madrid’s fleet-heeled midfielders; Victor Lindelof 6 - One of United's better performers; Antony 6 - Worked hard, cut in from the right to the left and had a shot, but once again he failed to hit the target. AFP
  • Scott McTominay 6 - Did well. Went on a run and had a shot on goal. AP Photo
    Scott McTominay 6 - Did well. Went on a run and had a shot on goal. AP Photo
  • Diogo Dalot 6 - Had a fine view of Joselu’s goal. Like the rest of his teammates who stood watching. AP Photo
    Diogo Dalot 6 - Had a fine view of Joselu’s goal. Like the rest of his teammates who stood watching. AP Photo
  • Harry Maguire 6 - Headed a Fernandes free kick across goal. Teed up Antony for an attack. Booked. Again. AP Photo
    Harry Maguire 6 - Headed a Fernandes free kick across goal. Teed up Antony for an attack. Booked. Again. AP Photo
  • Jadon Sancho 6 - Skilfull in tight situations in a short run out. EPA
    Jadon Sancho 6 - Skilfull in tight situations in a short run out. EPA
  • Donny van De Beek 5 - He once stood out in a game against Real Madrid. Not tonight. AFP
    Donny van De Beek 5 - He once stood out in a game against Real Madrid. Not tonight. AFP
  • Facundo Pellistri 6 - Nice turns and balance. EPA
    Facundo Pellistri 6 - Nice turns and balance. EPA
  • Brandon Williams 5 - Lovely ball to Pellistri on 88, but a weaker follow up cross. Out of position for Madrid’s second. AP Photo
    Brandon Williams 5 - Lovely ball to Pellistri on 88, but a weaker follow up cross. Out of position for Madrid’s second. AP Photo

Sport

Football

Manchester United ratings v Real Madrid: Onana 7, Shaw 5, Rashford 6

Jude Bellingham scores first Real Madrid goal and Joselu nets spectacular overhead kick as United lose 2-0 in Houston pre-season friendly

Andy Mitten
Andy Mitten
Houston, Texas

July 27, 2023

  • English
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Jude Bellingham scored the first goal of his Real Madrid career as the Spanish giants defeated Manchester United 2-0 in a pre-season friendly in Houston on Wednesday.

English midfielder Bellingham, who joined Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a $114 million transfer in June, opened his account with an exquisite finish after just six minutes.

Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger caught the United defence napping with a superbly weighted ball that sent Bellingham bearing down on goal.

The 20-year-old took one touch to control and then lifted a delicate chip over on-rushing United goalkeeper Andre Onana to give Madrid a deserved lead.

Brazilian international Vinicius Jr might have doubled the Madrid lead shortly afterwards but scuffed his shot from eight yards out to let United off the hook.

United, meanwhile, almost got back on level terms after 36 minutes, but Marcus Rashford was just unable to find the target from a tight angle.

With Madrid in control, United's frustration boiled over shortly before half time when Lisandro Martinez clattered into Bellingham with a wild tackle. Bellingham reacted angrily and Martinez earned a booking for the challenge.

After a flurry of changes at half time United looked improved after the break, but Madrid created the better chances, with Militao almost making it 2-0 on 69 minutes only to see his shot cleared off the line.

Madrid finally made the game safe in the 89th minute, with Lucas Vazquez crossing for veteran forward Joselu to light up the NRG Stadium with a stunning overhead kick for 2-0.

To see Andy Mitten's ratings from the match, scroll through the gallery at the top of the page.

Updated: July 27, 2023, 5:18 PM
Manchester UnitedReal Madrid