Uefa Super Cup Real Madrid 2 Manchester United 1: Romelu Lukaku scores first competitive goal for United but Jose Mourinho’s men undone by Isco masterclass
United struggled to stop Madrid attacking at will, but were left bemoaning a number of glorious chances missed themselves.
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JOSE MOURINHO'S hopes of adding a Super Cup to his glittering CV were dashed by his old club Real Madrid.
The Champions League winners struck through Casemiro and Isco and threatened to embarrass Manchester United.
But David de Gea and the woodwork kept the Red Devils in the game and summer signing Romelu Lukaku set up an excting finish.
Mourinho had talked up his chances of signing Gareth Bale in the build up to the game - and the Welsh ace must have caught his eye.
The £86 million man prodded a decent opening high and wide early on after good work by Marcelo.
Madrid came close to taking the lead soon afterwards when Casemiro stooped low to head a corner against the bar.
But the Brazilian had more luck midway through the first half as he was played in on the left hand side of the box by a lovely pass from Dani Carvajal.
Replays showed he was a step offside but he didn't stop to look as he fired a low shot past David de Gea.
If United were looking for a flag on that occasion they had a let off on the half hour when Bale went through and scored.
This was he was adjudged to be off but the Welshman could count himself unfortunate.
With temperatures well into the 30s, the game was stopped for a drinks break and for the players to cool off.
United really needed it to waken them up but the chances kept coming at the other end with de Gea producing a fine save to keep out Karim Benzema's low shot.
The Spanish keeper - a long-term target of Real Madrid - had to be at his best again after the re-start to keep out Toni Kroos' long range effort.
Not even de Gea could stem the tide though and a delicious one two between Bale and Isco allowed the Spaniard time and space to calmly slot in the second.
United could have hit straight back but Paul Pogba saw his header saved and then Lukaku blazed the rebound high over the bar.
Another delightful move from Madrid ended with Modric setting Bale free and he smashed a shot against the bar with de Gea well beaten.
And within minutes United were back in with a shout as new boy Nemaja Matic saw his low shot saved and this time Lukaku made no mistake.
INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared
INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS– How the game went for the players on the pitch
FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS
- Despite dominating possession and spurning several good chances, Real Madrid's opener shouldn't have stood. Casemiro was clearly offside, and despite his gorgeous finish, it shouldn't have stood.
- After scoring in the Champions League final, the game that got them into this 'Cup' Casemiro had netted again. Not Madrid's usual go-to man for netbusters, but hits it when it counts.
- On 30 minutes, there was a cooling break. But Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho barely let his players have time to drink water as he delivered a volley of criticism and tactical improvements.
- Manchester United fans must have been left wondering if they had been duped into signing an imposter. Their £40m man Nemanja Matic looked lost at times in the middle of the park, with Isco giving him, and the rest, the runaround.
- Despite the fact that it was reported Cristiano Ronaldo fell out with Jose Mourinho, but at half-time the two embraced with a hug. Sweet.
- The Premier League will be expecting a big season from Paul Pogba and the rest of the United midfield. But in the first 45 minutes they couldn't get anywhere close to dominating the middle of the park, completing just 161 passes to Madrid's 309.
- Romelu Lukaku had the fewest touches of any outfield player in the first half of the Super Cup. Ploughing a lone furrow. He then blazed an effort over the bar in the 52nd minute from six yards.
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WHAT THEY SAID
Gareth Bale: "I think we controlled the game very well and deserved to win.
"We want to keep winning as much as we can, every game we have the hunger and desire.
On any prospective transfer: "I am just concentrating on my football, I'm not listening to anything, I don't read anything, I am just concentrating on winning trophies.
"I'm trying to get my fitness up fully after not playing for nine months."
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