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Manchester United maintained their unbeaten run under new manager Louis van Gaal beating Valencia 2-1 in their last preseason friendly game just 4 days before they begin their new Premier League campaign.
Marouane Fellaini, who was at the end of much criticism last year from fans and pundits alike, scored the winner off the last kick of the game after a defensive mixup between the opposition centre-back and the goalkeeper.The £28 million midfielder was subjected to ironic cheers and jeers from the Old Trafford crowd in his 12-minute-substitute role.
The Manchester United XI included youngsters Tyler Blackett and Reece James following the absence of Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia through injury. United made a less-than-impressive start to the game and squandered numerous chances including a soft penalty in the 32nd minute.
And justice was probably served when Rooney rammed it against the post
It was goalless at halftime.
United’s first goal under Van Gaal at home was less than perfect as it came via a couple of deflection after Fletcher’s shot
Serious questions have to be raised about United’s defence after Valencia’s Rodrigo De Paull equalised for the visitors in the 71st minute.
Just minutes after the equaliser, Belgian duo Fellaini and Januzaj came on for Herrera and Hernandez.
And it was the big Belgian who took all the plaudits after showing great chest control and sliding the ball into an open net.
Van Gaal later described it as the “worst performance” for the team in pre-season.
“It is fantastic coming on the pitch and hearing them shout and scream your name,” he said about introduction to old Trafford. “There is also big pressure because they expect a lot and you can’t change everything in three or four weeks. And the players cannot change.
“We have to wait and see and develop. We need time , but we have won every game, which is fantastic when you see our opponents. Now we look forward with great confidence to Swansea.
“We have a lot of injuries now and we can’t forget that. Jonny Evans was injured, [Luke] Shaw was injured and [Antonio] Valencia was injured and they are three defenders so we have to wait and see if they can play on Saturday , but the main thing is that we have won in spite of playing our worst game.
“We made a lot of wrong choices, wrong passes and we didn’t press too much but in spite of that we have dominated the game and at the end we are the winner because we are fighting until the last minute and that is also a good signal, I believe.”
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