Manchester United 2 Real Madrid 1: Alexis Sanchez strikes to lighten Jose Mourinho's pre-season mood

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Tom Doyle3 August 2018

Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera were enough to help Manchester United earn the first normal-time win of their International Champions Cup campaign as they downed Real Madrid 2-1 in Miami.

Sanchez struck a low effort 17 minutes into the game, finishing Matteo Darmian's low cross after a crisp Ander Herrera pass had released the full-back.

Herrera soon had United two in front, smashing home on the half-volley after neat link play between Juan Mata and Sanchez to leave Champions League holders Real stunned in the opening exchanges.

Jose Mourinho's side almost made it to half-time with their two-goal advantage intact, but an injury to Eric Bailly led to added time which Real exploited, with Karim Benzema ghosting in behind Bailly to score in the 47th minute.

Getty Images

Real were more impressive after the break, with a number of half-time substitutions - with Martin 'Football Manager' Odegaard among them - taking the game to United.

Odegaard showed some sharp passing and should have levelled for Real just before the hour-mark, but blazed over the bar when unmarked.

Mourinho decided against making any changes until the 67th minute, presumably with one eye on getting as many players who will likely start their Premier League opener against Leicester City as much game time together as possible.

Real threw on big guns like Isco and Toni Kroos late on - in contrast to United, who added younger faces as first-team legs became tired - but Mourinho's side survived a host of near misses to earn a hard-fought win.

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