MANCHESTER UNITED NEW signing Morgan Schneiderlin scored a debut goal as the Premier League giants launched their four-match US tour with a 1-0 victory over Club America of Mexico last night.
French international Schneiderlin, who sealed a reported €36 million (£24m) move to Old Trafford from Southampton earlier this month, steered home a fifth-minute header to secure the win at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was satisfied after a testing first run-out for his new-look squad.
“All the players did the functions that they have to do in our philosophy, so I’m happy and satisfied that we won,” van Gaal said afterward.
The fact that United had kept a clean sheet was also cause for satisfaction, van Gaal added.
“I wanted to see our defensive organisation. That was the main aspect, that we don’t give any goals away, and they had only one or two chances so I am satisfied about that,” the former Netherlands manager added.
“We played a team that was very handy with the ball, their players were quick and very aggressive so it was not so easy.”
Van Gaal fielded three of United’s recent summer signings in a 4-2-3-1 starting line-up, with Schneiderlin anchoring the midfield alongside Michael Carrick.
Van Gaal believes Schneiderlin’s physical presence and eye for goal could prove useful for United in the campaign ahead.
“He scored five goals for Southampton,” van Gaal said. ”We have practiced this with him. I was very pleased with the performance.”
Italian international Matteo Darmian slotted in at right back while Dutch attacker Memphis Depay was deployed in the centre of an attacking trio flanked by Ashley Young and Juan Mata.
Captain Wayne Rooney spearheaded the attack at the tip of a balanced-looking United side that was rarely troubled by their Mexican opponents.
