Neymar scored the only goal of the match as Barcelona recorded a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the International Champions Cup at the FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on Wednesday night.
Neymar struck in the 31st minute of the pre-season friendly as Barcelona made it two wins from two on their tour of the US, while the defeat was Man United's first since arriving in the States earlier this month.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live pre-season coverage continues from the FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland as Barcelona face Manchester United in the International Champions Cup. This match will mark Man United's fifth and final pre-season fixture in the United States, but Barcelona are in action for just the second time since arriving in the US. Stay tuned for what should be a brilliant game of football!
Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this pre-season friendly. Have both managers shuffled their pack from the weekend? Does Neymar start amid the speculation surrounding his future? All of the questions answered right here...
TEAMS!
FCB: Cillessen; Semedo, Umtiti, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Alena; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
UTD: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Lindelof, Blind; Carrick, Pogba; Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Rashford; Lukaku
Neymar continues to be linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain - a £196m move at that - but the Brazilian is in the Barcelona XI tonight alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. There is a first start for summer signing Nelson Semedo at right-back, while young Spaniard Carles Alena is given the chance to impress alongside Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in the middle of the park. At the back, Samuel Umtiti will partner Javier Mascherano as Gerard Pique drops to the bench. Ernesto Valverde is not messing about!
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As for Man United, Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all all included in Jose Mourinho's starting XI, while Jesse Lingard also features, with the England international impressing during pre-season. Further back, summer signing Victor Lindelof is partnered by Chris Smalling, while David de Gea, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind also all start.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 45 minutes from kickoff on this warm early evening in Landover, Maryland. Local time is approaching 7pm, but the temperature is still 28 degrees. Man United should be used to this weather by now, and it will be more pleasant than their day-time clash with Real Madrid on Sunday, that is for sure! Crikey that was warm.
I shall speak about Barcelona in the build-up to kickoff, but let's start with Man United, who have been extremely busy since arriving in the United States earlier this month. Indeed, the Red Devils have played four pre-season matches in the US, and have won all four. There have been plenty of positive signs for head coach Jose Mourinho ahead of the start of the new campaign.
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Man United opened their pre-season tour with a 5-2 win over Los Angeles Galaxy, before beating another MLS side Real Salt Lake 2-1 two days later. The 20-time English champions then recorded a 2-0 victory over Manchester City last Thursday, before beating Real Madrid on penalties at the weekend.
Casemiro cancelled out a first-half Jesse Lingard strike to leave Man United and Real Madrid level at the end of 90 minutes, but it was the Premier League club that won 2-1 on penalties after seven players missed in the shootout. It was an extremely bizarre finish to the match, but Man United came through as winners to make it four from four since arriving in the States.
In terms of what is ahead for Man United, this match will mark their final fixture in the United States this summer. On Sunday, they will take on Norwegian team Valerenga in Oslo, before travelling to Republic of Ireland to face Sampdoria on August 2, which will be their final pre-season fixture.
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Man United also have the small matter of the European Super Cup against Real Madrid on August 8, before opening their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham United on August 13. It has been a successful pre-season for Mourinho in terms of minutes, performances and results, but everything is leading up to that first league game with West Ham at Old Trafford.
As for Barcelona, the Spanish giants opened their pre-season tour of the United States with a 2-1 win over Juventus on Saturday night. Neymar grabbed a brace for the Catalan outfit as he put the transfer speculation surrounding his future to one side, while Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta were also among those to feature against the Italian champions.
The FedEx Field in Washington before kick off for #BarçaManU #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/JJjAHCeBXI — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 26, 2017
Barcelona will only play three times in the USA this summer, with their final International Champions Cup match taking place on Sunday against Real Madrid - an early El Clasico treat. Ernesto Valverde's side will then return to Spain to take on Brazilian side Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy, before facing Real Madrid on August 11 and August 14 in the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona's La Liga season will then begin at home to Real Betis on August 19, where Valverde will be looking to put down a marker in his first league game in charge of the Spanish giants after leaving Bilbao. Tonight, however, is all about fitness and preparing for the new campaign.
Man United and Barcelona last locked horns in 2015, and it was the Red Devils that recorded a 3-1 victory in the pre-season friendly in Santa Clara. Wayne Rooney, Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj were on the scoresheet during that particular fixture, while Rafinha netted for Barcelona. Their last competitive meeting, meanwhile, was in the 2011 Champions League final, with Barcelona landing the title courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Wembley Stadium. It would be fair to say that times have changed at both clubs since then!
Out for the warm-up! #MUTOUR pic.twitter.com/0V6UTg8Mza — Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 26, 2017
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of action. This might only be a pre-season friendly, but any game with the likes of Neymar, Messi, Suarez, Lukaku, Pogba and Rashford will always bring excitement. Let's hope for an entertaining night of football.
If Man United win in 90 minutes tonight, they will actually land the International Champions Cup. Well, the North American section of the competition anyway. Neither manager will be thinking about that, however, when the game gets underway. I can assure you! Kickoff is imminent here.
KICKOFF! Man United kick things off tonight...
... not quite a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere, and the supporters will want to see some goals, that is for sure. Friendlies do not come much more glamorous than this.
Strong start from Barcelona, with Messi already finding a pocket in the final third of the field. The Argentine looks to evade Carrick, but the Englishman does enough to clear the danger. It would not be a surprise if Barcelona dominated the football for long spells of this football match.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Man United to take the lead as Rashford delivers a stunning cross into the path of Lukaku, but the big striker fires over from close range!
SAVE! De Gea drops down to make a comfortable save from a Neymar strike.
Well, the opening six minutes have been brilliant. High-tempo football at the FedEx Stadium. Man United really should be ahead, but Lukaku could not put Rashford's brilliant cross in the net.
SAVE! De Gea keeps out Messi this time after Neymar had found the Argentine inside the Man United box. That is a couple of decent chances for Barcelona as well.
SAVE! Another wonderful save from De Gea as the Man United goalkeeper keeps out a low strike from Luis Suarez, who looked to thread the ball into the bottom corner.
You just cannot take your eyes off this football match at the moment as both teams continue to produce passing sequences. Barcelona are the team in control of the possession as they pass and probe in the final third, but Man United have such power and pace on the counter-attack here.
Messi is full of beans at the moment as the Argentine continues to drift into the space between the Man United midfield and defence. Carrick, at the moment, is struggling to get near the forward.
WIDE! Barcelona come close to registering once again as Messi drives to the edge of the box before firing a low effort towards the bottom corner, but the ball flashes just wide!
SAVE! Cillessen stands still to save a powerful strike from Lukaku.
SAVE! Cillessen flies across his goal to keep out a curving strike from Pogba!
WIDE! Mkhitaryan just misses the Barcelona post with a low effort.
Lingard bends one from the edge of the box after finding a yard of space, and it deflects just over the Barcelona crossbar. What an opening 17 minutes of football. Somehow it is still goalless!
SAVE! Cillessen keeps out Rashford at his near post.
Rashford shows super feet to drive into space before combining with Lukaku, but the England international handles inside the Barcelona box. The Spanish giants might have Neymar, Messi and Suarez, but Man United's attack is causing the La Liga outfit all sorts of problems here.
Bit of possession for Barcelona as the game threatens to quieten down a touch.
Messi stands over a free kick outside the Man United box... straight into the wall.
Just a reminder that both managers are expected to make wholesale changes at the interval, which is always fun. Barcelona could well change their entire XI at the break, but Mourinho has kept two, three players on during pre-season. Let's worry about that when it happens!
Pogba looks to bend one into the far corner, but his effort was always wide.
Barcelona are finding it difficult to deal with Rashford, with the Man United forward using his pace and skill to break into dangerous positions. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock, but it has been a wonderful start to the game at the FedEx Arena, with both teams showing some brilliant football.
SAVE! Suarez fires straight at De Gea from just inside the Man United box.
CHANCE! Another great chance for Messi as Luis Suarez finds the Argentine inside the Man United box, but he fires over the crossbar. Looked to take a little bobble there!
SAVE! De Gea saves from Neymar at his near post!
Messi loops a header over the Man United crossbar as Barcelona cause panic once again. Rakitic does well to break into the box before finding Neymar, but Smalling is on the scene to make the challenge. I am not entirely sure how this game is still goalless, but that is the case here.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Man United (Neymar)
It is him again. Neymar sends Barcelona ahead from close range after some poor defending from Man United. It is Valencia that falls over inside the Man United box, and Neymar turns before firing into the bottom corner. Might have been a foul in there, but the goal has been given here.
Defensively, Man United have been a little bit untidy thus far tonight.
Barcelona are slicing through Man United at the moment, and only a smart challenge from Smalling prevents Neymar from having another shot on goal. The Brazilian has been imperious once again.
Possession football from Barcelona as we approach the half-time break here.
Man United just cannot seem to get control of the ball at the moment as the Red Devils continue to relinquish possession in dangerous positions. Blind, in particular, has had a difficult first period. That said, Man United should have opened the scoring early on tonight with that Lukaku chance.
Barcelona have another free kick in a dangerous area as Pogba fells Messi...
... CLOSE! Messi's free kick just misses the crossbar.
SAVE! Stunning save from De Gea to keep out Suarez's inventive volley!
Man United simply cannot keep the ball. All Barcelona at the FedEx Field.
Half-chance for Man United as Pogba delivers a cross towards Lukaku, who had found space inside the Barcelona box, but the striker could not make contact. Much better from Man United there.
Blind looks to find Lukaku with a cross this time, but the weight is too strong. Better though.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading Man United 1-0 courtesy of a finish from Neymar, who took advantage of a slip from Valencia inside the Man United box. It has been a brilliant opening 45 minutes, with both teams playing their part here.
STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 63%, while they managed 12 attempts in the first period - seven of which were on target. Cue some brilliant De Gea saves. As for Man United, the Red Devils hit the target with three of their six attempts in what was a brilliant first 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH! Fellaini, Martial, Pereira, Bailly and Darmian are among those that are expected to feature for Man United in the second 45 minutes of action. Barcelona boss Valverde, meanwhile, is expected to make sweeping changes at the interval, with Munir, Iniesta, Digne, Alcacer, Pique, Denis Suarez and Turan among those in reserve. Will we see Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez in the second period?
RESTART! Barcelona resume the action at the FedEx Arena...
... SUBS! Both managers have made wholesale changes. I shall wait to confirm!
MAN UNITED SUBS! Jones, Darmian, Bailly, Fellaini, Romero are on for Man United.
🔴🔵 XI Barça segunda parte:
13.Cillessen
3.Piqué
6.Denis
7.Arda
8.Iniesta
15.Vermaelen
17.Alcácer
19.Digne
20.Roberto
22.A.Vidal
29.Munir — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) July 27, 2017
So, 10 changes for Barcelona at the interval. Meanwhile, Man United have made five. No more Neymar, no more Messi, no more Suarez. The supporters are not too pleased with that.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking football in the early stages of the second period, although Man United are seeing more possession in Barcelona's half of the field here.
I suspect that Pogba and Lukaku will both be given around 60 minutes tonight. It would be a surprise to see those two play the full 90, especially considering that the Red Devils have another game on Sunday night. So, Barcelona still lead 1-0 as the second period gathers pace here.
Super defending from Bailly as the Man United centre-back comes across to clear ahead of Munir, who had threatened to find space inside the box. Alcacer then breaks through for Barcelona, but the Spaniard is ruled offside. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals tonight.
Pique is down for Barcelona after taking an arm in the face from Fellaini.
Pogba looks to float a pass into Lingard, but Cillessen is out to claim as Barcelona start from the back once again. Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining at the FedEx Arena.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they move the ball in the final third, but the move breaks down when Turan tries to slide the ball into Alcacer. Not too much from Man United at the moment.
Lingard has gone down for Man United, and looks to have pulled a muscle.
MAN UNITED SUBS! Martial and Pereira replace Lingard and Mkhitaryan.
Man United are just struggling to put a passing sequence together at the moment. Bailly steps out from centre-back and looks for a ball into Lukaku, but the Belgian cannot take it in his stride. Barcelona, meanwhile, are having plenty of possession without really threatening to score a second.
CHANCE! Rashford finds Martial in a wide position, but after cutting inside, the Frenchman just curls his effort over the crossbar. Much better from Man United there.
SAVE! Stunning save from Romero to keep out Alcacer, who had managed to escape the attentions of Bailly. Both teams have had the chance to add to the scoring in the last 60 seconds.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, and Neymar's goal in the first period still separates the two teams. Both have had chances since the interval, however, and the tempo is still high.
Pereira whistles one over the Barcelona crossbar after finding some space in the final third.
SAVE! Cillessen is down to keep out a strike from Pereira.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining here, and Man United are the team in possession as they look to force a penalty shootout. Not another one, not after the Real Madrid one!
Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous area as Jones fells Munir...
... Iniesta delivers into Pique, but Valencia is on hand to make a brilliant clearance.
Martial drives into the Barcelona box before delivering a low cross towards Fellaini, but the referee blows for a goal kick after deeming that Martial had just passed the dead-ball line.
Vidal is in trouble here after a late challenge on Fellaini!
It was actually Roberto that stood on Fellaini's toe. It was a nasty one, but not a yellow card.
Possession football from Barcelona as we approach the final five minutes of this match. It seems an awful long time ago that Neymar made the breakthrough. How is this only 1-0?! Incredible.
BOOKING! Fellaini (Man United) is booked for a foul on Roberto.
MAN UNITED SUB! Tuanzebe replaces Valencia for Man United.
BARCELONA SUB! Roberto is replaced by Samper for Barcelona.
Not an awful lot to report as we enter the final moments of this pre-season fixture. It is hard to believe that Neymar's goal is the difference when considering the amount of chances that have been created. That said, the second half has been played at a much slower tempo than the first.
Rashford goes down for Man United following a collision with Digne.
We are into the first of four additional minutes here.
Martial wants a penalty after smashing the ball at Pique, but the referee is not interested.
No penalty, right call! It hit Denis Suarez when his arms were inwards!
Time is running out for Man United as we approach the final seconds here.
Martial feeds Rashford, and Rashford sends the ball into orbit!
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona recording a 1-0 win over Man United in the International Champions Cup. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
