English giants Manchester United have defeated Perth Glory 2-0 in front of 50,206 people at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Second half goals to Marcus Rashford and James Garner saw United over the line in what was a slow-paced game befitting of the stages of pre-season training both sides are at.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fielded a largely inexperienced starting XI, with captain Ashley Young and winger Anthony Martial alongside the likes of new signing Daniel James, Tahith Chong and Axel Tuanzebe.
The Red Devils naturally asserted themselves and forced the Glory back well into their own half, but the hosts defended well and restricted the 20-times English champions to mere half chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Rashford came off the bench along with names such as Paul Pogba and new £55 million man Aaron Wan-Bissaka to provide something for the crowd to cheer.
It was just before the hour mark when the breakthrough was found as Perth lost the ball at the top of the box allowing Pogba to shift the ball through to Rashford who turned and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.
Wan-Bissaka gave a glimpse of his potential with an expertly timed slide-tackling on Ivan Franjic as the Glory’s left back attempted to burst down the flank, only to be foiled by United’s new boy.
Youngster James Garner made it two in the latter stages just minutes after he had come on to replace Luke Shaw, again capitalising on a Glory giveaway to rifle the ball into the net from just outside the area.
Aside from the result there were moments to remember forever for two Glory players in particular, with 15-year-olds Gabriel Popovic and Josh Rawlins featuring off the bench to play against some of their European idols.
These sorts of games are always a fantastic advert for football in Australia and Western Australia played a great host to one of world sport’s greatest ever organisations, with the Glory giving a good account of themselves on the pitch as well.
