📝 Manchester United 2 Real Madrid 1: Alexis Sánchez does it again | OneFootball

Alexis Sánchez provided much of the excitement in an otherwise drab match with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over Real Madrid.

Although Real Madrid managed to own 71% of possession in their first pre-season fixture, they could only manage three shots on target in a losing effort.

Alexis continued his fantastic pre-season, as he scored the game’s opening goal in the 18th minute. The Real defense fell asleep off a throw-in and Matteo Darmian made them pay. His fantastic cross found Alexis, who did well to put his first-time effort on goal past Kiko Casilla.

Real Madrid’s new signing Vinícius Júnior did not disappoint in his first appearance for Los Blancos since he came over from Brazilian side Flamengo this summer. The 18-year-old turned Timothy Fosu-Mensah inside out and nearly found Gareth Bale for the equaliser.

Ander Herrera doubled United’s lead before the half-hour mark. Alexis nodded down Mata’s cross straight into Herrera, who ripped a low shot past the helpless Casilla.

Just before half-time, Karim Benzema cut United’s lead in half after a fantastic buildup. Theo Hernández put in a peach of a cross inside the 6-yard box for Benzema to redirect past De Gea. This goal is simply a joy to watch.

Not much else occurred in the second half. Vinícius dazzled and impressed in his first Real Madrid outing, as the crowd cheered every time he touched the ball.

José Mourinho, strangely enough, only made three substitutions, perhaps an attempt to simulate match conditions.

United have just one more pre-season fixture, at Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena on 5 August. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will take on a trio of Italian sides before their La Liga campaign begins.

Real Madrid will face Juventus on 4 August and conclude their American tour against Roma on 7 August, before they return home to face AC Milan on 11 August.