United Win 2-0 In Malaysia

Last updated : 21 July 2009 By editor
Match report from Tuesday's Guardian:

Michael Owen was on the scoresheet again for Manchester United to make it two goals in two pre-season games with 17 year old striker Macheda also on target.

Owen got United's second goal just two minutes after Federico Macheda's 11th-minute opener. Anderson and Nani both wasted decent opportunities towards the end of the match in which United were totally dominant. Wayne Rooney also had plenty of fire in him as he reacted badly to a challenge in the penalty area where he was lucky to stay on the pitch.

It was hardly a surprise that Sir Alex Ferguson fielded an entirely different starting line-up to the one he named for the first game between the teams on Saturday. On that occasion, Owen grabbed the late winner to save his side's blushes in an unconvincing 3-2 victory.

This time the former Liverpool striker scored the second, showing his usual predatory instincts after the home defence made a woeful attempt at clearing a Zoran Tosic cross.

Owen came close to grabbing his second goal when he met another Tosic cross with a near-post flick that cannoned off the inside of a post. Another forward with a desire to impress is Macheda, and there was plenty to be admired about the calm way he finished off a Ryan Giggs cross to open United's account just two minutes before Owen found the net.