Malaysia XI 0 United 2

Michael Owen struck his second United goal in as many games as the Reds completed the double over the Malaysian XI with a comprehensive 2-0 victory.

Owen blasted home from close range on 13 minutes after capitalising on a loose ball inside the area having played his part in the build-up. Two minutes earlier Federico Macheda had opening the scoring with calm finish following Darren Fletcher’s set-up.

In truth, the Reds could have had more – substitutes Rooney, Berbatov and Anderson all went close late on in the second half, but it was certainly another useful work-out for Sir Alex’s men.

Jonny Evans was the only survivor from Saturday’s starting line-up against the same opposition with Sir Alex opting to give everyone some minutes on the clock. Ben Foster, a second half substitute in the first match, kept his place in goal, while Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans and Fabio made up the back four. Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick both returned from minor knocks to take up right side and central midfield positions respectively. Ryan Giggs partnered Carrick in the centre with Zoran Tosic out on the left flank. Matchwinner Michael Owen started his first match for the Reds alongside Federico Macheda up front.

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off in tribute to those who lost their lives in Friday’s bombings in Indonesia, the country, of course, where United should have been playing their second tour match.

Following Saturday’s impressive display, the home side were understandably full of confidence with goalscoring hero Yahyah getting the loudest cheers whenever he touched the ball. Another big favourite, Reds’ veteran Ryan Giggs, thrilled the partisan crowd with a host of tricks and flicks, alongside some exquisite close.

credit:manutd.com