Ashley Young Brace Lifts Manchester United to 3-1 Win Over Real Madrid
The victory sends Manchester United into Monday's final of the International Champions Cup, a series of friendlies involving eight European clubs all preparing for their domestic campaigns.
Ashley Young struck twice Saturday to help Manchester United to a 3-1 friendly win over Real Madrid in front of the biggest crowd ever to watch a football match in America.
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez also scored for Manchester United, whose lone goal was Gareth Bale's strike from the penalty spot.
Madrid trailed 2-1 in the second half when manager Carlo Ancelotti departed from his previously announced plan and introduced former United star Cristiano Ronaldo off the bench. (Also read: Louis Van Gaal Warning for Manchester United Squad)
The move did little for the European champions' quest for an equalizer, but it delighted the crowd of 109,318 at Michigan Stadium, home of the University of Michigan Wolverines that is fondly known as "The Big House."
The attendance surpassed the prior record 101,799 who watched the 1984 Olympic final between Brazil and France at Pasadena's Rose Bowl.
Young opened the scoring in the 21st minute, but Real Madrid pulled level six minutes later after Bale converted a penalty and was fouled by Michael Keane. (Related: No Arsenal Bid for Khedira, Says Wenger)
Louis van Gaal's side went ahead again in the 37th as Young curled a ball into the net, Wayne Rooney coming close to getting the final touch.
Hernandez sealed the result in the 80th when he headed in a cross from Shinji Kagawa.
The victory sends Manchester United into Monday's final of the International Champions Cup, a series of friendlies involving eight European clubs all preparing for their domestic campaigns.
On Monday, Van Gaal -- who took the helm of United at the start of their US tour -- will experience first-hand his new club's rivalry with Liverpool, who have already booked their berth with a match remaining against AC Milan on Saturday.
Liverpool were assured of going through after English Premier League champions Manchester City fell 5-4 on penalties to Olympiakos after a 2-2 fulltime draw in Minneapolis.
In an all-Italian clash, Inter Milan defeated AS Roma 2-0 in Philadelphia.