Manchester United kicked off the Louis van Gaal era in style by thumping Los Angeles Galaxy 7-0 in their pre-season friendly at the Rose Bowl this morning.
Danny Welbeck's opener, coupled with a Wayne Rooney brace, saw the Red Devils boast a commanding three-goal half-time lead at the interval.
20-year-old Reece James came to the fore in the second half, scoring twice before Ashley Young also bagged a double in the dying minutes to cap a convincing victory for the Dutchman on his United bow.
Below, you can relive all of the action as it unfolded with Sports Mole's live commentary.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen and a very warm welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary as Manchester United get the Louis van Gaal era underway by facing Los Angeles Galaxy in a pre-season friendly in Pasadena.
Yep, those United fans who experience recurring nightmares about David Moyes still being in charge can rest easy now. He's gone and he's never coming back. It's now Van Gaal's turn to try minimise the effects of losing Sir Alex Ferguson and we'll have his very first starting lineup for you shortly. Stay tuned, my friends.
While we wait on team news, chew on this my friends: a playlist of the songs that are playing in the Rose Bowl around now. We can expect a rendition of number 13 from Van Gaal if he gets his United career off to a good start this morning. That was a joke, unfortunately, but here's to hoping it happens!
The wait for team news goes on folks. I can only assume that Van Gaal's first lineup is so secretive that he'll tease us until the last possible moment. And here I was thinking that Felix Magath was the sadistic former Bayern Munich coach. However, I can tell you that both Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw have traveled to the USA for this tour, so there is every chance we'll see them in action this morning.
We're about 13 miles from Hollywood here folks, so an ideal location for some of the United players to audition for a part in Van Gaal's cast ahead of the new Premier League season. One of those who could yet be written out of this season's script is Javier Hernandez, whose future at Old Trafford continues to be shrouded in doubt - and Van Gaal did little to stem the tide of speculation on Wednesday by admitting that he may sell the Mexican.
BREAKING NEWS: I can finally confirm that Wayne Rooney, Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw will start for United this morning! Full team news is on its way.
And here we are:
Los Angeles Galaxy: Penedo; Gargan, Meyer, Leonardo, DLG; Ishizaki, Sarvas, Juninho, Husidic, Keane, Zardes
Manchester United: De Gea; Smalling, Jones, Evans, Shaw; Fletcher, Herrera, Valencia, Mata; Welbeck, Rooney
As mentioned, United's £60m duo Shaw and Herrera both poised to make their debuts this morning, while Juan Mata and Rooney also among the big-name inclusions in Pasadena. Robin van Persie is, of course, still on holidays after helping the Netherlands to a third-placed finish World Cup.
For Bruce Arena's Galaxy side, meanwhile, Robbie Keane spearheads that attack at the Rose Bowl. This relatively young United defence won't know much about the Irishman through experience, but they'll know all about his reputation having hit over 100 Premier League goals throughout his time in England.
And here's the Republic of Ireland legend himself, surveying the scene ahead of kickoff which, by the way, is just two minutes away!
Interesting development here as it emerges that Javier Hernandez - who has been linked with a move away - has been left out of the match-day squad! It may be just a mere injury but, to paraphrase Jim Gordon of Batman fame, reporters like myself are not allowed to believe in coincidence.
There's been a slight delay at the Rose Bowl ladies and gents, as if events are conspiring to delay Van Gaal's first game as long as possible. It will go ahead, though. I can promise you this. Stay tuned.
It is unclear at this time just what is causing the delay, but let's have a quick look at the news of Hernandez's omission this morning. The Mexico international has been heavily linked with a £15m move to Inter Milan this summer. Could this absence be the first sign that a transfer is imminent? Time will tell my friends.
The 26-year-old has been without first-team football at Old Trafford for a few years now, and with the likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, it remains to be seen if Hernandez will endure another season on the bench.
And who can blame him? It's a short career, far too short to spend it not playing. His lack of game-time has already cost him dear at international level, with Mexico coach Miguel Herrera failing to grant him one starting berth throughout the whole World Cup! Yep, I'm not sure anyone would begrudge the striker a switch to pastures new.
If you're joining us on BST time then stick the kettle on! You don't want to risk falling asleep after staying up this long, do you?
Kickoff is imminent now folks, finally. We've got the news straight from the horses mouth this time.
If you've just joined us, hello and please note that kickoff in Pasadena has been delayed by more than 30 minutes this morning. The football gods can be cruel, but if I know them like I think I do, they'll make up for it by throwing down an eight-goal thriller. Cue bore draw.
KICKOFF!!! And we're finally underway in the Rose Bowl ladies and gents. Let's go!
CHANCE! We've had to wait quite a while to catch a first glimpse of Ander Herrera, but the Spaniard looks well worth the wait as his fiercely-struck shot forces Jaime Penedo into a smart save early on.
This is a flying start for United as they go close once again, this time through Welbeck who takes aim from outside the box but Penedo is equal to his strike. The forward perhaps should have done a bit better there.
CHANCE! Excellent end-to-end contest thus far as Galaxy fashion a decent chance of their own to take the lead, with Gyasi Zhardes volleying a cut-back cross into the arms of David de Gea from inside the area. Long may this type of goal-mouth action last!
GOAL! LA GALAXY 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (DANNY WELBECK)
Danny Welbeck has struck the first goal under new coach Louis van Gaal as Manchester United take an early 12th-minute in Pasadena. Welbeck took aim from 25 yards after running on to Juan Mata's short pass, before watching his rifled-shot beat Penedo via the inside of the post. Fantastic goal. Fantastic start. Fantastic game!
Interestingly, we see United line up in a 3-5-2 formation, a similar system which saw Van Gaal lead the Netherlands to a third-placed World Cup finish this summer in a campaign which included a 5-1 thumping of Spain! The Dutchman is certainly sticking to what he knows.
The Red Devils still in complete control but there's a few warning signs there for the United defence that they would be wise to take heed of, with the MLS outfit already proving that they can cause some problems here this morning.
Midway through the first half and Danny Welbeck's 12th-minute strike still the difference between the sides. There's plenty of goals in this, though. The football gods are poised to make up for their 35-minute delay!
CHANCE! United have Phil Jones to thank for preserving their one-goal lead as the defender pulls off a crucial tackle after Robbie Keane was through on goal with David de Gea. Huge challenge there to deny someone of Keane's calibre.
Bruce Arena's side growing into this contest more and more in recent minutes as Juninho flashes a shot wide of the mark. It was never troubling De Gea but certainly encouraging signs from the hosts.
It may only be a friendly but defender Leonardo is somewhat fortunate to still be on the pitch! The Brazilian took down Danny Welbeck, who exchanged a tidy one-two with Juan Mata but the striker was felled as he galloped toward goal. The referee is perhaps fortunate that it is only a jovial affair because he had a big call just then.
The sting has been taken out of this one in recent minutes as the first half edges closer toward its finish. Wholesale changes are expected to be made by both sides in the second half. Stay tuned!
PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED!!!
GOAL! LA GALAXY 0-2 MANCHESTER UNITED (ROONEY PENALTY)
Wayne Rooney keeps his cool to fire United into a two-goal lead in Pasadena this morning. Antonio Valencia did well to win the penalty, galloping down the right flank before his cross was ajudged to have been handled by defender Baggio Husidic, and Rooney's inch-perfect spot-kick proved too good for Penedo. Van Gaal's side cruising now.
GOAL! LA GALAXY 0-3 MANCHESTER UNITED (ROONEY)
Rooney has just about killed this one off as a contest, my friends. Defender Tommy Meyer made a complete hash of clearing a routine Valencia cross, before Rooney capitalised on the error and dinked it over Penedo before tapping home United's third.
HALF TIME: LA GALAXY 0-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
So there we have it ladies and gents. United are in cruise control in their first game under Van Gaal, and their other summer recruits, Herrera and Shaw, haven't looked too shabby neither! The £60m duo have given a very decent account of themselves on their debuts, and it may be the last we see of them this morning as wholesale changes are prepared.
Click here to read a brief run-down of the opening 45 minutes in Pasadena.
Here's the moment Phil Jones denied Robbie Keane a near-certain equaliser in what has proven a decisive moment of the clash!
Right, we're back underway at the Rose Bowl. Both sides have made a host of changes and I'll bring you the subs shortly.
Manchester United second-half XI: Lindegaard; Rafael, Keane M, Fletcher, Blackett, James; Kagawa, Cleverley, Herrera; Nani, Young
Ander Herrera and Darren Fletcher are the sole survivors from a devastating first-half display by United.
The game's fluency has been somewhat disrupted by the hoards of new faces that were ushered on to the field for the second half, but Galaxy, having only made four subs, are started this half slightly better than their English counterparts. However, the hosts will know that the odds are against them to even score tonight!
This is merely an appetiser for Van Gaal and United, something to whet the appetite ahead of three far bigger fixtures with Real Madrid, Roma and Inter Milan this summer! Although they aren't competitive affairs, fixtures against those European heavyweights will act as a better barometer of United's quality than LA Galaxy will.
GOAL! LA GALAXY 0-4 MANCHESTER UNITED (JAMES)
20-year-old Reece James adds United's fourth of the morning in Pasadena, producing a side-footed finish following Ashley Young's clever cut-back pass. The game needed that, you know. It had gone a little stale but that will prompt United to move forward in search of further rewards.
Some 25 minutes to go here in the Rose Bowl as United look in cruise control and very much heading toward an emphatic win in Van Gaal's maiden game in charge. As we discussed earlier, though, sterner tests with sterner opponent lie ahead for the Red Devils. As ever, tune into Sports Mole for the biggest and best pre-season games on offer this summer!
A friendly encounter? Not if this picture is anything to go by, as Robbie Keane and Darren Fletcher look slightly displeased with one another!
We always duff our proverbial cap to someone in these commentaries, and it is the turn of Darren Fletcher this morning. The Scot has endured a torrid time in recent years, seeing much of his career blighted by illness. However, it's great to see the midfielder fighting fit once again and let's hope we see much of him in the 2014-15 campaign!
CHANCE! It probably should be five here ladies and gents, as Herrera is denied a debut goal after heading an Ashley Young cross directly at Brian Rowe. Unfortunately, the header lacked the strength necessary to truly trouble the stopper. Around 14 minutes left. Can the MLS outfit giving their fans something tangible something to celebrate? Lets hope so!
CHANCE!! Another good chance to make it five as Kagawa bends the ball agonisingly wide. The Japanese international did superbly well to fashion the opportunity in the first place, turning his marker inside out but, with the angle against him, beat goalkeeper Rowe but his effort was bent narrowly wide.
GOAL!!! LA GALAXY 0-5 MANCHESTER UNITED (JAMES)
The Red Devils finally have a fifth goal and it's young Reece James once again. Ashley Young fluffed his lines in a one-on-one with Rowe, but James was on hand to finish calmly by slotting into the bottom corner to bag his brace. The 20-year-old is certainly endearing himself to Van Gaal here!
GOAL! LA GALAXY 0-6 MANCHESTER UNITED (ASHLEY YOUNG)
Okay, it's now officially a rout in Pasadena, my friends. Ashley Young adds a SIXTH goal for United, racing on to Herrera's inch-perfect through ball before rounding goalkeeper Rowe to finish into the empty net.
GOAL! LA GALAXY 0-7 MANCHESTER UNITED (ASHLEY YOUNG)
Oh my word they've only gone and scored again folks and it's Young again, who bagged a two-minute brace! Herrera pulls the strings in midfield once more, releasing the winger who thrashes past Rowe to make it a magnificent seven for the Red Devils on Louis van Gaal's side bow.
FULL TIME: LA GALAXY 0-7 MANCHESTER UNITED
Well, Van Gaal certainly laid his marker down there, didn't he! It won't quite send shockwaves around the globe in the same manner as his 5-1 win over Spain in this summer's World Cup, but rest assure that England and Europe's elite will be a little wary upon reading about this demolition.
So there you have it folks! After being made to wait over 30 minutes for kickoff this morning, the clash proved to be well worth the wait as braces from Wayne Rooney, Reece James and Ashley Young, coupled with Danny Welbeck's opener, saw United hit a magnificent SEVEN against the MLS outfit in Van Gaal's bow. Honourable mention to Ander Herrera, who also enjoyed a dazzling debut, despite the level of opposition.
We hope that you've enjoyed Sports Mole's live coverage of the clash and I'll see you next time! Cheers.
