Manchester United began their pre-season tour of China with a clash against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday.
Dortmund were two goals ahead at the interval courtesy of a close-range finish from Gonzalo Castro and penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Ousmane Dembele made it 3-0 Dortmund early in the second period, but Man United had one back moments later when Henrikh Mkhitaryan tapped home against his former club.
There was one more goal, however, as Castro scored his second late on to secure an impressive win for the German outfit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live pre-season coverage continues from Shanghai as Manchester United take on Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup. This might only be a 'friendly' but there is no playing down the importance as both clubs build towards the start of the new season!
This match will be the seventh time that Man United and Dortmund have clashed. It is a rivalry that dates back to 1956, when Man United ran out 3-2 winners in the European Cup. Their last meeting was in the 1997-98 Champions League group stage, when Dortmund recorded a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. Somewhat surprisingly, this is the first pre-season clash between the two European teams.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Shanghai. Has Jose Mourinho shuffled his pack from the Wigan clash? Are those from Euro 2016 involved? Let's take a look!
TEAMS!
MUFC: Johnstone; Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Shaw; Blind, Herrera, Mata; Mkhitaryan, Memphis, Lingard
DORT: Weindenfeller; Passlack, Sokratis, Bender, Schmelzer; Rode, Castro; Dembele, Ramos, Kagawa; Aubameyang
As confirmed by Mourinho on Thursday, Phil Jones partners Eric Bailly at the heart of the Man United defence in Shanghai. Sam Johnstone keeps his spot in goal, while Antonio Valencia will skipper the team from right-back. Elsewhere, Henrikh Mkhitaryan faces his former club in a wide midfield role, while Memphis Depay will seemingly operate as the centre-forward for the Red Devils.
As for Dortmund, who have just confirmed the signing of Andre Schurrle from Wolfsburg, a strong XI sees leading scorer from last season Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang start in the final third. Shinji Kagawa faces his former club, while summer signing Ousmane Dembele is also selected in the final third. Sebastian Rode, Gonzalo Castro and Sven Bender also start in a familiar-looking XI.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little under 40 minutes from kickoff on this hot evening in Shanghai. I shall speak about Bundesliga giants Dortmund, who have had a busy summer, in the build-up to 1pm, but let's start with Man United, who opened their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 victory over Championship outfit Wigan Athletic at the weekend.
Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both made their Man United debuts against the Championship club, while the likes of Axel Tuanzebe and Andreas Pereira were given chances to impress. The two goals came from youngsters as Will Keane and Andreas Pereira came off the bench to score and Mourinho revealed after the match that he was pleased with his side's first pre-season clash.
This game is a step up, however, as Mourinho prepares to pit his wits against Dortmund in what is a fantastic prospect on paper. This is the first of just two games for Man United in China as they prepare to take on rivals Manchester City on July 25 in what will bring a meeting with a certain Pep Guardiola.
After facing Man City, the Red Devils will return to Europe to take on Turkish giants Galatasaray on July 30, before taking on Everton in Wayne Rooney's testimonial on August 3. Then the real business starts as they take on Premier League Leicester City in the Community Shield on August 7, before opening their Premier League campaign away to Bournemouth on August 14. It is not far away!
A tough start to the new campaign sees Man United host Southampton in their second game on August 19, before travelling to Hull City and hosting Man City in their next two. The Europa League also needs to be factored in and it will be interesting to see how seriously that competition is taken by Mourinho.
Bailly and Mkhitaryan have already made the move to Old Trafford this summer and if reports are to be believed, Paul Pogba is set to return to the Premier League giants before the start of the new Premier League season. There are also suggestions that Mourinho wants to bring a new and indeed specialist right-back to the club, with AS Monaco's Fabinho touted. Still a lot of the transfer window left!
As for Dortmund, it has been a busy transfer window the Bundesliga giants. Mkhitaryan, Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan have all moved on, while the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Sebastian Rode, Raphael Guerreiro, Marc Bartra and Emre Mor have arrived. Mario Gotze also completed a return from Bayern Munich earlier this week, while Andre Schurrle arrived this morning. Bit busy!
Dortmund began their pre-season campaign with a 5-2 win over Erkenschwick on July 8, before recording a 2-0 victory over Wuppertaler SV one day later. Then came a 3-2 success over St. Pauli on July 14, but they will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to 1860 Munchen on Saturday.
In terms of what is ahead for Dortmund, they will take on Manchester City on July 28 in their second game in the International Champions Cup, before facing Premier League opposition once again in the shape of Sunderland on August 5 and Athletic Bilbao on August 9. Then comes the German Super Cup as Dortmund face German champions Bayern Munich on August 14.
That is not the end of Dortmund's pre-season though as they face two more friendlies against Sandhausen and Hallescher FC before facing Eintracht Trier in the German Cup on August 22. Finally, after a lot of football, Dortmund begin their Bundesliga season with a home game against Mainz 05 on August 27. It goes without saying, but Dortmund are going to be playing a lot of football over the next few weeks and will need their whole squad, that is for sure.
Just a reminder of the two teams that will start in Shanghai...
MUFC: Johnstone; Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Shaw; Blind, Herrera, Mata; Mkhitaryan, Memphis, Lingard
DORT: Weindenfeller; Passlack, Sokratis, Bender, Schmelzer; Rode, Castro; Dembele, Ramos, Kagawa; Aubameyang
Both sets of players have just joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff, which will be a few minutes late! It would be fair to say that there are more Man United shirts than Dortmund tonight!
KICKOFF! It is Manchester United versus Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup. It is about 35 degrees pitch-side tonight, which is quite incredible and there are going to be a number of drinks breaks throughout the 90 minutes! Right, Dortmund kick things off in Shanghai...
... Man United are in blue tonight, while Dortmund will play in their usual yellow and black. Not quite a full house inside the stadium, but there is a wonderful atmosphere as Dortmund enjoy early possession of the ball. It will be interesting to see what sort of tempo this match is played at.
Memphis looks to burst through for Man United, but Sokratis just about does enough at the vital moment to stop the Dutchman advancing through on Weidenfeller. Good tempo to the early stages.
Memphis again looks to break through for Man United as his pace continues to cause problems, but Sokratis is again across to make the clearance. The noise levels inside the stadium rise each time that Man United have the chance to break onto the Dortmund defence. Even opening five minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances or indeed half-chances in the opening seven minutes, but the tempo is high as both teams commit players in the final third. Dembele looks to drive past Valencia in a wide position, but the right-back uses his sizeable frame to win a free kick for his team.
Aubameyang looks to break through for Dortmund after a super pass from Rode, but the offside flag is raised. It was very, very close and the striker would have been through on Johnstone there.
Possession football from Dortmund as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Man United are nice and strong at the back and manage to clear their lines on each occasion. Mkhitaryan looks to release Mata with a super through pass, but the Spaniard does not have the legs!
Still waiting for the first shot on target or indeed half-chance as both clubs cancel each other out all over the park. Mourinho is on the touchline barking out some orders towards Memphis!
Memphis breaks away for Man United and looks to feed Lingard in a central position, but Sokratis was across to make the challenge, which is very important due to Lingard's position on the field.
The state of the pitch here? A little bit like this...
Bailly steps in to perform another positive piece of defending and looks to release Memphis, but the pass is too strong and Dortmund can build with another period of possession. Dortmund then force a free kick outside the box when Blind stops Castro breaking through the midfield area...
... GOAL! Man United 0-1 Dortmund (Castro)
Dortmund take the lead in the 19th minute as Castro finishes from close range after a mess inside the Man United box. Johnstone saves the initial free kick from Aubameyang and again from Dembele, but it falls to Castro and the midfielder manages to find a route over Jones on the line!
Dortmund are growing in confidence as they continue to pass with confidence in the final third and Ramos beats Jones to a high ball at the far post, but his header was always dropping wide.
SAVE! First real chance for Man United as Lingard breaks through on goal, but his final effort is poor and rolls straight into the arms of the Dortmund goalkeeper, who is comfortable.
Finally the referee gives a free kick to Man United as Bender bundles Memphis to the deck. You just get the feeling that the Premier League side need a period of possession in the next few moments.
Just a reminder that both managers are expected to make a host of changes at the interval and we could well see Marcus Rashford for Man United. The England international was not expected to feature tonight, but he has been named on the bench. Wayne Rooney, however, will not feature.
Man United look to break away down the right through Valencia, but Dortmund have numbers back and manage to clear once the ball is switched to the other side. The referee has now called a drinks break, which is not much of a surprise. Both sets of players will now take on some water...
We are back underway after Mourinho and Tuchel exchanged some words with their players!
In truth, there has been nothing in this match. Dortmund lead, but neither side has been too inspiring in the opening 35 minutes. The weather is playing a big part in the tempo here.
PENALTY DORTMUND!
Dortmund have a penalty as Valencia is adjudged to have handled a Aubameyang effort in the box!
GOAL! Man United 0-2 Dortmund (Aubameyang, pen)
Aubameyang goes straight down the middle to send Dortmund two goals ahead here.
BOOKING! Sokratis (Dortmund) is booked for a poor challenge on Memphis.
Dortmund are bossing this game at the moment as they continue to force the issue in the final third and Aubameyang hammers wide from close range after a clever header from Schmelzer at the far post.
SAVE! Johnstone has to chase back to keep out Aubameyang as the striker once again looks for the back of the net from close range. Not sure about the defending from Jones there!
Man United continue to release through balls down the left, but Mata does not have the pace to trouble the Dortmund defence. It would not be a surprise to see Januzaj or Rashford introduced in a wide position at the interval. Little over one minute of the first period remaining in Shanghai.
Three additional minutes to be played at the end of the first period.
Dortmund are ahead in their pre-season and that has shown in the first period. They have been quicker across the park, but that will come for Man United in the next couple of weeks.
HALF-TIME: Man United 0-2 Dortmund
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period in Shanghai to a close with Dortmund leading 2-0 courtesy of a close-range finish from Castro in the 19th minute and a penalty from Aubameyang in the 36th minute. It has been a tough first half for Man United due to the conditions.
BENCH WATCH! Mourinho is expected to make changes at the break and Rojo, Januzaj, Young, Rashford, Romero, McNair, Tuanzebe, Pereira and Keane all all on the bench for Man United tonight. Dortmund, meanwhile, have the likes of Bartra, Sahin, Mor, Bonmann and Hober in reserve here.
RESTART! Here we go then, Man United resume the action in Shanghai...
... MAN UNITED SUBS! Rashford, Romero, Young and Rojo have replaced Johnstone, Jones, Lingard and Memphis. Just going to confirm the Dortmund subs now!
DORTMUND SUB! One change for Dortmund - Larsen for Passlack at right-back.
Half-chance for Man United as Mkhitaryan releases Shaw in a wide position, but the left-back's touch is too strong and Weindenfeller is out to claim. Better from the Premier League side.
While results are not important in pre-season, Mourinho will be wary of suffering a heavy loss here and will have demanded an improvement in the second period. Rashford is already causing problems through the middle as the likes of Mata look to release the England international here.
Good defending from Bailly as the centre-back steps across to block a cross from Ramos, who is causing problems in wide positions for Dortmund. The resulting corner is played short and eventually delivered out wide, but Man United have players back and force it back to Weindenfeller.
Confident defending from Bailly once again as the Man United centre-back uses his power and pace to take the ball away from Aubameyang, who has been the best player on the park tonight. Man United need to start carrying a threat in the final third and test Weindenfeller in goal!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Man United as Mkhitaryan breaks through against his former side, but the midfielder cannot beat Weidenfeller from inside the box!
GOAL! Man United 0-3 Dortmund (Dembele)
Dortmund have a third in the 57th minute and it is a super goal from Dembele, who drives towards the Man United box before deceiving Rojo and finding a route past Romero. What a goal that is.
GOAL! Man United 1-3 Dortmund (Mkhitaryan)
Man United have one back just before the hour as Mata slides a fine pass into Mkhitaryan and the Armenian finishes into an empty net against his former club! First United goal for him!
DORTMUND SUBS! Seven new players have entered! I shall try and confirm!
So, the likes of Bartra, Mor and Sahin have entered for Dortmund, but I am still trying to confirm who has entered and who has departed. I shall bring that information when it becomes available. That is the joy of Dortmund changes, seven or eight players all entering at the same time!
Good stuff from Man United in the last few minutes as they enjoy possession in the final third.
MAN UNITED SUBS! Januzaj and McNair replace Blind and Mkhitaryan for Man United.
Little over 20 minutes of this pre-season clash remaining and Man United are the team on the front foot as they pass and probe in the final third. The seven changes have upset Dortmund here.
Shaw shows his incredible pace to burst down the left, but the referee blows for a foul on Jansen, not sure about that referee! Still a lot of football to be played in this pre-season clash in Shanghai.
The likes of Tuanzebe, Pereira and Will Keane are still on the bench for Man United tonight and we are expecting to see those three in the next five minutes or so. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes as the two teams cancel each other out in the final third of the field.
Super defending from Mata as the midfielder just pokes clear of Merino at the far post!
MAN UNITED SUB! Pereira replaces Valencia for Man United.
There has not yet been a drinks break in this second period, which is a surprise. However, the tempo is pretty good as we close on the final 10 minutes. Dortmund still lead 3-1 in Shanghai.
Another drinks break just as I say that! Someone call for water...
We are back underway after the cold towels have been out.
Rashford has moved into a central position here and the England international is just caught offside following another potentially dangerous break. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game as we enter the final 10 minutes. Man United have been much better in the second period.
CLOSE! Pulisic's low strike just misses Romero's post after the ball broke for the midfielder just outside the Man United box. So close to goal number five in Shanghai tonight.
BOOKING! Bailly (Man United) is booked for dissent.
Just a reminder that next up for Man United is a clash with rivals Man City on Monday. Dortmund, meanwhile, will also take on Man City in their next match on July 28. Still 3-1 Dortmund tonight.
Bailly fouls Mor and Dortmund have a free kick in a dangerous position here...
... Castro hits the free kick, but his effort is too high.
GOAL! Man United 1-4 Dortmund (Castro)
Castro finds the top corner with a wonderful effort and that is four for Dortmund!
Much to work on for Mourinho in pre-season, but the result is not important tonight. It is another 90 minutes in the bank for the Red Devils, who return to action Monday against Man City.
Five additional minutes to be played in this pre-season clash.
In fairness to both sets of players, this match has been played at a high tempo despite the conditions, which are almost unbearable. It is still around 30 degrees inside the stadium here.
FULL-TIME: Man United 1-4 Dortmund
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Dortmund running out 4-1 winners in Shanghai. The German side are ahead of Man United in their pre-season preparations and that showed as they enjoyed the better of the clash in China. That is just about it from me here. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for more live coverage soon!
