Philadelphia, Aug 04: Manchester United ended their pre-season tour of the U.S. with a 3-1 victory over Barcelona on Sunday. Barcelona flourished early on as new signing Ronaldinho, who turned down a move to the English champions, stroked the ball around with typical Brazilian flair and imagination despite being booed by the United faithful before the start. United manager Alex Ferguson rested strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Also missing from the line-up was Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, a transfer target for Chelsea. Without those three, United appeared lacking in ideas for the opening exchanges. Ronaldinho's running reaped dividends in the ninth minute when he lofted a perfectly weighted cross for Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert to head past Tim Howard, United's new American goalkeeper. But, despite further Barcelona pressure, United levelled after 25 minutes. Winger Ryan Giggs found space on the left and crossed for an unmarked Diego Forlan to beat keeper Victor Valdes with a diving header.



United, spurred on by skipper Roy Keane, went ahead 11 minutes later when Nicky Butt's centre from the right took a deflection and man of the match Forlan pounced to score his second goal.


Barcelona came out for the second half without Ronaldinho and Kluivert. United made two changes after 52 minutes, bringing on David Bellion for Darren Fletcher and van Nistelrooy for Uruguayan Forlan.


Van Nistelrooy produced a goal of individual brilliance after 85 minutes. Battling with Barcelona defenders after losing a tussle in midfield, the striker won the ball back and beat two men before rounding the keeper to score.


United made it four wins out of four on the tour. They had also beaten Celtic 4-1, Mexico's Club America 3-1 and Juventus 4-1.


Sunday's game was the first to be played at Philadelphia's new Lincoln Financial Field, home of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles, and drew a sell-out crowd of 68,396.


Bureau Report