Man Utd 1-0 America: Schneiderlin winner

Morgan Schneiderlin marked his first appearance for Manchester United with the winner as Louis van Gaal’s side beat Club America 1-0 in Seattle, despite being without David De Gea due to what Van Gaal called a “minor injury.”

Named in the starting lineup along with fellow new signings Matteo Darmian and Memphis Depay, it took just five minutes for Schneiderlin to get on the score sheet, when he rose at the far post to float a header from Juan Mata’s cross beyond Hugo Gonzalez in the Club America goal.

Eight minutes later, Mata almost doubled the lead but his snap shot, after an Ashley Young pull-back from the left, was saved by Gonzalez.

At the other end, United’s back four endured some nervous moments early on and were perhaps fortunate that a succession of offside decisions went in their favour.

Luke Shaw was guilty of a push that led to a dangerous free-kick that was blocked by the United wall, while Daley Blind, playing in central defence, was given the benefit of the doubt following a sliding challenge on Miguel Samudio that drew some penalty appeals by the Mexican side.

United had a brief injury scare in the 34th minute when Depay stayed down following a heavy challenge by America captain Rubens Sambueza. The Dutchman initially held his knee as he lay on the ground but was eventually able to continue without treatment.

Four minutes before the interval, Darmian was caught ball-watching and the Italian was indebted to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who was quickly off his line to save at the feet of Samudio.

Louis van Gaal made 11 changes at halftime, with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ander Herrera among those coming on.

Four minutes into the second period, Andreas Pereira went close but the Brazilian’s left-footed shot flew just wide. Moments later, Adnan Januzaj also shot past the post.

America continued to press their Premier League opponents and went close to equalizing again in the 73rd minute when Alejandro Diza hit the outside of the post.

Januzaj then stung the palms of Gonzalez after more good work by Pereira as United enjoyed a hard-fought winning start to their pre-season fixture list.

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