(Fr) Manchester United 6v0 New York Cosmos

Friday 5th August 2011 
Paul Scholes Testimonial, Old Trafford, Manchester   Attendance - 74,731

New York Cosmos played their first match since their rebirth against Manchester United in front of 74,000 fans in a Testimonial Game for Paul Scholes.

The Cosmos side was  boosted by a number of guest players  including Fabio Cannavaro and Patrick Vieira.

Unsurprisingly United dominated the game from start to finish against a Cosmos side who had never played together before.

From the opening minutes United threatened as Brad Friedel in goal for the Cosmos had to make a point blank save from Berbatov, but it didn't take long for the home side to make the breakthrough, and it was from the player all the home fans wanted to see as if scripted Paul Scholes thundered the ball past Friedel after 9mins, and Scholes was in fine form as United took a grip of the game early on.

Friedel was kept busy as he was tested by Rafael as United were swarming down the Cosmos left, and soon after Friedel was called upon again to stop an effort from new United signing Ashley Young.

Cosmos did test De Gea at the other end from a Wayne Bridge free kick, but just short of the half hour mark United doubled their lead.

Ashley Young was brought down in the area by Iraheta and Wayne Rooney smashed in the penalty for the second goal.

The crowd almost had a 2nd Scholes goal to celebrate but a last ditch tackle by Reyering denied Scholes.

United squandered further chances to increase their lead, with Berbatov the main culprit as the chances kept on coming at the visitors goal.

There were several changes for the 2nd half and one of the substitutes, Welbeck, almost scored straight away, only for another Reyering tackle to save a goal.

Welbeck was involved in United's 3rd goal as he linked up with Anderson who slotted the ball past Chad Calderone, who had replaced Friedel at half time.

Cosmos should have got on the scoresheet as Dimitrov wasted a good chance as he could not direct a free header on target from a Salgado cross.

But it was at the other end where the chances were being made and Nani wasted a chance before Welbeck made it 4v0 as Cosmos failed to clear a Rooney cross.

Parick Vieira came on for the Cosmos to boos from the home crowd and immediately tested Lindegaard with a shot, before Welbeck somehow missed a chance to get his second as he could not convert a rebound from a Macheda header.

Diouf wrapped up the scoring with a brace in the space of 5mins, although United threatened to add to the scoring late on with Calderone keeping out shots from Cleverley and Anderson in particular.