Barcelona crashed to a 3-1 defeat in their second outing of the pre-season against Manchester United in San Francisco. Louis van Gaal’s side knew exactly how to exploit Barça’s misgivings at the back and impose their best, most physical football at the Levi’s Stadium; although luck was also on the side – Barça struck the wood three times during the match.Luis Enrique fielded the strongest side possible at this point of the summer, with the exception of Rakitic who started on the bench. But it wasn’t enough to go into combat with a far more effective United side, whose pace was too much for the Blaugranas’ weary legs.Barcelona did enjoy the brighter start however, pressing from kick-off and testing De Gea on a couple of occasions – the keeper didn’t even flinch when a Luis Suárez free-kick clattered his left-hand post but he did react when Sergi Roberto broke through moments later, rushing out to close the angle and holding his position to give the Barça player no option but to kick the ball straight at him.
Barça’s enthusiasm came to an abrupt halt when United won a corner on seven minutes. Wayne Rooney gave Adriano the slip to give himself a free header to put the English team into the lead.
Barça tried to respond through Suárez but it wasn’t enough. The Uruguayan was by far the best player in his team; on 42 minutes he swivelled to strike the ball on the turn but this time it was the other post which denied him. Later in the second half he did get the ball between all three posts but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Two minutes into the second half Van Gaal decided to completely overhaul his team. United maintained the same lightning pace which they had showed in the first half and used it to great effect. Tyler Blackett left Sergi Roberto, now as makeshift right-back, in his wake before sending a low ball across the face of goal for Lindgard to obligingly slot home at the back post.
The woodwork continued to deny the Catalans until Rafinha pulled a goal back with a magnificent volley in full flight. Seconds later, United were up the other end where Januzaj stroked in the definitive 3-1.