Mata scores

By Chris
August 3 2014

Manchester United's winning pre-season campaign continued on Saturday, though a late Roma comeback left the Red Devils hanging on for a 3-2 victory.

Louis van Gaal's men raced into a three-goal lead at the break thanks to a Wayne Rooney brace and a Juan Mata strike.

Young defender Tyler Blackett was the only player to play the full 90 minutes, as a host of United players enjoyed a run out in this International Champions Cup friendly clash.

A fine Rooney finish from outside the box broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, before Mata doubled the advantage, linking up with the England frontman, and showing great composure to control a pass and send a neat chip home.

United were producing some impressive attacking moves - and started to look capable of repeating the seven-goal show against LA Galaxy as Rooney extended their lead yet further before the break, scoring a penalty after Danny Welbeck was tripped.

Serie A giants Roma, however, threatened a dramatic late comeback in Denver. Miralem Pjanic took advantage of some slack positional play from 'keeper Ben Amos, directing home a jaw-dropping effort from 60 yards, before Francesco Totti set-up a grandstand finish with an 89th-minute penalty.

Nevertheless, United held on for the victory as their International Champions Cup campaign got off to an exciting start. Next up is Inter Milan.

Full Time - Roma 2-3 Manchester United
Attendance - 54,117