United claim Manchester derby win in Houston

First-ever clash between the city rivals on foreign soil sees Red Devils register 2-0 win over City

HOUSTON: Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford were on target as Manchester United defeated Premier League rivals Manchester City 2-0 in their International Champions Cup pre-season clash on Thursday.

Belgian international Lukaku grabbed his second goal in his second start for United as the Red Devils eased past a disjointed City at Houston's NRG Stadium.

England striker Rashford meanwhile continued his impressive pre-season form with his third goal in three games of United's US tour.

The game was the first-ever Manchester derby played on foreign soil and both teams commemorated the May 22 attacks at a concert in the city shortly before the kick-off.

"It was a very good training session," United manager Jose Mourinho said afterwards. "We had to play well in the first half, is good intensity, the players are tired. I am really pleased and I'm sure Pep [Guardiola] is the same. The result is not the most important thing."

City manager Guardiola meanwhile shrugged off the loss, preferring to enthuse about the performance of teenager Phil Foden, a 17-year-old who has emerged from the club's youth set-up. "I don't have words... It's a long time since I saw a performance like this — it was another level," said Guardiola.

Earlier, United enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan testing new City keeper Ederson with a long-range effort just after 20 minutes.

City should have had a penalty on 31 minutes when youngster Patrick Roberts was tugged back by Chris Smalling as he burst into the area. Instead Smalling managed to get a foot in and clear with Sterling's follow-up effort blocked.

Six minutes later United took the lead with a superb goal from Lukaku. A long clearance from Paul Pogba drew Ederson off his line but Lukaku managed to nod the loose ball past the stranded City goalkeeper before finishing from a tight angle.

Two minutes afterwards, United doubled their lead with another swift counter-attack.

This time it was Mkhitaryan who turned creator, releasing Rashford with a deft pass.

The teenage England striker picked his spot and drilled a low finish across Ederson into the bottom corner.