Manchester United's pre-season US tour ended on a losing note on Wednesday as Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 2-0 victory to clinch the International Champions Cup tournament.
Manchester United forward Angel di Maria
Chicago: Manchester United's pre-season US tour ended on a losing note on Wednesday as Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 2-0 victory to clinch the International Champions Cup tournament.
Manchester United forward Angel di Maria
Goals from Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were enough to give the Ligue 1 side the win on a sweltering evening at Chicago's Soldier Field Stadium.
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The English giants were undone by two goals from PSG which highlighted the defensive frailty of Louis van Gaal's squad, which has been bolstered by several high-profile signings this summer.
United began promisingly, stroking the ball around comfortably and probing for openings against the Parisian defenders. The Red Devils got the ball in the net after 22 minutes when Juan Mata prodded home Daley Blind's exquisite through ball, only for it to be ruled offside.
But three minutes later, PSG struck at the other end when a long ball forward caused havoc in United's defensive unit. Matuidi raced forward and got between Luke Shaw and Phil Jones to toe-poke home past David de Gea to make it 1-0. PSG doubled their lead nine minutes later.
Ibrahimovic picked up the ball and released Maxwell down the left flank. The fullback advanced and then picked out Ibrahimovic with the return pass for the Swede to slot past De Gea.
PSG players celebrate with the Champions Cup after beating Manchester United 2-0 at Chicago's Soldier Field Stadium on Wednesday. Pic/AFP
The build-up to the match had been dominated by speculation surrounding United's unsettled Argentine star Angel Di Maria, who is expected to complete a move to PSG soon.
And PSG coach Laurent Blanc claimed after the match that his side are close to signing the midfielder.
Di Maria still 'missing'
Despite being named in United's party for the final stage of Red Devils' tour, Di Maria was not in the matchday squad.In fact, the 27-year-old's whereabouts remain a mystery to his manager Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman claimed he had no idea why Di Maria did not report for duty in the States as expected last Saturday and his stance had not changed.
"I don't know where he is," the United boss said yesterday. Blanc was slightly more forthcoming on the matter. "United and PSG are two big clubs and negotiations can be difficult but we are close to the end," he said.
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