Barcelona vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades and Reaction from 2015 ICC

In what usually is a match reserved for the largest of stages in Europe, English giants Manchester United defeated the reigning European champions Barcelona 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

With no Lionel Messi or Neymar, Barcelona's side was considerably weaker going into Saturday afternoon's tilt, and it was apparent how much the Catalans missed them. 

Barcelona's attack that is usually so fluid with short, concise passes was slow and at times frustrated by the Manchester United defense, which looked solid and organized despite it being early in the preseason.

Barcelona did have the brighter start, delivering two great chances in the game's first five minutes, but it was Manchester United who had the lead after eight minutes. 

Ashley Young sent in a perfect corner to Wayne Rooney, who did not even have to jump to steer the cross into the back of the net. He might have gotten away with a slight push on Adriano, as Footy Vines had the replay:

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GOAL Wayne Rooney​!! Manchester United​ 1-0 FC Barcelona​ https://t.co/aWtC4Me9un

— Footy Vines (@FutbollVines) July 25, 2015"

Luis Suarez almost put Barcelona up in the third minute, delivering a stunning free kick that beat the wall and had David De Gea rooted to his spot. But the ball struck off the post and deflected away from harm. 

It wasn't the last time he'd be denied by the post, either. In the 43rd minute, he received a pass at the top of the Manchester United box and pivoted his way to a bending, left-footed effort that glanced off the left post.

Barcelona's second early opportunity came when Sergi Roberto was sent in alone against De Gea in the fifth minute, but the goalkeeper came out on top, sprawling low to stop the midfielder's attempt. 

After those chances, the Catalans had to work hard to penetrate the stout United defense. They still had plenty of talent with Andres Iniesta running the midfield to look for Suarez, Pedro and Rafinha.

Barcelona managed to monopolize possession, despite the absence of Messi and Neymar, as it held the ball for more than 60 percent of the first half. But United seemed to be content with the disparity in possession as the Catalans could not find a way past De Gea. 

The second half brought more Barcelona chances, as the United defense started to bend. Ivan Rakitic's free kick went inches over the bar, while Suarez had a goal disallowed as he was offside in the 61st minute. 

Manchester United changed its entire lineup in the 63rd minute, and the move paid dividends in two minutes. After an overlapping run, Tyler Blackett received the ball to the left of Barcelona's goal. His cross back found the foot of Jesse Lingard, who slotted his chance to give United a 2-0 lead, as Man Utd Videos shows:

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LINGARD! Man United 2-0 Barcelona pic.twitter.com/H4ugzxSw2P

— Man Utd Videos ⚽️ (@ManUtdVines) July 25, 2015"

Adnan Januzaj almost put United up by three in the 68th minute, chesting down a ball that had him in on goal, but he sent his shot wide.

The Catalans' bad luck continued as they hit their third post of the afternoon off a free kick. The delivery from Rakitic found the head of Munir El Haddadi, who sent his header over replacement goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. But the post bailed out the United keeper. 

A pair of goals closed out the match with plenty of flair. Rafinha pulled one back for Barcelona when he sent a left-footed volley booming past Johnstone. Seconds later, Januzaj received the ball in the Barcelona box, shedding a defender and scoring with his left foot. 

It was an impressive display from United, who have shown a considerable amount of chemistry throughout the lineup, especially with the likes of Juan Mata, Memphis Depay and Rooney. And even though it's the preseason, this is a kind of victory that Manchester United can build on as it continues its path to the new Premier League year.

Grades

Juan Mata: A

You won't find him on the scoresheet this afternoon, but what Juan Mata did in the midfield for Manchester United on Saturday afternoon is promising. 

While he has not performed completely up to expectation after coming over from Chelsea, the Spaniard moved throughout United's midfield well, exhibiting skill and passing abilities that will terrorize the Premier League if he can break into the starting 11. Performances like this one will ensure that he most certainly will come August. 

Wayne Rooney: B

He had the match's opening goal, which could have been called back for a foul, as it appeared that he pushed Adriano in the back before sending his header home, but Rooney was classic Rooney even in the preseason. 

That goal-poaching mentality had him in the perfect areas all afternoon, which gave him a couple of other chances that he was unable to do much with. The club's second-leading goalscorer had no problem coming back and defending, creating just another obstacle for a high-powered Barcelona offense to get through. 

Luis Suarez: B+

If it weren't for the post, Luis Suarez would have been the hero of the game, and Barcelona would have gone to a penalty shootout. 

He was a handful to stop, even with a full Manchester United defense that will be the starting four come the beginning of the Premier League season. If Barcelona is getting this kind of dedication and effort from Suarez in a preseason game in California, just wait until La Liga gets going.

Reaction

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique did not let Manchester United's down year last season fool him. And he knows it'll be back toward the top of Europe, especially after such a performance Saturday, as Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail reports:

Louis van Gaal has a 100 percent record this offseason with Saturday's win coming against the stiffest of competition. But he knows he still has work to do, as Keegan reports:

Luck aside, if a team has the ability to beat the two biggest clubs not only in Spain but quite possibly in Europe, no matter what competition it's in, something is being done right. Van Gaal can take all the credit.