Mourinho had been keen to point out prior to this game that Borussia Dortmund were already well into their own pre-season schedule, against his own side's gentle workout at Wigan. That certainly showed in this game: the Germans looked a yard quicker throughout and secured a comfortable victory against a less than impressive United.
The Reds looked second best from the off and found themselves a goal down in the twentieth minute when Castro fired into the roof of the net following a goalmouth scramble that ensued after Johnstone had parried Aubameyang's free kick. Johnstone was picking the ball out of the net again fifteen minutes later when Aubameyang calmly chipping in his penalty kick after Valencia had been penalised for handball in the area.
United's best chance in the first period came when Lingard found himself through on goal, but couldn't get any power behind his shot and Weidenfeller saved comfortably. However, there was no question that the Germans were worth their two-goal lead at half-time.
United made changes at half-time and began to look more lively after the break. However, it was Dortmund who added to their lead when Dembele thrashed a shot past replacement keeper Romero. United weren't three down for long though. Mata found himself through on goal but unselfishly chose to set up Mkhitaryan for a tap-in.
The Reds looked capable of making a game of it from there but were unable to trouble the Dortmund keeper. Instead, it was their opponents who re-established that three-goal margin five minutes from the end when Castro hit a thunderbolt of a shot past Romero for his second and his side's fourth.
Positives? Luke Shaw got ninety minutes under his belt and there were signs that Juan Mata might be able to function in Mourinho's system after all. Other than that, this was one of those pre-season games you prefer to forget as quickly as possible. It's all about that first game at Bournemouth will be the mantra, although it's difficult to imagine us being able to write off a performance like this should it occur against city in Beijing.
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