MANCHESTER UNITED 1, REAL MADRID 2 (UEFA Super Cup)
Manchester United wilted in the 30 degree heat of the Philip II Arena in Skopje as Real Madrid lifted their fourth UEFA Super Cup.
Real could have run out more convincing winners after dominating the early play and hitting the woodwork twice in Macedonia against a strong United side.
United manager Jose Mourinho opted to field all three of his summer signings in Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku and appeared to spring a tactical surprise on his opposite number Zinedine Zidane by playing with three central defenders and two wing backs to counter the Real threat of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema with Isco playing just off them.
Lindelof was joined by Chris Smalling and Matteo Darmian at the centre of the defence while Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard were deployed as wing-backs.
There was a little spice added to the build up before this contest with United manager Jose Mourinho unusually making his interest in Madrid forward Bale clear before kick off.
Bale was always going to play in this game despite any mischievous pre-game remarks from the Portuguese as Cristiano Ronaldo had been given extra time off following his summer involvement with the Confederations Cup.
The Welsh winger laid on what turned out to be the winner for Isco after 52 minutes to put the Champions League winners 2-0.
It was a just reward for a dominant first half from Real, who had 61% of early possession, with Casemiro hitting the crossbar before Dani Carvajal set him up with a ball over the top for the midfielder to stride onto and open the scoring in the 23rd minute.
There was a hint of offside about the Real opener but it was no less than they deserved in the first half.
After going 2-0 down in the second half the Reds could have pulled one back immediately through Lukaku but the Belgian blazed his effort over the cross bar after Paul Pogba’s effort came off Keylor Navas.
Lukaku did reduce the deficit to make it 2-1 but only after Bale himself had hit the crossbar which would have made it a comfortable win for Real.
United finished strongly after switching to a more direct style with Marouane Fellaini on the pitch for Ander Herrera but fellow substitute Marcus Rashford couldn’t level things up – instead shooting wide as Real deservedly lifted the Super Cup.