Sir Alex Ferguson had said the MLS has made immense strides since Manchester United last visited the United States in 2004 and, as a hard-fought and slightly fortunate win over Philadelphia Union confirmed tonight, his tribute was not merely an attempt to pay lip-service to an American audience. A 76th-minute goal from Gabriel Obertan was all that separated United from a Union side that has only been in existence since 2008.
Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck, two of Ferguson's principal reasons for confidence in his young players, were paired in attack and demonstrated flashes of the pace and touch required to stake a greater claim next season. Welbeck's movement was also impressive, although his finishing and the Italian's decision-making betrayed their inexperience against a well-organised and athletic Philadelphia Union side.
Welbeck went close from 25 yards in the first half and with an audacious shot on the turn at the start of the second. His simplest chance was also one to regret when, having collected Fabio's cross from the left and stepped inside his marker, the United striker shot straight at Brad Knighton in the Union goal from eight yards.
The first half lacked incident with the exception of two trademark Paul Scholes challenges that demonstrated genuine commitment to the friendly and an acknowledgement that, at the age of 35, he is not about to hone his timing in the tackle. A two-footed swipe at the Union midfielder Fred was followed by a clattering challenge through Eduardo Coudet, giving the referee no option but to show a yellow card.
Of the relative unknowns on display it was Tom Cleverley who showed arguably the greatest development in United's colours. The England Under-21 international was rewarded for a lively cameo against Celtic in Toronto with a place alongside Scholes in central midfield and delivered an astute performance, particularly in the final third.
Philadelphia went close to taking the lead several times as United's defence was easily prised apart but, with 14 minutes remaining, they undermined a resilient performance with one misplaced pass in midfield. Welbeck seized on the loose ball and threaded a perfectly weighted pass through three Union defenders into the path of Obertan, who produced a clinical low finish.
Philadelphia Union: Knighton; Fiscal, Arrieta, Califf, Harvey; Le Toux, Coudet, Miglioranzi, Fred; Moreno, Mwanga.
Manchester United: Kuszczak; O'Shea (De Laet, 77), Brown (Smalling, 61), J. Evans, Fabio (Rafael, 61); Obertan, Cleverley (Fletcher, 61), Scholes (C. Evans, 61), Giggs; Welbeck, Macheda (Berbatov, 61).
Attendance: 44,213