A 22nd minute goal by Manchester United's Nani has the English champions ahead of Spanish and European champions FC Barcelona 1-0 at halftime in front of a sellout crowd at FedEx Field.
United's goal came after a prolonged spell of Barcelona possession. The counterattack was started by striker Danny Welbeck, who received the ball in his own half and sent Nani away with a wonderful through ball. The Portugese midfielder, who television replays showed to be just onside, raced well clear of the Barcelona defense and into the Barcelona penalty area and squeezed a shot past Victor Valdes.
The Catalans have made very few opportunities with their possession, and Ibrahim Afellay provided United with the half's most dangerous moment in the 35th minute when he sent a ball from the left wing past the face of David De Gea's goal. Meanwhile, the Red Devils could have gone one-up in the 10th minute when Wayne Rooney redirected a cross from Nani just wide of Valdes' right post.
The match has been uncommonly physical for a friendly, with Jonathan dos Santos picking up a yellow card in the 30th minute for a late tackle on Ashley Young. One player each has picked up an early injury, with United's Brazilian defender Fabio coming on in place of his twin brother Rafael in the 16th minute after the latter picked up a knock charging down a shot from Seydou Keita. For Barcelona, Affellay limped off in the 43rd minute and replaced by young forward Isaac Cuenca.