Real Madrid newcomers Jude Bellingham and Joselu both scored spectacular goals as Real Madrid downed Manchester United in a high-profile friendly played in Houston, Texas.
Bellingham lofted a delightful ball over Manchester United debutant Andre Onana to give Real Madrid a lead after six minutes, and Joselu later topped it with an acrobatic overhead finish in the final minute to seal the 2-0 result.
Real Madrid were the better team in the first half, proving a constant threat as forwards Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo stretched United’s backline with Bellingham trailing them close behind from his new attacking midfield position.
Manchester United had more of the initiative in the second half as they chased the result, but Real Madrid held firm and were rarely rattled by the English side.
Real Madrid vs Manchester United final score
| Final | Goal scorers | |
| Real Madrid | 2 | – Jude Bellingham (Antonio Rudiger) 6′ – Joselu (Lucas Vazquez) 89′ |
| Man United | 0 |
Lineups:
Real Madrid 1st Half (4-3-1-2): 13. Lunin (GK) – 2. Carvajal, 22. Rudiger, 4. Alaba, 20. Fran Garcia – 12. Camavinga, 10. Modric, 18. Tchouameni – 5. Bellingham – 7. Vinicius Jr, 11. Rodrygo
Real Madrid 2nd Half (4-3-1-2): 13. Lunin (GK) – 17. Vazquez, 6. Nacho, 3. Militao, 23. Mendy – 12. Camavinga, 10. Modric (Brahim 61′), 8. Kroos – 15. Valverde – 7. Vinicius Jr (27. Nico Paz 72′), 11. Rodrygo (Joselu 61′)
Man United starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 24. Onana (GK) – 29. Wan-Bissaka, 19. Varane, 6. L. Martinez, 23. Shaw – 18. Casemiro, 37. Mainoo (14. Eriksen 6′) – 7. Mount, 8. Fernandes, 49. Garnacho – 10. Rashford.
Man United 62nd minute (4-2-3-1): 24. Onana (GK) – 20. Dalot, 5. Maguire, 2. Lindelof, 33. Williams – 39. McTominay, 34. Van de Beek – 21. Antony 8. Fernandes, 28. Pellistri – 25. Sancho
This is Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid
Vinicius Jr. is Real Madrid’s difference-maker, but whether or not the club wins trophies this season — pending Kylian Mbappe developments — will be down to whether Jude Bellingham can produce from the attacking midfield position that manager Carlo Ancelotti has carved out for him.
Bellingham’s attacking instincts and regular ghosting into the box were always appreciated since his days at Borussia Dortmund. But Ancelotti has now made attacking his primary assignment in support of Vinicius and Rodrygo.
With those two players wreaking the usual havoc on defenses, that should leave plenty of space for Bellingham to do damage with his silky skills on the ball as evidenced by the touch he applied on his goal.
Gol @BellinghamJude al Manchester United #RMTV | #RealMadridOnTour pic.twitter.com/pKDdDYIPsp
— Rafa RNMJ Real Madrid (@RafaRNMJ) July 27, 2023
Real Madrid vs Man United live updates, highlights, commentary
Final: Real Madrid 2-0 Manchester United
Kroos, Modrić y Casemiro.
Estoy hundido. 😪pic.twitter.com/2LJ8jMllCv
— MadridTotal (@MadridTotal_) July 27, 2023
89th min.: Goal Real Madrid! And what a goal it was! Lucas Vazquez is unmarked and lofted a ball to the far post where Joselu went up with an acrobatic overhead kick that beats Onana, who didn’t even move. WHAT. A. GOAL.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
¡Apaguen todo y vámonos!
¡GOLAZO DE JOSELU DE CHILENA! 🙌🙌🙌
Sigue la Champions Tour en #StarPlusLA pic.twitter.com/X5xEBMzcYX
— ESPN.com.mx (@ESPNmx) July 27, 2023
🚲🚲🚲🚲 pic.twitter.com/CilvzuxUPn
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 27, 2023
88th min.: Chance Man United! Bruno Fernandes from 30 yards out is saved.
85th min.: Andre Onana way off his line to participate in a buildup from the back. And the fans enjoyed it. That’s why Man United brought him to the club.
79th min.: The energy and physicality hasn’t left the game, but the subs are needing to settle into the game and find a rhythm. We’re not there yet.
66th min.: Real Madrid chances. In a span of two minutes newly entered Joselu gets two chances and comes close on both, but United goalkeeper Andre Onana comes up big on the first and the second is wasted.
64th min.: Chance Man United! It’s Scott McTominay in the box with the shot, but it’s stopped.
62nd min.: SUBS Man United. A group of players enter the match after getting a pep talk from Erik ten Hag on the sideline. Andre Onana and Bruno Fernandes are the last starters left on the field.
SUBS Real Madrid. Los Merengues take advantage for two subs of their own.
56th min.: Chance Man United. And again, it’s off the foot of Garnacho, who has the best ideas and initiative. He comes inside and fires with his right, but Andriy Lunin saves for a corner. Manchester United are getting closer.
50th min.: Chance Man United. After a giveaway, Alejandro Garnacho feeds Bruno Fernandes down the left of the box, but the chance goes to waste on the cross. Moments later Marcus Rashford crosses from the right, but goalkeeper Andriy Lunin comes up with it. No one got their foot to it.
46th min.: Second half is underway. Six changes for Real Madrid, with a whole new backline. None for Man United.
Halftime: Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
Halftime: Good half of football. There was an edge to the game. What’s clear from that first 45 minutes is that this is Jude Bellingham’s team. He’s going to have a big role for Real purely based on his position at the tip of the diamond. While forwards Vini Jr and Rodrygo split wide, Bellingham is filling that central channel.
Manchester United are looking to transition quickly and have had more success down the left through Alejandro Garnacho and Luke Shaw. Aaron Wan-Bissaka can’t get too high upfield with Vini Jr. down his flank. And Mason Mount is not your typical winger.
42nd min.: Bellingham and Martinez nose to nose! Jude Bellingham takes exception to a late tackle from Lisandro Martinez and he gets right back to let him know about it. A little coming together ensues and Lisandro Martinez gets a yellow.
A muerte en cada pelota pic.twitter.com/isAf0sWB8O
— Rincón Del United (@RinconDelUnited) July 27, 2023
36th min.: Chance Man United! First Marcus Rashford’s attempt misses the mark, and then Casemiro misfires. The chances came from a quick transition. Man United don’t waste much time going forward.
33rd min.: In case you’re not aware, Jude Bellingham is essentially an attacking midfielder for this Real Madrid team. He’s in the box regularly, and Vini Jr just found him with a pass, but nothing came of it. Vini to Bellingham is going to be a thing this season.
25th min.: Chance Real Madrid. Vini Jr. gets the ball in the box and tries a shot from a tough angle, but he forces Andre Onana into a save.
24th min.: There’s a good energy in this game going both ways. Real Madrid continue to be so good on the ball.
18th min.: Chance Man United. A well-constructed play by Man United ends with a ball in the centre of the box, where Mason Mount gets a shot, but Lunin blocks the shot.
17th min.: Real Madrid are comfortable on the ball as ever and they speed things up when they want to. Meanwhile, Man United’s possession is more deliberate and they try to go vertical fast.
13th min.: Chance Real Madrid. Vini Jr. does all the work to chase a ball down at the end line in the United box and his ball to the center winds up on Luka Modric’s feet, but his shot is blocked.
8th min.: Chance Man United! Casemiro finds Alejandro Garnacho on the left and he goes at Dani Carvajal before firing at goal. But it’s high of the mark.
6th min.: Goal Real Madrid! Jude Bellingham controls a ball over the top and lofts it over Man United’s new ‘keeper Andre Onana. Nifty goal against 10-man Man United.
📹 Cuando ADMIN dio a REC 🔴 en el momento justo…
🔥 @BellinghamJude#RealMadridOnTour pic.twitter.com/uDIg7hKHd1— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 27, 2023
Ahí esta! El primero de Bellingham con el Real Madrid. GOLAZO! Y vaya pase de Rüdiger. #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/6iL8LjGKmC
— Alfonso Torres (@fonsotorres) July 27, 2023
SUB Man United. Christian Eriksen replaces Mainoo right after the goal.
2nd min.: Injury stoppage. Oh no. It’s Kobbie Mainoo who’s down. Casemiro brought down Real’s Rodrygo, who fell on Mainoo’s left ankle. He’s getting treatment and he’s back on his feet.
But he’s walking toward the sideline with the trainers and he’s not putting pressure on his left foot. And it doesn’t look like he’ll be returning.
1st min.: We’re off. Real Madrid are already in possession, and Manchester United sitting back and waiting.
Kickoff
2 minutes to kickoff: We’re set to kick off. Real Madrid will be in white and Man United are in their new kit with the green and black stripes.
5 minutes to kickoff: Teams are set to take the field. They’re in the tunnel right now. Reminder that NRG Stadium has a retractable roof.
20 minutes to kickoff: Interesting exchange caught on camera here. On the way out to the field, Aurelien Tchouameni is tossing something into a basket as if he were taking a basketball shot, and a voice is heard shouting “Let’s be serious, boys.”
La salida del @realmadrid al césped: el intento de canasta de Tchouaméni y un claro mensaje antes del partido.
💯⚡️”Vamos a ser serios, chavales”
🎥 @jdelriomuradas, enviado especial de @marca pic.twitter.com/Lv7caTPtBn
— MARCA (@marca) July 27, 2023
1 hour to kickoff: We’ve got both lineups.
🚨 United’s team is locked in! 🔐#MUFC || #MUTOUR23
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 26, 2023
📋✅ ¡Nuestro 𝗫𝗜 inicial 🆚 @ManUtd!@UnicajaBanco | #RealMadridOnTour pic.twitter.com/AM8pGrMKp6
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 26, 2023
1 hour, 30 minutes to kickoff: This is definitely a notable storyline for tonight with Casemiro and Raphael Varane taking on the club they once represented.
Casemiro & Raphaël Varane will face Real Madrid tonight for the first time in their careers. pic.twitter.com/H6D7Ux1JW7
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 26, 2023
Real Madrid vs Man United lineups
Despite their ongoing links to a summer move for Kylian Mbappe, Ancelotti’s squad showed real firepower against AC Milan, with England star Jude Bellingham catching the eye on his debut.
Ancelotti is also trialling a new formation in the USA, with Bellingham the most advanced player in a midfield diamond, in behind a traditional two-player attack.
Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-1-2): 13. Lunin (GK) – 2. Carvajal, 22. Rudiger, 4. Alaba, 20. Fran Garcia – 12. Camavinga, 10. Modric, 18. Tchouameni – 5. Bellingham – 7. Vinicius Jr, 11. Rodrygo
Real Madrid subs (14): 1. Courtois (GK), 26. Diego Pineiro, 30. Fran, 3. Militao, 6. Nacho, 8. Kroos, 14. Joselu, 15. Valverde, 16. Odriozola, 17. Lucas Vazquez, 21. Brahim 23. Mendy, 24. Arda Guler, 27. Nico Paz.
It’s a debut for summer signing Andre Onana, who joined up with the squad earlier this week. Also, Marcus Rashford starts at the centre-forward role in place of Jadon Sancho, while promising young central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo impressed enough against Arsenal to get another start, this time alongside Casemiro.
Amad Diallo is on the bench despite picking up an injury against Arsenal that saw him leave the stadium on crutches. Three other players didn’t make the trip to the USA and are not with the team: Fred (personal issue), Tyrell Malacia (injury), and 19-year-old centre-back Rhys Bennett (injury).
Man United starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 24. Andre Onana (GK) – 29. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 19. Raphael Varane, 6. Lisandro Martinez, 23. Luke Shaw – 18. Casemiro, 37. Kobbie Mainoo, – 7. Mason Mount, 8. Bruno Fernandes, 49. Alejandro Garnacho – 10. Marcus Rashford.
Man United subs (13): 22. Tom Heaton (GK), 20. Diogo Dalot, 2. Victor Lindelof, 5. Harry Maguire, 33. Brandon Williams, Amad Diallo, 39. Scott McTominay, 14. Christian Eriksen, 34. Donny van de Beek, 52. Omari Forson, 28. Facundo Pellistri, 21. Antony, 25. Jadon Sancho
Real Madrid vs Man United live stream, TV channel
This preseason friendly takes place at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas and kicks off on Wednesday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. local time.
MORE: Watch Premier League on Fubo in USA and on Fubo in Canada
| Date | Kickoff time | TV | Streaming | |
| USA | Wed, Jul 26 | 8:30 p.m. ET | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Wed, Jul 26 | 8:30 p.m. ET | — | DAZN |
| UK | Thu, Jul 27 | 1:30 a.m. BST | MUTV | MUTV |
| Australia | Thu, Jul 27 | 10:30 a.m. AEST | MUTV | MUTV |
| India | Thu, Jul 27 | 6 a.m. IST | Sony TEN 2 | Sony LIVE |
| Hong Kong | Thu, Jul 27 | 8:30 a.m. HKT | MUTV | MUTV |
| Malaysia | Thu, Jul 27 | 8:30 a.m. MYT | Astro SuperSport | Astro GO, sooka |
| Singapore | Thu, Jul 27 | 8:30 a.m. SGT | — | meWATCH |
| New Zealand | Thu, Jul 27 | 12:30 p.m. NZST | MUTV | MUTV |
Different countries have seen local broadcasters purchase the rights to show the match in specific territories.
Streaming options are available in selected countries with DAZN covering the match in Canada, Astro GO and sooka on duty in Malaysia, and ESPN+ in the USA.
For the rest of the world, United screening the game on their own in-house channel. MUTV is available as a TV channel and streaming service to fans across the world with a monthly subscription of £7.99 and an annual package costed at £29.99.
