Ederson error had shades of Claudio Bravo but Henrikh Mkhitaryan looked sharp in Houston: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED as United beat City in Stateside Manchester derby

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Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford helped Manchester United see off local rivals City in Texas.

United struck twice in two minutes in the first half of the International Champions Cup meeting in Houston.

Sportsmail's JACK GAUGHAN reflects on the game with suggestions for five lessons we might learn from proceedings. 

Manchester United secured a 2-0 pre-season friendly victory over Manchester City

Romelu Lukaku was on the scoresheet for the Red Devils at the NRG Stadium in Houston

Calling Claudio!

New £34.7m signing Ederson had a moment to forget as Romelu Lukaku gave United the lead, racing out to intercept a long ball he was never going to meet.

The goalkeeper was so late to the ball three yards outside his box that he didn't even make an attempt to stop Lukaku, whose finish was very smart indeed from a tight angle.

Pep Guardiola will hope that Ederson has got his one galling mistake out the way in pre-season, but hardly the perfect start for someone who will see the spotlight shone on him given Claudio Bravo's difficult first season in England.

To his credit, Ederson did read one similar situation well in the second half so the blunder clearly wasn't preying on his mind. And a triple save from Phil Jones at close range after that wasn't bad either.

Ederson rushed off his line and failed to get to the ball in the lead-up to Lukaku's goal

Sharp Mkhi

United were forced to delete a social media picture of Henrikh Mkhitaryan as fans accused him of looking portly earlier this month, but the Armenian looks ready to hit the ground running this year.

He seems in terrific shape, gliding through the game and with a precision to his passing. Perhaps the American heat has been good to him. Or perhaps the picture was taken at an unflattering angle, which is far more likely.

Jose Mourinho challenged Mkhitaryan to become more consistent in the Premier League and this is a big year for him with a greater sense of responsibility.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan looked smart and sharp in midfield for United during the game

Fab Foden

Only 17, but Phil Foden has a real chance of becoming the academy product to properly break into City's first team.

He seized his chance in Houston, demanding the ball from the off and it was telling that Guardiola kept the Stockport teenager on after half-time while Patrick Roberts was hooked.

There is an elegance to Foden and his low centre of gravity is such an asset when operating in central midfield.

He's not even had a run for City's EDS side before, only the Under 18s, so this was a very encouraging first outing.

Manchester City's 17-year-old forward Phil Foden had an impressive evening

A head start

This was United's third US friendly already and it showed, and that Mourinho only made four changes at the break - rather than a completely fresh team as in the previous two games - indicated he's looking at giving certain players more minutes.

The front six - Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Mkhitaryan, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera - remained the same until the hour mark, although there are a dearth of options in the more attacking positions given Juan Mata's niggle.

Mourinho did not experiment with a back three either as United look to mean business during these final few friendlies.

United looked like they had a head start over City after their extra time on tour

City need Mendy

Fernandinho and Eliaquim Mangala were the two who operated at left back. Neither are suited to that position and it just shows what an important bit of business Benjamin Mendy is.

There has been hope of sealing that deal with Monaco for a number of weeks and the feeling is that it remains close, although City will need to pay around £50m. But Guardiola's lack of alternatives is striking and Mendy is proving to be their most essential move of the entire summer.

That is particularly pertinent as Guardiola reintroduced the idea of inverted full backs against United, new signing Kyle Walker often seen drifting into the middle of midfield to join in. That was an idea largely shelved after a few months last year but looks like it could be making another appearance.