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ISCO HAVING A DISCO

Uefa Super Cup Real Madrid 2 Manchester United 1: Romelu Lukaku scores first competitive goal for United but Jose Mourinho’s men undone by Isco masterclass

United struggled to stop Madrid attacking at will, but were left bemoaning a number of glorious chances missed themselves.

JOSE MOURINHO'S hopes of adding a Super Cup to his glittering CV were dashed by his old club Real Madrid.

The Champions League winners struck through Casemiro and Isco and threatened to embarrass Manchester United.

 There was joy for Real Madrid as they won the Super Cup by defeating Manchester United
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There was joy for Real Madrid as they won the Super Cup by defeating Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
 The Spanish team then show off the fruits of their labour on a hot night in Macedonia
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The Spanish team then show off the fruits of their labour on a hot night in MacedoniaCredit: AFP or licensors
 Real Madrid superstar and former Man United man Cristiano Ronaldo shows off the silverware
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Real Madrid superstar and former Man United man Cristiano Ronaldo shows off the silverwareCredit: Reuters
 Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane will be hoping the Super Cup is the first of many trophies won this season
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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane will be hoping the Super Cup is the first of many trophies won this seasonCredit: Reuters

But David de Gea and the woodwork kept the Red Devils in the game and summer signing Romelu Lukaku set up an excting finish.

Mourinho had talked up his chances of signing Gareth Bale in the build up to the game - and the Welsh ace must have caught his eye.

The £86 million man prodded a decent opening high and wide early on after good work by Marcelo.

Madrid came close to taking the lead soon afterwards when Casemiro stooped low to head a corner against the bar.

But the Brazilian had more luck midway through the first half as he was played in on the left hand side of the box by a lovely pass from Dani Carvajal.

Replays showed he was a step offside but he didn't stop to look as he fired a low shot past David de Gea.

 Casemiro was offside, but kept his cool to fire Real Madrid into the lead against Manchester United
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Casemiro was offside, but kept his cool to fire Real Madrid into the lead against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Casemiro wheels away after giving his side the lead in the 24th minute in Skopje, Macedonia
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Casemiro wheels away after giving his side the lead in the 24th minute in Skopje, MacedoniaCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 It was a lovely ball through from Dani Carvajal that sent Casemiro away
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It was a lovely ball through from Dani Carvajal that sent Casemiro awayCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Isco, who had run the midfield in the first half, kept his cool to slot home the second
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Isco, who had run the midfield in the first half, kept his cool to slot home the secondCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Isco wheels away after capping a fine show in central midfield with a goal against Manchester United
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Isco wheels away after capping a fine show in central midfield with a goal against Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
 Manchester United's players look dejected after conceding a second to Real Madrid
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Manchester United's players look dejected after conceding a second to Real MadridCredit: Reuters

If United were looking for a flag on that occasion they had a let off on the half hour when Bale went through and scored.

This was he was adjudged to be off but the Welshman could count himself unfortunate.

With temperatures well into the 30s, the game was stopped for a drinks break and for the players to cool off.

United really needed it to waken them up but the chances kept coming at the other end with de Gea producing a fine save to keep out Karim Benzema's low shot.

 Romelu Lukaku netted his first competitive goal for Manchester United in their defeat
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Romelu Lukaku netted his first competitive goal for Manchester United in their defeatCredit: Reuters
 The Belgian forward then turns to celebrate his goal, after he had missed a couple of earlier opportunities
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The Belgian forward then turns to celebrate his goal, after he had missed a couple of earlier opportunitiesCredit: Reuters
 Manchester United fans will be hoping Romelu Lukaku doesn't spurn as many chances as he did tonight
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Manchester United fans will be hoping Romelu Lukaku doesn't spurn as many chances as he did tonightCredit: AFP or licensors

The Spanish keeper - a long-term target of Real Madrid - had to be at his best again after the re-start to keep out Toni Kroos' long range effort.

Not even de Gea could stem the tide though and a delicious one two between Bale and Isco allowed the Spaniard time and space to calmly slot in the second.

United could have hit straight back but Paul Pogba saw his header saved and then Lukaku blazed the rebound high over the bar.

 Cristiano Ronaldo, like he has done for Portugal before, decided to pass on some tactical advice from the bench
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Cristiano Ronaldo, like he has done for Portugal before, decided to pass on some tactical advice from the benchCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Cristiano Ronaldo then came off the bench to face his former club - but couldn't find the back of the net
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Cristiano Ronaldo then came off the bench to face his former club - but couldn't find the back of the netCredit: Reuters

Another delightful move from Madrid ended with Modric setting Bale free and he smashed a shot against the bar with de Gea well beaten.

And within minutes United were back in with a shout as new boy Nemaja Matic saw his low shot saved and this time Lukaku made no mistake.

INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared

Match Stats

INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS– How the game went for the players on the pitch

Match Stats

FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS

  • Despite dominating possession and spurning several good chances, Real Madrid's opener shouldn't have stood. Casemiro was clearly offside, and despite his gorgeous finish, it shouldn't have stood.
  • After scoring in the Champions League final, the game that got them into this 'Cup' Casemiro had netted again. Not Madrid's usual go-to man for netbusters, but hits it when it counts.
  • On 30 minutes, there was a cooling break. But Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho barely let his players have time to drink water as he delivered a volley of criticism and tactical improvements.
  • Manchester United fans must have been left wondering if they had been duped into signing an imposter. Their £40m man Nemanja Matic looked lost at times in the middle of the park, with Isco giving him, and the rest, the runaround.
  • Despite the fact that it was reported Cristiano Ronaldo fell out with Jose Mourinho, but at half-time the two embraced with a hug. Sweet.
  • The Premier League will be expecting a big season from Paul Pogba and the rest of the United midfield. But in the first 45 minutes they couldn't get anywhere close to dominating the middle of the park, completing just 161 passes to Madrid's 309.
  • Romelu Lukaku had the fewest touches of any outfield player in the first half of the Super Cup. Ploughing a lone furrow. He then blazed an effort over the bar in the 52nd minute from six yards.
 Marouane Fellaini jumped for the ball against Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos
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Marouane Fellaini jumped for the ball against Real Madrid's Sergio RamosCredit: AFP or licensors
 The Belgian midfielder was allowed back on the pitch sporting a rather fashionable headband bandage after suffering a cut to the head
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The Belgian midfielder was allowed back on the pitch sporting a rather fashionable headband bandage after suffering a cut to the headCredit: Reuters

WHAT THEY SAID

Gareth Bale: "I think we controlled the game very well and deserved to win.

"We want to keep winning as much as we can, every game we have the hunger and desire.

On any prospective transfer: "I am just concentrating on my football, I'm not listening to anything, I don't read anything, I am just concentrating on winning trophies.

"I'm trying to get my fitness up fully after not playing for nine months."

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