Lucas scores again but United edge it in Shanghai

Lucas Moura was on target again as Manchester United edged our latest International Champions Cup (ICC) fixture in Shanghai on Thursday.

The Brazilian gave us a hint of what was to come last season with summer strikes against AS Roma and Girona and he went on to score 15 in all competitions, including that memorable hat-trick in the Champions League semi-final against Ajax. This time around, he fired home in our 3-2 win against Juventus in Singapore on Sunday and was there again in China, finding the target on 65 minutes with a low shot that took a deflection and left Sergio Romero stranded.

That made it 1-1 after Anthony Martial had beaten Paulo Gazzaniga at his near post in the first half and we looked the more likely to win it at that point, but United did just that when Angel Gomes got in down the left and slid into the far corner to make it 2-1.

In the heat of Shanghai, the match lacked the sparkle of Sunday's thriller against Juve, but there were plenty of positives to take again, not least the performances of youngsters Japhet Tanganga, seemingly unflappable at the back, Anthony Georgiou at left-back and Troy Parrott up front. Oliver Skipp, Harvey White, Jack Roles and George Marsh also shone in a positive second-half display.

Martial hit the post early but we settled and looked on top for a spell where Dele was denied one-on-one by David de Gea. United came back into it though, Ashley Young angled a free-kick at Gazzaniga and then took the lead when Daniel James rolled in Martial and he squeezed the ball home at the near post with 21 minutes played.

It got a bit fiery at times but chances were at a premium - Young, Harry Kane and Paul Pogba all tried their luck, Pogba's effort closest just before the break.

We looked the more lively in the second half with Heung-Min Son, Lucas and Erik Lamela darting around. Son's lob from Toby Alderweireld's raking pass landed on the roof of the net, Dele's shot was deflected over and both Lamela and Christian Eriksen almost sent Lucas clear.

Fred produced the save of the match from Gazzaniga from 25 yards on 61 minutes but we were level four minutes later as White's brilliant cross from the byline on the left was pulled down by Lucas and his low shot from the edge of the box crept home via a deflection.

We looked on course for two out of two in Asia but then United struck as Gomes broke into the box from the left and finished across Gazzaniga from a tight angle 10 minutes from time. Eriksen worked himself into some dangerous areas, Roles' shot was charged down and Lucas steered a header inches wide in the closing stages, but it was United who escaped with the win.

Mauricio's reaction

At the conclusion of our Asian tour, manager Mauricio Pochettino said: "The performances in the two games were fantastic, I'm so happy. I think it was very good. It was a little bit unlucky because I think we deserved at least a draw today but the behaviour of the players on and off the pitch was fantastic. We are building our fitness and the way that we want to play for next season - it's a lot of positive things. I want to say 'thank you' to our fans here in Shanghai too because their warm welcome was fantastic and all the people, the club staff, all the peoeple who were working here at the tournament and all the hotel staff that helped us to make our lives easier, a big, big thank you."

Forward Son was disappointed to come out on the wrong end of the scoreline against United: "Losing is always painful. I don’t like to be losing any games but I think in this weather the players did well, gave everything and it’s pre-season... Look, I don’t want to lose in pre-season, but we can practice even more now. We have a few weeks until we start the games and I think we can prepare well."

Reaction on Spurs TV

Match data

Goals: Spurs - Lucas 65; United - Martial 21, Gomes 80.

Yellow cards: Spurs - Dele 12, Tanganga 42; United - A Pereira 40.

Referee: Ai Kun (CHN).

Venue: Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai.

Weather: Humid, 30 degrees at kick-off.

Attendance: TBC.