In entertaining fashion, Manchester United strolled to a 7-1 win over the Airtricity League XI at the new Aviva Stadium.
Ji-Sung Park scored two goals, Micheal Owen, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia and Nani found the back of the net in the romp for United.
United only led 2-0 at the break, but ran wild in the second-half, which will give them loads of confidence heading into the FA Community Shield against Chelsea on Sunday.
Impressive
Park scored perhaps the easiest goal of his career when Gavin Peers attempted clearance struck the South Korean's foot and into the back of the net.
Park then turned provider midway through the first-half when his square pass found the feet of Owen and the former Liverpool man's first touch lifted the ball up against the defender, and without hesitation, his second touch lofted the ball up and over the goalkeeper into the net.
Despite being up and controlling the possession, the United attackers should be disappointed with the numerous chances that Park, Owen, Darron Gibson and Wayne Rooney were all guilty of missing in the first 20 minutes from very good positions.
The point of pre-season friendlies is for the players to work out all of their kinks, but on the flip side, they can also pick up needless injuries as well, which happened to one of the United midfielders.
Michael Carrick, who struggled to get in the first-team at the end of last season, was forced off after just a half an hour of play with an apparent ankle injury.
With his first touch of the ball and in [Ole Gunnar] Solksjaer-style, Chicharito smashed home a well-placed near post cross from Antonio Valencia for his third overall goal in the pre-season - second for United (He also scored against United during Club Deportivo Guadalajara's 3-2 win).
Valencia latched on the end of a great through ball from Gibson, and showed that he can use his left foot when he beat the League of Ireland's goalkeeper at his near post with a calm finish at the near post.
Following a very precise passing movement, Park curled the ball into the top corner of the net for his second goal of the match.
Evans, who assisted moments earlier on Park's second goal, rose highest to head home United's sixth goal following yet another fine Valencia cross.
With their first clear cut chance, Dave Mulcahy scored as he knifed through the United back-four to neatly chip the ball over Ben Amos.
Despite giving up a goal, United were not done scoring adding to the final score as Chicharito, following a nice lead-pass by Dimitar Berbatov, was cynically brought down in the box when he cut inside the defender.
Nani, a second-half substitute, stepped up to take the penalty and he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 7-1.
Strange
Sir Alex Ferguson opted to start with four first-choice center-backs against the Airtricity League XI with John O'Shea, Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Evans all lining up in the back-four.
This strange back-four selection by Ferguson proved to be a very formidable option as they were virtually untested and limited the Airtricity League XI once chance, which they neatly converted.
Even in more surprising fashion, Evans patrolled the left-back position confidence and was able to get forward with ease, and the 22-year old even scored his first-ever goal for United.
Matchball
Antonio Valencia showed no ill effects of the ankle injury that kept him out of the Tour 2010 as he turned in a goal and two assist performance.
His performance was very impressive and will surely give Sir Alex a selection headache ahead of the 2010/11 season between playing him or Nani on the right-hand side of the midfield.
Manchester United cruised to the victory over the Airtricity League XI, but they will face a stiffer test in four-days time against Chelsea in the FA Community Shield.
Ratings
T. Kuszczak - 6 (B. Amos); J. O'Shea - 6, C. Smalling - 7, N. Vidic - 7, J. Evans - 8; M. Carrick - 6 (D. Fletcher - 6), D. Gibson - 6, J. S. Park - 7 (Nani - 6), A. Valencia - 9; M. Owen - 7 (D. Berbatov - 6), W. Rooney - 6 (J. Hernandez - 8)
Goals
J. S. Park (2), M. Owen, J. Hernandez, A. Valencia, J. Evans, Nani
Bookings
None
Contributed by David Hammons / United View From Abroad
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