Five Talking Points: Manchester United v A-League All Stars

Robin van Persie was rapturously applauded by the crowd when he finally came on in the second half

3) Second half performance

United started the second half with Michael Keane coming on for Rio Ferdinand, and the youngster won’t be too pleased with his defending in the 52nd minute when he let the All Star striker too much space just outside the United penalty area, and allowing him to slot one home to halve the United lead.

The goal, however, spurred United on as they almost immediately restored their two goal cushion with a wonderful strike, again by Jesse Lingard, that went into the top right corner.

Robin Van Persie substituted Ryan Giggs amidst rousing reception, and produced an immediate impact with a delighful delivery from a corner, that was expertly headed home by Danny Welbeck for his second, and United’s fourth on the night.

The icing on the cake came in the 87th minute, when Robin Van Persie, the crowd favorite, scored the fifth for United with a low drive off his right foot that went into the bottom left corner

United made further substitutions to allow everyone get some minutes on the pitch, and thereby, a huge boost in their fitness ahead of a long season ahead.