Rashford outshines Lukaku as Manchester United hammer Galaxy

The young striker finished twice in the first half before making way for the less clinical £75m man

Debut man Romelu Lukaku was upstaged by two-goal team-mate Marcus Rashford on Saturday as Manchester United began their pre-season preparations with a 5-2 win over Los Angeles Galaxy.

The £75 million front man came on at the break for his first appearance as a United player with Jose Mourinho deciding to play with two separate XIs in the two halves. By the time the former Chelsea and Everton star stepped foot on the pitch, Rashford’s finishing had already put them out of reach.

Playing alongside Anthony Martial as part of a genuine two-man strike force, Lukaku wasn’t short of opportunities to register a debut goal. He could have netted within four minutes of his introduction but fired too close to Galaxy keeper Brian Rowe, who had initially teed up Paul Pogba to supply the pass with a poor clearance. Moments later he dragged a right-foot short wide of the far post as he appeared almost too keen to make a speedy impression.

There was another snatched shot from range too as the 24-year-old tried with all his might to grab a debut goal, but a wonderful piece of running did help to create vital space for Martial to tuck home United’s fifth goal of the night. His movement and build-up play was a real positive even if his finishing was rusty.

In fact, Martial had far more welcoming opportunities fall his way as the second half progressed thanks in large part to the running game of Lukaku in the final third. On another night, the front pair might have netted a few each.