JAVIER HERNANDEZ enjoyed a dream debut for Manchester United with a goal to cap victory against the MLS All Stars.
Hernandez was introduced in the second half to the biggest cheer of the night from a crowd of 70,728.
There are 950,000 people of Mexican descent in Houston and there were plenty here to welcome Chicharito — known as the Little Pea.
And what a moment it was for him the 84th minute when he latched onto a through ball from Paul Scholes.
The ball bounced once and as keeper Donovan Ricketts rushed out, the former Chivas striker coolly lifted the ball over him.
The whole United team ran towards him in celebration as boss Alex Ferguson rose from the bench to applaud.
It was United's final goal of the match as a forgotten young striker had given them the perfect start to the night.
Federico Macheda hit the headlines 15 months ago with a dramatic injury time winner at home to Aston Villa.
It proved pivotal in Manchester United claiming a hat-trick of Premier League titles.
Little has been heard of him since with injury wrecking last season but the 18-year-old showed United fans his potential once more.
His first goal was one of the quickest in United's history scoring after only 22 seconds.
Right-back Kevin Alston made the mistake to lose possession straight from kick-off and Macheda was alert to the opportunity, winning the ball and sliding it into the bottom corner.
He doubled the lead on 12 minutes when Nani provided an inswinging corner which Macheda leapt to meet and head past a stranded Ricketts.
He could — and probably should — have had a hat-trick on 37 minutes when put through by Ryan Giggs.
But the expert finishing that brought him the first two goals failed him when he chipped the ball wide of the far post.
There is big competition at United this season to provide the support for Wayne Rooney in the goalscoring department.
While Rooney hit 34 last season, the next best was Dimitar Berbatov with 12. That simply was not enough as United surrendered their title to Chelsea.
When Rooney did not play goals were hard to come by. Michael Owen's constant fitness problems ruled him out.
And when Berbatov was called on to step up to the plate in his absence he struggled.
But Hernandez's impact here will have lifted many United fans spirits.
His entrance delayed a free-kick being taken but as soon as David Ferriera whipped it in Brian Ching rose to send a close-range header home to get the All Stars a goal back in the 63rd minute .
Hernandez nearly got one straight back when he met a cross at the far post with a first time volley which was just the wrong side of the post.
His quick turn of speed would then win the free-kick that secured victory for United.
Darron Gibson , who has earned a reputation for long range goals, struck a superb right-footed 30-yard curler into the top left-hand corner.
The best goal of the night would be scored by one of United's up-and-coming stars Tom Cleverley.
Fletcher played the ball in but the winger still had plenty to do, muscling between two defenders and flicking the ball over one to finish with a side-foot volley.
Think Gazza against Scotland and you can understand why the goal brought Fergie off the bench.
Hernandez then grabbed his goal before Dwayne De Rosario grabbed a late consolation.
Read more: The Sun
Hernandez was introduced in the second half to the biggest cheer of the night from a crowd of 70,728.
There are 950,000 people of Mexican descent in Houston and there were plenty here to welcome Chicharito — known as the Little Pea.
And what a moment it was for him the 84th minute when he latched onto a through ball from Paul Scholes.
The ball bounced once and as keeper Donovan Ricketts rushed out, the former Chivas striker coolly lifted the ball over him.
The whole United team ran towards him in celebration as boss Alex Ferguson rose from the bench to applaud.
It was United's final goal of the match as a forgotten young striker had given them the perfect start to the night.
Federico Macheda hit the headlines 15 months ago with a dramatic injury time winner at home to Aston Villa.
It proved pivotal in Manchester United claiming a hat-trick of Premier League titles.
Little has been heard of him since with injury wrecking last season but the 18-year-old showed United fans his potential once more.
His first goal was one of the quickest in United's history scoring after only 22 seconds.
Right-back Kevin Alston made the mistake to lose possession straight from kick-off and Macheda was alert to the opportunity, winning the ball and sliding it into the bottom corner.
He doubled the lead on 12 minutes when Nani provided an inswinging corner which Macheda leapt to meet and head past a stranded Ricketts.
He could — and probably should — have had a hat-trick on 37 minutes when put through by Ryan Giggs.
But the expert finishing that brought him the first two goals failed him when he chipped the ball wide of the far post.
There is big competition at United this season to provide the support for Wayne Rooney in the goalscoring department.
While Rooney hit 34 last season, the next best was Dimitar Berbatov with 12. That simply was not enough as United surrendered their title to Chelsea.
When Rooney did not play goals were hard to come by. Michael Owen's constant fitness problems ruled him out.
And when Berbatov was called on to step up to the plate in his absence he struggled.
But Hernandez's impact here will have lifted many United fans spirits.
His entrance delayed a free-kick being taken but as soon as David Ferriera whipped it in Brian Ching rose to send a close-range header home to get the All Stars a goal back in the 63rd minute .
Hernandez nearly got one straight back when he met a cross at the far post with a first time volley which was just the wrong side of the post.
His quick turn of speed would then win the free-kick that secured victory for United.
Darron Gibson , who has earned a reputation for long range goals, struck a superb right-footed 30-yard curler into the top left-hand corner.
The best goal of the night would be scored by one of United's up-and-coming stars Tom Cleverley.
Fletcher played the ball in but the winger still had plenty to do, muscling between two defenders and flicking the ball over one to finish with a side-foot volley.
Think Gazza against Scotland and you can understand why the goal brought Fergie off the bench.
Hernandez then grabbed his goal before Dwayne De Rosario grabbed a late consolation.
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Highlight Man Utd vs MLS All Star
Read more: The Sun
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