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Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney. AP/Press Association Images

United make winning start under Van Gaal against Robbie Keane's Galaxy

Wayne Rooney was on form while new signing Ander Herrera impressed on his debut as the Premier League side got the LVG era going.

THE LOUIS VAN Gaal era at Manchester United opened with a 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl Stadium last night.

In a sign of things to come at Old Trafford, United flexed their muscles as they dismantled the MLS club courtesy of braces from Wayne Rooney, debutant Reece James and substitute Ashley Young in Van Gaal’s first match in charge.

Danny Welbeck was also on the scoresheet in United’s opening pre-season fixture at the International Champions Cup.

United have at least three games remaining in their tour of the United States, with matches against Roma, Inter and Real Madrid set to follow before opening the 2014-15 Premier League season against Swansea City on August 16.

New recruits Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw were handed starts, while Van Gaal – David Moyes’ replacement - opted for a 3-4-1-2 formation that was similar to that used by the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The change in system proved effective during the early exchanges and Welbeck got the ball rolling in the 13th minute, benefiting from an advantage following a foul on Juan Mata before striking the ball off the post and into the net from outside the penalty area.

Manchester United Galaxy Soccer Ander Herrera practising before his debut. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

United gained a stranglehold of proceedings in the 42nd minute, when Rooney converted a spot-kick after the referee awarded a penalty for handball against the Galaxy, who are fourth in the Western Conference standings in MLS.

Rooney put the result beyond doubt on the stroke of half-time, pouncing on some awful defending to bundle the ball over the line for his second of the match.

Van Gaal made wholesale changes at the break, with Darren Fletcher and Herrera the only two players to keep their places in the XI, and it ultimately disrupted the flow of the game.

BigheartedHopefulKookaburra

However, Young cut the ball back in the box and it found its way to James, who scored a similar goal to Welbeck just past the hour-mark, before the 20-year-old struck again with five minutes remaining.

But United were not done there with Young getting in on the action with two goals in as many minutes during the closing stages as Bruce Arena’s men were swept aside.

Watch all the goals:

World Cup 2014 Brazil / YouTube

And individual highlights of Ander Herrera’s performance:

720PHDSPORT EXTRA / YouTube

Van Gaal tells Rooney and Valencia how to improve during shooting practice

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12 Comments
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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Jul 24th 2014, 9:32 AM

    All about LVG assessing what he has in training etc, he said he has been impressed with their attitude and work ethic in training, as someone said on a previous thread that some of the players look frightened of LVG, well GOOD, they need that kinda manager in place who demands respect and that will get that extra 15-20% more out of them. Good start and long way to go but LVG will take Utd in the right direction.

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    Mute P O Leary
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    Jul 24th 2014, 9:10 AM

    I wouldn’t get to excited about a pre season friendly but I suppose its a good start. Looking forward to the start of the season.

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    Mute willie
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    Jul 24th 2014, 9:45 AM

    Shows the standard of MLS, they are mid season and fit too. I think it gets over hyped at times

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    Mute Twenty
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    Jul 24th 2014, 9:51 AM

    Willie although I do agree some what with you , the World Cup showed that their nobody’s fool anymore at international level , so considering it’s mid season there aswell I think it’s still an impressive start to pre season.

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    Mute Paul Reid
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    Jul 24th 2014, 10:32 AM

    Herrera was everywhere. Rob or leant tried to cream him and came of second best with a yellow to boot. Exited to see how they start the BPL. GGMU

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    Mute Paul Reid
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    Jul 24th 2014, 10:33 AM

    Sorry Robbie Keane

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    Mute ronan murray
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    Jul 24th 2014, 10:50 AM

    I didn’t know what to make of Herrera when he signed. Looking at that performance although only a friendly he looked like a good player. Lota of neat and clinical passes during. Onwards and upwards for the Red Devils now!

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    Mute Matthew Ryan
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    Jul 24th 2014, 2:10 PM

    It was always a dream of Robbie’s to play United in a pre season friendly.

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    Mute Darren Varley
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    Jul 24th 2014, 11:41 AM

    Steve Staunton won his first Ireland game as manager 4 nil against Sweden ..

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    Mute dylan
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    Jul 24th 2014, 3:31 PM

    3-0 mate

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    Mute Luke
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    Jul 24th 2014, 1:42 PM

    When Louis Van Gall speaks. I listen

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    Mute Luke
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    Jul 24th 2014, 1:41 PM

    good start. it’ll be a long,tough season though. I think United will finish 3ed in the league and get to the champions league quarter finals. fascinating season that lies ahead

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