Manchester United Scores 3-1 Victory Over Liverpool to Win 2014 Guinness International Champions Cup [Video Highlights]
Manchester United won its first title under new coach Louis van Gaal as the Red Devils cruised to a 3-1 win against Liverpool in the 2014 Guinness International Champions Cup final on Monday night at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
Liverpool looked poise to win the title after team captain Steven Gerrard scored on a penalty kick in the 14th minute of the match after Manchester United defender Phil Jones fouled Raheem Sterling inside the box.
However, Manchester United turned the tables around in the second half as Wayne Rooney scored an equalizer with a beautiful volley off an excellent feed from Javier Hernandez in the 55th minute. Rooney, who scored five goals in four matches, was named as the player of the tournament.
Two minutes later, Juan Mata scored another goal for Manchester United before second-half substitute Jesse Lingard iced the match in the 88th minute, giving Van Gaal his fourth win as Red Devils coach in as many games.
Van Gaal, who took over after David Moyes parted ways with the club following one of their worst seasons in history, knows that it is just a preseason title, but he pointed out that it means a lot for fans back home as they prepare for their English Premier League opener against Swansea City on Aug. 16 at the Old Trafford.
"I think we gave a lot of pleasure to the fans and that's very important," van Gaal said via ESPN FC. "Of course, it's better to win than to lose in preseason but the most important game is against Swansea City. That's the one we have to win."
Mata also added that the tournament gave the team the perfect opportunity to buy into van Gaal's system, particularly the 3-5-2 formation that the Dutch coach is planning to implement in the upcoming season.
"It's been a great tour and I think we've played very well," Mata said via The Miami Herald. "We're still trying to adapt to the new system, the new way of playing that the manager has brought with him. I know it's a friendly, but it's important to get off to a good start before the season."
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