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Cerezo Osaka vs. Manchester United: Half-time score 1-0, Poor defending means United trail

Manchester United are 1-0 down at half-time against Cerezo Osaka after a terrible defensive blunder.

Atsushi Tomura

Manchester United appeared to struggle in the humid conditions against their fitter opponents - something of a recurring theme on this tour, and save for a Robin van Persie chance in the first minute, there was little quality on show from either side. The Dutch striker was suddenly released by Shinji Kagawa one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but had to take his shot quickly and could only find the goalkeeper.

Osaka soon started to threaten, Anders Lindegaard saving well from a header from a corner before Cerezo's forwards took advantage of some slack defending, but blazed a loose ball well over the bar with the goal gaping.

Cerezo Osaka took the lead towards the end of the second half with some woeful defending from United,; Rio Ferdinand tamely giving the ball away before the Osaka forward was able to slot the ball between Chris Smalling's legs and into the corner of the net past the unsighted Lindegaard.

Danny Welbeck took the most of a fortunate bounce as United looked to equalise before half-time, escaping down the left channel and smashing the ball against the inside of the post from a difficult angle. The ball fell kindly for Robin van Persie, but his unselfishness cost United the goal as he instead bizarrely chose to see up the central Kagawa, who skied it embarrassingly.

Ryan Giggs had an opportunity to level the scores too as the half drew to a close, picking up a delightful flick from Kagawa, but the Osaka keeper once again kept his side intact.

It's a sadly familiar tale on this tour, with United looking exhausted, but some nice link)ups from Kagawa, Van Persie and Welbeck have been promising.