Manchester United 3-0 Kitchee, Half-time report: Zaha unplayable as Red Devils improve

United started with a vigour and zip that had been missing from their previous pre-season games, perhaps facilitated by the later kick-off time and less punishing conditions. Despite concerns over the pitch, while it looked terrible, it didn't appear to be causing anyone any difficulty.

Wilfried Zaha caught the eye early, not sticking to the wing but instead drifting around the right channel, and showed an ability we hadn't seen much of, attempting some through-balls and looking very dangerous. His first was a quick pass to Fabio, who cut inside and saw his shot blocked. Shortly afterwards, the two linked up again, a tremendous burst of speed from Zaha and yet again a quick, well-timed ball to find the Brazilian, whose cross was cleared.

Anderson almost put United ahead shortly afterwards, but his shot was wide when he perhaps should have played in Zaha, but it wasn't long before a dominant United took the lead. Michael Carrick sent in a ball over the top for Ashley Young, who met it from a tight angle with a superbly-struck volley which crashed off the post into Danny Welbeck's path, and the youngster swept home the rebound first time.

Wilfried Zaha ought to have scored shortly afterwards after a fantastic cross from Welbeck found him at the far post, and he got past the defender with ease but struck his shot too fiercely, sending it just over the bar. Another great cross was soon to follow however, Tom Cleverley drifting out to the right to send in a sublime ball which Chris Smalling met with a mighty header to put United 2-0 ahead.

United saved their best goal of the half til last, however, and it came yet again through a wonderful link-up from Zaha and Fabio. The former showed a ludicrous burst of speed to get onto a through ball and played an ingenious no-look pass, nutmegging a defender to put the ball into an area for Fabio to run onto. The Brazilian gave it the finish it deserved, elegantly curling it into the bottom corner in his stride.

So far, it's been United's best game of the tour by a long way, and Zaha's freer role looks to be a very good decision - he has been utterly unplayable in the first half.

Absolutely beautiful goal, Zaha puts on the turbo-boosters to get on the end of the ball, cute little pass to fabio who calmly curls a lovely finish in his stride into the bottom corner