Friendly: Man. United 2 Valencia 0

Second half goals from Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley gave United victory in an entertaining friendly against Valencia.

Debutant Antonio Valencia played a major role in both goals as United's wingplay overpowered the visitors, who enjoyed their own opportunities in an open game littered with chances.

Michael Owen, also making his Old Trafford bow as a United player, was desperately unfortunate not to find himself on the scoresheet, as he passed up a pair of chances in each half.

While the finishing was off-key, there was much to admire in Owen's movement and, crucially, his link-up with England team-mate Rooney.

Fielded together for the first time at club level, it took under 20 minutes for the duo to click in devastating fashion. Rooney's superb slide-rule pass released Owen, who stabbed his effort neatly over Cesar Sanchez, but also just past the upright.

Rooney dragged perhaps an easier chance wide when he reached a cross from Ritchie De Laet, before Michel thundered a shot against Ben Foster's crossbar for the visitors.

Valencia used the interval to make 10 substitutions, and were quickly cursing that decision as Thiago Carleto limped off within minutes of his introduction. Substitute goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya eventually replaced him, but by that point United had moved ahead.

Valencia, who had caught the eye more for his ceaseless hassling down the right flank before the break, sped past two defenders and curled in a superb cross which Rooney powered past Sanchez.

Two minutes later, the Ecuadorian seized on a woeful backpass but was challenged by Carlos Marchena. As the ball ran loose, Owen latched onto it and hammered a left-footed shot goalwards, but watched it sped past the upright. Following on from another spurned opportunity, which he curled wide moments before Rooney's opener, it made for a frustrating evening for the former Newcastle striker.

Owen was among a glut of substiutions midway through the second half, making way for Kiko Macheda. The Italian was involved from the off, and almost poked in another cross from the impressive Valencia on 72 minutes. The ball ran free, however, and it was another substitute - Cleverley - who shifted it away from the crowd and tucked home a neat finish.

Game over, but United continued to forge openings. Darron Gibson came closest with a pair of stunning efforts. Firstly, his 20-yard effort from Macheda's pull-back cracked against the angle of post and crossbar, then Sanchez was forced into an excellent one-handed save from the Irishman's fizzing 25-yarder.

All in all, a highly satisfying night's work for Sir Alex's squad. A sterner test of their progress will be provided by Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea in Sunday's Community Shield, but the pre-season signs augur well so far.

Tom Cleverley and Michael Owen celebrates Rooney's opener

Cleverley calmly slots home his clincher at the Stretford End