Friendly: Celtic 1 Man. United 3

United kicked off their tour of North America with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Celtic at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Dimitar Berbatov, who impressed throughout, gave the Reds a first half lead with a fine finish, before Bhoys substitute Georgios Samaras fired an equaliser from the spot six minutes after the restart following debutant Chris Smalling's foul in the area. Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley followed suit in coming off the bench to score as they sealed victory for the Reds.

Sir Alex gave a first start to summer signing Chris Smalling, who lined up alongside Jonny Evans at the heart of the defence with the Da Silva twins down both flanks. Captain for the evening Darren Fetcher partnered Paul Scholes in midfield, with Gabriel Obertan and Ryan Giggs, who was the big favourite amongst the Canadian fans, on the right and left wings respectively. Mame Biram Diouf lined up in attack alongside Dimitar Berbatov.

Just under 40,000 watched on from the stands with most of them there to cheer on the Reds who donned their new home kit for the first time. The setting was quite spectacular with Toronto's famous CN Tower stretching high into the blue skies above the pitch which was only laid 24 hours earlier after the Toronto Argonauts opening CFL home game on astroturf.

It didn't seem to have a negative effect on United though who, having seen Marc Antoine Fortune test Edwin van der Sar with a low drive on seven minutes, began to take a foothold in the game. Obertan showed good strength to fend off the attentions of three Celtic defenders before linking up with Giggs on the edge of the box. The United veteran flicked a lovely backheel into the Frenchman’s path but he dragged his shot wide. Diouf then crossed for Berbatov at the back post, but the Bulgarian was unable to keep his header down.

Despite the humid conditions United were looking fresh and lively with Scholes and Fletcher pulling the strings in midfield, the evergreen Giggs playing more like a 26-year-old than a 36-year-old and Berbatov showing some neat touches.Twice in quick succession the Reds almost broke their tour duck, but both Obertan and Berbatov fired wide from good positions. The duo made up for the misses on 34 minutes though as United went ahead. Obertan found Diouf on the left with the striker floating a cross to the back post where Berbatov was waiting. The Bulgarian brought the ball under control which his right foot before lashing a left-foot shot past Zaluska.

Charles Mulgrew gave the Reds a scare on the stroke of half-time when he struck the outside of the goal frame, but Sir Alex’s men were well worth their 1-0 lead at the break.

Wes Brown, John O’Shea, Tom Cleverley and Darron Gibson all entered the fray for the start of the second half and Gibson went close to doubling United’s advantage after being set up by Berbatov on the edge of the area. United’s long-range specialist was unable to keep his shot down on this occasion though.

Celtic made a couple of changes themselves and one of them – Georgios Samaras – had the ball in the net on 49 minutes after stooping to head home Mulgrew’s free-kick. An offside flag ensured the Reds maintained their lead.

Chris Smalling endured a frustrating few minutes either side of the hour-mark – after seeing a close-range effort well saved by Zaluska, he was penalised for a challenge inside the area on Joe Ledley giving Celtic the chance to draw level. Samaras duly converted the opportunity, firing home into the top corner.

Van der Sar saved well from Fortune soon after, before United regained the lead 11 minutes from time. Berbatov picked up possession and drove into the area before laying on a cross for substitute Danny Welbeck to side-foot home.

After Macheda had seen a lovely curling effort saved by Zaluska, Berbatov found Tom Cleverley who sealed the win four minutes from time after claiming United’s third via a large deflection off the (aptly named) Darren Odea.

United: Van der Sar; Rafael (De Laet 63), Smalling, J.Evans (Brown 45), Fabio (O'Shea 45; Obertan (Macheda 63), Fletcher, Scholes (Gibson 45), Giggs (Cleverley 45); Berbatov, Diouf (Welbeck 63).

Booked: Brown, Smalling.

Gabriel Obertan battles for the ball against Celtic in Toronto