Friendly: MLS All-Stars 2 Man. United 5

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez got his United career off to a dream start as he helped the Reds claim the MLS All-Star trophy following a 5-2 victory in Houston.

Below the closed roof of the hugely impressive Reliant Stadium – home of the Houston Texans’ American football team – the Reds bounced back from a shock defeat in Kansas City to hammer the MLS All-Stars thanks to goals from Federico Macheda (2) – the first of his brace coming after just 24 seconds – Darron Gibson, Tom Cleverley and new boy Chicharito.

The Mexican striker came on for the final half an hour and looked lively throughout. His looping finish from the edge of the box over goalkeeper Nick Rimando was a goal of top quality and certainly bodes well for the future.

After a two-game break, Edwin van der Sar returned between the sticks, while Rafael and Fabio flanked Wes Brown and Jonny Evans across the back four. Despite doubts before the game over Darren Fletcher and John O’Shea, both were deemed fit to start, interestingly, alongside each other in the centre of midfield. Gabriel Obertan and Nani provided the supply from the wings to Ryan Giggs and Federico Macheda in attack.

The All-Stars were led by former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel, while star man Landon Donovan started on the bench following his CONCACAF Champions League exertions on Tuesday night for LA Galaxy.

Following Sunday’s disappointing display and result against the Kansas City Wizards, the Reds were determined to make amends and it took just 24 seconds for Sir Alex’s men to bring the sell-out crowd to their feet.

Kevin Alstone tried to find Jamison Olave with a simple pass across the backline, but it was horribly underhit allowing Kiko Macheda to nip in and finish with aplomb. It was the perfect start for the Reds whose passing and movement was slick from the off. And it didn’t take long for the visitors to double their advantage.

After Wes Brown had seen his header from a Giggs corner deflected wide, Macheda rose to head home Nani’s follow-up set-piece on 12 minutes.

The All-Stars were more than a little shell-shocked after a scintillating opening from United, but Bruce Arena’s side weren’t about to be totally rolled over. And it was a former foe, Juan Pablo Angel, who looked the most likely to get them going.

The ex-Aston Villa striker forced a superb fingertip save from Van der Sar on 15 minutes after a finely struck 20-yard free-kick, before his close-range toe-poke was deflected over by the outstretched leg of Jonny Evans soon after following an inviting cross from Heath Pearce.

The All-Stars continued to turn up the heat thereafter with Sebastien Le Toux testing Van der Sar with a low drive at the near post and Chad Marshall heading a corner just wide with the Dutch keeper in no-man’s land.

United, who lost Gabriel Obertan to injury midway through the half, continued to look threatening up front though with Nani and Macheda particularly lively. It was the former’s lovely one-two with Fletcher which almost led to the Reds’ third goal of the half, but the Scot’s thumping shot smacked against the crossbar before bouncing away from danger.

With a two-goal deficit to overturn the All-Stars began the second period with a real sense of purpose and almost got themselves back into it through Marshall, but his point-blank header was well held by Van der Sar.

At the other end, the ever-energetic Rafael collected a defence-splitting pass before cutting inside and shooting, but his effort was straight at substitute keeper Nick Rimando.

Deafening screams echoed round the stadium just after the hour-mark when Chicharito entered the fray in place of Nani for his United debut. Proceedings didn’t get off to the best start, however, when a David Ferreira free-kick was headed home from close range by fellow substitute Brian Ching seconds later.

Chicharito wasn’t about to be upstaged though and he almost opened his Reds’ account soon after. Rafael’s good run and cross was met at the back post by the Mexican who blasted a low drive goalwards only to see it turned away by the feet of Rimando.

The American stopper had no chance with substitute Darron Gibson’s free-kick on 70 minutes which was curled beautifully inside Rimando’s right-hand post from 20 yards to restore United’s two-goal advantage.

Three minutes later, Tom Cleverley, who had earlier replaced Obertan, netted a sublime second goal of the tour and the Reds' fourth of the night. Fletcher’s clipped pass over the top was brilliantly flicked over Wilman Conde by Cleverley who then turned and volleyed the ball home in one movement from three yards out.

The loudest cheer of the night came six minutes from time when Chicharito claimed United's fifth in glorious fashion. A measured ball over the top from Fletcher was picked up by the Mexican who let the ball bounce before looping it over Rimando into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Dwayne De Rosario netted a consolation for the home side in the final minute, but United were worthy winners as they became the first Premier League side to secure victory (in normal time) over the All-Stars.

United: Van der Sar; Rafael, Brown, J.Evans, Fabio (Scholes 72); Obertan (Cleverley 23), Fletcher, O'Shea, Giggs (Gibson 52), Nani (Chicharito 62); Macheda (Welbeck 62). Subs not used: Amos, Kuszczak, Berbatov, De Laet, Diouf, C.Evans, Smalling. Booked: J.Evans

Dream start for Javier Hernandez