DENVER: Wayne Rooney scored twice and Juan Mata added another goal to lift Manchester United to a 3-2 friendly victory over AS Roma on Saturday.

The triumph continued the winning start to new manager Louis van Gaal’s tenure, which opened with a 7-0 trouncing of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the opening match of United’s North American pre-season tour on Wednesday.

The going was tougher against the Serie A side, but while Roma was in control early in the first half it was Rooney who opened the scoring in the 36th minute, taking a pass from Mata 25 yards out, turning and firing into the top corner of the net.

Two minutes later, Rooney set up Mata for a fine second goal, and Rooney made it 3-0 with a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Roma newcomer Urby Emanuelson had upended Danny Welbeck.

Miralem Pjanic pulled one back for Roma in spectacular style in the 75th, unleashing a lob from his own half that arched over helpless United substitute keeper Ben Amos.

Francesco Totti converted a penalty in the 89th to make for an action-filled finish.

The match, which drew more than 54,000 to the Sports Authority Field stadium of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, was part of the International Champions Cup.

DENVER: Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney (R) and AS Roma’s Alessio Romagnoli fight for the ball during their International Champions Cup match at the Mile High Stadium.—AP

The collection of pre-season matches features eight European clubs all preparing for the start of their domestic campaigns.

In Berkeley, California, Inter Milan’s Argentine striker Mauro Icardi cancelled out Gareth Bale’s rocket with a penalty and then netted the decisive spot-kick in a 3-2 shootout success after Inter had drawn 1-1 with Real Madrid in their International Champions Cup clash.

Bale put Real Madrid ahead in the 10th minute, powering through midfield with the ball and hammering a shot from 30 yards into the top corner.

Inter equalized in the 68th after Nemanja Vidic — playing his second match for the Italian side since arriving from United — was pushed in the area by Ruben Sobrino and Icardi chipped his shot from the spot over Jesus Fernandez.

In the shoot-out, Icardi ensured victory with the final penalty.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2014