Veron inspires United to impressive victory

Ruud van Nistelrooy lit up Manchester United's pre-season tour of the United States as the English champions secured a 4-1 friendly…

Ruud van Nistelrooy lit up Manchester United's pre-season tour of the United States as the English champions secured a 4-1 friendly win over Juventus last night.

Van Nistelrooy used his chest to control a Juan Sebastian Veron pass in the 60th minute before turning to hit a fierce volley past Antonio Chimenti.

The Dutchman's third goal of the tour put United 3-0 up at the Giants Stadium on a night when Tim Howard, the US international, made a confident debut in goal for Alex Ferguson's side.

United took a deserved lead after 24 minutes when Ryan Giggs, assuming set-piece duties following the sale of David Beckham to Real Madrid, stepped up to curl a free-kick home from 25 metres.

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Scholes doubled the advantage 12 minutes after the break, sliding home a low shot after excellent interplay between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and man-of-the-match Veron.

Juventus had made 10 substitutions by the 62nd minute and one of them, Pavel Nedved, reduced the deficit eight minutes later with a crisp drive from distance. It spoiled a perfect debut for Howard, who saved well from Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Nicola Legrottalie.

United substitute Diego Forlan missed a clear opening moments later before making amends on 79 minutes with a cross-field pass for Solskjaer, who had time and space inside the area to beat Chimenti for United's fourth.

United face Barcelona in their final tour match on Sunday while Juventus meet AC Milan in the Italian Super Cup at the Giants Stadium the same day.