Manchester United end US tour in style

A crowd of 68,396 attended the first event of Lincoln Financial field, which will be the home of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League.

US goalkeeper Tim Howard, starting his second game in four days, again demonstrated why United decided to sign him from the New York/New Jersey Metrostars of major league soccer as he made several key saves, including a diving stop on a Xavi shot early in the final half.

“That was an absolutely marvelous save,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “One of the best saves you’ll ever see.”

Brazilian World Cup hero Ronaldinho, who turned down a transfer to United last month, helped give Barcelona the lead as his cross set up Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert’s header in the 10th minute.

United, which struggled early on with forwards Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron on the bench, finally found itself and equalised on Forlan’s first goal in the 26th minute.

Welsh winger Ryan Giggs raced down the left side and crossed the ball to Forlan, whose diving header beat goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Forlan struck again 11 minutes later as he pounced on Nicky Butt’s right-wing cross that was deflected in for a 2-1 advantage.

Van Nistelrooy, who replaced Forlan in the 53rd minute, gave United some breathing room with a brilliant goal in the 85th minute. The Dutch striker won the ball back from Barcelona and beat two players and the keeper Albert Torrvera, who came on at halftime.