Manchester United 0 Barcelona 1: Neymar scores as Brazilian steals show with Messi and Suarez

• Neymar scores for Barcelona (31 minutes)

• Barcelona 1 Man Utd 0

• Jose Mourinho banks on Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning 

• ​Jose Mourinho's wishlist

​A potential transfer fee of £196 million would be hard for any club to turn down, even Barcelona, but Neymar offered another glimpse here of what the Catalan giants will be losing if they allow the Brazil forward to join Paris St-Germain this summer.   

Fresh from crushing Juventus with two bewitching goals in New Jersey on Saturday, Neymar ensured Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the US ended in disappointment as he inflicted their first defeat in five matches.   

It was a characteristically cool finish from the Brazilian in front of a near capacity crowd of 80,162 at Washington’s FedEx Field and another reminder of his worth at a time when PSG are committed to triggering his €222 million release clause.   

Jose Mourinho must yearn for a player for Neymar’s gifts. The United manager admitted this week that he possesses neither the best squad in the world nor the best players as he instead moved to trumpet the spirit and unity in his camp, which, of course, counts for an awful lot. But sometimes there is simply no substitute for sheer class and Neymar showcased just that on the night.   

On the other hand, Mourinho must look at the media storm surrounding Neymar and Barcelona on their tour of the US and be thankful Wayne Rooney’s future was resolved before United left for America. Rooney’s star and profile may be on the wane whereas Neymar’s is firmly in the ascendency but that does not escape the fact that United would have fielded endless questions about the England striker had Rooney travelled. 

All anyone has been interested in asking Barcelona since they landed in America a week ago are questions about Neymar and it is fast becoming a circus. Last Wednesday, Sergi Roberto and Jasper Cillessen were bombarded, to the point where Roberto had to ask reporters to change the subject. The next day it was Sergio Busquets and coach Ernesto Valverde’s turn to face the inquisition. Valverde had more of the same after Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Juventus. 

On Monday morning, Jordi Alba had to steal himself for what was to follow and, on Tuesday, ahead of this game against United, Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano drew the short straw. Pique seemed to sum up the long and short of it. “In Paris, if he doesn’t win the Champions League he won’t get the recognition he will deserve,” the Barcelona defender said. “That’s his only option in Paris, because, with all due respect, it’s an inferior league. He still has doubts, but we’re trying to convince him [to stay].”   

Neymar, in truth, appears to be milking the moment. Valverde played Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez for the opening 45 minutes against United before withdrawing all three at half-time. But Neymar did not reappear until 15 minutes into the second half and then delighted in high-fiving all his adoring fans as he walked from the tunnel to the Barcelona bench. He is certainly not hiding from the cameras, put it that way. 

While his Barcelona team-mates took the opportunity to take a welcome breather and have a drink after a punishing training session in the Maryland heat on Tuesday, Neymar began entertaining the assembled crowd by taking penalties. And when the rest of Barcelona’s squad disappeared down the tunnel to the dressing room, the Brazilian was seen jumping over the barricades in the stand behind the goal where he had been taking penalties and gave his dad a kiss.  

Yet whether Neymar stays at Barcelona this summer or leaves for PSG, the speculation does not seem to be affecting his football. The spotlight was firmly on him on Saturday against Juventus and he responded by scoring two breathtaking goals and he was back on the scoresheet again at FedEx Field.   

Messi played the ball into the penalty area and Antonio Valencia got himself into a tangle with Neymar. It looked initially like Valencia would win the ball and clear his lines but he lost track of the ball as he spun around and, with a flurry of bodies around him, Neymar was able to wriggle free and coolly slot the ball into the bottom corner.   

It was an entertaining first period that was sadly not replicated after the interval when both Mourinho and Valverde made sweeping changes. United looked threatening on those occasions they did attack, with Paul Pogba forcing a good save from Jasper Cillessen and Marcus Rashford similarly from the left edge of the six yard box after weaving past two men. Romelu Lukaku had one shot easily parried and another effort deflected just wide.   

Messi, though, was proving characteristically elusive at the other end, hitting the post after one tidy interchange of passes and sending a free-kick just over. Barcelona almost scored a second two minutes from half time.

Messi scooped a ball over the top that Victor Lindelof, enduring another shaky moment on an underwhelming tour so far for United’s new £31 million defender, succeeded only in heading straight up into the air. Suarez watched the ball come down invitingly and belted a volley towards the bottom corner that David De Gea stuck out a strong hand to palm aside.   

The second half was more disjointed but Barcelona were again denied a second goal, this time by Sergio Romero, in the 66th minute. Paco Alcacer turned Eric Bailly inside out but he picked the wrong corner and Romero was able to direct his shot wide.

2:50AM

Here's what Pereira had to say afterwards

2:49AM

Obama is enjoying his retirement

2:28AM

Full time

And it's all over. After a dazzling first half, lit up by the magic of Neymar, Messi and Suarez, the second half was flat, to say the least. It ends with a Barcelona win and Mourinho might be a bit annoyed his team didn't do more against a below par Barca side in the second half. 

2:26AM

93 minutes

Jose wants a goal too, he's urging his team to get the ball forward. Martial tries to shoot in the box but he's closed down.

Moments later, Rashford smashes it from just outside the box - and it flies well over. 

2:24AM

90 minutes 

Four minutes of injury time. Time for a goal? Please?

2:20AM

87 minutes

Great turn from Pogba on the right and he almost finds Lukaku, but the cross is intercepted. The Frenchman really has had a good game today. 

2:16AM

82 minutes

A yellow card for Fellaini after what could be generously described as an overzealous challenge. Then a wayward backpass from the Belgium puts Romero under a bunch of unnecessary pressure. A let off there.

2:14AM

81 minutes

This game is crying out for another goal. And by that I mean I'm crying out for another goal. By anyone. 

Darmian tries to cross from the left, but fails to beat the first defender. The fact that's a highlight says it all. 

2:11AM

78 minutes

Martial has been one of the brighter lights in this rather drab second half. He's looking sharp and direct. 

2:08AM

73 minutes

Phil Jones concedes a free kick just outside the area and Iniesta is sizing it up. He sends in a good delivery, but it's cleared. 

Barca definitely lacking the magic of the first half. 

2:04AM

72 minutes

Twenty minutes to go, can either side find the back of the net again? 

Man U go close as a deflected shot from martial finds Pereira, who unleashes a powerful drive from outside the area, but the keeper saves it well. 

Moments later, Pogba advances towards the area and decides to shoot - but again, Cillessen gets down well to save. 

Better from united. 

2:00AM

68 minutes

Barca may not have the speed and creativity of MSN now, but they are looking very comfortable on the ball. Man U sitting back and watching the ball being passed around the midfield at the moment. 

1:58AM

64 minutes

Close! Rashford lays off the ball to Martial on the left, and the Frenchman tries to curl the ball into the cornr - only to see it go high and wide.

At the other end, Bailly can't get hold of the ball, but Romero makes a smart save.

1:54AM

62 minutes

Some direct running from Rashford livens up proceedings a little as he heads into the box, but he's stopped before he's able to cause too many problems. 

Moments later, Lukaku and Rashord try a one-two but Rashford's return wasn't quite good enough.

More changes for United as Martial and Pereira come on for Lingard and Mkhitaryan.

1:47AM

55 minutes

Gerard Pique came off worst in an aerial challenge with Fellaini and ends up on the ground in pain. No great surprises there...

1:44AM

52 minutes

Much more like a pre-season friendly now. Game has slowed right down. A lazy pass from Fellaini sums the game up. 

1:39AM

47 minutes

You have to feel for the stadium announcers going through the changes...

Slow start to the second half so far. From a neutral's perspective, shame to see MSN go off. 

1:37AM

And a new Barca team

1:37AM

Subs galore

1:36AM

Do stats lie?

After all the plaudits for Rashford...

1:34AM

Scenes from the stadium

1:27AM

De Gea - best in the world?

1:25AM

Blind not having his best game

1:22AM

Plus points for Man Utd

Both Pogba and Rashford have been the standouts for United, both looking sharp and dangerous. 

On the downside, United's defence has looked fragile - though, to be fair, they are against arguably the best strike force in the world. 

1:20AM

Peep peep!

Man Utd are ending the half much better, though that was a poor ball from the left from Blind. 

And with seconds still remaining, the ref has had enough. That's half time - and Barca are outclassing Man U at the moment. 

1:17AM

43 minutes

Lindelof is not having a great start to his Man U career after his move from Benfica. 

 Meanwhile, Pogba whips in a cross that is inches away from Lukaku in the box. 

1:15AM

40 minutes

Great shot by Suarez, who turns and volleys in the box, but De Gea does brilliantly do keep it out. 

1:14AM

39 minutes

Oooooph. Messi lines up a free kick from distance but it curls slightly over the bar. Close. 

1:11AM

37 minutes

Man U have lost their a way a bit now after that goal. Barca, meanwhile, could well get another. 

1:08AM

A lot of love for Rashford out there.

1:05AM

Barcelona 1 - Man U 0

GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!

And there it is. Neymar steals the ball from Valencia in the box and passes it into the box with ease. 

1:03AM

29 minutes

Messi heads over after good build up pllay in the Man U box. Surely a goal is coming...

1:01AM

28 minutes

Carles Aleñá is looking a tidy player. The 19-year-old has been playing for Barca B, and you can see he's in the mould of a Barca midfielder.  

Meanwhile, Neymar has a great chance on the left but De Gea pushes it out for a corner. MSN are carving up the United defence. 

12:56AM

23 minutes

Messi and Suarez combine well and the Argentine is stopped with a wee trip. He's lining up the free kick, but surely too far out. He tries his luck, but it smacks the wall. 

12:54AM

Pogba on the rampage

Great driving run down the right side of the pitch, before winning a corner. Rashford's delivery is easily cleared though. 

12:53AM

Rashford looking sharp

The youngster has had a bright start. He creates some space on the edge of the area, goes for the one-two but the ball is cleared. 

12:51AM

Better from Man U

Blind sends a hopeful ball into the box from the left touchline, but it doesn't go anywhere close to Lukaku.  

Moments later, Pogba has an inch of space outside the box and smashes a fierce shot that the Barca keeper palms away.

And then it's Mkhitaryan's turn, trying his luck from outside the area - but his luck is out. 

Rashford wriggles his way into the six yard area but his shot is pushed away. A great spell there from Man U. 

12:46AM

Close from Messi!

Lovely one touch passing from Barca, and then Messi fires a rasping drive from just outside the box, only to see the ball drift wide. 

12:45AM

Half chance

Man U will benefit from Lukaku's strength up front this season. Sure he can score goals, but he does so well to win back balls and hold off players. 

A half chance there for Man U, as Blind rolls the ball into the box from the left, but the ball is cleared before it reaches a lurking Lukaku. 

12:42AM

Going out on a limb here

If MSN stay on the field for at least 60 minutes, it's hard not to seem grabbing a goal. It would be a huge loss for Barca if Neymar were to leave.

12:40AM

Chance for Messi

Neymar charges at the Man U defence before laying it off to Messi, whose shot is saved. And then it's Suarez's turn - finding space on the left, he forces a great save from De Gea. 

12:36AM

Great chance!

Rashford whips in a delightful ball from the right, but a stretching Lukaku can only deflect it over. Could have been 1-0, maybe should have been.

12:34AM

And we're off!

Barcelona make the first inroads and huge cheers for Messi as he gets a touch on the ball. 

12:30AM

Here they come

It's certainly all friendly in the tunnel - smiles all around as the players chat to one another. 

Out they come now, it's almost showtime, folks. 

12:25AM

Top of the league...

But will they be singing that in May?

12:21AM

Warm-up time

12:18AM

Flying gazebos

Check out James Ducker's diary as he follows Man Utd on tour in the US.

Read the full piece here. 

12:09AM

Some good news for Neymar

The Barcelona striker has been cleared of any criminal charges in a long-running tax evasion case in Brazil, a Brazilian court said on Wednesday.

A judge in Sao Paulo said there was a "lack of just cause" in the case that alleged he underpaid income tax between 2011 and 2014.

Neymar's father and agent said Wednesday's decision was a major victory.

"It is with great happiness that we received the news of the shelving of the Public Ministry's case of tax evasion," Neymar Snr. said in a statement sent to Reuters.

"The process is officially closed (and) that proves the legality of all our acts."

Neymar could still, however, have to pay substantial sums to Brazil's tax office.

12:06AM

Ground is filling up (slowly)

12:02AM

Liverpool fans have a message for Barcelona

11:50PM

Still work to be done in the transfer window

Jose Mourinho has suggested he would still like another couple of players this summer - particularly a midfielder and a winger.

Nemanja Matic looks like his top target. But we've looked at who else he could be considering moves for in the coming weeks.

11:39PM

Manchester United team news

Difficult to match up with MSN, but Jose Mourinho's team still incredibly strong. Martial has to make do with a place on the bench, but like all substitutes it's very likely he will get game time at some point.

11:31PM

Man Utd: Ibrahimovic and Matic latest

While we wait for Manchester United's team to be confirmed, here's James Ducker's latest news story from across the pond.

You can read the full piece, including quotes on academy players, here.

11:29PM

Neymar's not the only costly item in town...

....look out much a parking space will cost near the FedEx Field. Although at the current rate of football inflation, expect that to be $100 next summer.

11:25PM

Team news - first up, Barcelona

Manchester United have won all four of their tour matches so far (well, they beat Real Madrid on pens), but tonight will be a huge test.

Barcelona looking pretty tasty with Neymar, Messi and Suarez all starting.

11:22PM

Match preview

What is it?

It's the International Champions Cup match between Manchester United vs Barcelona at the FedEx Field in Maryland.

When is it?

It's tonight - Wednesday July 26 - or the early hours of Thursday morning depending on your point of view.

What time is kick-off?

It begins at 7.30pm local time, but 00.30 British Summer Time.

What TV channel is it on?

You can watch the match on MUTV. Alternatively, we'll be bringing you live coverage here throughout the match.

What is the team news?

Manchester United have a big squad to choose from, though Ander Herrera is out after coming off injured during the match with Man City.

Despite talk of a world record move for Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar has been training with the Barcelona team and should feature during the match.

What are they saying?

Jose Mourinho on Paul Pogba:

"I would say the leader of the young guys," Mourinho said of Pogba. "He is probably the oldest of the young guys.

"He's for sure the one with more experience because he's the one that played Champions League final, Euro final, Europa League final.

"He has big experience at such a young age, at the same time he's still the kid that come from the academy - the way he is in the club, the way he is in the group, in the training ground, his relation with the people is still the relation that Marcus Rashford has, Jesse Lingard has, all these kids they have.

"He is still the kid from the academy but with his experience, with his status and with his quality on the pitch, where he is also a key player for us, I think Paul has (the) conditions to be in a couple of years such an important guy in the club, really."

Gerard Pique on Neymar

"My Instagram post was a gut thing. I want Neymar to stay. It's my intuition.

"It was nothing official, it doesn't depend on me. Only Neymar can say what will happen, but I hope he stays.

"I try to explain to Neymar, as a team-mate and a friend, the situation he's in. I would say don't go to a league which, with all due respect, is not as good."

What are the odds?

Manchester United - 11/4

Barcelona - 4/5

Draw - 11/4

What's our prediction?

Despite the obvious, undoubted quality of their opposition, Manchester United have been in good nick during this pre-season. And it is just that. So we reckon they'll win 2-1.