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Rashford, Garner fire Man United past Perth

PERTH, Australia — Manchester United got their summer tour off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over Perth Glory.

Marcus Rashford and James Garner got second half goals at Optus Stadium while Dan James impressed in his first appearance following his £15 million move from Swansea.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had his players training the morning before the game and, apart from James, it took United time to get going during sluggish first half on a heavy pitch that staged an AFL game 24 hours earlier.

Luke Shaw, on as a half-time substitute, was forced off with an injury seven minutes from time.

Solskjaer handed James his debut in a starting XI that also included Axel Tuanzebe and Tahith Chong.

Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly were left out of the squad entirely after picking up injuries — described as “small” by United — in training this week.

All three are expected to be fit when United return to Optus Stadium to play Leeds United on Wednesday.

After winning just two of their final 12 games last season, Solskjaer needs a fast start to the new campaign when it kicks off in August.

But if he was hoping for a statement of intent in the first game of the summer, he was made to wait. The first half drifted to an end with the score 0-0.

Ashley Young, captain from the start, came closest with a free kick that got the 50,206 crowd excited when it ruffled the side netting.

Jesse Lingard forced 37-year-old Perth goalkeeper Liam Reddy into an athletic save but that was about it.

There was nothing to worry Sergio Romero at the other end and Perth’s one venture forward through Chris Harold was snuffed out by Phil Jones.

James was bright on the left despite some rough treatment from former Leeds midfielder Neil Kilkenny and then Joel Chianese.

Solskjaer swapped his entire XI at half-time — including introductions for Rashford, Paul Pogba and new signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka — and United were far better after the break.

Mason Greenwood nutmegged Ivan Franjic before shooting just wide after 55 minutes but it was only a temporary let off for Perth.

Just five minutes later, Rashford reacted first to Pogba’s clever backheel in the penalty area and the England striker turned to shoot into the far corner.

If James was United’s best player of the first half, it was fellow youngsters Greenwood, who hit the post last on, and Angel Gomes who impressed in the second.

It was also a night to remember for Garner, on as a late substitute for Shaw, after the 18-year-old midfielder smashed in United’s second from 20 yards to score his first senior goal.

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