Manchester United's goalkeeper David De Gea gathers the ball as teammate Chris Smalling and Barcelona's Thiago challenge during the second half of their 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge soccer match in Landover.

Manchester United got a small measure of revenge against Barcelona with a 2-1 win over the Catalans in a pre-season friendly at the FedEx field in Washington.

The win comes barely nine weeks after the Champions League final in which Manchester United were outplayed by a brilliant Barcelona side, though the Spanish side are a week behind in their preseason preparation in comparision to United.

Sir Alex Ferguson started with only three players who did so in that final, while Barcelona had six though it didn't include Lionel Messi who is resting after playing in Copa America.

Nani put United into the lead in the 22nd minute when he finished neatly after being slipped through by Danny Welbeck.

Barcelona's trademark passing display was missing, but that didn't stop Thiago Alcantara from equalizing in the 70th minute. Thiago displayed his class when curling a shot past David De Gea with the outside of his right foot.

There was still time for a winner and it was Michael Owen who secured the victory six minutes later. He lateched on to Tom Cleverley's through ball and clipped the ball over Victor Valdes, quashing the prospect of penalties for the record 81,807 crowd.

It was a very small measure of revenge for United, though a win against Barcelona is a good way to go into the new season. The Red Devils will face their neighbours, Manchester City, for the season curtain raiser - the FA Community Shield - next week.

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