Man Utd-Barca talking points.......What did we learn from Man Utd's 1-0 defeat by Barcelona

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Romelu Lukaku isolated, the goalkeepers impress
and some more Neymar magic... we bring you the
main talking points from Man Utd's defeat by
Barcelona.
Neymar's first-half strike gave Barcelona a 1-0
victory in the International Champions Cup in
Maryland, United's first defeat in their pre-season
campaign.
What did we learn? And what could United
improve before the start of the competitive
season?
The fight for No 1
He's possibly the best No 2 goalkeeper in the
world, but it was a rather bittersweet night for
Sergio Romero in his bid to shove David de Gea
off the No 1 spot at United.
Jose Mourinho said earlier in the week that
Romero would be competing even more with the
Spaniard this season, and after coming on at half-
time, keeping a clean sheet and producing a super
save from Paco Alcacer's one-versus-one effort,
you would have thought the Argentine's stock had
risen.
Is Sergio Romero the best No 2 goalkeeper in the world?
But De Gea's first-half performance was world
class, showing why he's still the man at Old
Trafford and will take some beating.
As Barca peppered his goal, De Gea saved
superbly down to his left from Luis Suarez, again
from Neymar at a tight angle. He left the best for
last, tipping away Suarez's overhead kick with
what would have been up there for save of the
season if in the Premier League.
Delivery is key
Is it any wonder United are desperately trying to
sign Ivan Perisic, the man who crosses almost
five times more than the current wingers at Old
Trafford?
Yes, this was only a friendly, and yes, this was
against Barcelona, but United all too often
delivered from far too deep out wide for Romelu
Lukaku.
Romelu Lukaku was kept isolated by Barcelona's defence
That ball had to be perfect for Lukaku to attack,
such was Barca's awareness of the Belgian's
aerial strengths, but on several occasions it was
more a hit and hope from United's wide players.
And the hopeful balls didn't just come from out
wide; United regularly went back to front with a
long drive and failed to make it stick with an
isolated Lukaku. Granted, they won't face many
better defences than Barcelona's, but Mourinho
will be looking for more variety.
Lingard in the hole
It's easy to assume Jesse Lingard is still a
youngster, but at 24, the Manchester-born forward
has made the transition from a prospect to a
senior player.
He looked confident in the first half, opening up
space in front of the Barca defence with some
superb movement as United had a few spells of
pressure in Maryland.