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LUKY CHARM

Manchester United 2 Man City 0: Red-hot Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford fire Red Devils to derby glory in Houston

New signing Lukaku opened the scoring and Rashford netted the second in comfortable win for Jose Mourinho's men

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ROMELU LUKAKU has lift off at Manchester United.

The £75 million striker was the star of the show in this Manchester derby in Houston - the home of NASA.

 Romelu Lukaku celebrates after giving Manchester United the lead in Houston
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Romelu Lukaku celebrates after giving Manchester United the lead in HoustonCredit: Getty Images
 Romelu Lukaku slotted home from a tight angle to give United the lead
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Romelu Lukaku slotted home from a tight angle to give United the leadCredit: Getty Images

He added to his goal in Salt Lake City three days ago by scoring a stylish opener against Pep Guardiola's men.

Meanwhile City's new £35million goalkeeper Ederson remains firmly grounded after a rush of blood gave Lukaku his goal.

Marcus Rashford also beat the former Benfica man as Jose Mourinho's men took the bragging rights here in Texas.

Guardiola gave a first outing to Ederson along with new £50 million defender Kyle Walker and Stockport born youngster Phil Foden.

He also gave English winger Patrick Roberts a chance to impress - after his dazzling 18 month loan spell at Celtic.

Mourinho described the first ever Manchester derby to be played on foreign soil as a 'good training session' before kick-off.

 Man City goalkeeper Ederson was caught in no man's land for Romelu Lukaku's opening goal
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Man City goalkeeper Ederson was caught in no man's land for Romelu Lukaku's opening goalCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Marcus Rashford doubles Manchester United's lead within minutes of the opener
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Marcus Rashford doubles Manchester United's lead within minutes of the openerCredit: Getty Images
 Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford celebrate after both scoring in Houston
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Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford celebrate after both scoring in HoustonCredit: Getty Images

Rapper Drake gave the occasion a bit of showbiz by presenting the match-ball at the start - but not much happened with it in the opening half hour.

Raheem Sterling was looking lively and forced two decent saves out of David de Gea - while England Under 17 ace Foden caught the eye.

At the other end Ederson was almost left red-faced as he slightly unconvincingly pushed Ander Herrera's shot over the bar.

The spotlight will be on the Brazilian this season as he takes over from Claudio Bravo as the number one at the Etihad.

 Vincent Kompany goes in full blooded on Romelu Lukaku
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Vincent Kompany goes in full blooded on Romelu LukakuCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Henrikh Mkhitaryan is chased down by Kevin de Bruyne
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is chased down by Kevin de BruyneCredit: Getty Images
 Marcus Rashford takes on City's new right back Kyle Walker
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Marcus Rashford takes on City's new right back Kyle WalkerCredit: AP:Associated Press
 City goalkeeper Ederson smothers to prevent Romelu Lukaku from getting on the end of a cross
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City goalkeeper Ederson smothers to prevent Romelu Lukaku from getting on the end of a crossCredit: Getty Images
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City felt they should have had a penalty when Chris Smalling clearly held back Patrick Roberts.

But a feisty half finally came to life shortly before the break as United took control.

First Ederson came rushing out of his box to clear a long ball forward from Paul Pogba but Lukaku got in there first.

He nodded the ball past the former Benfica man then expertly slotted home on the half volley from a narrow angle.

The £75 million signing also scored in the last game in Salt Lake and seems to be settling in nicely for his new club.

Within a couple of minutes, Mourinho's men had another as makeshift left-back Fernandinho had been exposed.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan slipped through a pass and Marcus Rashford had time and space to pick his spot and beat Ederson.

 Pep Guardiola issues instructions to his Man City team
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Pep Guardiola issues instructions to his Man City teamCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Both teams wore a worker bee on their shirts in honour of the victims of the Manchester terror attack
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Both teams wore a worker bee on their shirts in honour of the victims of the Manchester terror attackCredit: Getty Images
 A Manchester United fan comes equipped with a Sir Alex Ferguson mask
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A Manchester United fan comes equipped with a Sir Alex Ferguson maskCredit: Getty Images
 Manchester United fans packed into the NRG Stadium in Houston
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Manchester United fans packed into the NRG Stadium in HoustonCredit: Getty Images

Both Yaya Toure and Daley Blind were deservedly booked for poor challenges at the end of the half.

And de Gea produced the best save of the half when he kept out a thumping effort from young Foden.

Both managers made changes at the break - most notably Guardiola gave Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala the chance to put themselves in the shop window.

Ederson was almost caught out again but he scrambled back to turn Rashford's cross shot round the post.

An error by John Stones then gifted Lukaku an opportunity and his thumping left-footed effort bounced back off the angle.

With both managers making regular subs, the game lost its momentum but City should have had something to show for their night's work.

Gabriel Jesus volleyed over from close range while a long range effort from Fernandinho stung the finger-tips of Sergio Romero.

 Manchester City had their fair share of support too for the derby
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Manchester City had their fair share of support too for the derbyCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Houston Texans NFL star JJ Watt is introduced to the crowd
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Houston Texans NFL star JJ Watt is introduced to the crowdCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Rapper Drake presented the match ball before the Manchester derby clash
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Rapper Drake presented the match ball before the Manchester derby clashCredit: AP:Associated Press

United boss Mourinho was delighted with victory but warned the club needs to press on with its transfer dealings.

He said: “The credit for Lukaku and Lindelof to be here on time is not mine but Ed Woodward’s and I thank him for that fantastic work to bring us two very important players.

“But we need a bit more and when you see the other teams in the Premier League, the way they get players and good players and you see the Champions buy three fantastic experienced players.

“City go to the market and Liverpool and West Ham gets Joe Hart, Chicharito and Arnautovic, West Ham wow, they play to win the Premier League too.

“So the teams are fantastic in the market and I'm waiting for a bit more.

“Other teams can do it also, is not a critic or not understanding the difficulty of the situation.

“I understand the difficulty of the situation.

“The market is open until August 31 but I like to work from day one.”

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