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Kagawa winner in United's fightback victory

ESPN staff
August 11, 2012
Shinji Kagawa hit the winner as Manchester United ended their pre-season games © Getty Images
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Manchester United completed their pre-season preparations by edging a seven-goal thriller against Hannover 4-3 in Germany. Wayne Rooney scored twice - one a free-kick and the other a penalty - and new recruit Shinji Kagawa netted the winner as the Red Devils came back from 1-0 and 3-1 down to win.

The win sets United up nicely as they seek to wrest back the Premier League title from Manchester City. United take on Everton a week on Monday in their first league fixture.

United created the first decent opening as Nani crossed first time from the right but Javier Hernandez could not apply a touch to finish the move. Michael Keane then contrived to miss an easy chance as Kagawa's cross initially fell to Hernandez, who fluffed it, and Keane panicked and scrambled the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.

Keane was presented with another great chance seconds later but scuffed wide after Nani's effort had been charged down by Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.

Hannover seized on those two let-offs to take the lead as United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard could only parry Jan Schlaudraff's long-range strike and Artur Sobiech pounced on the rebound.

Kagawa's effort from the edge of the area was then tipped over by Zieler but United pulled level just after the half-hour mark. Rooney's shot from a Nani cutback was parried by Zieler but fell at the feet of Hernandez close to goal, and the Mexican made no mistake.

Lindegaard did well to tip wide a low shot towards his bottom right-hand corner by Konstantin Rausch and Zieler then produced a smart stop to deny Tom Cleverley after the Great Britain Olympian burst into the box.

Hannover restored their lead early in the second half as Christian Pander slung in a cross from the left and substitute defender Karim Haggui headed home from close range.

Zieler then did well to divert a Hernandez shot wide with his body after the Mexican was played in by Rooney but the German side moved two goals ahead through a sublime goal.

Lars Stindl crossed from the right and Norway international Mohamed Abdellaoue produced an exquisite flick which gave Lindegaard no chance.

Rooney quickly reduced the deficit with a curling, dipping right-foot free-kick but Lindegaard did well to hold on to a sweetly-struck Pander volley from long range.

United pulled level when Zieler fouled Rooney in the box and the England striker got back on his feet to tuck away the penalty and make it 3-3, and Kagawa completed a remarkable comeback with an angled finish after Rooney nodded the ball into his path.

Real Madrid beat Scottish champions Celtic 2-0 in the final game of their American tour thanks to two goals from Jose Callejon and Karim Benzema.

Callejon impressed early on as he went close after good work from Cristiano Ronaldo down the left wing and Real peppered Lukasz Zaluska's goal with efforts soon after as Ronaldo and Kaka went close.

The Spanish champions eventually took the lead as Gonzalo Higuain's shot was saved, but Callejon followed up and netted the rebound. Minutes later, Higuain almost got on the scoresheet himself but his header floated over.

Celtic were rarely in the game before the half, but went close through Joe Ledley and after the break it was more of the same as Real ran riot but missed chances through Karim Benzema and Esteban Granero.

However, the lead was doubled as Ozil found Benzema free on the left wing and the striker raced through on goal to net past Zaluska.

Celtic youngster Dylan McGeough then suffered what looked to be a serious injury after a blow to the head in a collision with Nuri Sahin. The 19-year-old was knocked out cold and medical staff rushed on amid some urgent signals from players of both sides and McGeouch was carried off wearing a neck brace after more than five minutes of treatment.

Celtic later announced on Twitter: "Dylan McGeouch has been taken to hospital with suspected jaw fracture.''

Following the break, the Hoops were unable to get back into the game after that and Real ran out comfortable winners.

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