Only a handful of away fans made the trip to the Arabian Peninsula but they were treated to an entertaining contest which United eventually lost 3-2. Yasser al-Gahtane gave the Saudis the lead after a defensive error from Danny Simpson. United had looked sloppy in the opening exchanges but they soon stepped up a gear and Carlos Tevez levelled the scores on 25 minutes as he latched onto a Cristiano Ronaldo pass before rounding the 'keeper and slotting the ball home from a difficult angle.

The goal lifted United's spirits and they started to place the better football. The second goal came eight minutes after Tevez's super strike as Ronaldo nodded home a Nani corner. However, a series of off the wall referring decisions eventually cost United the game. Rio Ferdinand's soft challenge on al-Jaber was shockingly judged to be a penalty. Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted laughing at the penalty call but it didn't stop the retiring 35-year-old slotting the ball passed Tomasz Kuszczak to restore parity again.

Referee Saad al-Kathery appeared determined to secure victory for the home side as he awarded another controversial penalty in the opening exchanges of the second-half. However, justice was done as substitute Mohammad Al-Shalhoub sent his effort wide but the Saudis secured victory anyway thanks to Bader al-Khoraeshe's overhead kick seventeen minutes from time. There was still time for one more twist in the tale as young starlet Danny Welbeck, introduced for Anderson on 65 minutes, fired a last-gasp spot-kick over the bar to deny the game an even finish.

Al-Jaber had came off after 56 minutes and his departure was met with rapturous applause from the fans and hugs from all his team-mates.

"I never thought we would win the game, but it was a terrific game and the crowd were fantastic. Al Hilal also had some very good players," said Sir Alex Ferguson after the match. "Gahtane looked a terrific footballer and al-Jaber was clearly a decent player in his time."

Ferguson was also quick to defend the 6,000-mile trip made right in the middle of a campaign which sees United still pursuing three pieces of silverware. This is despite the fact that Sir Alex blamed our failure to win the 2004/2005 league title on fatigue following a greed-filled pre-season tour of the USA. United are expected to pocket around £1million from the tour but all that bothers us is victory over Spurs in the Cup on Sunday.

Full Time - Al Hilal 3-2 Manchester United
Attendance - 67,000

Manchester United: Van der Sar (Kuszczak 30, Heaton 65); Simpson, Ferdinand (Vidic 46), O'Shea, Evra (Hargreaves 46); Eagles, Fletcher, Anderson (Welbeck 65), Nani; Ronaldo (Park 46), Tevez (Rooney 46).
Substitutes Not Used: Brown

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