9 Aug 2017

Real Madrid down Manchester United

11:02 am on 9 August 2017

Real Madrid's beaten Manchester United 2-1 in Macedonia to win football's European Super Cup and become the first team in nearly 30 years to win back to back titles.

The Super Cup is contested by the Champions League winner and the Europa Cup winner.

It's the fourth time Real Madrid have won the title and they're the first team to retain the trophy since AC Milan in 1990.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro struck the opening goal with a left-foot strike midway through the first half while Spain international Isco consolidated Real's advantage with a slick piece of skill and finish in the 52nd minute.

New Manchester United signing Romelu Lukaku

New Manchester United signing Romelu Lukaku Photo: Photosport

United's new $130 million striker Romelu Lukaku scored his first competitive goal for his new club to reduce the deficit in the 62nd minute with a simple finish on the rebound after earlier wasting a similar opportunity.

That sparked a brief period of pressure from Jose Mourinho's side and they could have drawn level when Marcus Rashford burst through but he was denied by a save from Keylor Navas, ensuring Real won their fifth international trophy under Zinedine Zidane.

Meanwhile Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho has said their pursuit of Gareth Bale was "game over" after the Wales forward started for Real Madrid's 2-1.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale Photo: Photosport

Mourinho had said prior to the match that he would "fight with other clubs" to sign Bale if he did not start the game in Skopje.

"Clearly the club wants him, the manager wants him and he wants the club so clearly game over, before it had even started, as everybody knows he is going to stay." Mourinho said.

Real president Florentino Perez also ruled out selling the player he brought to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2013.

"I can't contemplate selling him, he's a Real Madrid player, he's important to us and he's one of the best in the world," he said.