Sporting inflict Red Devils defeat
A goal from Luis Felipe and a second half brace from Joao Pinto were enough to give Sporting a winning start in their new home although Manchester United will be delighted by the debut of Eric Djemba Djemba and a late own goal from the Portuguese side.
With many big name players absent for Manchester United ahead of the Community Shield on Sunday, Luis Felipe converted a fine move early in the first half to write his name into the history books as the first official scorer at Estadio Jose de Alvalade.
Felipe swept home past Fabien Barthez at the far post, with the French goalkeeper given little chance of a clean-sheet on his first match of the season.
Wonderkid Cristiano Ronaldo impressed in the early stages and saw a stinging shot parried by Barthez, who also produced a fine acrobatic dive to palm away a shot from Beto.
Djemba Djemba's shot from range provided perhaps United's best chance of the opening period.
The second half saw Ronaldo presented with a fine chance to add to the opener, but after jinking to beat Barthez, the tricky player saw his clipped cut-back blocked by Silvestre.
Paul Scholes then failed to show his true technique when he mis-timed a volley from six yards out when found unmarked in the penalty area.
Joao Pinto then doubled Sporting's lead, when he belied his diminutive stature to head home from a straightforward set piece.
The Portuguese icon then wrapped up Sporting's scoring with a fine strike across Barthez, as Manchester United began to visibly tire.
United did get a consolation as the match entered the final stages with the ball creeping over the line off of a post after striking Sporting defender Hugo.
In other pre-season friendly results, Bolton Wanderers were held to a 0-0 draw by Spanish Cup holders Real Mallorca in a high-profile pre-season friendly at The Reebok.
Despite the home side looking the more dominant throughout the match, Mallorca were able to secure a clean sheet in the third pre-season match of their England tour.
A young Tottenham Hotspur XI were victorious on Wednesday following a 3-1 win at non-league Crawley Town.
Jamie Slabber led the way with a goal and setting up another two for Spurs.
A Leeds United reserve side needed a hat-trick from young star James Milner to draw 3-3 at Ryman League side Kettering Town.
A Birmingham City XI were held to a 1-1 draw by Conference club Northwich Victoria.
Another Conference side had better success against Premiership opposition, as Woking defeated Leicester City 3-2 at Kingfield Stadium.
Blackburn Rovers got two goals from Dwight Yorke and another marker from David Thompson to defeat Bray Wanderers 3-2 in Ireland.
