Rooney Blunders as Barcelona Beat United on Penalties

Manchester United missed three penalties in their pre-season friendly with Barcelona in Gothenburg, with attacking trio Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Nani all failing from the spot.

United eventually lost 2-0 to the Catalan giants in a penalty shoot-out, following a 0-0 draw over 90 minutes. Rooney had United's best chance of the match, but failed to convert a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Young and Nani both missed in the shoot-out, which was reduced to just three penalties aside. Barcelona defender Gerard Pique scored the decisive penalty against his former club.

Despite the result, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have been pleased with the return from injury of Nemanja Vidic, as well as the performance of new signing Shinji Kagawa, who replaced Rooney at half-time and threatened Barcelona with his penetrative bursts.

At the outset both teams fielded strong starting elevens, with Tito Vilanova leaving only Xavi, Pedro, Gerard Pique and new signing Jordi Alba on the bench. Carlos Puyol formed a makeshift defensive partnership with Javier Mascherano, usually a defensive midfielder, while Andres Iniesta, Leo Messi and Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez began in attack.

United fielded what may well, bar any further signings, be close to their strongest line-up this season; David de Gea retained his place in goal with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic back together in the centre of defence for the first time in several months Young, Nani, Welbeck and Nani were all included in attack.

The match started, as expected, with the Catalans dominating proceedings. Iniesta had the first sight of goal - as early as the first minute - but his long range effort was well saved by de Gea. Shortly afterwards the Spanish midfielder, who posed problems for United all evening, provided a dainty lobbed through ball for the dangerous Messi - only for De Gea to race from his line and scramble the ball behind.

Meanwhile, United were left with the odd scrappy chance in the opening exchanges, alhough Rooney and Nani both went close. Paul Scholes provided a controlling presence in midfield, but the veteran's horrendous challenge on Sergio Busquets demonstrated that, even at 37, he remains as bad a tackler as ever.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Barcelona youngster Christian Tello hacked down Nani inside the penalty area, giving Rooney a golden chance to put United ahead. However the England striker struck his shot too close to goalkeeper Victor Valdes, before scuffing the rebound. It was to be his last contribution of the evening.

Kagawa's introduction almost paid immediate dividends, with the Japanese international providing the energy and spark up front Rooney could not. He soon produced a low shot, from a pullback from Nani, which brought a good save from Jose Pinto - who replaced Valdes at half-time.

As the match wore on though, United were becoming increasingly frustrated and a scuffle between Busquets and Nani saw the latter booked for a wild kick shortly before the close. Ferguson will know his team needs to improve significantly if they are to challenge Barcelona in the Champions League this season.