Manchester United Beats Milan on Penalties in 2018 ICC | Bleacher Report

Manchester United defeated AC Milan 9-8 on penalties after playing to a 1-1 regulation in their International Champions Cup opener Wednesday night at StubHub Center in Carson, California

United's Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring in the 12th minute, while Suso quickly leveled the proceedings at a goal with a smooth strike past Lee Grant. 19659004] Following a scoreless second half, Ander Herrera fired home the go-ahead goalie in the sudden-death portion of the shootout before Franck Kessie skied Milan's final attempt on the bar.

Revitalized Alexis Sanchez Will be Crucial to United's Title Hopes

Sanchez's arrival in Manchester was laced with hope that he could provide Jose Mourinho's side with an added injection of goal-scoring savvy.

However, his first race with the Red Devils was not exactly prosperous

Sanchez netted just two goals in his first 12 Premier League appearances with United, and he never looked particularly comfortable in fresh surroundings following a standout run by Arsenal.

However, United States of America has had a glimpse of what could be a promising partnership.

After Mourinho praised Sanchez for his " Good Physical Effort" against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, according to the Independent The goalkeeper Gianluigi Donna, the Chilean international came out Wednesday night and made an early statement rumma

Beyond the early tally, Sanchez played with excellent pace in the attacking third and looked at the part of a first-team staple

Ultimately, Sanchez may have just needed some time to settle in, as Mourinho recently suggested to ESPN FC (h / t Goal.com ). [19659004] "I'm not a big fan of the winter market because it's so easy to adapt," he said.

"So I think after a few months with "I think it's a perfect moment for him to establish itself" (19659004) And if the trend holds, Sanchez may eventually evolve into a piece who could help swing some hardware in United's favor.

Chris Smalling's Shaky Performances Will Relegate Him to United's Bench

Chris Smalling was in a precarious position entering the Red Devils' North American tour, and things aren '1945, 1945', 19459004 United's starting center back was caught napping on Suso's goal in the 15th minute, and it was the kind of play that no doubt reaffirmed Mourinho's desire to upgrade his back line.

Specifically, ESPN FC's Rob Dawson reported Mourinho is eyeing Harry Maguire, Toby Alderweireld and Jerome Boateng as potential late-summer additions who could help fortify his group.

Still, Smalling has not sounded bothered by the prospect of new arrivals.

"To be fair I think I'm used to that every year," he said, per Dawson. "This club is always linked to center-backs, it is the club or agents or whoever, because the best come here."

"No goal, I'm happy and when I'm fit I play, so I just want "

To this point, though, the signs have been encouraging and based on Wednesday's performance, it is important to keep it in mind.