Washington, July 27 (AFP): Neymar, serene amid a frenzy of transfer speculation, scored the first-half goal that gave Barcelona a 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday in an International Champions Cup friendly. He delivered his third goal in two matches in the exhibition tournament as Barcelona handed the English Premiership club their first defeat of the pre-season. After a bright start Manchester United struggled to contain Barcelona's star duo of Neymar and Lionel Messi. Neymar broke through in the 31st, stripping the ball from Antonio Valencia in the penalty area, turning and finding the net. The goal proved enough to give a second straight victory to new Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. Valverde made sweeping changes to the team that beat Juventus 2-1. Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Samuel Umtiti, Nelson Semedo, Sergio Busquets and 19-year-old midfielder Carles Arena were included in the lineup headed by Messi and Neymar. There were eight changes to the Manchester United team that defeated Real Madrid on penalties on Sunday, with captain Michael Carrick, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard the only players to retain their starting spots. It was Manchester United who threatened first, when Rashford's cross found Romelu Lukaku in the area, but the Belgian couldn't find the net. Barcelona inexorably took control, and United goalkeeper David de Gea was given plenty of work by Neymar, Messi and Suarez. Both coaches rang the changes at halftime, with Valverde replacing 10 players -- only leaving Cillessen in goal.
