Manchester United vs. Galatasaray: Score, Reaction from 2016 Pre-Season Friendly

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his debut, as Manchester United thrashed Galatasaray 5-2 in a pre-season friendly at Nya Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden on Saturday. 

Ibrahimovic opened the scoring in the opening moments in his homeland; however, United fell behind before the interval after goals from Sinan Gumus and Bruma.

The break appeared to reinvigorate Jose Mourinho's troops, who went on to score four unanswered second-half goals through a Wayne Rooney brace, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata.

Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/Associated Press

It did not take the former Paris Saint-Germain striker long to get off the mark for his new club, as he scuffed an overhead kick into the ground and into the bottom corner inside four minutes.

Antonio Valencia was the provider who chipped a cross toward the penalty spot over the head of Rooney. Fortunately, Ibrahimovic was on hand to divert the ball on target.

MUTV provided footage of the Swede's first goal in United colours on their official Twitter account:

Talk about an instant impact! #ZlatanTime

Switch over now to watch live on #MUTVHD. https://t.co/C8QYQI3308

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 30, 2016

With 22 minutes on the clock, Galatasaray pulled level through a set piece. After Ibrahimovic conceded a sloppy free-kick 30 yards from goal, Wesley Sneijder whipped the ball into the area toward Gumus, who stabbed a header into the bottom corner and under Spain No. 1 David De Gea. 

The Istanbul club moved ahead of their Premier League opponents five minutes before the half-time interval following a lovely flowing move. Portuguese midfielder Bruma darted inside from the left flank before letting fly with a powerful drive that flew into the corner of the net.

Manchester Evening News' Rob Dawson listed the substitutions for United, who made wholesale changes at the break:

More changes for United. Now Romero, Young, Darmian, Jones, Rojo, Fellaini, Carrick, Mata, Lingard, Memphis, Rashford.

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) July 30, 2016

However, 10 minutes into the second half, United were level. Valencia was once more the architect down the right wing, as the Ecuadorian played a neat one-two with Ashley Young before darting to the byline.

The experienced winger clipped an accurate ball into the six-yard box for Rooney to head over the goal line. 

Dawson believed the manager Mourinho will have been impressed by Valencia's contribution:

United's system designed to get full-backs forward. Valencia has created goals for Zlatan, Rooney and Fellaini. Might be winning over Jose.

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) July 30, 2016

United looked a transformed side after their 15-minute breather; moments later, Mourinho’s men were ahead. Eighteen-year-old striker Marcus Rashford was sent clear of the Turks’ back line and burst into the box before being brought down inside the six-yard box by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Rooney took over responsibilities for the spot-kick, and despite a poorly struck effort, the ball found its way past the Uruguayan stopper. 

Rashford's devastating pace could play a key role in Mourinho's future plans, according to Manchester Evening News' reporter Samuel Luckhurst:

Rashford run illustrated how vital pace is in #mufc attack, especially with Ibrahimivoc up front. United playing with greater zip this half.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 30, 2016

In the 62nd minute, United added their fourth goal of the night. A deep ball from Valencia from the right of midfield found Belgium international Fellaini at the back post.

The former Everton midfielder’s domineering presence in the box paid off, as his looping header dropped under the crossbar to net United’s third goal in seven minutes.

With 15 minutes remaining in the contest, Mata added a fourth goal of the half to move United comfortably clear of their opponents at 5-2. The Spaniard linked well with Michael Carrick on the edge of the box before sprinting inside and collecting a low cross into the area, toe-poking the ball along the ground and into the corner of the net. 

Sports journalist Liam Canning has high hopes for Mata ahead of the new campaign:

Juan Mata’s been pretty brilliant in pre-season, really hope he can take this form into the new season. So creative.

— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) July 30, 2016

After further changes to United's line-up, including Sergio Romero coming on for De Gea, the game began to become slightly fragmented, with Galatasaray enjoying more of the ball than they had become accustomed to in the second period. However, they were unable to turn over the significant deficit, as United came from behind to win in their final pre-season of the 2016 tour.