Manchester United begins preseason with 1-0 win

DURBAN, South Africa (AP) -- Manchester United began its preseason with a 1-0 win over South African club Amazulu on Wednesday.

Federico Macheda scored after 19 minutes at Moses Mabhida Stadium in United's first game of its two-match tour of South Africa. The record 19-time English champions will play Ajax Cape Town on Saturday before traveling to China.

Macheda swept the ball home powerfully after being played in by Dimitar Berbatov on the left side of the penalty area. United manager Alex Ferguson started midfielders Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes and defender Rio Ferdinand, while new signing and Japan international Shinji Kagawa came off the bench late on for his debut.

The game was played on the 94th birthday of former South Africa President and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

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