Mata pen keeps Man United perfect in preseason

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OSLO, Norway -- Juan Mata scored a stoppage-time penalty to hand Manchester United a 1-0 win over Kristiansund and maintain their 100 percent record during preseason.

Mata was brought down by goalkeeper Andreas Vaikla in the the first minute of injury time and converted from the spot himself with almost the last kick of the game.

The game, dominated by United, had looked to be heading for a draw before Mata's spot kick after fine performances from the first two goalkeepers used by Kristiansund Sean McDermott and Serigne Mbaye,

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With just 12 days to go before the Premier League season starts against Chelsea at Old Trafford, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked a strong team at Ullevaal Stadion with Paul Pogba, who had complained of a back problem in the morning, the only notable absentee.

United were the better team for much of the 90 minutes with only McDermott and Mbaye keeping Kristiansund in it. It was only thanks to McDermott that the game wasn't over before half-time.

The 26-year-old Irishman, who started his career at Arsenal, made an athletic save from a fierce Marcus Rashford free kick before denying the England striker again with his knees at the near post.

He wasn't finished there, and moments later got down well to palm away Jesse Lingard's shot. McDermott could do nothing about Scott McTominay's effort three minutes before the break but the ball stayed out of the goal after bouncing off the inside of the near post.

McDermott went off at half-time but United found his replacement, Mbaye, just as stubborn.

First, he saved Rashford's 25-yard drive and then Tahith Chong's shot was turned round the post.

Kristiansund, seventh in the Norwegian top flight and 12 points behind leaders Molde, offered little going forward but Sondre Sorli did find a yard of space in the penalty area only to head wide.

In the absence of goals, one of the biggest cheers of the night was reserved for Solskjaer's son, Noah. The 19-year-old midfielder came on five minutes from time to make his senior debut for Kristiansund while Solskjaer's other son, Elijah, joined his dad on the United bench.

But there was still time for Mata, on as second-half substitute, to run through before being brought down by Mbaye. The Spaniard scored from the spot as United added Kristiansund to their list of preseason victories following wins over Perth Glory, Leeds United, Inter Milan and Tottenham.

They round off their preseason preparations against AC Milan in Cardiff on Saturday before Chelsea visit Old Trafford on Aug.11.