Man of the match Jude Bellingham’s first goal for Real Madrid and Joselu’s spectacular scissor kick saw Manchester United beat 2-0 in Houston.
Just 24 hours after the Red Devils youngsters lost to Wrexham in San Diego, Texas hosted Erik ten Hag’s first team against the Spanish giants.
Bellingham marked his second Madrid appearance with a fine finish against long-term admirers United, who saw Joselu acrobatically sweep home in the second half.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side took control of the friendly in the sixth minute when Bellingham teed up Antonio Rudiger to score his first goal since his recent £115m switch.
There were questions about whether the England international remained offside, but the quality of the touch and the 18-yard finish could not be escaped.
Madrid edged the game under the NRG Stadium roof where goalkeeper Andre Onana looked assured in front, but would again be beaten by a superb finish from former Stoke and Newcastle striker Josela.
United complete their American tour against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas on Sunday, with Kobbie Mainoo unlikely to feature.
The 18-year-old was tipped to start in the middle but an early collision left him limping off and the midfielder scrambling along the touchline as Madrid hit the opener.
Rudiger collected the ball and spotted Bellingham’s run through the middle, meeting his pass with a smart touch before lifting it past Onan. Avoided an offside flag despite it looking close.
Alejandro Garnacho cut in and fired over as United looked for a quick equalizer and Mason Mount failed to hit clean when he had an attempt.
Madrid looked the most dangerous, missing a cut-down opportunity before Vinicius Jr. forced Onan into a save from a tight angle.
Marcus Rashford saw a goal-bound effort go wide and the mood was frayed at half-time.
Lisandro Martinez’s challenge on Bukayo Saka in New Jersey on Saturday angered Arsenal, as did the defender’s foul on Bellingham just before half-time.
The England midfielder got up and shoved the Argentina international, with players from both sides involved before the booking was handed out.
Bellingham were withdrawn as part of Madrid’s five half-time changes, with Fernandes seeing a low ball cleared and Garnacho forcing Andriy Lunin to beat the snap.
The Hag made a number of changes midway through the second half and substitute Scott McTominay followed up a marauding run from the halfway line with a shot at Lunin.
The changes affected Madrid’s momentum as Onana moved his feet well to deny Josela before the summer signing again loomed large.
Diogo Dalot cleared the line before Antony ripped a left-footed shot and Bruno Fernandes tried his luck on the finish.
There would be one final goal, but it came from United looking at the wrong end. Lucas Vazquez crossed from the right and Joselu brilliantly shot past the statue of Onan in the 89th minute.