This Wednesday, July 31, Manchester United played a friendly match against Real Betis at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. There was the Snapdragon Cup on the line, which has become an annual friendly match for Manchester United at the Mission Valley fortress.

Unlike last year in a friendly against Wrexham, this time around the Red Devils brought their first team to San Diego. Stars like Marcus Rashford, Caseniro, and Christian Eriksen featured in this match. Real Betis also brought a full squad featuring players like Hector Bellerin and World Cup champion Nabil Fekir.

There was a gradual rising attendance and the officially announced attendance by the end of the match was 26,248 spectators. There was an overwhelmingly Manchester United heavy audience at the “Snap”. The fans generated a very vibrant atmosphere around the Mission Valley fortress with United’s very passionate fan base.

The action started early on in the match with a disallowed goal for Jadon Sancho in the fifth minute of the match. Manchester United looked like the much better team out the gate, but Real Betis was the first to strike in the 15th minute. Iker Losada scored from close range off an assist by Rodri to give the Spanish side the early lead.

Tonight’s attendance at Snapdragon Stadium for Manchester United vs. Real Betis: 26,248.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/UVm9g6eu0Z

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) August 1, 2024

However, that lead evaporated almost immediately after Romain Perraud took out Amad Diallo inside of the penalty area. Marcus Rashford stepped up to take the penalty and executed it with perfection to tie the match. Amad Diallo went on to give the Red Devils a lead in the 24th minute with a stunning strike from Amad Diallo from inside of the box off a cross by Harry Amass.

Snapdragon Stadium was very loud after these two goals and exploded in euphoria again in the 31st minute when Casemiro extended the lead. The scoring play started with a corner kick that found Marcus Rashford, who passed the ball to Casemiro near Real Betis’ net.

The first half was much better than the second half, and unfortunately for Manchester United, Marcus Rashford picked up an injury in the 62nd minute. Rashford was limping off the pitch and was also limping after the match in the mixed zone on his way to the team bus.

Marcus Rashford picked up an injury and was limping following the Manchester United vs. Real Betis friendly match at Snapdragon Stadium.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/r7SJo5AIMw

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) August 1, 2024

Just before Rashford was subbed out, Real Betis managed to cut the lead with a goal by Diego Llorente. Llorente scored from a header inside of the box, but the intensity of the match truly died down after this goal. Both teams made several substitutions in the second half, with Manchester United having several inexperienced players on the pitch.

The match ended 3-2 in what was an entertaining match and a great atmosphere at Snapdragon Stadium. There will continue to be several high-level matches at Snapdragon Stadium heading into the San Diego FC 2025 MLS season. The next being a Club America Leagues Cup match against an unannounced opponent on August 9.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.