Manchester United midfielder Lee Martin's first-half strike gave the European club football champions a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates in a friendly match in Durban, South Africa.
The Premier League holders, who beat the Pirates 4-0 in the same pre-season exhibition tournament two years ago, enjoyed the best of the first half and opened the scoring after 23 minutes.
Striker Frazier Campbell flicked on Wes Brown's header to allow Martin to burst onto the ball and beat goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.
Despite the introduction of United regulars Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, the home side found their shape in the second half, occasionally testing Ben Foster's goal.
The visitors absorbed the pressure to claim their first win in the tournament, having drawn 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs in Cape Town last week. They face the winner of the Soweto derby - between the Chiefs and Pirates - on July 26 in Pretoria.
