Shrugging off their poor pre-season form, Champions League holders Real Madrid on Tuesday lifted their second consecutive UEFA Super Cup trophy, beating 2016-17 Europa League winners Manchester United 2-1 in a absorbing encounter at the Philip II Arena in Macedonia. 

Cristiano Ronaldo, a United icon but currently a goal-machine at Real, was on the bench for the high-profile clash with Zinedine Zidane opting to play Isco over the Portuguese superstar in Skopje.

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And Zidane’s decision was vindicated when Isco carved United’s defence open early on in the second-half to score what would turn out to be the winner in a hard-fought tie, with the Spaniard linking up well with United target Gareth Bale before finishing past David de Gea. 

Jose Mourinho had deftly played down his side’s chances before the tie, claiming that the Champions League title-holders are a much better team than the Europe League winners and on the whole, they were outplayed by their opponents on the night. 

Starting Jesse Lingard alongside Romelu Lukaku and Henrikh Mkhitaryan despite having the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to call upon, suggested Mourinho's United would ‘park the bus’ in an effort to stymie their illustrious opponents. 

After United had a bright start to the game, Real began to exert control and it wasn't long before they had the Red Devils hemmed in. 

Much had been made of Mourinho’s pursuit of tall players this summer, but a simple lofted pass from Dani Carvajal split the defence wide open. Defensive midfielder Casemiro made a well-timed run (admittedly, which had a hint of offside) and his first-time finish from his weak-foot left de Gea with no chance in the 24th minute. The Brazilian had earlier seen a headed effort cannon off the bar, but didn’t make a mistake on the second chance he got and with his goal, Real’s remarkable streak of scoring in consecutive matches stretched to 66. 

Post the water break at the half-hour mark, United saw more of the ball but Lingard was virtually non-existent and the Premier League side were unable to get Lukaku involved with Paul Pogba's decision making in the final third not at the required level.

Predictably, Mourinho brought on Rashford for Lingard at the interval and while again United began the half strongly, Real doubled their lead just seven minutes into the second period. 

Isco played a quick-one two with Bale before finishing well past de Gea to seemingly put the game beyond doubt. 

United had a golden chance two minutes later to put them back in the tie but Lukaku fluffed his lines to give Real a reprieve and Mourinho, sensing a drastic change was required, brought on Marouane Fellaini for Ander Herrera.

The Belgian’s introduction saw the Red Devils play direct football and the two substitutes combined well two minutes after the hour-mark to set up United’s goal. 

Rashford laid it off for summer signing Nemanja Matic and while the Serbian’s fierce drive was saved by Keylor Navas, Lukaku was at hand to score his first official United goal from close range. 

Just when United fans had begun to despair that the game was beyond doubt, their side had reeled themselves back in it. 

And nine minutes from time, Rashford should have equalised when Mkhitaryan slipped him in for a one-on-one but Navas denied United a second goal with a decent stop, but it really was more of a miss than a save and the young striker’s expression said it all.

Ronaldo was brought a minute later, to a rousing reception from both sets of fans, and while he looked a little rusty, was lively enough to win a few free-kicks in the opposing half. 

While United put up a good fight, Real were the better team on the night and if not for de Gea, probably would have stretched their advantage.
In the end it didn't matter to Real as they held on for their third UEFA Super Cup title in four years (having won previously in 2014 and 2016) and they will approach a two-legged Spanish Super Cup tie with Barcelona on the weekend with a great deal of optimism. 

For United and Mourinho, the defeat is a chastening one as they were flying high in pre-season and they will look to bounce back in the Premier League opener against West Ham on Sunday.