Luis Enrique upbeat despite seeing Barca lose to Man Utd

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique remained upbeat although his side lost their second pre-season game 3-1 to Manchester United in San Francisco.

Wayne Rooney was on the scoresheet for the English side, who are coached by former Barca coach Luis Van Gaal and whose season kicks off two weeks ahead of Barca's.

However, Enrique was able to take comfort from the fact that his side hit the woodwork on three occasions and that mis-fortune played a part in Barca's defeat.

"I thought it was a good pre-season game for this time in the season," he said. "I think we showed a good level, but this time the effectiveness, both in our rival's goal and in actions such as the goals we conceded played a role."

Although Thomas Vermaelan struggled in a Barca defense, which saw Sergi Roberto play as a makeshift right back, the coach was not too harsh on his defense.

"We didn't do well with the goals, but I am not worried at the moment, because we have until August 11 to correct out mistakes," he said.

The Barca coach preferred to look at bad luck in attack, highlighting his side had "hit the post three times and we are not as clinical as usual with our shooting, but the posts are part of the game."

Barcelona have now travelled to Washington to complete their visit, one which Enrique described as attractive.

"You can play against top level sides and it is a good way of preparing, because we are soon going to play for two titles (The European and Spanish Supercups)." Endi