Was Jude Bellingham in the wrong? Probably. It was impossible to discern from the vantage point of Houston’s massive NRG Stadium. TV replays suggested he was, but the match was too close for American match officials to determine definitively. There is no argument if there is no VAR.

Bellingham spun away to celebrate his first goal for Real Madrid since signing from Borussia Dortmund for £115 million this month, and what a goal it was.

With one touch on the edge of the box, the 20-year-old England midfielder killed Antonio Rudiger’s pass and lifted the ball softly over Andre Onana as Manchester United’s new goalkeeper came out to the edge of his area.

‘I haven’t seen it back yet,’ Bellingham stated after Real Madrid defeated Erik ten Hag’s team 2-0 in Texas.

‘It did felt like I went a little early. You have to play to the whistle these days because you never know what will happen. I noticed the linesman as I was running over, and his flag remained down, so I just continued with the celebration.’If it is offside, so be it, but it is still a goal.’ Bellingham looked every inch a Real Madrid player against the club that was optimistic of recruiting him as a teenager in 2020 when he toured United’s Carrington training base. In a squad with so many talented players, some of his touches were spectacular.

‘I want to think I look like I’m having fun. ‘Things are going well so far,’ he continued. ‘I’m having a terrific time playing with this squad and learning from so many talented players. I’m not about to get carried away just yet. This season will present significant obstacles.

‘There is plenty to strive for, and properly so. It is the largest club with the most talented players. The stakes are high, as they should be. It is up to us to go out there and match that.

‘I came here with confidence because I knew how good the players were. I know what traits I can provide, and I believe I have fit in.

Language has always been a problem, but Bellingham is working hard to learn Spanish. ‘It’s difficult,’ he said. ‘I’m making an effort. I’m gradually improving, and I have a lot of great professors on my team. Hopefully, that will happen.’

It wasn’t the most enjoyable night in Houston for the former Birmingham City player. At the end of the first half, he was involved in a shoving contest with Lisandro Martinez as United’s feisty defender scythed him down and Mason Mount jumped in to push his England teammate away from trouble.

Bellingham was replaced at halftime and stated that he was unhappy about the incident until Martinez contacted him to make amends after the Argentina defender was also replaced just after the hour mark.

‘The brief squabble with Martinez was one of those things,’ he admitted. ‘He’s a fantastic player. At halftime, I came in and was effing this and that. But after he left, he came over to wish me luck, which I greatly appreciated.

‘I know what happens on the field rҽmains on the field. I saw him at the game’s conclusion and wished him luck. I like it when two players are competing for the same team and can work together to be courteous.