Peterborough was awash with fans wearing the European Cup holder's famous red shirts, as well as Peterborough United's blue kit to see the long awaited match last night, and there was no trouble as supporters from both sides mixed in pubs and bars before the game.

And with Argentinean forward Carlos Tevez leading a Manchester United line up littered with internationals, the home fans were not disappointed.

A huge crowd of 13,042 fans packed into London Road to see Sir Alex's team beat his son Darren's Posh squad 2-0 in a closely contested match.

The match, Posh's last chance to test themselves before starting their League One campaign on Saturday at Southend, had been graded as a 'B' game by police.

Posh 0, Man Utd 2 - The stars shine, and Man Utd weren't bad either
Swanny's match report from Posh's pre-season friendly with Premier League champions Manchester United, 4 August 2008.
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Police say the match was graded so highly because of the large number of fans.

Kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes to allow the crowd to find their seats before the action started but a police spokeswoman said that there was no football related arrests last night.

Afterwards, delighted fans were full of praise for the football treat served up by both sides with many posting comments on the ET's website.

David Shepherd, Turnstone Way, Stanground, Peterborough, said: "I thought it was a decent game and it was good to see Tevez and Nani in the first half, they looked a real threat when they had the ball. But the important thing for us is Southend on Saturday and the United game was just another part of preparing for that. From what I have seen in pre season we will do well this year – up the Posh!"

Arthur Green from Wisbech, said: "I have been coming to Posh for more than 30 years, and this is one of the most skillfull sides we have had in my time watching them. United were obviously on another level to us but we did reasonably well and looked lively up front ourselves. We have the attack to score goals and I thought we could have got at least one tonight had we been a bit luckier."

Tina Lazenby, from Bourne, said: "My husband and I came with the kids and we all thought it was a really good game.

"My sons are big Man Utd fans but after seeing Posh tonight for the first time they are hooked and will be back this season wearing George Boyd and Aaron Mclean shirts I am sure."

Paul Baldwin, from Market Deeping, said: "I don't really get to many games here anymore but I was very impressed with what I saw tonight. United may have beaten us but we had our chances and certainly were not embarrassed out there. On that evidence I reckon it could be back to back promotions for Posh."