A surprisingly competitive friendly fixture was eventually won at canter by dad's thoroughbreds, although not before Posh had given more evidence that they too have a talented Ferguson at the helm.

Even given his natural competitiveness, Darren Ferguson was probably more pleased that his side suffered no injury worries ahead of the impending League One season than he was disappointed with the 2-0 reverse.

But he also saw enough in bursts to be confident of another exciting campaign. Posh pushed United all the way and this was far from the Red Devils team of unknowns that fulfilled this fixture last summer.

Fergie senior did Posh the honour of selecting a strong side, in the first half at least. There was no Rooney, Scholes or Giggs, but there was Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Carlos Tevez, all of whom oozed class, and a set of Brazilian twins who both played with gay abandon in full-back roles.


Teams and match stats:
Referee: Kevin Wright (Peterborough).
Assistant referees: Dave Bryan (Stamford), Paul Barnes (Peterborough)
Goals: United - R. Martin (og, 39 mins), Gibson (69 mins).
Attendance: 13,042

Teams - Posh: (first half)

Joe Lewis
Russell Martin
Shane Blackett
Craig Morgan
Chris Westwood
Micah Hyde
Paul Coutts
Chris Whelpdale
Sergio Torres
Aaron Mclean
Scott Rendell

Posh: (second half)

Mark Tyler
Chris Whelpdale (sub Williams, 75 mins)
Craig Morgan
Kieran Charnock
Shane Blackett (sub, Jamie Day, 57 mins)
Charlie Lee
Dean Keates
Shaun Batt
George Boyd
Craig Mackail-Smith
Liam Hatch

Manchester United

Tomasz Kuszczak (Zieler, 66 mins)
John O'Shea
Patrice Evra (sub Jonny Evans, 46 mins)
Rio Ferdinand (sub Craig Cathcart, 46 mins)
Wes Brown (Sub Fabio da Silva, 46 mins)
Darren Fletcher (sub Darron Gibson, 67 mins)
David Gray
Nani (sub Possebon, 57 mins)
Rafael Da Silva
Carlos Tevez (sub Lee Martin, 46 mins)
Fraizer Campbell (sub Tom Cleverley, 46 mins)


Posh decided to take it easy on United by fielding a far from full strength side. Even star winger George Boyd was left on the substitutes' bench, possibly because Posh feared Sir Alex Ferguson may be sizing him up as a replacement for Ronaldo, or more likely because Southend away in five days is a more important fixture.

But for all the talent on show, it took a comedy own goal to give United the lead. Russell Martin probably dreamt of scoring at London Road in front of a full house, but not with a heavy chest into his own net.

Right-back Rafael Da Silva, one of those twins, supplied the 39th minute right wing cross, although to be fair Joe Lewis probably should have saved Martin's embarrassment.

The goal arrived just after Aaron Mclean had missed an absolute sitter after United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak had spilled a strong shot from Shane Blackett. Blackett, who played at left-back, was Posh's outstanding performer in the first half and will surely challenge Tom Williams for that role if Jamie Day is not ready at the weekend.

Posh had started brightly securing a succession of early corners, but there were few clear-cut chances at either end until that late flurry of action.

Chris Whelpdale and Craig Morgan sent headers straight at Kuszczak and the former could also only poke a half chance straight at the United keeper.

Tevez was brilliant on occasions showing pace that belied his stocky frame and trickery that confirmed his Argentine origins. Posh's own South American Sergio Torres was quiet by comparison, even though that comparison is grossly unfair.

Posh made nine substitutions at half-time and United took off five of their bigger names. Continues on next page

Slideshow: Posh v Man United - were you there?
More than 13,000 fans flock to football feast as Manchester United roll into Peterborough.
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