Reserves: St Johnstone 2 United 3: Reds leave it late as Ajose nicks another win

Alan Main Testimonial
July 31st 2010, 3pm
McDiarmid Park, Perth

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St Johnstone	2-3	Manchester United XI

Haber 63	-	Norwood 9
N.Main 66 pen	-	King 26
-	-	Ajose 88

 
United’s Reserves continued their encouraging pre-season campaign as Nicky Ajose’s second late winner in the space of four days secured a 3-2 win over St Johnstone in a testimonial for Saints’ keeper Alan Main.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Warren Joyce’s side threatened to run riot in the first half, racing into a 2-0 lead with goals from Oliver Norwood and Joshua King, but the hosts responded after the break with a quick double-salvo from Marcus Haber and Nicholas Main. Having seen his son level the scores, Main Senior was introduced from the bench for his final appearance at McDiarmid Park and received a rousing send-off from all in attendance, although not before the increasingly prolific Ajose rained on his parade just a little with his 88th minute decider.

Reserves: Oxford 1 United 2: Reds ride their luck as Ajose nicks the winner

Friendly
July 27th 2010, 7.45pm
Kassam Stadium, Oxford

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Oxford United	1-2	Manchester United XI

Constable 45	-	Eikrem 45, missed pen 5
-	-	Ajose 90

 
United’s Reserves got their pre-season campaign back on track with a late late victory over Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.

After spurning an early chance to take the lead when Magnus Eikrem saw his penalty saved, the Reds seemed to have snatched a half-time advantage when the Norwegian made amends by curling home a free-kick a minute before the break, only for the hosts to respond immediately through James Constable. Oxford had the better of an extremely competitive second half and looked the more likely winners but, with time almost up, Nicky Ajose popped up at the far post to volley home and clinch a dramatic win in textbook United fashion.

Milk Cup 2010: Treble dreams dashed as Reds stunned by Aspire

United’s bid for a third successive Milk Cup crown has ended at the group stage after Paul McGuinness’ side fell to a surprising defeat against Qatari academy Aspire.

Milk Cup 2010: Clinical Cofie gets Reds off to a flying start

United made a blistering start to the defence of their Milk Cup crown with a 4-0 thrashing of County Tyrone at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Reds look to create more Milk Cup magic

The 2010 edition of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup kicks off today with United’s U17s bidding to win the Premier Section trophy for an unprecedented third successive year.

Joy for James as England sneak into the semis

Late, late drama in both Group A matches has seen England qualify for the semi-finals of the UEFA U19 European Championship in unlikely fashion and prolonged the participation of United duo Matt James and Reece Brown for at least another few days.

Reserves: Yeovil 3 United 2 – Hosts get their Way as Reds suffer second-half slump

Darren Way Benefit Match
July 24th 2010, 3pm
Huish Park, Yeovil

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Yeovil Town	3-2	Manchester United XI

Kalala 47	-	Possebon 37
S.Williams 50	-	Brady 78
Virgo 51	-	-

 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 21-game unbeaten run in pre-season fixtures came to an end as United’s Reserves suffered defeat against Yeovil Town in a benefit match for Glovers coach Darren Way.

The Reds took a slender lead into the half-time interval after Rodrigo Possebon’s second goal in as many games, but Solskjaer’s side were rocked in a five minute spell after the break as Jean-Paul Kalala, Sam Williams and Adam Virgo punished some slack defending to completely turn the game on its head. Sub Robbie Brady pulled one back to set up an entertaining finish but the home side held on, much to the delight of the 6664-strong crowd who saved their loudest cheer of the day for the last minute introduction of Way, turning out in a Yeovil shirt for the final time after his playing career was prematurely ended by serious injury.

Reds duo help England to winning start

Reece Brown and Matt James were both involved as England began their UEFA U19 European Championship campaign with a close-fought 3-2 win over Austria.

United’s Young Lions look for a Euro double

Hot on the heels of a United triumvirate playing their part in England’s success at the UEFA U17 European Championships, Matt James and Reece Brown will be attempting to emulate that achievement when the U19 version of the tournament gets underway later today.

Reserves: Dunfermline 1 United 5 – Reds hit five in Fife

Friendly
July 17th 2010, 3pm
East End Park, Dunfermline

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Dunfermline	1-5	Manchester United Reserves

Kirk 63	-	King 1, 16
-	-	Ajose 11
-	-	Possebon 34
-	-	W.Keane 85

 
United’s Reserves made it nine goals scored in their first two pre-season games as they put five past an outclassed Dunfermline at East End Park.

Coming off the back of a four-goal haul against Curzon Ashton on Monday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side picked up where they left off and blew the Scottish First Division outfit away in the first half. Joshua King grabbed two goals inside the first twenty minutes, those two strikes sandwiching another from Nicky Ajose, and Rodrigo Possebon’s long range effort made it four before the break. While Andy Kirk’s free-kick pulled a goal back for the home side in a quieter second half, Will Keane put some deserved gloss on the scoreline and restored the four-goal cushion with a typical finish five minutes from time.