Last Updated: Friday 25th July 2008
Pre Season Friendly From Gigg Lane, Official Attendance 11,751
Bury 0-3 Manchester United
Scholes set United on their way with his strike early into the second half
A strong second half performance from Manchester United saw them see off League Two side Bury today at Gigg Lane. Goals from Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick setting the Red Devils on their way to victory.
Bury welcomed Premier League giants Manchester United to Gigg Lane this evening for a pre season clash, the League Two side would have to show determination and have luck on their side to get a positive result. United three days earlier had put three past Patrick Thistle at Firhill and Sir Alex Ferguson made just three changes from that side. Tomasz Kuszczak replaced Ben Foster in goal, Paul Scholes came in for the outgoing Anderson and Wayne Rooney dropped to the bench as Dimitar Berbatov was given the task of leading the line with Carlos Tevez.
Just one minute into the game referee Oliver Pawson was forced to book Ritchie Baker, Dimitar Berbatov feeling the full impact of the Bury players tackle. The first chance of the game came six minutes later as Tevez and Darren Fletcher combined well on the edge of the area, the Scottish midfielder rattling the crossbar with a driven effort.
Ryan Giggs was denied just two minutes later as Bury skipper Paul Scott cleared his header off the line, the home side hanging on for dear life. Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov then sent a volley just wide of Wayne Browns post, Uniteds summer signing showing why Sir Alex Ferguson parted with thirty two million pounds for his signature.
Brown then denied Berbatov ten minutes later as the former Bayern Leverkusen and Tottenham striker found space inside the area, the Bulgarians low shoot palmed away by Browns outstretched right hand. With half time approaching it was looking ever more likely that Bury would hold on until half time but they where very lucky to do so as Nani smashed a venomous free kick against the crossbar from almost thirty yards out, Bury keeper Wayne Brown a spectator as he watched the ball sail towards his goal.
Sir Alex obviously wanted more pace out wide in the second half and he withdrew Nani and Ryan Giggs for Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio, the latter having an almost immediate impact on proceedings.
Just four minutes after his introduction into the game the Brazilian wing back played a delightful ball into the path of Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes and the crowd was treated to a vintage Scholes goal as the former England international hit a powerful drive which left Wayne Brown with no chance.
Michael Carrick entered the game just three minutes after Scholes had opened the deadlock, Carrick took just forty five seconds to get involved, his fellow substitute Anderson picking him out beyond the Bury defence with a stunning ball and the former West Ham United midfielder made no mistake as he rolled the ball past Brown to make it two.
Carrick then hit the post four minutes later with a header, Rafaels delivery from the corner a dangerous one, United unlucky not to be leading by three. They didn't have to wait long thou as Carrick nearly bagged himself a second, unfortunately for Carrick and Ben Futcher the goal will go down as an own goal after Futchers attempted clearance only forced the ball home into the back of the net although Carrick may argue it was ending up there anyway after he had rounded Brown and slid the ball towards goal.
United could have extended their lead further but Anderson, Carrick and Wayne Rooney all failed to take full advantage of the opportunities that arose, the Red Devils comfortable winners at Gigg Lane as Bury had no answer.
Lineups
Bury: Brown, Scott ( C ), Buchanan, Futcher (61), Cresswell (54), Morrell (61), Fyfe (61), Baker (74), Dawson (49), Hurst (45), Bishop (74)
Substitutes: Belford, Jones, Bennett, Rouse, Sodje (61), Barry-Murphy (54), Racchi (61), Dorney (74), Haslam (61), Thompson (45), Anane (49), Steele (74)
Manchester United: Kuszczak, Neville ( C )(63), O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Nani (45), Giggs (45), Fletcher (52), Scholes (52), Tevez (63), Berbatov
Substitutes: Foster, Brown (63), Evra, Evans, Rafael (45), Carrick (52), Gibson, Possebon, Anderson (52), Rooney (63), Manucho, Fabio (45)
Match Statistics
Shots On Goal: Bury 1 - 20 Manchester United
Shots On Target: Bury 0 - 6 Manchester United
Shots Off Target: Bury 1 - 14 Manchester United
Bury Goals: None
Manchester United Goals: Scholes (49), Carrick (53), Futcher (OG 60)
Possession: Bury 40% - 60% Manchester United
Free Kicks: Bury 9 - 11 Manchester United
Corners: Bury 1 - 5 Manchester United
Offsides: Bury 1 - 5 Manchester United
Yellow Cards: Scholes, Baker
Red Cards: None
This post has been edited by K3V0: 20 June 2009 - 01:34 AM