watched it live on tv very depressing, raphael turned inside out by a ex arsenal reserve, delaet very poor, gibson ( who I like) looked totally out of his league, no penetration, this team could not beat ten men, we are back to no leadership on the park, no one calling the shots, no fear factor, it is silly season when you are relying on Giggs to get physical when the opposition is getting stuck in, come back Roy all is forgiven.

I know it's only pre-season, but......they started well against Celtic and have been getting worse ever since. This was a truly anxious and dreadful performance - the second in a row - against a workmanlike but average side. The defence was shambolic, the midfield bereft of any real spark of inspiration and the strikers isolated for the most part.

There was a telling moment just a few minutes from the end, when the crowd, who had been subdued throughout, launched into an impassioned chant of "U-S-A, U-S-A!". The question is, are the MLS teams catching up or are United just getting worse?

Whilst I've no wish to wallow in recriminations and negativity, it's almost impossible to find anything to enthuse about in this performance. We can only pray that they're getting all the bad performances out of the way now, but my pessimism about the prospects for the new season is growing by the day.

Crucially, Scholes & Giggs, who helped us scrape past Philadelphia, couldn't do it this time. They are playing the entire 90 minutes of these 'meaningless' games in massive heat because without them we are even more inept. At this rate, they'll be burnt out before Christmas. Cleverley looks promising but he is apparently going out on loan and Gibson is just hopeless.

I'd like to think that things can't get any worse, but I'm struggling to convince myself right now.

It's only pre season...right? Smalling looks an unbelievable prospect, so happy to see him in a red shirt.

Berbatov looked awesome again, I reckon we can get 40-45 goals next season from him.

Ben Amos is defenitley the right man to replace Edwin, haven't seen anything else out there that could do a better job, anyhow we have the brilliant Kit Kat to step in.

Without doubt no new signings are needed, Fergie is right their is just no value out there and we the best young prospects in the world.

Not overly surprised, the defence was totally inexperienced. The midfield showed why we really need reiniforcements. Scholsey is fantastic when given time on the ball, but the last few years have shown that if you get in his face he has difficulty dealing with it.
Gibson and Diouf will never ever make it, and I've been watching the Reds for 50 yrs.

Still no need for a young creative central midifelder then??!!! All'd well in eden - the young 'uns will save the day. Fergie & Gill prattle on regardless.....

OK, so many first team players were absent, but think about it: Berbatov could only manage a penalty against a lowly MLS team. Nani, just returned from injury, was unable to have a decent shot on goal. Macheda, who I thought would be a star, continues to be a dud when given the opportunity to shine. The defense was porous, even given the fact that Vidic, Evra etc weren't there. Are we to depend upon an old looking Giggs and company? Lots of energy from the young ones in red and white, but not even one goal other than the penalty. To those who say Man U doesn't need to bolster with 3 new players--one in defense, midfield and as striker--I say you have lost your mind in some act of feeble loyalty to Sir Alex. Even he must see that unless the Glazers spend on some real talent between now and mid-August, the loss to Kansas will only have proven to be a forerunner. The old players are losing their star status. Most of the youth aren't there yet. So with Berbatov flopping, as well no doubt as some of the others now resting, the future seems grim for what was once a shining OT star.

Roll on Aug 14th

I know friendly games have no consequence whatsoever, but it looks like American soccer fans can be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about the premier league.

so nitid slipped and city slumped despite united fielding their best team v ten men and city playing kids.....mmmmm.
carry on the one eyed reporting muen

As long as we are ready for the league. The score is irrelevant on tour, just hope they got a good training session and are getting fit for fight.

Got my tickets for the West Ham game now. I just can't wait until the 28th of August.

Ooops !!!

I don't look too much into pre season, but like to see a few of the young players shine, but this match was quite awful, Darron Gibson gave the ball away 5 times in the first 20 minutes, Berbatov was a specator for the first half, and the less said about the defence the better.

Nothing should be read into this game, other than the fact we desperatley need some authority in the team. Without, Ferdinand, Vidic, Fletcher and Rooney, the team lacks a drive and determination.

I think SAF should really be looking for an authorative, combative midfielder so we can take command of the game. Darron Gibson has not inspired confidence in the youth one bit.

Utter rubbish, wish I hadnt stopped up to watch it. Amos was hopeless, as was Smalling who looked no better than a lower division CB, in fact the only decent player was Cleverley who was on for approx 10 mins and was pushed wide left ??? SAF knows he needs recruits, but he just cant buy anyone, its going to be a bleak season ahead with the likes of Gibson, Smalling, Evans, Diuof and co, these players plus the 30 + players like Giggs, Scholes etc just look jaded and hopelessly out of their depth.

So much for our special youngsters huh! Sign Oezil. We need qaulity. United cannot continue like this!

i know this was only a pre-season game and its all about getting match fit, but the performance wasnt good enough, most of our play was sloppy, and as much as i love scholesy it really did show that we need some younger blood in the middle of the park, im thinkin if city are selling players off on the cheap to cut their squad down to 25 then we should be bidding for the likes of ireland and wright phillips maybe even micah richards for our right back spot as rafael was getting torn to shreds by the lad ryan last night and there is far better players that will be attacking him this season.

From what we've seen so far it is evident that United will struggle this season.

Hardly a surprsing prediction, I know.

The side last year was lacking in many departments, e.g. creativity in midfield, scoring when Rooney was missing, an established right-back etc.

Agains KC Wizards all that was evident again.

Rafael was given the runaround for a start. No surprise there too I suppose.

Admittedly the defence had never played together before, but that doesn't excuse the lack of basics by most of the defenders on show.

Particularly disappointing was Smalling. The few times I saw him play for Fulham last season he always played badly: being responsible for an oposition goal, or scoring an own goal. (He scored a few of those).

Against KC Wizards he seemed to play as if he was a fan that had won a raffle to be included in the starting line-up: aimless upfield kicks into no-man's land, misplaced passes, no power in kicking the ball, did not pick up or mark any player properly, was turned and beaten to the ball easily, was muscled out of every challenge, inaccurate headers...the list is endless.

Elsewhere it was just as bad.

Diouf looked like he didn't have a clue how to kick a ball. It was comical if it wasn't so sad. But then again he has just carried on from last season. (Go check his "performance" v Wolves away)

The only postives for me were Giggs who looked okay when moved into central midfield, and Scholes who controlled most everything. They both played the whole game.

But surely these two wont play every game in the coming season?

The thing is the side is not any stronger this season; logic will therefore say they cannot do any better than last season. The side is in fact weaker.

Worryingly everyone else has strengthened.

If United finish fourth they'll be doing well.

Back to the bad old days at OT then? Most of you reds that post on here won't remember the famous reds fan's quote of "we get 53,000 at OT just to watch the grass grow" in the years you lot were winning nothing. Well, its nearly time for you all to start to do some gardening again.

So, what say you now, your regal highness, SAF???? In EPL you will face 19 teams 10 times stronger than grandly-named Kansas Royals...so your so-called young squad is OK?? I guess not. Everybody except you knows Gibson, Welbeck, Evans, Diouf, Fabio, Macheda, Rafael et el are not Pemier League material. And Giggs, Neville, Scholes, Van Der Sar are more suited to football museum than the EPL battlefield that is the unforgiving hell. SAF may sound cosy but even he must know his time is up.

mr bump, badlands (26/07/2010 at 06:54)

What a numpty you are. United fielding their best team?? Yeah right!!
Well at least United have only lost one game! I believe your best team got spanked 2-0 the other day!

Lads, anyone criticising or bumming up United due to performances in pre-season wise up.

Let them get fit

"The result was a major scalp for the Major League Soccer side who are currently lying eighth in their Conference and played most of the game with 10 men"

Well, if we can't break down 10 mediocre North Americans, how would we fare against the other Premiker sides, not to mention the Barcelonas and Real Madrids...

I think it was ok to get a result like this now, so Fergie doesn't get all hyped up about the capabilities of the kids,,,

And anyway, they are not kids any more, more like mens, aged 21+ as they are.

Hope we are still inn for a couple of signings like özil and Lahm perhaps..
Looks like we very much need it! Would also fancy a couple of Everton players...
Like Arteta and Rodwell..
Surely Fergie must have a plan with Rodwell like he had for Rooney?

[quote name=mr bump, badlands]so nitid slipped and city slumped despite united fielding their best team v ten men and city playing kids.....mmmmm.
carry on the one eyed reporting muen[/quote]

Fielding our best team? Are you on crack?

[quote name=Blue sky, blue sea, blue me, Manchester]Back to the bad old days at OT then? Most of you reds that post on here won't remember the famous reds fan's quote of "we get 53,000 at OT just to watch the grass grow" in the years you lot were winning nothing. Well, its nearly time for you all to start to do some gardening again.[/quote]

This comment coming from a bitter whose team has lost their last 2 games hmm

I see the negatives are out in force again, Take a leaf out of our neighbours book & remind yourself, "It was just a friendly", 52000+ turned out to watch the Reds, Once again United broke attendance records, That is the object of the tour, Come August 8th at Wembley (again), We will see a more commited team, More than able to overcome Chelsea...Keep The Faith

I don't think this result will surprise too many of us?
I am as alarmed as most at the 'Our squad is fine' stance and 'The youngsters will get us through' quotes.
Whilst we can wait for the likes of Smalling to develop the likes of Welbeck, Macheda,
DeLait ,Oberton , Gibson etc do not cut it for me.
The fact that some will be loaned out shouts loud & clear that they are not ready to make the difference at United.
The De Silva twins are good but still very raw, whilst Evans is a very good premiership defender he is not a great defender. The deffence gives me nightmares!
Without Rio & Vidic together we always look like conceding a goal. Now Rio has become a real concern? I won't be holding my breath concerning Anderson either?
With Rio & Owen out and Hargreaves a million miles away our squad looks very thin on the ground. The reliance on Scholes, Giggs & Neville is team building in reverse - fine if we'd have brought in a couple of quality players to rest them regularly but in all honestly this squad does not look good enough.
Yes, we've some very good players coming back but we can't play them every week can we? And finally - does anyone really believe that Berbatov can turn it around? I for one don't!
Of course, I want to be proven wrong on all counts but I am not optimistic going into the new season with events so far.