UNITED'S shadow squad failed to convince the Reds followers in Glasgow that Old Trafford has the strength in depth to leapfrog Chelsea in the new season, but at least Paul Scholes is back among the goals.
The few who had travelled north were voicing the fears of the many at Celtic Park when they urged Sir Alex Ferguson to "sign some players" during this warm-up.
It was a touch cruel on United's kids who, at least, acquitted themselves well in Scotland as the Reds won 3-0 on a disappointing occasion that was well short of the fire and passion these `friendlies' normally produce.
The Scottish support clearly saw through the PR exercise to convince the Celtic followers to turn up in their droves to see another set-to with the Reds.
They had obviously got wind that Fergie had no intention of bringing his World Cup players back early to drum up interest in this friendly.
Ten of United's players who were on duty in Germany were absent as announced.
Ferguson has had a rethink on their fitness and some will be ready for the Moss Rose match with Macclesfield on Monday.
Rested
But this trip was too early for those internationals, and adding to United's desperately depleted personnel, were minor injuries to Ryan Giggs, Ole Solskjaer and John O'Shea.
The Hoops fans obviously knew what was coming because the Celtic Park arena was less than half full.
Gordon Strachan, too, only played five seniors who could count themselves in the `first choice' category.
The smattering of United fans decided it was worth the trek to Glasgow if only to remind the Reds boss just what his blueprint needs if Chelsea are going to be overhauled.
It should be some consolation to them that at least United's under belly of players were significantly more lively, inventive and dangerous than the Scottish champions' fringe mob.
Veteran Scholes was inevitably the dominant figure that kept the Reds moving and it was his drive after eight minutes that produced the corner from Artur Boruc's tip over from which United took the lead.
Chris Eagles' set piece caused unnecessary mayhem among Celtic's defence and as they failed miserably to clear their lines United's 18-year-old defender Jonny Evans pounced.
The Belfast youngster had come up to provide the aerial power but displayed a nifty nimbleness on the floor to score.
It was unfair that the first demand for transfers from the Mancunian travellers came soon after this bright start but the fans were acutely aware the scalp of a lacklustre Celtic is nothing to the challenge around the corner in England.
Save
United keeper Ben Foster, meanwhile, could be playing his way out of a place in the Premiership next season. Foster helped Watford to promotion last term and they want him back to fill their first team jersey again, but Fergie could be forced to reconsider loaning him out instead of pursuing the é3m transfer of West Brom's Tomasz Kuszczak.
Foster may prefer in the short term to be Watford's senior in the top flight than being Edwin van der Sar's understudy but he's doing his case no harm with the kind of save with his legs that denied Alan Thompson after 20 minutes.
He looked a strong, steady, confident, quick and agile last line of defence.
Scholes put the icing on his display when he scored his first United goal since Boxing Day.
The midfielder's eye complaint certainly appears a thing of the past as he spotted the flight of a fiercely driven Kieran Richardson free kick after 61 minutes to get the touch that made it two for the Reds.
The 31-year-old then poached his second with five minutes to go.
UNITED: Foster, Bardsley (Simpson 70), Evra, Brown (McShane 74), J Evans, Eagles (Miller 54), Fletcher (Gibson 70), Scholes, Martin, Richardson (D Jones 78), Rossi
What is your verdict on the performance? Have your say.
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stuart are you just a professional moan, sure we have no signings YET but last nights game was an entertaining match and an impressive display by the Manchester United youngsters
perhaps you are only able to enjoy a match when the field is full of millionaires on ??60k+ a week and the game has been hyped beyond and ressembalence of reality by skysports for the preceeding month
The United support for the team last night was superb. We made more noise than the thousands of celtic fans that had turned up. There may have been some calls for new players but the support was mainly directed at those players on the pitch and even those left behind with everyone getting a mention. Scholes looked liked "a new sigining" as ahas already been mentioned and this was not forgotten by the fans. Fergie will have plans and if reports of mascherano's agents being in manchester are true, we will have the midfielder we want. Lets get behind the lads cause Man United will never die!
Whatever about my verdict on the perormance, my verdict on this report is that it's ridiculously negative. Celtic were poor and the match was poorly attended (because the game was on terrestrial telly, NOT just because we were fielding a youg team) but the display we put on was worthy of a lot of praise. Celtic started with about 7 or 8 of what would be their strongest starting line-up and don't forget that they are in the Champion's League and are never a soft touch when they're playng at home. They beat Everton two nil last week and are easily the strongest side we've faced in our pre-season so far. I can't believe you don't even start to discuss the game until over half way down the page and then completely fail to mention the perfomances put in by players like Martin, Richardson, Rossi and Evans. For crying out loud, even Evra and Fletcher played well! It was a decent game of football and our youngsters did themselves proud, would it kill you to give credit where it's due? We get enough negativity on here from the fans but you'd expect a bit more objectivity from a journo.
Look, give these young players the credit they deserve. They were brilliant last night. Even the players who came off the bench, fitted in very well. These players have the ability to play for United and ARE GOOD ENOUGH to keep the club challenging for honours at the highest level. But they need help! And that help will only come from a couple of world class performers. Giggs and Scholes will help them but they need Fergie to bring in another couple. Remember Rooney and Ronaldo have to come back. I thought they were excellent last night. You say Celtic didn't play well. I would say, we didn't allow them to play well!
I thought we were lucky to get the win. Celtic outplayed us for long spells.........Scholes needs shipping out badly. I can only see another season of missed opportunities. Ferguson must go now and we could do no worse than trying to tempt Strachan who at least would have the passion and knows all about our great club.
Excellent performance - can't win anything with kids though !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some of those played liked seasoned pros and to be honest were better than our so called stars.
It looks like Mr Mathieson's spirits were dampened by a small section of the crowd because watching this on TV I thought it was entertaining and the youngsters did themselves proud. Lee Martin and Johnny Evans are great prospects. Rossi was below par but we know he can do better. The back four and keeper were all spot on - only really Eagles that was a bit disappointing - he had several chances to run at the left back when we were on the break but always turned around and played back to Bardsley. I have been one of the doom and gloom merchants of late and last night lifted my spirits - not least to see Scholes back in such good form and even Fletch had a half decent match by his own low standards.
Lets just give credit where it's due but admit that Celtic aren't the same test that most premiership sides will be so we still need to strengthen.
John Barnes seemed suitably impressed! UNITED can only play the opponents and we dominated this game,which must suggest the youngsters have reached a level where they're to be congratulated.Well done lads!
The youngsters aquitted themselves well, Excellent performances from Scholes, Evans, Martin and Daz Fletcher.There are definatley 6or7 players that could play for united for 10 years.
We still need maybe 1or2 midfileders as that is the only area that concerns me other than that the future looks good.
Jimmy The Squirrel - stick to playing with your nuts mate!
I cannot believe some of the comments - including the report itself. Due to the nature of the game (friendly) we know that we must not get over excited. But playing with kids and winning 3-0 at Celtic is a fantastic result. What did you expect Stuart - a 10-0 result?
most of the utd fans were in the celtic stands cos it was impossible to get tickets for the utd end
Cue Django with some claim that it has cost the equivalent of NASA's annual budget to develop these youngsters and how the academy should in fact be scapped. Or steve from glossop stating how much better Saint Wenger is at finding and developing youngsters despite the evidence of this performance. Or bobbydazzler, with an objective comment about how rubbish DF really is.
Credit to the youngsters, who played well, but it has to be said that most of them were there because the first choices were unavailable for one reason or another. Of those who played last night, probably only three or four have any real chance of breaking through into the first team next season - Bardsley, Rossi. Foster, plus (unfortunately) Richardson and the predictably average Fletcher. Despite all that, they did well overall against dismal opposition. Watching Celtic certainly put our woes into perspective! We all know how desperately average the SPL is, but if that's a sample of what's going to be served up at Parkhead next season, they'd be better advised in applying to join the Conference rather than the Premiership! Wes Brown was excellent yet again and Evans looked a class act in the making.
Is this fergies grand plan. Blood another batch of youngsters. I thought lee martin / rossi / bardsley and foster all looked good. even darren fletcher and miller played well. I think rossi and martin and some others should be given a chance this season. Why spend 15/20 million on carrick and A#5 million on kuschak when some of our young players are better?
Well as I've mentioned already, if there is no money and therefore transfer activity is to be limited, then the club should face facts, come clean and fast-track the new kids. Good performance last night, albeit the pre-season nature and weakened Celtic squad. Give the kids a run, maybe they won't win anything straight away but they'll have the hunger and hopefully get the experience. I want to see our players playing for the shirt, that's all.
nice results...
by the way, I thought Liam Miller was no longer with United. wasn't there a report about that on this site? or am I mistaken?
On a serious note, to those who were there. Has Evans got real pace? They said so on TV but i can't help feeling that he did look a little leaden footed when the chance broke to Thompson (which Foster saved well with his feet). Harsh perhaps, but if he's to make it (& the premiership virtually demands it) he needs real pace i fear.
I only watched a bit of the game. Some of the lads have skill but I have to say most of them look very lightweight, Fletcher looked comfortable & clearly this is his level. Well Alias if you think they compare with Wenger's boys you need help mate!
That was a 3-0 win against a poor Celtic side and also, even if Scholes got a brace, it still doesn't change much.
I mean Scholes hasn't been performing well for the past 3 years.
Yes it was a friendly, and many will say it was only Celtic. But the way they pass the ball and moved around the pitch, England didn't play like that during the whole of the world cup. I like to see the odd big name coming in saying how proud he is to be wearing the red of United. But if a good few of these young lads can get into the first team and play with the same confidence against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal then good luck to them. Why is there so much doom and gloom. I know many fans fear the Glazer factor, but whether they stay or go this will always be our club and those players deserve our support.
Andy did you even watch the game? Fletcher was probably our best player.
nice to see scholesy back to his best, even fletcher played well in his preferred central role!
I saw a repeat of the game on MUTV last night. I must say that Fletcher looked excellent in CM against what was admittedly a second-string Celtic side. Playing with Scholes seemed to bring out the best in him.
alias so based on the fact that he can cut the mustard against a reserve team from one of the weakest leagues in europe we must keep on with the experiment should we give him another 108 games to prove his worth?