Waterford United 1 - 2 Manchester United

Almost 3,000 fans packed the RSC in Waterford on Thursday night to see a young Manchester United side beat Waterford United 2-1 in their friendly encounter.

James Wilson and Jack Barmby grabbed the goals for Man United but the Blues hit back through Conor Whittle and were unlucky not to draw the game with a fighting second half performance.

Waterford United gave starts to former player Paul Carey and midfielder Stephen Chambers as they rested players ahead of their league tie with Wexford Youths on Friday night, while Nicky Butt left Republic of Ireland Under-19 international Sam Byrne on the subs bench in his first game in charge of the Manchester United team.

Tom Lawrence could have opened the scoring when he cut in from the left but Blues defender David Breen made an important block as the sun continued to stream across the RSC pitch.

Pereira then forced keeper Chip Sanders into a great save after 13 minutes. He danced his way past the challenges of three Waterford players before unleashing a strike toward goal but Sanders brilliantly saved

Ben Ryan almost gave the home side the lead five minutes later but his free kick grazed the top of the crossbar. Man United went down the other end instantaneously and struck the bar themselves as James Wilson shot from 25 yards but saw his effort strike the bar, before seeing his follow up saved by keeper Sanders.

The opening goal arrived through James Wilson. The striker finally got the better of Sanders after seeing his initial effort saved, and he made no mistake with his second effort as he brilliantly curled the ball into the top left corner of Sanders' goal. Conor Coad almost levelled for Waterford United on the stroke of half time, but Pierluigi Gollina got a touch to force it over the crossbar.

Man United doubled their lead just six minutes into the second half through Jack Barmby. The midfielder, and son of Nick Barmby, dribbled around two challenges in the Waterford penalty area, held off defender David Breen and fired brilliantly low past Hyland.

Waterford United got back into the game with the goal of the match and possible goal of the season in the RSC. Substitute rightback Conor Whittle advanced unchallenged from right back before unleashing an unstoppable strike past Man United keeper Jonny Sutherland.

Joe Rothwell almost made it 3-1 within minutes when he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box, but Blues keeper Craig Hyland touched over his brilliantly curled effort.

With ten minutes to go, the home side should have levelled. Philip Drohan drove down the left and forced Sutherland into a good save. The ball broke to Peter Higgins 12 yards from goal but he scuffed his shot across the penalty area with the goal at his mercy.

Donal Love almost added another with five minutes to go but Conor Whittle got the vital clearance on the goal line, before Sam Byrne almost got on the scoresheet minutes later but his header went over the crossbar.

Waterford United: Chip Sanders (Craig Hyland HT), Paul Carey (Conor Whittle HT), Patrick Fitzgerald (Dylan Mernagh 63), David Breen, Franny Rockett (John Frost 67); Aidan McGrath (Dean Reidy 67), Stephen Chambers (Patrick Barrett 63), Conor Coad (Kevin O’Connor 67), Peter Higgins; Paul Quilty (Philip Drohan 63), Ben Ryan (Marco Chindea 63).

Manchester United: Pierluigi Gollini (Jonny Sutherland HT), James Weir, James Rowley, Donald Love, Patrick McNair, Jack Rudge, Andreas Pereira, Joe Rothwell, James Wilson (Adarabioyo Olatayo), Tom Lawrence (Sam Byrne 60), Jack Barmby.

Referee: Andrew Mullally
Attendance 2830.