Orlando Pirates 0-1 Manchester Utd: Martin makes mark as United sink Pirates

Published on Wednesday 23 July 2008 00:23

Orlando Pirates 0 Manchester Utd 1 Martin (23)

LEE Martin marked his call-up to the Manchester United first team by scoring the winner in this Vodacom Challenge match.

The midfielder, on loan at Sheffield United last season, found the target in the 23rd minute when he reacted quickly after Fraizer Campbell flicked the ball on, the 21-year-old applying a cool finish.

It was no more than United deserved against an enthusiastic but limited Pirates side, coached by former Dutch star Rudi Krol.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson named a young team with Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic all on the bench.

And the Scot would no doubt have been pleased at the way his side applied themselves against a fired-up Pirates team.

Wes Brown was in from the start but is scheduled to return home today after the death of his pregnant half-sister.

Rio Ferdinand captained the team after recovering from a back problem that forced him to miss the draw against the Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend.

United almost made the breakthrough in the seventh minute when Carlos Tevez turned quickly, only to see his effort turned away by Senzo Meyiwa. The goalkeeper was forced to make another good save three minutes later from Martin before Michael Carrick rattled in a shot that was deflected to safety. Campbell, who scored 15 goals while on loan at Hull last season, set up United's goal. He flicked on a pass from Brown and Martin, who was on loan at Rangers two years ago, made no mistake from an acute angle.

United goalkeeper Ben Foster was tested for the first time in the 65th minute when he did well to push over a shot from Lebogang Mothibantwa before he ensured victory with a point-black save from Joseph Makhanya.

United have now picked up four points in the tournament and play their final game in Pretoria on Saturday against either the Pirates or the Chiefs, who meet tomorrow in Port Elizabeth.