Ayr United 0 - 1 Manchester United XI: Visiting youngsters down Ayr

AFTER their seven-goal romp against Spartans at Ainslie Park on Sunday, the Manchester United youngsters found playing against First Division Ayr United a little more challenging.

However, the visitors won and, in the process, demonstrated the strength in depth available to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ayr were chasing shadows for the opening 12 minutes, but, for all their control and their one-touch passing, it took the visitors that long to create a chance, with goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert rescuing Ayr as he diverted Danny Drinkwater's shot into the side netting.

The Honest Men's response was immediate and, by mid-way through the first half, Michael Moffat had given the home fans something to shout about as he created three chances, only to be thwarted by the impressive defending of Ezekiel Fryers.

However, the slick-moving United youngsters were soon back on the attack, and Cuthbert again rescued his side with saves from a Michael Keane header and another Drinkwater effort.

At the other end, Moffat continued to trouble the visitors' defence, but, in 33 minutes, he slipped after creating space for himself and the chance was lost. Paul Pogba was one youngster in red who made a particularly good impression and, in 43 minutes, he went on a magnificent solo run from his own half to set up Will Keane only for Cuthbert to pull off another fine save.

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The response was a fine over-lapping run from John Robertson which forced a diving save from Thomas Kuszczak. Moffat continued to test the visiting central defenders in the second half, getting clear in 54 minutes, but his high shot was easily claimed by Kuszczak.

A minute later, the visitors went in front with a terrific goal, as midfielder Oliver Norwood beat Cuthbert from 25 yards.

Once they had the lead, the English side were quite happy to continue to dictate the play and a raft of substitutes followed.

Similarly, Ayr manager Brian Reid wanted to give all his subs time on the park and the game rather petered out.

Many of the kids on show at Somerset Park will surely feature in Ferguson's League Cup selections this season.

For Ayr to lose their unbeaten record for the summer to the Red Devils was no disgrace as, in the end, superior quality told.

Ayr United: Cuthbert; J Robertson (Donnelly 82), Malone, Smith, Campbell (Armstrong 55), Geggan (R Robertson 68), Trouten Hart 75), Burke (Tiffoney 61), Moffat (Paterson 68), Roberts (Wardlaw 76), McGowan (Shankland 75).

Manchester United XI: Kuszczak; M Keane, McGinty, Norwood, Thorpe (Cole 15) (Givern 88), Fryers, Drinkwater, Gibson (Lonsdale 90), W Keane Fornasier (75), Pogba, Petrucci (Lingard 53).