Ross County 2 - 2 Manchester United XI

DEREK Adams took Kevin Luckassen’s performance against Manchester United as a positive sign of his SPFL promise. The 19-year-old Dutchman repeatedly troubled a strong Manchester United reserve side after netting an early opener.

Adams, while cautious not to go overboard this early in pre-season, was nevertheless full of praise for the ex-AZ Alkmaar striker. The County manager said: “He caused Manchester United all sort of problems in defence. It is early days, but he has fitted in well, as all the new players have.

“We played really well. I thought it was the best we’ve played in pre-season against a very good Manchester United team.”

It was a historic day for County as they officially opened the completed 6,600-seater Global Energy Stadium.

Just before his retirement, Sir Alex Ferguson had teed up the friendly with George Adams, Ross County’s director of football.

For United, Italian striker Federico Macheda and Portuguese partner Bebe, the £7.6 million flop from Vitoria de Guimaraes, led the attack.

But Luckassen wasted no time in igniting the occasion. The striker snatched possession from United’s Charni Ekangamene deep in the visitors’ half and drove through to smash a low shot past United keeper Sam Johnstone.

Bebe finally lifted the visitors with a flash of class as he cut in from the left and curved a powerful strike against the bar. And United equalised after 35 minutes as Italian Davide Petrucci sent a free-kick swerving up over the wall and flashing past Mark Brown to his right. County restored the lead after 57 minutes from Mihael Kovacevic’s run and cross from the right fell perfectly to Alex Cooper to finish from seven yards.

Macheda then carved an opening and Ryan Tunnicliffe whipped it off his toes to strike past substitute keeper Michael Fraser.