CHESTERFIELD MATCH REPORT
John Duncan Testimonial match played at Saltergate (Saturday 27th July)
On a sweltering day at Saltergate, Chesterfield 7,000 fans packed into the
tiny stadium to see United. The United end was mainly made up of travelling youths from the U.S. of A on a United soccer school from Utah, making the atmosphere a little quieter than per usual, but still Reds that had made the trip belted out a few Anti-Leeds numbers along with a chorus of "hello,
hello".
tiny stadium to see United. The United end was mainly made up of travelling youths from the U.S. of A on a United soccer school from Utah, making the atmosphere a little quieter than per usual, but still Reds that had made the trip belted out a few Anti-Leeds numbers along with a chorus of "hello,
hello".
International superstars were the main attraction however, and as the players came out to train Ruud and Keano were mobbed hundreds of day-trippers allowed around the players tunnel by the lax Chesterfield security. Players did however stop and sign autographs for the baying fans, with only Ruud turning a few away while he was in the middle of warming-up.
Larry showed that there's still life in the old frog, with a solid
performance at the back - and showing that he's been spending a lot of time with Ruud recently slotting home past the Spireites keeper Carl Muggleton after a 40-yeard run.Ruud showed that he's fresh from a relaxing summer in his garden, when he hit a blistering snapshot volley in the second-half making it 2-0 to United. The sun was belting down as, United's much-criticized Uruguayan forward, Diego Forlan, who'd worked hard all afternoon, was rewarded for his efforts with a Beckham-esque free-kick from 35-yards out.
Captain Keano got in on the act, witb a subtle finish. Keano had been punishing anyone that made a mistake with a piercing shout all day, with Forlan being the main culprit. A lad, who's touted as the next Giggsy, Kieran Richardson ended the thrashing with a toe-poke at the death. Richardson looked to be one of the bright-sparks on the field as he got up the left-flanks tirelessly all game. The game, a tough contest in the sweltering-heat was played at a fast-pace with United youngsters Paul Tierney, Alan Tate, Jimmy Davis and Kieran Richardson all looking at ease alongside their international team-mates.
Blanc was substituted after 75 minutes for the striker, on loan at Watford towards the end of last-season, Danny Webber - with Phil Neville going to left-back and Tierney moving into the middle, Choccy McClair, United's coach for the day, along with Mike Phelan and Jimmy Ryan, reverting to 4-3-3 as United upped the pace, Chesterfield bringing on the veterans of their FA Cup run when they played Boro' at the Theatre of Dreams, some of them showing that they haven't player for a while, especially a tall bloke nick-named Bruno, who was kept at bay by Larry, then Alan Tate - a mirror image of our French World Cup winner.
John Duncan, the man the day was all about said "It is great for me to have players like Roy Keane - one of the best midfielders in the world - Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Fabien Barthez playing in my match. For me there is only one
place where United will finish this season - and that is No. 1"
place where United will finish this season - and that is No. 1"
We all certainly hope he's right, with the other-half winning 3-2 at Bournemouth the United boys are looking fresh and ready for the new season - who needs Scholesy, Butty or Becks?