Peterborough United put in a spirited performance against Premier League Champions Manchester United at London Road, but two goals either side of half-time earned the Red Devils the win.

Darren Ferguson's men made a bright start to the prestigious friendly with Scott Rendell seeing an early shot blocked and then captain Craig Morgan glanced a header wide of the target after Rio Ferdinand had given away the corner kick.

A burst of pace from Patrice Evra saw him ease past Russell Martin on 17 minutes, but Joe Lewis made a comfortable claim from the cross. Posh were certainly winning on corners, they had earned three before the 20 minute mark.

A 20-yard shot from Carlos Tevez was fired inches past the post on 22 minutes as United began to exert themselves on proceedings. Whelpdale forced a fine save from Kuszczak after a well-flighted cross from Hyde who was having a increasing influence on the game.

Nani fired a shot well wide of the target on the half hour mark after Tevez floated a cross to the back post. Defender Shane Blackett put himself into folklore by nutmegging Da Silva before unleashing a fierce drive which Kuszcak did very well to parry. Mclean fired the rebound over the top under severe pressure as Posh came very close to the opening goal.

Whelpdale then had another opportunity after Blackett sent a superb cross into the box, the winger flicking at the ball and Kuszczak made an easy save. However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock as a Tevez cross was chested past Lewis by Martin, who was trying to cushion the ball into his goalkeeper's hands.

Coutts saw a shot smothered by the over-worked United goalkeeper before Rendell hooked a volley over the bar.

There were wholesale changes at the interval as both sides changed the majority of their players with Mark Tyler among the Posh substitutes. Some superb skill from George Boyd saw him trick his way past two defenders before delivering a excellent pass to Batt, his first time cross picked out Mackail-Smith, but he couldn't keep his header down.

Dean Keates sent a downward header straight at Kuszczak as Posh continued to play some excellent football. Mackail-Smith was denied an equaliser by a superb reflex save after a great cross from Keates from the left.

Liam Hatch sent two headers wide of the target before Mark Tyler superbly tipped over a fierce drive from substitute GIBSON. United doubled the lead on 69 minutes and it was a brilliant strike from Gibson who let fly from distance and sent a dipping shot over Tyler and into the net.

Jamie Day and Tom Williams were both introduced from the bench during the second half as Posh tried to secure a consolation goal. Hatch saw a downward header well claimed by the Polish goalkeeper after good work from Charlie Lee down the right hand side.

Mackail-Smith maybe should of done better on 82 minutes after an excellent cross from Williams, but the striker couldn't keep his header down and it flew over the bar. Hatch then saw a looping header drift just wide of the target as the home side pressed late on.

Final Score: Peterborough United 0-2 Manchester United

Posh: Lewis, Martin, Blackett, Morgan, Westwood, Rendell, Hyde, Coutts, Mclean, Whelpdale (sub Williams 75min), Torres.

Posh 2nd half: Tyler, Morgan, Charnock, Blackett (sub Day 60min), Keates, Lee, Batt, Hatch, Mackail-Smith, Boyd. Whelpdale.

Manchester United: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Evra, Ferdinand, Brown, Fletcher, Campbell, Tevez, Gray, Nani (sub Possibon 60min), Rafael Da Silva. Subs used: Martin, Fabio Da Silva, Cleverley, Cathcart, Evans, Zieler, Possibon, Gibson.

Referee: Mr K Wright
Attendance: 13,042