George Boyd and Nicky Ajose earn Posh creditable victory over a Manchester United XI.

A goal from distance by George Boyd and a clinical finish from Nicky Ajose settled this pre-season friendly at London Road between Peterborough United and a Manchester United XI that included summer signing Nick Powell. 

Grant McCann tested goalkeeper Sam Johnstone early on with a low free-kick, which the England youth international did well to beat away from danger. 

Lee Tomlin fired over from long-range after a patient Posh build-up as the teams battled warm temperatures as well as each other. 

On the half hour mark, Posh played arguably the best football of the game as Swanson, McCann and Tomlin combined to create a shooting chance for Newell, who stroked his shot wide of the far post. 

Lindgarde found the side-netting with a fierce drive from 20-yards. At the start of the second period, a forceful run by Mark Little saw him burst into the box and square the ball for Tomlin, whose rising shot was helped over the bar by Johnstone. 

The deadlock was broken in fine style just past the hour mark as Swanson picked out BOYD 25-yards from goal, he took a touch and rifled a superb left-foot shot past the despairing dive of Johnstone and into the back of the net with the aid of a deflection.

Posh changed much of their side at half-time and Paul Taylor and trialist Robert Pervan completed those alterations midway through the second period. Posh were playing some good football with Boyd at the heart  of some promising play. 

Darren Ferguson's men made it 2-0 late on as a clever reverse pass from Taylor found AJOSE and he made no mistake, finishing clinically past Johnstone. 

Posh: Olejnik (sub Day 30min), Alcock (sub Little 46min), Zakuani (sub Brisley 46min), Swanson (sub Parvan 65min), Tomlin (sub Taylor 65min), McCann (sub Bostwick 46min), Newell (sub Lawlor 75min), Knight-Percival (sub Grant 46min), Clarke-Harris (sub Ajose 46min), Frecklington (sub Boyd 46min), Nthle (sub Richens 46min). Unused subs: Sage.

Man Utd XI: Johnstone, Vermijl (sub Vaseli 75min), Blackett (sub King 68min), Thorpe, Fornasier, Tunnicliffe, Cole, Powell (sub Agginaldo 81min), Macheda, Petrucci, Lingard. Unused subs: Sutherland, Gladstone, James.