Mission accomplished

With the gate money banked, the stars in attendance to satisfy the curious, victory over the Premiership champions and their fleet of multi-million pound international stars would have been the icing on the cake.

Alas, it was not to be but as City lost 2-0 but manager Terry Dolan has always insisted conditioning rather than conclusions was the only real aim of pre-season no matter who the opposition.

And against a well-oiled machine that passes and moves like no other side in the country then City could consider their mission accomplished.

Chances, like their football, flowed for Manchester United but credit to the Minstermen, and an outstanding Alan Fettis in particular, for digging in and diving in with some last ditch tackles and saves to keep the score respectable.

Dogged and organised defensively, there were the odd flashes going forward too that breeds optimism for the coming campaign

But United, whether playing in the Bernabeu or Bootham Crescent, have a ravenous hunger to win.

Much to City's chagrin, the summer months has clearly not dulled that desire.

The unrivalled King of English football David Beckham, shaven-headed and his face a permanent scowl, has the demeanour of an angry young man.

But when he connects with the ball, caresses the ball, you can only sit back and admire. That right peg was created to kick a football.

No wonder Dwight Yorke, often the main recipient of Beckham's talent is a laughing cavalier.

It was a tactic that United continued to try again and again in the first-half; Beckham hitting delightful cross-field passes for either Ryan Giggs or Yorke or a breaking from deep Roy Keane to take advantage.

City's first escape came on in the eighth minute when Yorke played in Paul Scholes whose first-time shot cannoned against the inside of Fettis' right-hand post.

York responded with probably their best move of the match.

Right-wing-back Darren Edmondson switched the play with a 40-yard pass to new signing Graham Potter on the opposite flank.

Potter delivered a deep cross to the back post which Edmondson met on the run to force United 'keeper Raimond Van Der Gouw into a fine save down at his near post.

But, not surprisingly, it was United who continued to enjoy the upper hand as City's defence was pulled this way and that by sharp passing and movement off the ball.

It needed a tremendous block from another City new boy, Gary Hobson, to deny United skipper Roy Keane after the Irishman had sprung the offside trap to close in on goal.

Fettis produced the first of many excellent saves to paw away a deflected Giggs' effort then was at full stretch again to deny a thunderous drive from Keane.

It was one way traffic but great to watch as a delightful reverse pass by Giggs found an overlapping Denis Irwin.

The veteran full-back advanced into the area before squaring the ball for Alex Notman only for the pint-sized frontman to miss the ball.

Another Beckham pass over the top left Barry Jones sprawling and Giggs clear on goal but the Welshman elected precision over power and gently lobbed the ball into the arms of Fettis.

As half-time approached, Beckham rode the challenge of three City tackles to find himself in front of goal but, like Giggs before, could only chip the ball meekly straight at a grateful Fettis.

City boss Terry Dolan rang the changes at half-time and throughout the second-half to give all of his 18-man squad a taste of the action against the Red Devils.

And with Barry Conlon on at the interval for Mark Sertori, City carried more of a threat immediately after the re-start and Van Der Gouw had to be alert to save a shot on the turn from the City substitute.

But just as City threatened to come into the game United took the lead.

A cross from Neville fell behind the retreating City defence and while Keane's first shot was superbly saved by Fettis the Republic of Ireland midfielder reacted quickly to fire home the lose ball.

City almost drew level when Steve Agnew's free-kick found Conlon in space at the far post but his angled drive flew across the face of the United goal.

Keane and Fettis renewed their rivalry with the City 'keeper plucking another piledriver from the United captain out of the air.

Minutes later though and Fettis was plucking the ball out of the net as Keane drove into the box and lashed the ball beyond the City 'keeper high into the opposite corner of the goal.

As the humid conditions began to zap the energy of both sides, Conlon raised the tempo and home hopes with a trademark effort from distance that dipped over United's bar.

Fettis, who produced another finger-tip save to deny United sub Bojan Djordic, received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Russ Howarth 15 minutes from the end and the youngster did well to deny Keane a hat-trick with a sprawling save.

An Agnew trip on Beckham in the dying embers seemed almost scripted for the England midfielder to sign off with one of his trademark free-kicks.

But, for once, he disappointed, firing his shot into the wall and so delivering the only anti-climax of memorable afternoon.

York City 0, Manchester United 2

(at Bootham Crescent, July 29, 2000)

York City: Alan Fettis (Russ Howarth 74mins), Darren Edmondson (Phil Hadland 63mins), Graham Potter (Wayne Hall 63mins), Peter Swan, Barry Jones, Gary Hobson (Matt Hocking 46mins), Christian Fox, Kevin Hulme (Lee Bullock 46mins), Steve Agnew, Mark Sertori (Barry Conlon 46mins), Peter Duffield (David McNiven 68mins).

Subs, not used: None

Goals: None

Bookings: None

Sendings-off: None

Manchester United: Raimond van der Gouw, Gary Neville (Paul Teather 81mins), Denis Irwin, Ronnie Wallwork, Mikael Silvestre, David Beckham, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs (Bojan Djordic 63mins), Alex Notman (Danny Webber 68mins) Dwight Yorke.

Subs, not used: Paul Rachubka, Kirk Hilton.

Goals: Keane 52mins, 62mins.

Bookings: None

Sendings-off: None

Fouls: York City 7, Manchester United 5

Corners: York City 3, Manchester United 9

Shots on target: York City 2, Manchester United 12

Attendance: 9003

Referee: Bill Burns (Scarborough)