Rovers denied by late goal flourish

But they will not have been disappointed with Rovers showing in their final warm-up game, despite the 2-0 scoreline. Rovers looked solid at the back and were hard working and creative in midfield.

Though scoring chances were limited, manager Sean O'Driscoll pointed to the quality of the opposition.

No-one expected United to be anywhere near full strength in view of the fact that they played Inter Milan on Wednesday and take on Chelsea in tomorrow's Charity Shield.

But it had been hoped that England international Owen Hargreaves would make his debut alongside Brazilian star Anderson, who played the first half, but he wasn't involved.

Rovers midfielder Martin Woods tried his luck with a low 25 yarder on ten minutes, but United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak got down well.

United midfielder Darren Gibson rattled the crossbar from a similar distance.

United rode their luck before scrambling the ball clear after Kuszczak had failed to deal with Woods' corner,

Despite the lack of big names in the United side, the crowd were treated to a competitive game.

Rovers keeper Neil Sullivan was alert to the danger when Campbell popped up to latch onto the ball in front of goal on the edge of the six-yard box.

Anderson, who did not generate any real power, shot over from the edge of the box.

It needed a superb finger-tip save by the United keeper to keep out skipper Adam Lockwood's goalbound header from Woods' free-kick.

Woods then set up a shooting chance for former United star Mark Wilson, bur he fired well wide just before half-time.

Rovers made eight changes at the interval while United made just one with Dong replacing Anderson.

Playing his first game since a shoulder operation, striker Mark McCammon shot over from 20 yards.

United made a trio of substitutions on the hour mark. Paul Green saw his 25 yarder smothered by the keeper.

United broke the deadlock on 71 minutes when Darren Gibson beat Ben Smith with a superb strike from 25 yards out.

They then put the game beyond doubt with another stunning finish by Sean Evans from 25 yards in the last minute of normal time.Matchfacts

Doncaster Rovers 0

Manchester United 2

Rovers

Sullivan, O'Connor, Greer, Lockwood, Lockwood, Wilson, Wellens, Woods, Guy, Heffernan, Hayter. Subs:Smith (46), Dyer (46), Green (46), McCammon (46), McDaid (46), Nelthorpe (46), Griffiths (46), Hird (46), Noble (78), Boyce (84), Fairhurst (82).

United

Kuszczak, Bardsley, J Evans, Pique, Silvestra, Martin, Gibson, Fletcher, S Evans, Campbell, Anderson.Subs: Dong (46), Simpson (49), Jones (60), Lee (60), Eccersley (60).

details

Referee: E Ilderton

Attendance 13,080