Manchester United defeated Longford 1-0 in a friendly clash yesterday in Ireland.

In front of a crowd of 2,100, the Airtricity First Division side gave Warren Joyce's side a good work-out on a rainy night in the Irish midlands, with United's defence forced on to the back foot in the second half after a sustained period of Longford pressure.

United took the lead on eight minutes when Mats Daehli ran onto a quick free-kick down the left before cutting across the retreating home captain Chris Deans, then shooting off-balance over Craig Hyland.