Thanks a million!

PROUD: Reserve team coach Lee Duxbury.

Duxbury tribute for reserves as United stars are pushed all way

ATHLETIC reserves took on a Manchester United second string boasting an England captain and more than £50 million worth of talent – and gave them an almighty fright.

Returning Three Lions skipper Rio Ferdinand, who has been out of action for three months, joined internationals Wes Brown, Anderson and Frederico Macheda in boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting line-up.

It proved to be an intriguing Manchester Senior Cup tie at Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Fold.

Lee Duxbury’s Athletic took the lead just after the interval through Joe Jacobson, but were pegged back less than a minute later by Nicholas Ajose, before Macheda’s screamer won it with 13 minutes remaining.

But the way they harried, hussled and at times unsettled a team made up of experienced seniors and potential stars delighted Duxbury.

He said: “I have told the players they can all be very proud of themselves. For most of the game, they matched millions of pounds worth of talent.

“Looking at the players sat in United’s dressing room, I just told our lads ‘well done’.

“We set our stall out and stuck to the game plan.

“Usually, the reserves play the same formation as the first team, to make the transition easier for players, so I phoned the boss (Paul Dickov) to ask if we could play 4-5-1, which is what we did.

“We frustrated United into giving the ball away. They could not break us down.

“If I am nit-picking, I am disappointed with giving a goal away so soon after taking the lead.

“When you go in front you need to concentrate. You have to kill the game for 10 minutes, but we switched off.

“For their winner we should have closed Macheda down. It is a shame we couldn’t make it to a penalty shoot-out.

“But on the upside, it is always pleasing to score from a set-piece and I was delighted with the way we battled throughout the match.”

Triallist Julian Cherel was a commanding figure at the heart of Athletic’s defence.

The French defender has been a free agent since his release from Hartlepool in May.

“I am pleased with Julian’s performance,” said Duxbury.

“He only arrived at the club on Monday. Considering he has only had time to take part in two training sessions, and the fact he doesn’t know his team mates, he did very well.

“He is a big, strong lad, good in the air but also comfortable on the ball. He can pick a pass, too, which is always a bonus for someone playing in that position.”

Solskjaer, who replaced Ferdinand with Brown’s brother Reece at half-time, said: “There was no problem (with an injury) whatsoever.

"It was always planned that he would play 45 minutes. I am not sure he needs any more games. Rio is a naturally fit lad.

"Today was about distances and getting tighter to the ball. Now he is available for selection (for the first team) again.

"Rio is always the same player. It is a while since he has played, but he was still calm.

"He has got through an important 45 minutes, straight after two very hard training sessions on Tuesday and the day before, so we are delighted with him."