8:00am Wednesday 28th July 2010
Chris Wilder was fuming after his Oxford United side were denied a draw against a Manchester United XI.
The U’s produced a superb performance, especially in the second half when their young opponents were run ragged.
But after missing a number of good chances, the visitors snatched a 2-1 victory in injury-time – after a linesman changed his mind over an offside decision.
Magnus Eiksem put Man Utd ahead in the 44th minute, only for James Constable to level 30 seconds later.
But after Nicky Ajose’s goal at the death was allowed to stand, Wilder could not hide his frustration.
“I don’t care if it’s just pre-season, my team and everyone connected with the football club want to win every game,” he said.
“We deserved to win that game, and not to even get a draw out of it is unfair and cruel.
“The ball gets played into the box, the linesman puts his flag up, the boy scores, and then he takes it down again.
“We had a blatant penalty when Matt Green got fouled in the area – the officials were star-struck.
“We’re playing Manchester United and while my players delivered the goods, the opposition were too big for the officials.”
Despite the score, Wilder was full of praise for his side, who received a standing ovation by the 6,082 crowd.
“Players all over the park were real positives for me,” he said. “I thought Matt Green was exceptional, he just needed a goal, and Harry Worley was immense at the back.
“And in midfield, Simon Heslop and Asa Hall showed why we brought them here.”
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted his side were fortunate to win the match.
“We don’t come up against teams like that very often,” he said.
“Their energy and pace was too much at times and they really put us under pressure. Oxford are a very strong side.
“It was only a combination of brave defending, some good goalkeeping and then a good ball into the box at the end that we managed to win the game.”
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