Solskjaer's not so baby-faced assassins come from behind to defeat Barrow's side

Manchester United Res. 2
Anderson 39
Eikrem 48
Wigan Athletic Res. 1
Cywka (pen) 17

Thursday 3 September, Moss Lane, Altrincham
Attendance: 382

Graham Barrow's men suffered their second defeat of the new season, losing 2-1 to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Man Utd side, despite taking the lead through a Tomasz Cywka penalty.

Turning inside the area Cywka was brought down by Cameron Stewart, but picked himself up to calmly stroke home the game's opener into the bottom right corner.

It signalled a positive start to the game by Latics against a United side that included club captain Gary Neville, and Brazilian midfielder Anderson. Not at all awed by this Barrow's team showed a great deal of composure and discipline off the ball, and creativity in possession.

Callum McManaman was his usual energetic self, hunting down the ball hot on the heels of the opposition's defence. He gave Neville a number of problems, dispossessing him on a few occasions and linking-up well with the resourceful Cywka.

The striker almost grabbed an equalising goal 20 minutes before the end, controlling from 30-yards and striking spectacularly with his left-foot only to hit the cross-bar.

Jon Routledge and Jonathan Breeze did a good job sitting in front of the defence, providing good cover and utilising the ball well, the defensive partnership of Josh Langley and Nick Meace backing the midfield duo up well.

Slowly though the home side tightened their grip on the game, and once Anderson had found his rhythm there was little stopping him.

Five minutes before the break he levelled things up, winning back the ball on the left-wing, dribbling into the area and firing viciously into the bottom right corner. It was the wake-up his side needed.

Half-time substitute Joshua King was the architect for the Red Devils' winner, just three minutes after the re-start, keeping the ball in play on the left and squaring for Magnus Eikrem to slot home from ten yards

Although United went on to enjoy the lion's share of possession, Latics continued to battle and when they did win the ball back they were positive, going on the counter-attack in search of the equaliser, but just lacking that final ball.

A great deal of maturity shown from Barrow's men and although the result wasn't what was desired, the attitude and work-rate certainly was.

Latics: Nicholls; Chiocchi (Crane 72), Langley, Meace, Mustoe; Cywka, Routledge, Breeze (Lambert, 83), Holt, Redmond; McManaman
Subs: Williams, Jukes, Amos