Inexperience Showed

Sir Alex Ferguson admits his young defenders struggled to cope with the Kansas City Wizards' attacking threat during the pre-season tour defeat.

A youthful United backline of Ben Amos (in goal), Rafael, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Ritchie De Laet were given a somewhat torrid time by the Wizards' energetic front men, particularly the lively Teal Bunbury and matchwinner Kei Kamara.

"I thought the inexperience of the defenders showed in the first 15 minutes," the boss told reporters at his post-match press conference. "That was a bit of a handicap and we never quite recovered from that.

"Bunbury was a handful physically - he gave us a hard time that way. But I felt young Ben Amos organised the defenders and calmed them down.

"The things we are looking for from the players are coming, but our possession of the ball today was ragged at times. Normally we are much better. Hopefully that will come with the games.

"It was a competitive match in a good atmosphere," he added. "And despite the result I am satisfied with the progress we are making."

Sir Alex also revealed that Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea are likely to miss Wednesday's match in Houston against the MLS All-Stars after picking up niggling injuries.