Ferdinand makes winning debut

Bournemouth 2 Man Utd 3

Rio Ferdinand made his first appearance for Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson made good on a promise and brought his team down to the south coast for Bournemouth’s director of football Mel Machin’s testimonial.

The £30m defender played on loan with the Cherries earlier in his career and Ferguson even phoned Machin to try and sign him - only to be told his registration was held by West Ham.

An entertaining match ended with United victorious after Bournemouth had twice led, Michael Stewart netting the winner two minutes before Ferdinand made his entrance.

The home side were the first to try their luck, Derek Holmes dummying a ball across the 18-yard box for Stephen Purches to blast a right-foot shot over the top.

Juan Sebastian Veron, one of last season’s major disappointments for the Red Devils, tried to play in Danny Pugh but he was just unable to get to it in time.

The best chance early on fell for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who latched on to a weak defensive header by Jason Tindall in the 11th minute.

The Norwegian tried to go round goalkeeper Rhys Evans, but the youngster on loan from Chelsea was able to collect off his toes.

Solskjaer was denied again after 25 minutes when he dribbled right to left and unleashed a shot from the edge of the box which Evans pushed round the post.

The resulting corner was cleared downfield for Warren Feeney to chase down the right flank and he had the strength to hold off Michael Stewart.

The Northern Ireland international then played a diagonal pass for former Southampton striker Adrian Caceres to prod home as United goalkeeper Roy Carroll raced out to challenge him.

The goal was just what trialist Caceres wanted as he tries to secure a contract at Bournemouth.

However, the lead lasted only six minutes - and the equaliser bore the mark of Premiership class.

Solskjaer received the ball 25 yards out and delayed his through-ball to perfection as Veron raced through to slide the ball into the corner.

Veron tested Evans with a free-kick from 30 yards with three minutes to go to half-time before Solskjaer cut in from the right and rolled the ball into the path of Ryan Giggs, whose low shot was held by Evans.

Bournemouth restored their lead within a minute of the restart, and it was a wonderfully-worked goal.

The Cherries played their way inside from the left flank before the ball came to captain Carl Fletcher, who played a neat one-two with Alan Connell before planting a right-foot shot past Carroll from the edge of the box.

Pugh tried to play in Solskjaer 10 minutes later with a clever ball but the United striker’s effort was well blocked by substitute goalkeeper Gareth Stewart.

A second equaliser looked on the cards and it duly arrived on the hour when Giggs powered down the right and centred the ball for Ben Muirhead, whose first-time shot fizzed past Stewart.

Six minutes later United took the lead when Solskjaer released Michael Stewart with a looping flick and the Scot blasted past his namesake from a tight angle.

A loud cheer rang round the Fitness First Stadium after 72 minutes when Ferdinand was introduced to the action, his first touch seconds later greeted by another roar.

He looked assured in United’s backline and did well to cut out a low cross from Amos Foyewa eight minutes from time.

A fourth almost came the way of United in the 84th minute when Veron exchanged passes with Solskjaer and squared the ball to Giggs, but he was unable to convert the chance under pressure.