In a game lacking real flow and multiple missed chances, it was the Thai outfit who looked the more dangerous throughout and a sole 49th-minute strike from the impressive Teeratep Winothai secured the victory.
Moyes opted for a mix of youth and experience in his first selection, teaming the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs with young Belgian Adnan Januzaj.
Perhaps
understandably, United started rustily and after four minutes were in
debt to a wonderful recovery challenge from Jonny Evans to deny the
hosts the lead after United’s offside trap was broken by Winothai.Indeed, it took 22 minutes for United to carve out their first real opportunity; Fabio’s cross from the right-hand side was inch-perfect for the onrushing Januzaj to prod home but somehow, the youngster tapped it over the bar.
Slowly, the visitors began to take control and on the half-hour mark, Danny Welbeck finally escaped the attentions of his marker to race clear onto a Tom Cleverley through-ball, only for poor ball control to let him down when attempting to round the keeper.
Januzaj was proving to be a prominent player of the first half and, after the Belgian negotiated his way past a defender with a fine piece of skill, his cross-cum-shot flashed wide of the post.
However, United continued to be troubled by the ball over the top and another one on 35 minutes set Winothai clear but his fierce half-volley was tipped round the post by Amos.
The Thai outfit seemed to be relishing the occasion and after going close on two previous occasions, Winothai finally found the net just four minutes after half-time.
Some shoddy defending from United suddenly saw the hosts gifted a three-on-two attack and, after a quick exchange of passes, Winothai beat Ben Amos at his near post with a close-range strike.
United tried to hit back quickly but Welbeck, who looked lively but clumsy throughout, could only find the keeper’s midriff from a tight angle.
The goal certainly did seem to spark Moyes’ men into life and on the hour mark it was Fabio who was next to threaten with a curling effort that was comfortably beaten away by the goalkeeper.
The visitors handed a United debut to Wilfried Zaha as a raft of substitutions began to affect the pattern of the second 45 minutes.
With 10 minutes to play, the former Crystal Palace starlet almost stole the show when, moments after Welbeck had scuffed wide when clean through, the winger unleashed a rasping left-footed effort that curled against the post.
But an equaliser failed to materalise and Moyes was left with an unwelcome start as he begins life at United.
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