Ole gears up for new role

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will face his first match as manager of United's Reserves in a pre-season friendly at Burscough on July 12.

The former first team striker will team up with Warren Joyce to steer the Reds' second string next season.

Three preparatory matches have been arranged to get Solskjaer's young side ready for the Lancashire Senior Cup final against Liverpool on July 30.

After the Reds take on Burscough at Victoria Park, they travel to Altrincham's Moss Lane on July 19 and face Oxford United a week later at the Kassam Stadium.

All three matches are Saturday, 3pm kick-offs, and precede the Reds' cup final date with Liverpool at the County Ground in Leyland.

Victory over the Merseysiders will give United a cup Double for the 2007/08 campaign, having clinched the Manchester Senior Cup last month at Old Trafford.