Thais rave over Manchester United by James Mclean BANGKOK, July 18 (Reuter) - Manchester United may have been fortunate to beat Thailand 2-0 in a friendly on Thursday but for many in the 25,000-strong crowd it was not the score that mattered. United mania has hit Thailand. Since about 1,000 fans mobbed the team on its arrival at the airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning the squad have been treated like visiting pop stars. United's downtown hotel has been booked out by local fans anxious to stay close to the stars, crowds of 4,000 people have paid to watch and cheer United's training sessions and the team's coach has been chased around town. "I love Manchester, especially Roy Keane and Nicky Butt, they are the best," said 19-year-old Kusana Ongsaarn of Bangkok, one of about 3,000 fans who stayed after the match to watch the team coach leave. In a nation where the Manchester United club magazine sells some 18,000 copies a month, even junior squad members have been treated like celebrities. Rarely can the team have played in such a home from home. The crowd, dressed mostly in red with many sporting the team's colours, clapped and applauded the United corners, throw-ins and goals. Females comprised a substantial part of a crowd which screamed and cheered the United substitutes as they warmed up on the stadium's running track during the game. The stadium public address system played "Glory,Glory Man United" as the players walked off the field with fireworks thundering overhead. Some of the 400 paramilitary assisting regular police with crowd control pressed United players for autographs. United Manager Alex Ferguson, overawed by the team's welcome on Wednesday, was full of praise for the reception they have received in Thailand and promised to return in two years' time. "It's part of being Manchester United but it is kind of wonderful in its way. We are clearly delighted with the reception we have had here from so many young people," he told reporters after the game. Possibly because of a half-paced United performance, which could have seen them beaten by a Thai team which squandered several clear chances, Ferguson said there were no plans to let the squad mingle with fans after Thursday's game. Although four members of United's non-playing entourage were seen sampling Bangkok's nightlife on Thursday night, the squad were scheduled to take an early Friday morning flight to Hong Kong. ____________________________________________________________ Man United 17 Jul 1997 UNITED KICK-OFF FAR EAST TOUR WITH VICTORY Manchester United opened their tour of the Far East with a comfortable 2-0 victory over a Thailand XI in Bangkok. A 55th minute goal from Nicky Butt and an own goal in the 86th minute sealed United's success in front of a 38,000 crowd. Butt struck when he chested down a ball on the edge of the penalty area and hit an angled drive into the bottom corner.a Gary Pallister and new-boy Teddy Sheringham had both gone close in the first half, with the former Tottenham striker showing signs of developing an understanding with Andy Cole in attack. Paul Scholes played just behind the front two and Jordi Cruyff was also given an early opportunity to impress in Ryan Giggs' absence on the left side. Keeper Peter Schmeichel was withdrawn early in the second half as a precaution after colliding with a Thai striker, Raymond Van Der Gouw coming on to replace him. United clinched victory when a home defender headed into his own net after a cross from Cole. ------------------------------------------------------------ here's a summary of the match : 1st half :- Scholes' screamer from 25m out whistled past the right upright.. Sheringham's shot from Cole's pass went high.. May's header from a corner went wide Cole's turn and chip from the edge of the box flew over the top, but only just.. Little scare as Smikes laid on the ground for about 3 mins after a clash with a Thai player.. summary - united seldom moved into 3rd gear. Thai was all over the place, but just could not penetrate United's defence.. 2nd half :- Butt scored from 25m out early in the 2nd half, he was being harassed throughout before he tried the shot. ____ |o | o - ball ---|------ | |_\__| | |_____\__| x - butt Thai 0 United 1 Smikes saved a certain goal with his feet. United's defence were in a mess.. Double sub in the 15min for United, Raimond for Smikes and Poborsky for Cryuff.. game brightened up, proper wing play was seen from United.. Keane had a good header cleared off the line (though slow mo showed that the ball might be going out).. Van Der Gouw saved a certain goal, with his.. feet too! defence caught out over and over again in the middle.. Later on.. Gouw made 2 good saves in a matter of secs, first with feet and then with his finger tips.. He looked very safe.. Defence sleeping again. Poborsky had a good first time shot off P Nev's cross, but it was tipped over the bar... Sheringham miscued Cole's pass.. Poborsky's cross with the outside of his right foot ended up in a goal, a Thai defender header nicely into his own net... Thai 0 United 2 (not very deserved though) May put in a well timed tackle in the box as the Thai player prepared to wack the ball past Gouw... United hung on despite the onslaught by the Thais.. Final score Thai 0 United 2. --- Some words.. Sheringham was very quiet in the game, he played very deep too. (lack of understanding i guess) Pally will definitely have prob with skilful players. (his turning speed was awfully slow) Cryuff lack the punch on the left throughout his stay, Poborsky looked better when he came on. Poborsky had trouble controlling the ball with his left foot. This is only the first game, so there's not much to complain about. Scholes, Butt and P Nev looked ready for the new season. It's very hard to see how Alex can leave Scholes out of the side. Throughout the match, it was either him or keane who called for the balls constantly. Scholes was the one pulling the strings as well. If what I think is correct, he will play behind any 2 strikers in the proper season. The problem is Sheringham plays well behind strikers too. Anyway, OUR SEASON HAS BEGUN!!