Man Utd 2 Slavia Prague 2 By David Anderson, PA Sport Karol Poborsky enhanced his chances of a regular first team place when he scored after 34 seconds against his former club at Old Trafford. Pavel Horvath levelled for Slavia from the penalty spot and United youngster Terry Cooke thought he had scored the winner on his 21st birthday, but Sladan Asanin equalised with a spectacular shot. United boss Alex Ferguson believes the coming season will be crucial to Poborsky's Old Trafford career and his goal was the perfect riposte. Ryan Giggs broke down the left and the 25-year-old Czech slotted home from his angled pass. Slavia came close to an equaliser after five minutes when Raimond van der Gouw touched Lubos Kozel's 20-yard drive away for a corner. United, playing in their blue away strip, nearly had a second six minutes later. Former QPR goalkeeper Jan Stejskal parried Jordi Cruyff's header from Giggs' corner and from the rebound Edward Lasota cleared Gary Pallister's effort off the line. United's Chilean trialist Dante Poli then sliced two clearances - one of which nearly went into his own net - before he made a fine saving tackle on Karol Vacha. And van der Gouw came to United's rescue again in the 31st minute when he blocked Robert Wagner's shot after the striker had out-paced Pallister. Vacha was presented with a free header from close range five minutes from the interval but he failed to connect properly and Van der Gouw gathered the ball. At half-time, United brought on Ronny Johnsen, Cooke, Ben Thornley and John Curtis for Phil Neville, Pallister, Andy Cole and Giggs and within three minutes Johnsen had given away a penalty for handball. Horvath duly converted to level for the Czech Cup holders. Dutch keeper Van der Gouw was enjoying a fine night and he continued to remind Ferguson what he was capable of when he pushed Asanin's fiercely struck 67th-minute volley from the edge of the area over the bar. United lost their way in the second half and after 70 minutes Philip Mulryne replaced David Beckham. Cruyff brought the 22,075 crowd to life again when he burst through six minutes later, but his shot hit the side of the crossbar and post. In the 80th minute, United retook the lead when Cruyff pulled the ball back for Cooke to score. But six minutes from time Asanin netted a fantastic equaliser when he unleashed a 25-yard left-foot effort which flew into the top corner to leave honours even.