David Moyes endured defeat in his first game in charge at Old Trafford as Sevilla spoiled Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial celebrations.
United stumbled to their third loss of pre-season as they prepare for Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Wigan.
It was hardly ideal preparation for the trip to Wembley, with Sevilla threatening to run away with the game at times.
The visitors could have scored as many as five goals – hitting the woodwork when 2-0 up and missing a golden opportunity through Israel Puerto late on.
United, meanwhile, mounted a second half fight back that saw Antonio Valencia get them back into the game – while youngsters Adnan Januzaj and substitute Wilfried Zaha once again impressed.
But ultimately it was another defeat for Moyes to digest after already seeing the Premier League champions come off second best to Singha All Star XI and Yokohama F Marinos during their summer tour of the Far East and Australia.
United have now only won two of seven games during pre-season.
Only so much can be drawn from what are essentially warm-up contests, but Moyes would have wanted to build up momentum leading up to the Premier League kick off next weekend.
First half goals from Vitolo and Marko Marin left his side with a mountain to climb after the break – with Bryan Rabello sealing victory in injury time after United had went in search of an equaliser.
Moyes now has just one more game to finalise his plans before next week’s Premier League opener against Swansea.
And he will be looking for a positive performance against Wigan as he goes in search of his first trophy as United manager.
But there remain a number of question marks heading into the season – most notably the future of Wayne Rooney and what players he is going to be able to recruit before the transfer window closes on September 2.
He will have been encouraged by the performances of Januzaj and Zaha in particular, with both players suggesting they can make a contribution in the coming season.
Zaha – who started on the bench – is pushing for a Wembley start – along with the absent Nemanj Vidic and Robin van Persie.
There remain doubts about Rooney, who is trying to recover from a shoulder injury.
Moyes handed starts to fringe players Alex Buttner, Fabio, and Angelo Henriquez alongside Januzaj – with figures like Ferdinand, Valencia and Shinji Kagawa also involved.
It was an experimental line up with the Community Shield clearly in mind – but Moyes cannot have expected to see his side so roundly outplayed in the first 45 minutes.
Henriquez could have put United ahead early on when statement when put through one on one by a delightful pass from Januzaj.
But the Chilean striker, who scored saved United’s blushes against AIK on Tuesday, was denied by the on-rushing Beto.
From then on it was Sevilla who seized control, taking the lead through Vitolo on 21 minutes when the striker got on the end of a slick passing move that cut United’s defence open.
Carlos Bacca carried the ball from midfield, before releasing Diego Perotti around the edge of the box.
He then found the run of Vitolo, who coolly slid the ball under the advancing David de Gea.
Old Trafford was silenced, but it was to get worse just four minutes later.
Again Bacca and Vitolo were involved, with their incisive passing leaving United’s defence statuesque in the penalty area, before Marko Marin finished off the move he had started.
Shinji Kagawa looked like pulling one back for Moyes’ side – but his header was parried by Beto.
And Sevilla could have made it three before half time when Marin’s low shot was deflected onto the bar by the feet of De Gea.
Moyes responded by sending on Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard for Henriquez and Cleverley for the start of the second half.
It had the desired response - Lingard seeing one shot blocked and Januzaj having another saved before United pulled one back through Valencia on 65 minutes.
The impressive Januzaj found space on the left before firing from just outside the area to force a save from Beto.
The young playmaker didn’t give up – retrieving the ball and crossing low for Valencia to convert inside six yard box.
Moyes made more changes – Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Wilfried Zaha coming on for Valencia, Anderson and Kagawa.
Lingard was inches away from converting at the far post, Zaha was denied by the sprawling Beto and Carrick fired narrowly wide as United went in search of an equaliser.
Sevilla could have restored their in the last 10 minutes when De Gea could only parry Tiberio Guarente’s low drive – but Israel Puerto poked the rebound wide from close range.
Ferdinand went off to a rousing applause to be replaced by Jonny Evans for the closing stages.
Zaha again came close with a flashing shot that went just the wrong side of the upright, but Rabello made it 3-1 from close range in injury time to ensure a landmark occasion for Ferdinand ended in disappointment.
Still the veteran defender can comfort himself in the knowledge that Moyes sees him as a key figure in his plans.
“Rio Ferdinand has definitely been one of the top defenders of his generation,” he said. “He has been one of the best defenders of the Premier League era, starting back in his early days at West Ham, then Leeds United and ultimately over11 years now at Manchester United.
“Rio is an all-round central defender who is comfortable on the ball, he’s quick, aggressive and reads the game well.
“I was delighted when I joined the club to hear that Rio would be staying on for another year. He has experience both in and around the club and he has already been a great help to me.
“From what I’ve already seen in pre-season of his form, in both training and matches, he will once again play a big part in the season going forward."
United: De Gea, Fabio, Ferdinand (Evans, 83), Smalling, Buttner, Valencia (Giggs, 67), Anderson (Carrick, 67), Cleverley (Jones, 46), Januzaj, Kagawa (Zaha, 67), Henriquez (Lingard, 46)
Not used: Lindegaard, Bebe, M Keane
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