Brian McDermott utilised his squad to the full this week by handing several senior players a run-out in a behind-closed-doors game against Rochdale at Thorp Arch.

The United XI featured Paul Green, Zac Thompson, Michael Brown, Michael Tonge, El-Hadji Diouf, Luke Varney, and Marius Zaliukas, and senior professional development coach Neil Redfearn said the game was a good exercise for the players.

“It’s important they get minutes on the pitch, and this was a good workout,” said Redfearn. “There’s a lot of games coming up, and we’ll need all the guys.

“They all have to feel a part of it, which they do, and they have to be ready. We need them at the level they need to be if they come in.”

The game ended 2-2 after Rochdale levelled matters with the last kick of the game from the penalty spot. Luke Varney scored both the United goals.

“It was a good performance,” added Redfearn. “We played some good stuff. We played a bit in front of them at times. It’s about both penalty boxes and what you do in there. You have to go somewhere, but we had the lions share. Rochdale had some experience and were quite spirited as well. As a run-out it was good.”