Garry Monk says the first-half display in Saturday’s friendly defeat to Peterborough demonstrated what United are capable of and insists the result was not the most important factor in testing conditions at London Road.

United suffered their first loss of pre-season on a scorching summer afternoon away to the League One side, who overturned Alex Mowatt’s opening goal with a second-half brace from Shaquile Coulthirst to record a 2-1 victory.

But Monk, who also oversaw Friday evening’s thrilling 4-3 win over local non-league outfit Guiseley, was able to take plenty of positives as 10 of his starting line-up completed their first full 90 minutes of the summer in what proved to be a competitive friendly outing.

“I think today was more about the physical elements rather than anything tactical or technical,” the head coach said.

“We’re obviously very disappointed with the result – of course we don’t like to lose games – but that wasn’t the most important factor.

“I was very happy the team, especially in the first half – we saw so many things that we’ve been working on tactically and technically.

“We were superb on the ball and we totally dominated that first period. It was good for the players and the fans to see exactly what we’re capable of.

“That was our first 90 minutes and they were always going to be a little bit further ahead than us.

“You saw in the first 45 that when we’re fit, when we’ve got a lot of energy, that’s the football we can play.

“We totally dominated them. We should have scored a few more goals and it was only in the second half that we dipped physically.”

Monk’s side now welcome Serie A outfit Atalanta to Elland Road next Saturday for their final pre-season friendly of the summer, and the United boss believes the team are on track for their opening day trip to Queens Park Rangers in a fortnight’s time.

“This is a process and I’ve been through it before as a manager and a player,” he said.

“The only important game is the first game of the season. It’s not these games here. But that first 45 is a clear indication of how we’re going to play when we’re fully fit.

“The second half today was purely physical, it was nothing tactical or technical at all.

“We weren’t at the same level as the other team but that’s due to the number of games they’ve had and the number we’ve had.

“I’m experienced in this and I know how to peak a team. We’re peaking for the first day of the season, not for pre-season.”