Halifax boss Millington says there'll be more behind-closed-doors games after Manchester United friendly

Town boss Chris Millington says The Shaymen will be arranging regular behind-closed doors games this season after Monday's clash with Manchester United.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A Halifax XI lost 5-1 to a Manchester United XI at the Premier League club's Carrington training ground on Monday in a behind-closed-doors game.

"It was very good, it was a very, very strong Man United 11 from their first-team squad of players and an excellent experience for our lads," Millington said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Especially some of the younger lads like young Duarte (Furtado) at left-back, up against Man United's first-team players when this time last year he was playing on the Man United Foundation education programme."

Chris Millington. Photo: Marcus BranstonChris Millington. Photo: Marcus Branston
Chris Millington. Photo: Marcus Branston

On how the game came about, Millington said: "They sent out a request for a game and it suits us because this season we've got a stronger squad and players who weren't involved on Saturday who needed minutes."

The Town boss says there will be regular behind-closed-doors games for his squad this season.

"We'll be filling in when we haven't got two-game weeks, we'll be looking to get a good quality bounce game in to make sure everybody's getting the minutes they need to be ready and competitive when they come in so when lads do get the chance to come into the starting 11, they're not coming in cold," he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Millington says youth team left-back Furtado is someone the club would like to tie down to a professional contract.

"He's had a really interesting pre-season has Duarte because he's played 45 minutes against Hertha Berlin, 45 minutes against Man United, and as a 17-year-old kid who this time last year was on an education programme with the Man United Foundation, he's obviously come a long way," said the Town boss.

"He's got great potential and we'd like to work with him longer-term if we can."

And Millington echoed those sentiments about young midfielder Sam Essien.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Sam's been in training with the first-team all pre-season and has acquitted himself very well," Millington said.

"We see him as a lad with great potential, someone who we want to invest time and energy in as an academy product so we will be talking to him over the next week or so about structuring a deal that can help make that happen."