Manchester United 1 Sevilla 3 match report: Rio Ferdinand testimonial ends in defeat as David Moyes is off to a shaky start

Loss to Primera Division side means Moyes has won just two of his first seven games in charge ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Wigan

Rio Ferdinand's testimonial ended in defeat for Manchester United against Sevilla (GETTY IMAGES)

David Moyes' difficult start to life at Manchester United continued at Old Trafford tonight as Sevilla spoiled Rio Ferdinand's testimonial.

On-loan Chelsea midfielder Marko Marin was among the scorers for the Primera Division outfit, who were in Montenegro last night to complete a comfortable Europa League victory over Mladost Podgorica.

While it was only a friendly and most of United's senior stars missed out in readiness for Sunday's Community Shield encounter with Wigan at Wembley, it does mean they have won just two of seven pre-season matches since Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer.

Following the failure to make any significant signings to date, and the continued uncertainty over Wayne Rooney's future, the result is hardly the ideal backdrop to a Premier League title defence that starts at Swansea next Saturday.

Yet, speaking to BT Sport immediately before tonight's game, Moyes insisted he has had a "brilliant" five weeks in charge and he was only encountering issues anyone would have come across, including his predecessor.

"Everybody who takes over at Manchester United has testing times," he said.

"Even Sir Alex Ferguson had testing times. It is no different for David Moyes."

Nevertheless, Moyes could not be happy at the ease with which Vitolo and Marin, the latter on a season-long loan from Stamford Bridge, got their first-half goals.

Prior to the double blow, Chilean teenager Angelo Henriquez fired straight at Beto after being sent clean through, while afterwards, Shinji Kagawa should have found the net after being picked out at the far post by Antonio Valencia, only to be thwarted by the visitors' keeper.

Valencia blazed over in first-half stoppage time before Adnan Januzaj was off target with a curling effort just after the break.

Januzaj's presence, along with that of Jesse Lingard, who was introduced at half-time, was a reminder of two young stars that have shone during pre-season.

And the pair combined as the Belgian forced another good save out of Beto before nipping onto the rebound and crossing for Valencia to finish off.

Lingard just failed to finish off Fabio's low cross as he slid in at the far post, while a more experienced United outfit - bolstered by the introductions of Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Phil Jones and Wilfired Zaha - began to take control.

Zaha and Carrick both had opportunities to level near the end but were unable to take them.

Valencia celebrates his goal by paying tribute to his late friend and international team-mate Christian Benitez (GETTY IMAGES)

Restored to England's senior squad for next week's friendly with Scotland, Zaha almost brought United level three minutes from time, only for Beto to make another smart save.

In the end, Bryan Rabello ensured there was no way back for United, although if nothing else, Moyes was able to see the development of his young players continue.

"It is good that we are giving young players a game," he said.

"It has always been part of the tradition of this club and I am looking forward to making that happen.

"There are one or two who make me think they are not far away.

"We will push them and see where we get to."

PA