Bury seek United inspiration

Bury boss David Flitcroft is hoping both his players and backroom staff were inspired by a visit to Man United's training ground.

The Shakers travelled to the Premier League giants' facility at Carrington on Tuesday to take part in a behind-closed-doors friendly match which the hosts won 4-2, with Danny Rose scoring both of Bury's goals. United fielded a team which included the likes of Ander Herrera, Rafael and Anderson while former greats like Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt were on the sidelines casting an eye over events. "Our lads performed incredibly, it was brilliant," Flitcroft said. "We didn't hold back, they didn't hold back and it was a really high-intensity training session. We were lucky to have that opportunity. We got beat 4-2 and Danny Rose got two; he looked lively, looked sharp, looked dangerous in the box. "The whole building is a centre of excellence. That's what Sir Alex Ferguson's legacy is. We watched two or three groups train beforehand and you have a coach in there like Warren Joyce...wow! "He's kept to his same principles - hard work, endeavour - and it was great just to see his players training. The best players in the world they don't have a day off, they don't want a day off." While rubbing shoulders with the likes of Herrera will undoubtedly benefit Flitcroft's players, he also hopes his coaches took on board what their counterparts are doing over at Old Trafford. "You can be at Carrington for five hours and not learn anything, but you can be at Carrington for five hours and take a lifetime's work out of it," he added. "That's what I told my coaches to do - go and absorb and learn from the environment. They had all their staff out there - Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, all the strength and conditioning and fitness coaches because that's what it means to them, everything matters inside Carrington. "They're good games for the players but I tell my coaches 'go and grab some ideas'. I think coaches are football thieves, you try and take the best out of what you learn and that's what we do. The whole place is inspirational."