Owen Hargreaves finally made his Manchester United debut as the Premier League champions enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 win over Darren Ferguson's League Two side Peterborough.

England international Hargreaves has been struggling to shake off an ankle injury since his £18million move from Bayern Munich but, although he returned to action at London Road, he is unlikely to play any part in Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley.

Instead the Canadian-born midfielder is certain to step up his rehabilitation programme in one of the midweek pre-season friendlies against either Glentoran or Dunfermline before United begin their defence of the Barclays Premier title against Reading.

Hargreaves played 45 minutes after coming on as a second-half subsitute.

He was the only first-team player of note in a youthful United side that proved too strong for Peterborough.

Adam Eckersley gave United the lead in the 23rd minute when the left-back fired a powerful shot beyond Posh goalkeeper Shwan Jalal.

The home side had their moments but failed to take their chances with Chris Whelpdale forcing United's Tom Heaton into a fine save when he met a cross from Jamie Day at the far post in the ninth minute.

But United should have taken a two-goal interval lead moment before the break but Ryan Shawcross headed against the crossbar from close range.

Darren Ferguson, son of United boss Sir Alex, had pitted his skills against his father's side as a player but this was the first occasion the pair had faced each other as managers.

Ferguson junior looked to have pulled off a masterstroke when Rene Howe, a half-time subsitute, levelled matters with a fine shot four minutes after the restart.

But United were always the stronger and they made their fitness tell later in the second half with goals from Richie Jones in the 72nd minute and a third from Fangzhuo Dong 10 minutes later.