Following the pre-season three-all draw at Curzon Ashton, we spoke to Blues First-Team Coach Frankie McAvoy.
Speaking to CUTV after the game, he said: "It was about getting more minutes, making sure that everybody's roughly at the same time before the real stuff starts a week on Saturday.
"So, really pleasing in terms of getting 90 minutes for quite a few of the boys.
"Good for Bevis to come in, get 45 (minutes) as well, and then a lot of the younger kids coming up and getting an opportunity and chance to come and see how they can do in the environment."
David Ajiboye got on the scoresheet for the first time in a United shirt with a sumptuous strike to open the scoring: "Yeah, excellent strike, you know, finds himself in a wee (little) pocket, manages to shift and beat a few players and bang it into the corner, which is the quality that he possesses.
"So we're delighted with that. Another couple of wee half chances to try and add to his tally, but no, over the piece again, as I said, at this stage it's about minutes, and that was the ultimate goal for tonight, delighted with him."
The hosts retained a resolute defensive shape in the first half, which was a good test of the Blues' creativity: "It was good that we could just move the ball, recycle it, keep it moving, work it from side to side and, obviously, find ourselves behind the line, which we managed to do.
"They get a wee bit more aggressive as the game wore on, and then, obviously, we started to just have some of our midfielders dropping to get on the ball, you know, maybe not enough beyond the ball for us to go and find.
"But, at the end of the day, these are some of the things that are going to happen to us when the real stuff starts in the National League.
"So, another good test, to be honest. Obviously, good that we scored three goals; disappointing that we conceded, but that's part and partially pre-season."
Speaking on the concession of a goal from a set-piece, a rarity for the Blues during this pre-season, he said: "It's about learning and making sure that we're ready and prepared as best we can for the real stuff, as I've said.
And Frankie also spoke about his delight at the second-half goals scored by Cedwyn Scott and Archie Davies, he said: "What a hit that was (Archie's goal), excellent. He's got that in his locker as well, actually, when he can come inside and hit, I'm delighted for him.
"And I thought the second goal, obviously, we've got on a trial at the moment. Puts a lovely ball in over to the back stick and then Cedwyn there just to finish it.
"So instinctive. He's got goals in him as well, we're delighted with the progress that we've made through pre-season and onwards and looking forward to Chester on Saturday."
Blues' left-back Cameron Harper was impressive across the 90 minutes, picking up an assist: "Cammy again did really, really well.
"Stuck to his task, broke forward well and defended well in the main, but, as I said to you, it's about the squad as a whole.
"There's a lot that played nearly 90 minutes on Saturday at Harrogate.
"The rest, obviously, didn't get that time. It's about building everybody up so that everybody's ready and prepared for the game away to Woking on Saturday, so that's the ultimate goal.
"And, we're pleased. It's important when you don't win games that you don't lose them, and that's credit to the guys tonight, coming back and showing a wee bit of character, which is good for the group as well."
Frankie was pleased with new signing Bevis Mugabi, who had his first outing for the Blues: "Yeah, excellent. You know, he's not played since I think it's May or maybe April, actually.
"So, great, he's come in, he's integrated into the group very, very well. And, great to just see him play.
"I've got to realise he's playing beside a young centre-back as well. And you can see his leadership qualities tonight.
"Sometimes, you can be a wee bit rushed when you come in. But I thought Big Bevis conducted himself very well, and we're delighted to bring him as an addition to the squad."
Speaking on the plan for United's final pre-season friendly against Chester on Saturday, he said: "Well, I think what we'll do is, we'll sit as a group with the gaffer and ultimately decide what we're going to do going forward.
"Bearing in mind that we need to really make sure that we're fully prepared for the task that's coming our way a week on Saturday at Woking. So, I think we've got to be mindful of that.
"And this is where it starts to crank up a bit, from now through to the Chester game and then after Chester, it's full focus on Woking.
"So, we'll see how things are, we've to be mindful as well that that's his (Bevis Mugabi) first 45 minutes for a long time as well, and we'll see how he recovers in the next few days."
He continued: "I think every game that we've played has been tough games. I expect nothing more than that, to be honest.
"I think they were a bit unfortunate that they didn't get promoted. So, you know, it's going to be a good test for us, and it's just about us, handling the occasion as well as we can.
"And I think, in the main, we've done that. I'm delighted we're here. You can see the support that comes and support you at very, very short notice as well.
"So, I think there's the opportunity for us to have a good, exciting campaign, and hopefully that can start with Saturday as our final preparations before Woking, and I'm really looking forward to that on Saturday."
With over half the allocation sold for Woking on the opening day, he spoke about the importance of the fans: "It just proves how important they could be for us.
"That's one of the things I've been impressed with, is that the following, you know, you turn up to Harrogate and you see the fans, it's there as well.
"And, it's a long journey. It's a long journey for most of the games when, you know, we're travelling away from home.
"So, credit to them. I'm really looking forward to see them at away games with a real backing, and that gives the players and it gives the staff, and the club a lift.
"So, thank you to them and even the ones that, you know, come out tonight because, again, it's a decent journey and they just show that they're really committed to the cause and thanks again."
