Milan Down At San Siro

Salam

AC Milan 2-3 Man Utd

(first leg, second round champions league)

Milan's future in the Champions League is hanging by the thinnest of threads after going down 3-2 at home to Manchester United. Ronaldinho had put the Italians in front, but a freak goal from Paul Scholes put the Red Devils level before Wayne Rooney scored twice in the second half. Clarence Seedorf halved the deficit late on, while Michael Carrick was sent off.

Alexandre Pato set his stall out for the evening by tricking Patrice Evra and winning a free kick just inside the Manchester United half. David Beckham's delivery wasn't the best, but Evra's clearance went straight to Ronaldinho, who volleyed home via a deflection off Carrick.

The Rossoneri were flying, and Ronaldinho was bringing out the tricks within the first five minutes. The Brazilian then tested van der Sar with an effort from close range after effortlessly beating Rio Ferdinand, but it was gathered comfortably.

Sir Alex Ferguson was chewing furiously on the sidelines as his side attempted to get into the game, but they should have been two down in the 11th minute. Thiago Silva made a superb run deep into the Red Devils' half to play Luca Antonini in, but the full back pulled his shot wide of the near post when shooting across goal would have been a better option.

Ji-Sung Park threatened to break into the penalty area but was denied by a superb tackle from Daniele Bonera, before Ferdinand looked to have brought Ronaldinho down on the edge of the box but the referee waved away his protests.

The majority of the pressure was coming from the hosts, and both Evra and Rafael were struggling to deal with the overlapping runs from Antonini and Beckham. Manchester United were not helping themselves by frequently giving the ball away in midfield, and Evans had to make an inch-perfect tackle on Pato on the half hour.

The hosts were made to pay for their missed chances when Manchester United equalized 10 minutes before the break in the most fortunate of circumstances. Darren Fletcher's low ball in to the box was aimed at Paul Scholes, who missed his initial shot but the ball hit his standing leg and trickled into the net off the upright. It was their first away goal against the Rossoneri.

Just before the break, Park fouled Massimo Ambrosini 25 yards from goal. It was in perfect Beckham territory, but the former Manchester United man hit his effort over the bar. While the visitors looked more dangerous towards the end of the half, the referee called time on the first 45 minutes with the scores at 1-1.

Fletcher had a good opportunity just after the break when Nani chipped a cross in for the Scot to head towards goal from a yard out, but he could only head wide from a tricky angle. Pato should also have done better with a header as he ghosted away from Evra to get onto the end of substitute Giuseppe Favalli's cross, but failed to hit the target.

Moments later, Edwin van der Sar made an excellent one-handed save from an Andrea Pirlo piledriver, and the veteran had dive low to his left to prevent Ronaldinho from restoring the lead on the hour mark.

The ineffective Nani was then replaced, and Ferguson's move paid dividends immediately. Substitute Luis Antonio Valencia beat Favalli on the right hand side before chipping a cross in for Wayne Rooney to head perfectly back across goal into the far corner.

Manchester United sensed that they could gain a stranglehold on the tie by scoring a third, and immediately went in search of the game's fourth goal. The visitors were knocking it around at will, and Rooney struck another shot off target after a neat step-over from Scholes.

It was merely putting off the inevitable, and in the 75th minute Fletcher floated in a perfect ball between Nesta and Silva for Rooney to head home unchallenged from a few yards out.

10 minutes later, Milan gave themselves a lifeline. Ronaldinho received a fine ball from Thiago Silva in the penalty area, and he sent in a low cross for Clarence Seedorf to flick home from close range. Seconds later, 'Dinho' sliced open the visitors' defense for Filippo Inzaghi to strike at goal, but it flew over the bar.

It was not the only opportunity the Rossoneri had late on as Ambrosini had a shot blocked from close range before Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva tried to head the same ball from the consequent corner, and the chance was wasted.

Michael Carrick picked up a second yellow card deep in injury time, but Manchester United withstood the late pressure and will take a precious lead to Old Trafford. The Rossoneri, meanwhile, will be regretting their many missed chances.

United Strike Down Gunners

Arsenal 1-3 Man Utd

Manchester United slaughtered Arsenal this afternoon, defeating the Gunners 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Nani forced Manuel Almunia to concede an own goal before setting up Wayne Rooney for a second. Park Ji-Sung scored early in the second half to end the game as a contest. Thomas Vermaelen volleyed home a consolation for Arsenal in the 80th minute.

Arsenal had started brightly, and Andrey Arshavin had an early opportunity. He broke down the left flank and burst into the left hand side of the penalty area. Cutting inside of Wes Brown, he aimed a shot for the far corner of the goal with his right foot, but it was loose and went wide.

United continued the high tempo start to the game with two dangerous crosses into the box. They broke down the right with Nani attacking Gael Clichy before feeding Darren Fletcher on the overlap. The Scot crossed low into the six yard box towards Rooney, but pressure from William Gallas resulted in the ball being cleared.

The second chance came as Nani skipped past Clichy on the right flank and attacked the byline. He cut the ball back to the far post where Michael Carrick stood unmarked. Just as the Englishman was shaping to shoot, Song came out of nowhere to knock the ball out for a corner. From the set piece Denilson headed back towards his own goal, where Samir Nasri made a goal line clearance from his position on the right-hand post.

Arshavin nearly opened the scoring in the 13th minute. The Russian dribbled at Brown who retreated into the penalty area, Arshavin then jinked to shift the ball onto his right foot and rifled towards the right-hand corner of the goal. Edwin van der Sar was scrambling, but Arshavin's effort flew inches past the right-hand post.

Arsenal continued to press forward, interchanging passes sleekly in midfield. Arshavin broke again and took an air shot just inside the penalty area, before the Gunners attacked down the right with Tomas Rosicky slipping Bacary Sagna in on the overlap. The Frenchman cut the ball back towards Nasri, whose flick took the ball off the toe of an aghast Cesc Fabregas.

Manchester United responded with a series of half-chances of their own. Their direct passing movements troubled Arsenal's defence, with Paul Scholes peeling off the shoulder of Thomas Vermaelen and finding space in the box. Scholes received the ball and controlled, but Gallas pounced with a sliding challenge before the Englishman could shoot.

Nani engineered two chances in the Arsenal penalty area, turning in the six yard box and firing into the side netting from the right. Minutes later and Nani was bursting into the right-hand side of the box, Carrick slipped the ball through to the 23-year-old and only a last ditch block by Clichy could deny Nani.

Devastating | Arsenal can't cope with Nani's trickery

United opened the scoring thanks to a superb run by Nani. Starting on the right flank in double coverage, he flicked the ball in between Clichy and Nasri and entered the box from the right, he then dummied past Denilson and attacked the byline. He got his head up to spot Park at the back post, and chipped the ball towards him. Almunia had to deal with it, and stretched above his head to flick the ball with his fingertips. Unfortunately for the Gunners his touch could only tip the ball into his own goal: 1-0 to the visitors.

The Red Devils scored a second in the 37th minute with a glorious goal on the counter attack. Nani burst down the right and advanced towards the penalty area, slowing to a trot, he saw Rooney powering into the penalty area. The Portuguese fed his team-mate with a perfectly weighted pass and Rooney hammered the ball into the bottom right-hand corner with a first time strike: 2-0 to United.

Arsenal could have had a goal back before half-time, Arshavin wasted another opportunity, with Rosicky turning provider this time. The Czech Republic midfielder latched onto a stray pass on the right and immediately played Arshavin through. The Russian had time to compose himself, but lashed wide of the right-hand post.

Song had a chance in first half injury time, he bundled his way through a crowded penalty area before stabbing the ball wide of the left-hand post.

The second half started with a stinging drive from Rooney. He picked the ball up on the left flank and cut back onto his right foot, aiming for the far corner of the goal from 20 yards. His shot was powerful and caught Almunia off guard, as the Spaniard fumbled the ball away from danger. It wasn't convincing goal keeping.

Manchester United tore through the Arsenal defence to extend their lead in the 52nd minute. Fletcher lobbed the ball over the top for Park to run onto, the South Korean advanced on goal with only Clichy on the cover. The French defender let Park continue his run, as United had runners attacking the space behind him. It was a mistake, as the midfielder entered the penalty area and slotted coolly into the bottom left-hand corner past Almunia: 3-0 to United.

Arsenal refused to lie down and accept defeat and continued to search for a goal. Fabregas smashed goalwards from 20 yards, Van der Sar dived to his left but the shot cleared the crossbar.

Song had a half-chance for a consolation, an overhead kick in the right-hand side of the box set up the Cameroon international. He controlled on his chest and went for the bottom left corner, Van der Sar didn't move as the ball zipped just wide of the post.

Arsene Wenger threw on Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, and Emmanuel Eboue in an attempt to breathe some life into the hosts, but time leaked away with little in the way of opportunities.

Arsenal had a consolation in the 80th minute, Nasri crossed into the penalty area from the right flank and United cleared to the edge of the box. Vermaelen hit an acrobatic volley that looked to be heading straight for Van der Sar, but it deflected off Jonny Evans and into the United goal: 3-1.

The goal invigorated the Gunners, and they piled forward in search of a second. Arshavin drove into the penalty area from the right, dancing past United defenders before Evans slid in to concede a corner. Walcott had a free header from the set piece but it lacked conviction and United cleared.

Arshavin won Arsenal a corner from the opposite flank and Vermaelen lost his marker as the ball was crossed into the middle. The Belgian defender's head was strong, but was going straight at Van der Sar until Patrice Evra flicked the ball clear.

The comeback didn't materialise, however, and despite five minutes of stoppage time, Arsenal couldn't break through again. Manchester United close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table to one point.

Rooney Strike Man Utd to Wembley

Man Utd 3(4)-1(3) Man City

Manchester United defeated rivals Manchester City 3-1 at Old Trafford to progress into the League Cup final. United took a two goal lead thanks to Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, before Carlos Tevez looked to have sent the game into extra time. Wayne Rooney scored an injury time winner to send the Citizens out of the competition.

The first few minutes were scrappy but Manchester United soon took control. Wayne Rooney chased down a ball thrown over the top of the City defence in the eighth minute. Collecting the ball on the edge of the box, he engineered space for a shot, his strike was solid but straight at Shay Given and the Citizens 'keeper saved comfortably.

United had the next chance four minutes later, City headed clear a free-kick crossed into the box from the left wing. The ball came out to Paul Scholes, who lined up for a half-volley with his right foot. His technique was crisp, but the shot was always rising and it cleared the crossbar.

Shaun Wright-Phillips created City's first opportunity from open play, with the English winger beating Patrice Evra and driving into the penalty area from the right wing. He chipped the ball to Craig Bellamy in the centre, who aimed a strong header for the top right-hand corner, but Edwin van der Sar was positioned well and collected comfortably.

Carlos Tevez went on a dazzling run, jinking past Rio Ferdinand and into the United penalty area. Just as he was about to shoot, Ferdinand recovered with a sliding challenge to deny the Argentinian.

The Citizens were on the ascendency, Craig Bellamy attacked down the left flank and floated a cross towards the back post. Tevez met the ball with a diving header that zipped towards the bottom right-hand corner. Van der Sar dove to his left and managed to push the ball out of the danger area.

Manchester United responded with two chances in succession. First, Ryan Giggs unleased a low drive from the edge of the penalty area that Given did well to hold on to, before Rooney almost stole in front of the Irish goal keeper at the near post after a Michael Carrick cross from the right.

As the half drew to a close Wright-Phillips had a shot on goal from long range. It went straight to van der Sar who made a routine save.

The second half started with an outstanding individual effort by Micah Richards. Rooney was muscled off the ball by the City right-back, and Richards drove at the United defence. Cutting inside, the defender elected to shoot with his left foot from just outside the box. His effort arched towards the top right-hand corner and van der Sar made an excellent save, meeting the shot with his out-stretched left hand.

Tensions were starting to rise. Tevez picked up a booking for a sliding challenge on Rafael, with Bellamy and Ferdinand having a heated exchange in the aftermath. Emotions boiled over minutes later when Bellamy was waiting to take a corner kick. The Welshman was struck on the head with a coin thrown from the crowd and also had a bottle hurled in his direction when he was down on the ground.

Garerth Barry wasted the corner and Manchester United sprang on the counter. Rooney fired a wonderful ball over the top for Giggs, who entered the penalty area and was forced out wide by Given. The Welshman chipped the ball back into the middle and City looked to have closed out the danger, but Carrick nipped in to lay the ball off to Scholes, who hammered it into the bottom left-hand corner from the edge of the box: 1-0 to United.



United soon had a chance to extend their lead, Nani whipped a teasing ball across the face of the goal with his right foot. Dedryck Boyata had to deal with it, and managed to lift the ball over his own crossbar as Rooney was lurking for a tap in.

Manchester United had a second goal in the 71st minute. Nani ran along the edge of the box and played a difficult reverse pass to Darren Fletcher, who made made a run into the penalty area. The Scot controlled the ball superbly on his chest and was denied by a last ditch challenge. Carrick pounced on the loose ball, slotting into the far corner as Given dived to cover his near post: 2-0 to the Red Devils.

Rooney should have scored a third moments later. United tore through the City back line from the left, Giggs slid the ball to Evra, who had made run into the left-hand side of the box. In one fluid motion, Evra controlled and quickly played the ball inside to Rooney, who had the goal at his mercy. With Given stranded, Rooney managed to stab the ball wide of the left-hand post when it would have been easier to score.

Just as United were looking dominant, the momentum swung as Tevez popped up to score a vital goal for the Citizens. Bellamy checked onto his right foot and crossed towards the front post. Ferdinand stooped, looking certain to head clear, but Tevez threw his boot in front of the United centre-back and the ball zipped past van der Sar into the bottom right-hand corner: 2-1.

Manchester United booked their place in the final with a late goal from Rooney. Given made a fantastic reaction save from a close range header to concede a corner. Giggs took it short and received the return ball, he sent a beautiful cross into the box and an unmarked Rooney headed home from close range: 3-1 to United.

Back On Top Of The Table

Man Utd 4-0 Hull City

Wayne Rooney Hits Four To Put Manchester United Back On Top Of The League

A Wayne Rooney inspired Manchester United returned to top of the league with a 4-0 victory over Hull City at Old Trafford. United took advantage of being the only game in the Premier League and moved two points clear of Arsenal in second place.

Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes from the team that lost to Manchester City in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi final in midweek. United welcomed back Rio Ferdinand to his starting line-up after three months out with a back injury and Michael Owen was given his fifth league start of the season.

Hull City manager Phil Brown, in his 150th match in charge of the Tigers, didn’t include new loan signing Amir Zaki in his matchday squad as he looked to build on their battling draw in their last league match against Spurs.

United dominated possession from the kick off and they were able to turn that possession into a goal in the seventh minute. A Nani corner from the right was headed clear, but the ball fell to Paul Scholes who fired a powerful shot from distance. Hull City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill could only parry the midfielders strike and the Wayne Rooney collected 8 yards out and fired home his 16th goal of the season to give United the lead.

In the 11th minute a quickly taken free kick by Scholes found Nani free in the middle of the Hull half, the Portuguese midfielder moved towards goal before letting fly from 30 yards with a left foot strike which sailed over the bar.

Another chance fell to United two minutes later, when a patient build up by Nani and Rafael Da Silva found Darren Fletcher who crossed for Park Ji Sung at the back post but he couldn’t guide his header goalwards.

United continued to dominate possession and nearly doubled their lead in the 32nd minute. George Boateng fouled Park and Rooney struck the free kick up and over the bar but curled it just wide of Myhill’s right hand post as United pushed for more goals.

Rooney had his third chance of the half when a cross from was cleared by Zayatte with a backheel which fell to the England striker, but he couldn’t get his shot on target from an awkward position.

In the last minutes of the half a neat passing move by United found Michael Owen inside the Hull box but the striker was unable to convert his chance as Myhill made the save with his legs. And with the final chance of the half, a cross from Fletcher found Owen again but this time he was unable to get enough power behind his header and Myhill saved easily.

The second half began as the first had ended with United dictating the play. From a Hull corner United broke away on the counter attack with Nani, his cross was cleared by the Hull defence but only as far as Scholes who returned the ball to the Portuguese winger and this time his cross was cleared for a corner.

In the 62nd minute Hull went close for the first time in the match. A Stephen Hunt corner was flicked on by Anthony Gardner but Zayatte mis-kicked his shot and the ball rolled harmlessly wide.

Four minutes later the impressive Nani again broke down the right wing, his low cross perfectly found Park but the South Korean scuffed his shot and it was easily cleared by the Hull defence.

Manchester United won a free kick in the 69th minute following a foul by Boateng on Nani on the right hand side of the penalty area. The Portuguese winger took the free kick and found Owen whose glancing header went just wide of the far post.

Hull’s best chance of the match fell to substitute Kamil Ghilas in the 75th minute, a cross from Paul McShane on the right wing was brilliantly brought under control by the Algerian striker and his shot flew inches wide of Edwin Van Der Sar’s far post.

United substitute Darron Gibson nearly repeated his goal against Hull at the end of last season as the home side broke away on the counter attack. The young midfielder saw Myhill off his line and attempted an audacious lob from 30 yards out which landed on the top of the net.

In the 81st minute United finally doubled their lead, a long range free kick from Nani was pushed onto the bar by Myhill and the ball was cleared only as far as the Portuguese winger. He found Gibson who in turn found Rooney and he struck the ball past Myhill for his second of the game and a record 17th league goal of the season.

Rooney grabbed his hat-trick in the 85th minute. Another excellent run and cross from Nani down the right wing found the striker unmarked six yards out and he comfortably headed past Myhill for his second hat-trick of the season.

In injury time Park and substitute Dimitar Berbatov combined well, the Bulgarian chipped the ball over the defenders for Rooney to latch onto and fire into the back of the net for his and United’s fourth of the match.

So United climb back onto the top of the league with a convincing victory while Hull remain third bottom and very much, it seems, in a relegation battle.

United Hit Toffees For Three

Man Utd 3-0 Everton

Manchester United brushed Everton aside at Old Trafford as they closed the gap on league leaders Chelsea.

The first forty-five minutes were dominated by United and Darren Fletcher's superb strike was the least the Champions deserved at half-time.

A much improved second-half from Everton failed to produce any rewards as Michael Carrick extended the lead with a place finish from the edge of the area.

Antonio Valencia's deflected strike rounded off the match and despite a resilient display, Everton have a lot of improving to do.

A defensive looking Everton side turned out at Old Trafford as a makeshift centre midfield pairing of John Heitinga and Jack Rodwell showed that the Toffees intended to sit back and soak up pressure.

In the fifteenth minute United took a foothold of the game and started to create consistent chances on goal. Only a perfectly timed last gasp tackle from Leighton Baines stopped Valencia from getting a clear attempt from eight yards out.

Then French left-back Patrice Evra pounced on a loose ball before cutting inside Lucas Neill and sending a low cross to the edge of the penalty area for the waiting Wayne Rooney, however the former Everton man sliced his shot wide of the goal.

Moments later United worked another effort on goal as Michael Owen’s smart footwork helped set up captain Ryan Giggs for an effort on target. However Toffee’s ‘keeper Tim Howard was down quickly to his right to make a comfortable save.

In the 35th minute Darren Fletcher broke the deadlock in style with a fantastic drilled shot into the top corner. Valencia headed Evra’s cross back to the edge of the area where Fletcher met the ball on the half-volley and emphatically struck home.

Michael Owen had a half chance to extend the lead for United shortly before half time when he timed his run perfectly to stay onside and latch on to Wayne Rooney’s skilful flick. However he would have done well to score from the tight angle as Howard quickly rushed out to block his shot.

 

Great Hit| Fletcher opened the scoring with a wonder goal

David Moyes showed his intention to get something out of the fixture as he changed to 4-4-2 formation for the second half an introduced Nigerian striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni to the game.

Everton eventually worked a notable chance from an unlikely attacking source as centre-back Sylvain Distin showed exceptional pace to beat United full-back Rafael da Silva to a long ball forward.

The Frenchman turned inside before passing square to Louis Saha who control with his right-foot before snatching a shot with his left but the ball trickled wide without threatening Edwin Van der Sar’s goal.

Next to attack the United goal was another defender in John Heitinga, who lined-up in midfield today. The Dutchman worked a yard of space on the edge of the box before firing a shot at goal that Van der Sar gathered without fuss.

Michael Owen, making only his third Premier League start for United almost doubled the lead as he reacted quickest to a deflected clearance and rounded Howard. However the angle proved too tight and the former Liverpool striker could only scoop the ball onto the top of the net.

Moments later Marouanne Fellaini thought he had equalised when he slotted the ball under Van der Sar but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside and the goal chalked off.

On the hour mark Everton threatened again as Yakubu split the defence with a scything through ball, but Tim Cahill could only get the merest of touches as he stretched to flick the ball over the onrushing van der Sar, who made a good block.

The game opened up and Wayne Rooney came within millimetres of increasing the score as he casually picked up Michael Owen’s pass twenty-five yards from goal, took-one touch and chipped the ball towards goal. Tim Howard could only watch as the ball flicked the top of the woodwork before going out of play.

Owen had his third and best chance of the game in the 67th minute when he again timed his run well but lacked a clinical finish in front of goal.

The No. 7 controlled the ball before trying to guide the ball into the far corner but he could only win a corner as a sliding Everton defender made the block.

The resulting corner fell to Rooney whose shot come pass found Giggs at the corner flag and allowed the Welshman to find the arriving Michael Carrick on the edge of the box. The former Tottenham man effortlessly placed the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot to seemingly put the game beyond Everton.

Paul Scholes made an instant impact after his arrival off the bench, the veteran Manchester United midfielder had been on the pitch for a matter of minutes before picking up the ball 35 yards from goal and striding forward purposefully.

The former England international eventually released the ball to Antonio Valencia who saw his shot deflect into the bottom corner of the goal to claim United’s third of the game.

The game remained open as first Yakubu’s long range effort and then Tim Cahill’s close range chance proved Everton were still attempting to get back in the game but United looked comfortable and also continued to create chances.

Red Down But Not Out

The Reds may be down after harshly losing out at Stamford Bridge, but Sir Alex insists his side are by no means out of the title race despite falling five points behind leaders Chelsea.

John Terry's controversial winner secured all three points for Carlo Ancelotti's men despite finding themselves second best for most of the 90 minutes in South London.

The result is certainly a blow to United's hopes of securing a fourth Championship crown in a row, but Sir Alex says his side have the qualities to bounce back from adversity.

"That was Manchester United we saw today," declared the boss in an interview with MUTV.

"We've got a great squad and today was a reminder that we're a very good team.

"We've been criticised recently by a lot of people, but that won't deter us.

"We've got a cause now, a great cause - we want to win this league. And the lead isn't unassailable, that's for sure."

United Strike Down Rovers

Man Utd 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

Manchester United bounced back from last weekend’s defeat against Liverpool with a comfortable win over Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford. After a goalless first half Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring before Wayne Rooney made the game safe to send the champions back into second spot.

The champions welcomed Sam Allardyce’s men but had to make do without the injured quartet of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher and with Paul Scholes left on the bench.

Yet the champions endured a frustrating first half against a disciplined Rovers side missing Jason Roberts with swine ‘flu but able to recall Christopher Samba and David Dunn who had both recovered from the virus.

Indeed it took over half an hour before Sir Alex Ferguson’s men really began to threaten but a combination of poor finishing and disciplined defending protected the visitors’ goal.

Dimitar Berbatov was the man handed two chances within a minute, the Bulgarian denied from five yards by a superb block by Gael Givet before heading a cross by Antonio Valencia into the ground and allowing Paul Robinson to tip the bouncing ball over the bar.

Minutes later and Wayne Rooney made it a hat-trick of chances for his partner teeing him up to hit a fierce, low drive which a diving Robinson did well to divert around the post for a corner.

The champions were dominating and five minutes before the break they did have the ball in the back of the net. A sweeping move saw Nani release Rooney down the left and his cross was tapped home by Berbatov only for the Bulgarian to be denied by the offside flag.

The chances continued to come, Rooney crowded out in the box before Berbatov blasted wide after a lovely pass by the England international and Rovers reached the interval, relieved to still be on level terms.

An impatient home crowd urged their side forward after the break and it took less than ten minutes for the deadlock to finally be broken and it was little surprise that it was that man Berbatov who supplied the finish.

Valencia instigated the move, finding John O’Shea whose cross found Patrice Evra. The Frenchman tried a shot from range which instead fell to Berbatov who controlled the ball before turning and firing a superb strike low and into the bottom corner.

On-target – Berbatov opens the scoring

With the lead established Ferguson opted to changes things handing Gabriel Obertan a first taste of life in the Premier League at the expense of the disappointing Nani.

Within seconds of his arrival the youngster caught glimpse of goal after being sent clear down the left flank yet he was, perhaps surprisingly, caught by Ryan Nelson and could only manage a weak shot which was easily claimed by Robinson.

However, with 10 minutes to go Obertan was handed a glorious chance to open his Old Trafford account. Some terrific build up play involving Rooney and Valencia saw the ball fall to the new recruit unmarked at the far post but somehow he conspired to scuff his shot wide with the goal gaping.

It could have been a costly miss but with Rovers showing a distinct lack of ambition, even against an unfamiliar central defensive pairing of Wes Brown and Jonny Evans, it was not to be and with minutes left on the clock Rooney made the game safe.

A great cross from the left by Obertan reached Anderson who found the England international and with his first touch he swept it past Robinson and into the far corner to seal all three points.

There was still time for more chances, Rovers had a goal chalked off controversially for offside before substitute Michael Owen went agonisingly close, but ultimately it was United's day and the perfect response to last weekend’s Anfield defeat.

2nd Defeat of the Season

Liverpool 2-0 Man Utd

Is true Liverpool BEAT Man Utd by 2-0... But:

Chelsea still TOP of the table,

Man U in SECOND just TWO POINTS behind Chelsea,

Liverpool........... in 5th place with FOUR DEFEAT already, so far...

And DONT FORGOT Arsenal & Man City, they still have game in hand...

The conclusion, the table is back open & all the teams have change to win premiership...

Its still early... Chill to all fan!!

Thanks A.Ferdinand, Fcuk Foster... Again!!!

United 2 Sunderland 2

United maintained top spot in the Barclays Premier League – even if it’s only temporarily with Chelsea and Liverpool in action on Sunday – after a scrappy draw against Sunderland. But it could have been a lot worse for the Reds, who delivered the least convincing performances for weeks.

Darren Bent put the Black Cats in front in the first half, then Dimitar Berbatov hit back after the break with a stunning scissor-kick. But Sunderland regained the lead again, only for an injury-time leveller courtesy of Patrice Evra and a huge deflection off the heels of Anton Ferdinand.

United WIN, Chelsea suffer first DEFEAT

Stoke City 0-2 Man Utd

Wigan 3-1 Chelsea

Reds rule Britannia

It probably won't be remembered as a classic, but Sir Alex Ferguson was more than happy with the way his players navigated Saturday's tricky trip to Stoke.

Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and John O'Shea clinched a 2-0 win and sent United to the top of the table, but the Reds were made to work hard for the points by a stubborn Stoke side.

"The Britannia is a difficult place to come," the boss told MUTV. "No one gets it easy here – Stoke's home record tells you that. We saw a really good performance by Manchester United.

"I think we played very well and showed plenty of composure throughout the game."

The Reds enjoyed almost 70 per cent of the possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances against Stoke's determined defence.

"We didn't quite have the penetration to round off our possession," the manager admitted. "Antonio Valencia had a great chance in the first half, but he just clipped it past the post.

"We had a lot of the ball, created maybe one or two near things, but nothing concrete in terms of a real chance. The goalkeeper made a couple of saves from Nani, but other than that it was a case of having possession of the ball but not creating enough chances.

"In the second half we were much better. It was a good day for us."

Citizen Down

United 4 City 3

United deservedly won this pulsating derby in the high drama of injury time, but only after fans' nerves had been shredded after they let City back into the game three times. The Reds should have had it wrapped up, but with the scores locked at 3-3 after 90 minutes, Michael Owen chose the most opportune time to hit his first Old Trafford goal.

Rooney had given the Reds the lead, only for Tevez to capitalise on Foster's error and set up Gareth Barry's equaliser. Darren Fletcher then twice put United in front, but Craig Bellamy equalised on both occasions. That left substitute Owen to latch onto the outstanding Ryan Giggs' throughball and, in the sixth minute of injury time, poked home a brilliant winner.

It certainly was a game of two halves as, despite United's rapid start, City had most of the possession before the break. But the victory was wholly justified as United's second-half display was sheer class.

Winning Start at Euro

Besiktas 0 United 1  

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United's quest to erase the agonies of Rome opened with an efficient away win in Istanbul, thanks to a second-half header from Paul Scholes.
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A late header from Paul Scholes handed Manchester United a 1-0 win over Besiktas in Istanbul to give them a winning start in the Champions League.

Spurs Down!!

Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Man Utd

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Manchester United were behind after a minute and reduced to 10 men but still recorded victory in a pulsating match at White Hart Lane that ended Tottenham Hotspur's 100 per cent start to the Barclays Premier League season.

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Spurs were ahead less than a minute into the Barclays Premier League match when Jermain Defoe acrobatically found the net to continue his hot streak of goalscoring.

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Defoe spent the summer in the gym bulking up his physique and the result has been an explosive start to the campaign - his spectacular opener after 50 seconds was his eighth in as many matches for club and country.

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The chance was created following a loose pass by Dimitar Berbatov to Darren Fletcher, allowing Wilson Palacios to slide in. Robbie Keane shifted the ball to Benoit Assou-Ekotto and his cross to the far post saw Crouch challenge Nemanja Vidic.

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Vidic appeared to get the last touch as the ball went into the danger zone, leaving Defoe to execute his overhead kick into the bottom corner.

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The goal inevitably kick-started United. Scholes drove wide and Fletcher burst into the penalty area and forced Carlo Cudicini to parry at the near post. The Italian also saved from Berbatov's flicked header.

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Headed over

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Crouch's height caused United problems, especially when he collected a long ball, flicked over Vidic and volleyed powerfully, with Ben Foster's footwork making the save look easy.
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United's equaliser came from the familiar source of Giggs.
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Palacios had received a yellow card for the tackle on Berbatov that led to the free-kick, 25 yards from goal. Giggs' set-play curled over Keane in the wall and into the top corner.
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Berbatov had two chances shortly after, the first when he killed Anderson's pass and had his volley tipped over the crossbar. Then one rebound was cleared off the line after Wayne Rooney's effort was saved, and another went over when the ball was worked back to the Bulgaria striker.
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The action never stopped - Lennon thought he was caught off the ball, while Crouch headed over from a Tom Huddlestone corner.
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Anderson's goal came four minutes before the break. The Brazil midfielder drilled into the bottom corner from the edge of the area after Scholes' long-range effort was blocked by Ledley King.
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Spurs brought on Jermaine Jenas for Palacios at the interval, and there was the same pace and intensity when play got under way again.
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Quick pass

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Scholes was booked for tripping Defoe, then King was cautioned for exacting revenge a minute later.
Jenas, returning from a calf injury for his first appearance of the season, curled an effort that Foster tipped around the post, with Crouch hitting the crossbar from the corner.
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Scholes received his marching orders just before the hour mark for his second caution, this time for a clumsy tackle on Huddlestone.
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United's response was to bring on Michael Carrick for Berbatov to add numbers in midfield.
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Carrick's quick pass to Rooney set the England striker off down the left and he cut inside to force Cudicini into a save that came off the woodwork.
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Rooney's goal came 12 minutes from full-time. He raced onto Fletcher's pass and cut inside Alan Hutton before squeezing his finish through Cudicini's legs.

Thank you Diaby

Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal

Manchester United took all three points in the first ‘Top Four’ clash of the season after a hard-fought win against Arsenal at Old Trafford. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, with Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen, Nicklas Bendtner and Eduardo all on the bench, the first half was a tight, tense affair with both sides playing at pace but unable to create many clear-cut chances.

After a solid start by the visitors it was the home side who had the first promising chance of the game.

Wayne Rooney flighted a delightful chip into Darren Fletcher in the box who chested the ball down before turning and volleying over Manuel Almunia’s bar.

Rooney then almost caught a glimpse of goal himself but Thomas Vermaelen did well to ensure he couldn’t get on the end of Patrice Evra’s cross.

Yet the Gunners’ slick passing and movement was becoming more incisive than the home side’s and mid-way through the first half they were presented with a good opportunity.

Robin van Persie twisting and turning looked odds on to score after making space for himself in the area, but his shot was blocked by Evra.

Minutes later and a corner to the visitors was only flapped at by Ben Foster and fell straight into Andrey Arshavin’s path.

The Russian opened his body and aimed for the top corner but, much to the relief of the home crowd, the ball flew fractionally wide.

Yet with five minutes to go before the break, Arshavin was to provide the breakthrough as Arsenal took the lead.

After being flattened by Darren Fletcher moments earlier in the box, the Russian dusted himself down, picked up possession and advanced on goal before hitting a sublime effort past Foster to silence Old Trafford.

The Red Devils attempted to respond but were looking toothless in attack and within two minutes of the restart they had their goalkeeper to thank for preventing them from going two goals down.

Arshavin again was the creator, tormenting John O’Shea down the left before crossing for Van Persie.

The Dutchman got in front of Wes Brown and looked set to tap home but was denied brilliantly by Foster’s feet.

Indeed the Gunners were looking by far the better side at the start of the second half but were rocked on the hour mark when United snatched an equaliser.

Giggs slid a pass through to Rooney and he took a touch to take the ball past Almunia who brought the England international down leaving referee Mike Dean to point straight to the spot.

Up stepped Rooney who calmly sent the Spanish stopper the wrong way to continue his fine goalscoring start to the season.

Spot On Rooney Scores Again

Suddenly, a tepid game caught fire with the challenges flying in and the tempo raised several notches.

Van Persie smashed a free kick against the United bar and seconds later the home side took the lead after a Giggs free kick was headed past his own goalkeeper by Abou Diaby.

The hosts were jubilant yet Diaby almost made instant amends, surging into the box leaving three United defenders in his wake, before scuffing a cross-shot fractionally wide.

In search of an equaliser Wenger sent on strikers Bendtner and Eduardo but the Gunners simply couldn’t restore their earlier attacking impetus despite five minutes of added time.

Indeed the best chance of the closing stages were wasted by Dimitar Berbatov and Nani on the break although Van Persie did have the ball in the net late on but the flag had already gone up for offside.

A chaotic ending to the game saw Wenger sent to the stands but ultimately United held on for an important win to disrupt the Gunners’ superb start to the season.

United Roar

Wigan 0-5 Man Utd

Manchester United travelled to Wigan Athletic hoping to bounce back from their midweek shock defeat to Burnley and put their season back on track.

With that in mind manager Sir Alex Ferguson made wholesale changes to his starting line-up with Michael Carrick left out, Michael Owen benched and Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Nani and Gary Neville all returning.

Yet Roberto Martinez was also hoping for a response from his team following their defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers and handed new signing Mohamed Diame a start, only hours after joining the club.

The home side began the game brightly yet the first real chance of the opening minutes fell to the champions.

Maynor Figueroa was guilty of conceding possession, allowing Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to combine to good effect.

The ball was then fed out to Nani who crossed for Darren Fletcher but his goal-bound shot was cleared off the line superbly by Titus Bramble.

Moments later and the visitors had another chance with Berbatov’s backheel being picked up by Paul Scholes but the United veteran fired his shot wastefully over the bar.

Wayne Rooney was also looking lively as he searched for his 100th United goal but the England international couldn’t beat Chris Kirkland in the home goal despite several openings.

Yet the visitors were not having it all their own way and Martinez’s men had chances of their own to open the scoring in the first half.

A super curling effort from Jason Koumas forced goalkeeper Ben Foster into a strong save whilst only a last-ditch tackle from Patrice Evra denied Hugo Rodallega clear sight of goal.

Chances continued to flow for both sides as the interval approached. First, Rooney was denied by Kirkland’s outstretched leg before Nemanja Vidic denied Charles N’Zogbia.

The second half began in much the same fashion with Rooney again going close but mis-hitting his volley before Paul Scharner flashed a header just wide of Foster’s post.

However, with almost an hour gone the deadlock was finally broken and it was little surprise to see Rooney finally notch up his century as a Red Devil.

Former Latic Antonio Valencia did the damage on his return, crossing from the right where the England international was on hand to head past Kirkland.

Ton Up – Rooney Makes It 100 Goals For United

Yet the home side were almost back in it within seconds of going behind. A cross from Koumas found Rodallega connecting well with the ball but a diving Foster just managed to tip his effort to safety.

A frantic couple of minutes then saw the home side’s agony compounded as the visitors doubled their lead.

Rooney and Scholes combined to good effect to feed Berbatov and the Bulgarian dinked the ball past Kirkland before poking home to add the second.

Martinez responded by throwing on Scott Sinclair for Koumas but there was to be no denying Ferguson’s men.

Valencia and Berbatov combined again to find Rooney whose shot from the left took a huge deflection off Mario Melchiot to beat Kirkland.

With the game all but safe Ferguson made a triple substitution sending on Owen, Darron Gibson and John O’Shea and with five minutes to go Owen got his name on the scoresheet with his first United goal.

Nani was the creator, rolling the ball to the substitute to clip over Kirkland and in off the post.

There was still time for more and Nani completed the rout with the fifth goal to seal a fine afternoon and the perfect reply to those doubting the champions following their midweek upset.

Dissappointed Defeat

Burnley 1-0 Man Utd

United suffered a first defeat of the season at Turf Moor following Robbie Blake’s stunning first-half volley and a momentous display from Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

The great Dane beat away everything Sir Alex’s men threw at him, including a Michael Carrick penalty as the Clarets held out for a famous victory following Blake’s glorious strike on 19 minutes.

NOTE: man utd lose one, liverpool also lose one... chelsea & spurs tops...

Winning Start

Man Utd 1-0 Birmingham

A first-half goal from Wayne Rooney proved to be enough for Manchester United to commence their Premier League campaign with victory over Birmingham City this afternoon.

The striker netted from close range just after the half-hour mark after his header had rebounded off of the post, and despite having a flurry of chances had to settle for a single goal win over the newly-promoted away side.

First Half

Manchester United as expected started strongly, as pushed Alex McLeish’s men back into their own territory. The former Rangers and Scotland boss set his side up in a rigid 4-5-1 formation, designed to frustrate and stifle their hosts, but United inevitably still managed to create opportunities.

Wayne Rooney, who appears to be revelling in his new central role, linked well with strike partner Dimitar Berbatov in the opening exchanges, and the Englishman crafted the first effort on goal, curling a beautiful shot towards Joe Hart’s top left hand corner, but the ‘keeper used all of his agility to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Nani and Valencia also had half chance inside the area as The Red Devils turned the screw, but Birmingham managed to weather the early storm, and began to look dangerous themselves.

James McFadden cut in from the left wing with intent, and with no challenge forthcoming from Jonny Evans, in for the injured Rio Ferdinand, McFadden curled a strike towards the corner but his radar was slightly off as the ball skidded past the post.

Sir Alex Ferguson would have been weary that his side generally start the season slowly, having drawn on the opening day in their previous two seasons, and as the match wore on there was a lack of fluency in their passing and movement as they hunted for that elusive opener.

But as Birmingham drifted deeper and deeper into their own territory, chances began to come. Nani flicked a poor effort over the bar from inside the area, when he perhaps should have did better, and moments later the Portuguese dropped a precision delivery onto the head of Wayne Rooney. His header crashed against the post, but landed straight back at the 23-year old’s feet, and he gleefully tapped home his 99th goal in the red of Manchester United.

The away side were not overwhelmed by falling behind, however. Cameron Jerome, deployed in the lone striking role, rocketed a shot toward goal that nicked the heel of Evans before whizzing centimetres wide of Foster’s right post. From the resulting corner, defender Franck Queudrue rose highest and looked for all the world to have levelled, but Patrice Evra showed all of his athleticism to nod the ball off the line, denying a certain goal.

But the champions created the last goalmouth incident of the half, and should have doubled their advantage. The enterprising Evra broke into the area on the goal-line, slipping the ball perfectly in the path of Darren Fletcher, but the midfielder skewed his effort woefully wide with the goal at his mercy.

Second Half

Fletcher’s miss meant that Birmingham retained hope of fashioning a route back into the match, and throughout the second half they gave Ben Foster a number of unsure moments. McFadden drilled in a low shot from the edge of the area, while Irish midfielder Keith Fahey fired a speculative strike agonisingly wide of the upright.

United had their chances too, however. Rooney was in mercurial form, and at the heart of everything positive in his side’s display. He almost hit a goal of the season contender, lashing a volley goalwards, only for Hart to once again deny him. Berbatov had a header cleared off the line as the Red Devils strived to put the game out of sight.

But Birmingham introduced record signing Christian Benitez, and the Ecuador international almost became an instant hero. He sold John O’Shea a dummy inside the area but attempted to place his shot into the corner and Foster brilliantly tipped the ball to safety.

Manchester United were shaken by almost surrendering their lead, but try as they might they could not find that clinching goal. Excellent work from Giggs created an opening for Rooney, but he could only glance his header wide of the post.

Michael Owen arrived for the final fifteen minutes, and was given a dream chance to open his competitive account for United, but could not place his shot past the outstretched leg of Hart, who made another excellent stop.

In the end though United settled for the 1-0 win, and while their performance was hardly vintage it represents a winning start for Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the defence of their title.

Others result

Aston Villa 0-2 Wigan
Blackburn 0-2 Man City
Bolton 0-1 Sunderland
Chelsea 2-1 Hull City
Everton 1-6 Arsenal
Man Utd 1-0 Birmingham
Portsmouth 0-1 Fulham
Stoke City 2-0 Burnley
Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool
Wolves 0-2 West Ham

Audi Cup (Finals)

Bayern Munich 0 (7)-(6) 0 Man Utd

United were beaten in the inaugural Audi Cup final, as tournament hosts Bayern Munich took the trophy after an epic penalty shootout in the Allianz Arena.

Penalties were the only way to decide a winner after a cagey 90 minutes in which each side forced only a couple of decent chances. Reds defender Jonny Evans saw his penalty saved in sudden death, allowing Daniel van Buyten to hammer home the winning kick.

While the hosts took the silverware, Sir Alex Ferguson and his staff could take plenty of positives from a stern test, and a sizeable step up in opposition after the Asia Tour and Wednesday's victory over Boca Juniors.

Audi Cup (Semi-Finals)

Boca Juniors 1-2 Man Utd

The Reds made the final with a 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors in the Audi Cup semi-finals, but United had to work hard for the win at the Allianz Arena.

United’s first-half performance was excellent and included a starring role and goal for Antonio Valencia in his first appearance in a red shirt, and a stunning goal from Anderson (yes, Anderson).

The Brazilian put United in front with a brilliant free kick before Valencia’s solo effort. Boca came back after the break and shaded the play in the second half, but the Reds had done enough to earn victory.

End of Asia Tour

Greentown 2-8 Man Utd

Manchester United recorded a massive 8-2 win over Chinese side Hangzhou Greentown in the club's last game in their Asian tour.

First Half

The away side settled into the game early and were clearly attempting to show some serious intent as the new season approaches.

United's first goal came from new signing Michael Owen, who scored his third goal in four matches for the club after 24 minutes when he slotted in from close range, after some good work on the right hand side from Portuguese winger Nani.

The Red Devils' second came from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, who struck a sweet volley from close range into the corner of the net after a goalmouth scramble.

They made it three just a minute later and it became obvious that they were about to run away with the game.

Zoran Tosic scored number three, after Berbatov's back heel found the young Serbian winger and he slotted home.

The first half scoring was complete when Owen grabbed his second of the game, latching onto Berbatov's through ball and hitting a well-struck half-volley into the corner of the net. It was 4-0 as the two sides went to the break.

Second Half

The second half began much as the first had, with the Red Devils dominating possession, and it didn't take them long to score their fifth goal, just five minutes into the restart.

The scorer this time was Nani, who rounded the 'keeper and slid the ball home to give his side a unassailable five-nil lead.

The inevitable sixth soon followed when substitute Ryan Giggs hit a superb strike to put the result beyond Hangzhou.

Ten minutes later and Giggs had nabbed his second of the game, with a delicate chip over the 'keeper after he found himself through on goal.

There was some consolation for the home side ten minutes from time, however, when Hangyou headed in after United failed to deal with a corner.

The home side then sent their fans wild by grabbing a second late on, before Giggs scored his third to complete his first ever hat-trick for the Red Devils.

The match signals the end of the Red Devils' Asian tour, and they will now travel to Germany to take part in the Audi Cup, where they will face a much sterner test against Boca Juniors on Wednesday.