Defensive Jitters as Internazionale Secure Win

Goalscorer
By Chris O'Brien
August 4 2007

An impressive attacking display from Inter Milan saw the Italian champions leave Old Trafford with a 3-2 pre-season victory. A brace from David Suazo put the visitors well on their way to victory as United's defence looked unsettled ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash against Chelsea.

 

Manchester United suffered a pre-season setback on Thursday evening with a 3-2 reverse against Inter Milan.

73,738 were in attendance, a record for a pre-season friendly, as the English and Italian champions battled out a five-goal thriller at Old Trafford.

Whilst this was only a friendly, there were some worrying moments for Sir Alex Ferguson. The defence, the one area of the team that hasn't been strengthened this summer, looked very vulnerable as it leaked three goals within the opening 30 minutes.

Wayne Rooney fired the home side ahead after just 17 minutes - but the lead didn't last long as a ruthless Inter hit straight back at United's wayward backline.

The equaliser came just after the twenty minute mark as a Luis Figo cross caused bedlam in the United box. An uncomfortable Patrice Evra fluffed his clearance before Rio Ferdinand missed the ball completely, allowing David Suazo to fire the ball past a helpless Edwin Van Der Sar.

Minutes later and Evra's defensive frailties were again evident as he lost possession in his own half. Dejan Stankovic stole the ball and played a nice move with Figo before crossing a fine ball that Zlatan Ibrahimovich drove home.

Inter went onto make it three goals in fourteen minutes as Suazo secured an impressive brace. Figo was again the provider as the Honduran international drilled a cool finish out of the reach of a shell-shocked Van Der Sar.

United were handed a lifeline after the interval as Adriano headed a bullet into his own net; but despite a late rally led by Cristiano Ronaldo, the Red Devils couldn't salvage a draw.

Full Time - Manchester United 2-3 Inter Milan
Attendance - 73,738

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Eagles, Carrick, O'Shea; Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs.
Substitutes: Martin, Fletcher, Bardsley, Silvestre, Kuszczak.

Internazionale Milan: J Cesar (Toldo, 76); Maxwell (Fatic, 90), Materazzi (Cesar, 46), Samuel, Chivu; Dacourt (Filicor, 76), Solari (Defenclous), Figo (Jiminez), Stankovic; Ibrahimovic (Adriano, 46), Suazo (Cruz, 60).