Rooney strike gives Reds a winning start
1-0
By Chris,
August 17 2009
Manchester United beat Birmingham City 1-0 for the third successive time as the Premier League season kicked off with a win. Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game as, despite a late Birmingham rally, United got the defence of their league title off to a winning start.
United started with something of a makeshift XI due to mounting injury problems. The back-four of John O'Shea, Partrice Evra, Jonny Evans and Fabio was, in particular, a concern.
However, Ben Foster pulled off a couple of excellent saves and United opened their league account for the new season with a deserved 1-0 victory.The only goal of the game came on 34
minutes. Rooney met Nani's cross with a header that smashed against the
woodwork; but the England
forward quickly picked up the pieces to poke home from yards out.
United had chances to add to their
tally and substitute Michael Owen should have done better as he raced onto a
Rooney flick only to hit his one-on-one straight at Joe Hart, booed throughout
for his City connections.
Birmingham
grew in confidence as the game wore on and the 3,000 vocal travelling fans
sensed a point in the closing stages. Foster pulled off a brilliant save to
deny Christian Benitez a wonder goal but United held on to hit the ground
running.
Next up is a local derby at Burnley.
Full Time - Manchester United 1-0 Birmingham City
Attendance - 75,062
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I was dying from Saturday night out so having to stand through the whole game in the Stretford end wasnt the greatest hangover cure but i loved it! I missed the footy during the summer.
Thought Valencia had a decent game, Skipper did well at centre half and Rooney was his usual brilliant self. Always aware of whats going on around him.
Fact is, we are weaker as a squad but we are good enough to keep our title. It may take a few games to get into our stride
Hope you had a good trip.
Had a fair old session on Deansgate Saturday night, was in an awful state getting back to where we were staying at 4am and then up early for the game with a ferrocious hangover
Wouldnt have it any other way
Well, perhaps in hindsight i shouldnt have had about 25 shots in Revolution
When I go in there they think I'm too old to serve !!!
I was kicked out of there when over for the City game last season as my mates bet me i wouldnt do something..i did it and picked up 200 sterling for it!!
Which i admit was then spent in Obessions gentlemans club