United 1-0 Wolverhamtpon Wanderers - Report

United have maintained their 100% Premiership record with a narrow 1-0 victory over newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Midlands outfit, who are still searching for their first point of the season, put up a battling display against the Champions, but it was John O'Shea's first-half header that condemned Wolves to their third consecutive defeat.

Sir Alex Ferguson made four changes from the side that beat Newcastle United 2-1 last Saturday, with the medias new favourite Cristiano Ronaldo given his first start in a United shirt. Debutant Kleberson, Gary Neville and Diego Forlan also started for United, and with a mixed line-up I was worried that United may be entering the game with a complacent attitude.

Wolves' injury crisis saw them make a number of changes from the side tat lost 4-0 to Charlton Athletic last Saturday, but ex-United stars Paul Ince and Denis Irwin were both included in the staring line-up, and as expected received very different receptions.

Irwin, a committed club servant at United for over 10 years, was given a standing ovation by the United faithful before kick-off, but Paul Ince was booed every time he touched the ball, due to his Liverpool connections and harsh comments made about the club since his exit for Inter Milan in 1996.

United took the lead on only the 9-minute mark through John O'Shea. Diego Forlan delivered an accurate corner to the Irish International, who made no mistake with his head, leaving Michael Oakes in the Wolves goal with no chance.

The Premeirship newcomers created the better of the chances throughout the half though, and were unlucky not to go in at the break at least level.

New signing Titi Camara had the best chance for the visitors when he latched on to a through ball from Nathan Blake, but with only Tim Howard to beat, Camara sent his shot well wide.

Half Time - Manchester United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Camara was in the thick of the action again in the opening moments of the second-half with another glorious chance to pull Wolves level. His pile driver shot from 20-yards out just going over Tim Howard's crossbar.

Alex Rae had another long-range effort, which went only inches wide of the post.

Wolves continued to pile pressure on the new-look United side, and it was clear changes were needed, with Sir Alex Ferguson introducing the experienced Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs to replace new-boys Kleberson and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Midlands outfit continued to battle in-vain, but couldn't find the equalising goal and they remain bottom of the Premiership table.

Wolves can come out of this game with real hope for the rest of the season though, they matched United throughout and it was hard to see how they have conceded 9 goals in their opening two matches. Many were hyping this game up to be the biggest mis-match in Premiership history, it proved only a narrow, and lucky victory for United.

Full Time - Manchester United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

It was another impressive performance from John O'Shea, who has made such massive strides forward with his game over the last 12 months.

A solid defensive performance, and his first goal for the club will have give his hopes of a regular place in the starting line-up a massive boost.

O'Shea was delighted to get on the scoresheet, saying: "To score my first Ireland goal at Lansdowne Road was great - and it's the same feeling to get my first United goal at Old Trafford."

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