EPL [ 3 ] : Manchester City 1 - 0 Manchester United

Barclays Premier League
Eastlands, Sun 19 August

MANCHESTER CITY 1
Geovanni (31)

MANCHESTER UNITED 0

United slumped to a derby-day defeat on Sunday as a poor Manchester City team eked out a 1-0 win at Eastlands.

Even without Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Reds battered Sven Goran Eriksson's new-look side, but with Carlos Tevez the only recognised striker in United's starting XI, Sir Alex's team struggled to find the net.

The Reds enjoyed the lion's share of possession but failed to convert a string of chances against a City team devoid of attacking ambition. Indeed, the Blues' goal came from their only shot on target in the first half. At the other end, they relied on Micah Richards, captain Richard Dunne and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to dig them out of trouble, time and time again.

The loss leaves United with just two points from the first three games, while Manchester City, still undefeated and yet to concede a goal, are top of the league.

The Blues' lively start to the season meant United went into the match in the unusual position of having less points than their city neighbours. But form always goes out the window in derbies and, true enough, the Reds dominated possession from the opening whistle.

Owen Hargreaves made his league debut alongside Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes in midfield, with Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez and Nani playing as a front three. It was the young Portuguese international who had the game's first chance, his fifth-minute shot well saved by Kasper Schmeichel after good build-up play from Scholes and Tevez.

The Blues suffered and early blow when striker Valeri Bojinov fell awkwardly while challenging Patrice Evra for a header and was stretchered off the pitch. Emile Mpenza, one of City's most effective players during the last campaign, replaced the Bulgarian international but couldn't help stem the Red tide. It was all United as Nani asserted himself down the left wing and Paul Scholes continually found time and space in the centre of the park. Nani had another half chance on 17 minutes, after Scholes' crafty flick teed up the no.17 on his left foot. But Schmeichel, the son of United legend Peter, was again equal to the task.

Carlos Tevez and Patrice Evra then went close before City took a shock lead through Brazilian Geovanni on 31 minutes. Just a minute after the Blues engineered their first shot of the match – a speculative Michael Johnson blast from long range – Geovanni received the ball unmarked 25 yards from goal and let fire. Had the ball not clipped Nemanja Vidic's calf on the edge of the penalty area, it's likely Edwin van der Sar would have made a routine save. But the touch off the Serbian imparted wicked spin on the ball, which took it away from the Reds goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.

With City fans in full voice and revelling in the scoreline, Kasper Schmeichel almost gifted United an equaliser when he spilled a cross in the six-yard area. Luckily for the Dane, Micah Richards, who was superb in the heart of the City defence, cleared the danger and ensured the Blues went into the break 1-0 up.

Despite going behind, Sir Alex won't have been too disappointed with how the Reds were playing. After all, Nani, Scholes and Owen Hargreaves had looked particularly impressive in the first 45 minutes and the back four restricted the home side to just one shot on goal. But flair and possession count for nothing if not converted into goals and the Reds were made to pay for some severely lax finishing.

Little changed in the second half, as United continued to bombard Schmeichel's goal. In the second half's opening exchanges, Nemanja Vidic hit the bar from a corner, Richards slid in to deny Carlos Tevez what would have been a certain tap-in, Paul Scholes fired over from 15 yards and Tevez failed to get a decent connection on a Giggs cross.

It took the Blues until the 67th minute before Sven's men mustered another shot on goal and even then it was a tame Geovanni free-kick. Sir Alex then made two changes (Eagles had earlier replaced Nani) in an effort to salvage the match, with John O'Shea and debutant Fraizer Campbell thrust into the action.

Carlos Tevez volleyed wide on 76 minutes but still City stood firm. Schmeichel snuffed out a dangerous through ball and Micah Richards headed out a wide free kick as it looked increasingly as if it wasn't to be United's day. That hunch was confirmed when, just seconds before the fourth official indicated there would be four added minutes, a corner flashed across the City goal and Carlos Tevez, lurking at the back post, headed wide from two yards.

It was a frustrating end to a game United should have won comfortably. Instead, the Reds are now left to reflect on yet another performance that was characterised by impressive ball retention yet wasteful finishing.

Line-ups:
United: van der Sar; Brown (O'Shea, 73), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick (Campbell, 73), Scholes, Hargreaves; Nani (Eagles, 60), Giggs, Tevez

Subs not used: Kuszczak, Silvestre


City: Schmeichel; Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Garrido; Johnson, Hamann, Geovanni (Ball, 74), Petrov; Bojinov (Mpenza, 8), Elano (Bianchi, 63)

Subs not used: Hart, Onuoha

EPL [ 2 ] : Portsmouth 1 - 1 Manchester United

Barclays Premier League
Fratton Park, Wed 15 August

PORTSMOUTH 1
Benjani (53)

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Scholes (15)



A second frustrating draw in four days; this 1-1 result against Portsmouth followed a similar script to Sunday’s 0-0 stalemate with Reading, as United dominated possession and created a glut of chances but couldn't make them count.

It’s by no means panic stations, but two draws and four points dropped is not the way United would have liked to begin the title defence. Worst of all, both teams ended the match with ten men, and Cristiano Ronaldo's late red card means he will miss the next three matches against Manchester City, Tottenham and Sunderland.

If recent Premier League campaigns have proved anything it is that a good start is imperative to winning the title. And after Sunday’s draw with Steve Coppell’s men, victory at Fratton Park would hold even greater importance.

However, while United have had few problems picking up victories in each of the last four matches against Pompey at Old Trafford, the team’s record on the south coast made for uncomfortable pre-match reading. On home turf, Portsmouth have beaten United three times in the last four years – a tally Sir Alex Ferguson’s side could ill-afford to add to.

The loss of Wayne Rooney to a fractured metatarsal at the weekend blunted United’s attacking threat, but there was a real sense of anticipation among Reds fans at Fratton Park when, as expected, Carlos Tevez was named in the starting line-up.

And, in the first ten minutes, the Argentine forward buzzed with enthusiasm and energy, eager to impress, although he was largely isolated on his own up front in the opening stages. But, after 15 minutes it was his excellent close control and acute awareness that brought about the opening goal.

Nani, making his first Premier League start, did well on the left flank and his cross found Tevez just inside the penalty area. The 23-year-old front man brought the ball down, turned and had the vision to pick out Scholes on the edge of the box, and he lashed his shot past David James. The strike takes Scholes to 96 league goals and past Ruud van Nistelrooy to become United’s highest-scoring player in the Premier League.

The Reds continued to press forward, and had Nani been more selfish after 20 minutes he might have had a clear shot on goal after an intricate passing move created space on the edge of the area. But he attempted to play in Tevez instead, and it was intercepted by Sylvain Distin.

On 34 minutes Ronaldo made his first impression on the match with a swerving left-foot shot from the edge of the area that James couldn’t keep hold of. Tevez attempted to round the keeper from the rebound, but James got his foot to the ball and the danger was cleared.

After the break, the Reds picked up pretty much where they’d left off. And Nani was the first to engineer an opening. A quick turn of pace took him away from Noe Pamarot, but James did well to save the Portuguese winger’s low left-footed shot.

Scholes then orchestrated United’s next two chances. First, his ball over the top gave Tevez something to chase, but James again was quick to react and came off his line to clear the danger. Then a flicked Scholes pass found Tevez inside the box. It took excellent close control to set up a shot in limited space, but his volley went narrowly over.

United were edging closer, and with chances in abundance and the major share of possession, a second Reds goal looked a matter of when rather than if. Portsmouth appeared out of ideas and out of the contest. But, on 53 minutes, the home side struck a hammer blow against the run of play. Matthew Taylor crossed on a Pompey break and Benjani powered his header past Edwin van der Sar, who had barely had a save to make all evening.

It put a spring in Portsmouth's step. And Benjani, in particular, was posing the Reds' defence problems. He ran at Wes Brown down the left flank and, cutting inside, sent a low shot that van der Sar could only parry. It fell to David Nugent, who, with the goal at his mercy, fired high over the bar.

Tense times, but United didn't give in. Despite persistent fouling, Ronaldo came into the match a bit more. His curling cross on 67 minutes found Giggs eight yards out, but the Welshman’s volley was saved by James. Then, following the resulting corner, Giggs’ low centre required the slightest of touches from Nemanja Vidic or Scholes to put the Reds in front, but neither could make the crucial contact. Moments later, Tevez put another shot wide after more good work from Ronaldo.

The longer the game went on and the more chances that went begging, the more it seemed this wasn’t going to be United’s night. Sir Alex’s men were given hope with seven minutes remaining when Sulley Muntari was sent off for a second bookable offence for a foul on Michael Carrick, but that was almost immediately negated when Ronaldo was shown a straight red card for his involvement in a scuffle in the box before a United corner.

It was a dramatic end to the match, but not the finale United hoped for. With the Manchester derby next up, it isn’t just local pride at stake at the City of Manchester stadium on Sunday.

Team Line-ups

Portsmouth: James; Pamarot (Hughes, 64), Cranie (Traore, 46), Distin, Hreidarrson; Utaka, Davis, Mendes (Taylor, 46), Muntari (sent off, 83); Nugent, Benjani.
Subs not used: Ashdown, Kanu.

United: Van der Sar; Brown (Eagles, 88), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Nani; Giggs (O’Shea, 82), Tevez.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Pique.

EPL [ 1]: Manchester United 0 - 0 Reading

Barclays Premier League
Old Trafford, Sun 12 August

MANCHESTER UNITED 0 READING 0



United were held to a goalless draw by Reading in a frustrating season-opener at Old Trafford, and also lost Wayne Rooney with a fractured foot.

The Royals, who survived the dismissal of substitute Dave Kitson, were indebted to a superb performance from goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, who repelled everything the Reds threw at him.

Countless chances came and went begging as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side began their defence of the Premier League title with a teeth-grinding slog against the pragmatic visitors.

Frustration at the Reds' inability to break down Steve Coppell's side was heightened by the loss of Rooney, who was replaced at half-time by new signing Nani.

Sir Alex opted not to pitch any of his new signings straight into action against the Royals, with the Portuguese winger providing the only new face in the entire 16-man squad.

That meant no Anderson, Hargreaves or Tevez for a packed Old Trafford, as a very familiar United side kicked off the defence of their title against Steve Coppell’s side.

The ongoing absence of Gary Neville saw Wes Brown continue at right-back, while Mikael Silvestre’s inclusion on the opposite flank saw compatriot Patrice Evra pushed upfield in the winger’s role he occupied frequently in pre-season.

Reading deployed left-back Nicky Shorey to man-mark Cristiano Ronaldo, and the England international stuck to the Portuguese winger like a limpet for much of the match.

United’s first half-chance came after nine minutes of posturing between the two sides. Rooney raced onto Carrick’s long pass, but was thwarted by Hahnemann in his attempts to round the goalkeeper.

Carrick then fizzed a volley over the bar a minute later, and was involved again after 15 minutes as

he cleverly released Wes Brown inside the area, only for Stephen Hunt to snuff out the danger.

The Irishman was helpless 10 minutes later as he was left completely befuddled by Ronaldo’s trickery. The winger then delivered a perfect deep cross, which Ryan Giggs slammed against Hahnemann’s near post on the volley.

Ronaldo was again involved shortly afterwards, sending another superb cross into the box – this time from the left wing – but Rooney’s header sailed narrowly over the Reading goal.

The Royals' defensive doggedness was unwavering all match. United’s attacking verve, while never at its free-flowing peak, was evident throughout the first half, but Steve Coppell’s side – in particular Michael Duberry – were superbly resolute.

Rooney did manage to escape the attentions of the former Leeds defender in the 35th minute, but could only guide Carrick’s superb cross just over the bar.

Even then, Duberry was in such close pursuit of the striker that he caught him with a desperate lunge in trying to cut out the shot. Rooney raised fears by immediately adopting a heavy limp and requiring treatment from Rob Swire, but he rejoined the fray shortly afterwards – much to the relief of the majority of those watching.

Such relief was short-lived, however, as Rooney was substituted at half-time with what transpired to be a hairline fracture in his left foot. His misfortune paved the way for Nani to make his competitive Reds debut, and the new boy was soon involved.

The Reds’ summer signing from Sporting Lisbon took a short corner from Ronaldo and returned it quickly to his international team-mate, whose powerful low shot was gratefully clutched by Hahnemann.

Scholes then had a shot deflected wide by Duberry has United looked to make the territorial

dominance count, despite having no recognised strikers on the field.

Defender turned winger Evra should have grabbed that tangible reward, but scuffed his shot horribly wide when Giggs’ corner was deflected out to him.

It was most likely United’s lack of genuine height in attack, rather than that miss specifically, which saw the Frenchman quickly shifted to left-back, while John O’Shea entered the action as a makeshift striker.

Giggs fractionally missed the upright with a beautifully curled free-kick as United continued to threaten, but it was O’Shea who came even closer as his close-range effort was beaten away by Hahnemann.

United’s pressure was incessant, with Reading’s forays into Red territory nothing more than an occasional hazard, which Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic dealt with comfortably.

Although time was ticking away, United continued to show great patience in their build-up, with one particularly long spell of possession culminating in a superb long-range effort from Nani which fizzed past the post.

Reading’s defensive attitude meant that Kevin Doyle was largely restricted to an afternoon of chasing lost causes, and the Irish international striker was replaced by Dave Kitson with 18 minutes remaining.

One minute later, the Royals were down to 10 men as Kitson thundered into a lunging challenge on Patrice Evra and was duly sent off by referee Styles.

The decision lifted the Old Trafford crowd, and they almost had more to cheer moments later as first Hahnemann saved from Carrick, then Wes Brown’s header was blocked in an almighty goalmouth scramble.

United’s marriage to attacking almost led to a catastrophic concession 10 minutes from time as Oster and Hunt found themselves two-on-two against Ferdinand and Vidic. Fortunately for United, Hunt’s speculative long-range effort went straight to van der Sar.

As the game entered its dying embers, Hahnemann was called into action three times, saving a Ronaldo free-kick, a Scholes header and a powerful Carrick shot from 20 yards.

In the final minute of added time, Ronaldo drilled a free kick over the bar as United’s final chance came and went.

Reading, to their credit, defended heroically throughout the 90 minutes and their share of the points was undoubtedly hard-earned after a worthy slog in the baking Manchester heat.

For United, the positives were restricted to a clean sheet and a thorough workout against Steve Coppell’s well-drilled side. There’s no escaping the fact, however, that Sir Alex Ferguson will look on the result as two points dropped.

Team Line-ups
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown (Fletcher, 78), Vidic, Ferdinand, Silvestre (O’Shea, 57); Carrick, Scholes, Evra; Ronaldo, Rooney (Nani, 46), Giggs.
Substitutes: Kuszczak, Pique.

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty, Gunnarsson, Duberry, Shorey; Hunt (Bikey, 87), Harper, Ingimarsson, De la Cruz; Seol (Oster, 57), Doyle (Kitson, 72).
Substitutes not used: Federici, Cisse.

Attendance: 75,655

Manchester United confirm squad numbers

United have announced their squad numbers for the forthcoming 2007/08 Premier League campaign.

Among the Reds' summer signings, Owen Hargreaves will wear the No.4 shirt, with Gabriel Heinze moving to 14. Anderson will wear No.8 and Nani has been given No.17.

It has also been confirmed that Carlos Tevez, who was registered as a United player by the Premier League on Friday afternoon, will wear the No.32.

United squad numbers 2007/08

1 VAN DER SAR (GK)
2 NEVILLE
3 EVRA
4 HARGREAVES
5 FERDINAND
6 BROWN
7 RONALDO
8 ANDERSON
9 SAHA
10 ROONEY
11 GIGGS
12 FOSTER (GK)
13 J.S. PARK
14 HEINZE
15 VIDIC
16 CARRICK
17 NANI
18 SCHOLES
19 PIQUÉ
20 SOLSKJAER
21 DONG
22 O’SHEA
23 J. EVANS
24 FLETCHER
27 SILVESTRE
28 GIBSON
29 KUSZCZAK (GK)
30 MARTIN
32 TEVEZ
33 EAGLES
35 LEE
36 GRAY
37 CATHCART
38 HEATON (GK)
39 CAMPBELL

Get to know... Nani

10 things you should know about rapid winger Nani...

1 His full name is Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha.

2 His first club as a boy was Real De Massama before joining the youth set up at Sporting Lisbon.

3 He broke into the first team at Sporting Lisbon when he was just eighteen-years-old.

4 In the 2006/2007 season, he made 29 appearances for the first team scoring five goals along the way.

5 He helped Sporting Lisbon win the 06/07 Portuguese Cup.

6 Nani appeared for Portugal's Under 21s in the summer of 2006, appearing in all three games that Portugal played in the tournament.

7 He first strode into the spotlight with a wonder goal in the Champions League against Spartak Moscow.

8 In September 2006, he won man of the match and scored on his international debut for Portugal against Denmark.

9 As a child, Nani played football with former Portsmouth and Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes.



Head over heels !

10 Old Trafford goal celebrations are going to take on a more spectacular air next season. Nani’s own routine comprises of a back flip quickly followed by a somersault.
____________________________________________________________
thank www.manutd.com

Manchester United Asia Tour 4 [ China ]

Report: Guangzhou 0 Utd 3

Pre-season friendly

Guangdong Olympic Stadium

GUANGZHOU PHARMACEUTICAL 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 3

Rooney, Nani, Martin


United's pre-season tour of Asia ended with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Guangzhou Pharmaceutical in the Guangdong Olympic Stadium, with strikes from Wayne Rooney, Nani and Lee Martin.

Injuries to Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar, Owen Hargreaves and Cristiano Ronaldo meant Sir Alex was able to hand Lee Martin and Tomasz Kuszczak their first pre-season starts, while youngsters Phil Bardsley, Danny Simpson and Darron Gibson also gained starting berths.

Dong Fangzhuo fulfilled his dream of starting for United in his home country and was cheered throughout. But it was a frustrating run-out for the China international, who so desperately wanted to find the back of the net. The game's first chance fell to Dong, when Martin's low ball
flashed across the goalmouth. Dong was unable to make a connection on that opportunity but did go closer on 15 minutes when he headed wide.

The home team showed little ambition going forward, content instead to try and soak up the pressure. It was a risky tactic and the Reds made Guangzhou pay on 20 minutes when Michael Carrick was chopped down inside the penalty area. Guangzhuo weren't happy with the referee's decision to award a penalty – he'd initially signalled for a free-kick just outside the box – but Rooney ignored the protests to blast home from 12 yards.

The Reds scored three in 15 minutes against FC Seoul and three in 11 minutes in Macau, but there was no goal rush this time. United struggled to penetrate Guangzhou's defensive line, although the home side's negative tactics didn't help matters.

The first real chance from open play arrived in the 41st minute when a Michael Carrick cross was touched onto the woodwork by a Guangzhou defender. It was a timely intervention since Rooney was lurking at the back post and would surely have buried the chance. As it was, the ball bounced back into play and Rooney was penalised for a foul in the ensuing scramble.


It was left to Nani to brighten what had been a sloppy first period. The Portugal international, who scored on his debut against Shenzhen FC, added to his goal tally with a glorious chip from the left side of the penalty area, which drifted over Guangzhou goalkeeper Shuai and in off the far post. It was the kind of sublime piece of skill and ingenuity United fans will hope to see more of during his Old Trafford career.

Sir Alex made two changes at the start of the second half, with Gibson making way for John O'Shea and Tom Heaton coming on for Kuszczak… eventually. The referee actually blew his whistle to get the second period underway without realising the Reds had nobody in goal. The game was quickly stopped, however, to allow Heaton time to take up his position between the sticks.

The error drew ironic cheers from the crowd, which soon turned to celebrations as Martin fired United further into the lead with a brilliant swerving strike from 30 yards. Had it not been for Nani's spectacular first-half effort, Martin's goal would surely have grabbed all the headlines.

The game opened up somewhat as both teams made a string of substitutions. Alan Smith, Chris Eagles, Patrice Evra, Mikael Silvestre and Wes Brown all saw action, but it was the 76th-minute introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo that drew most attention. Despite playing for only a quarter of an hour, Ronaldo still managed to pull out his tricks in what was a thrilling display of exhibition football. It was a lively end to the match, although, on the whole, Sir Alex will be delighted with United's pre-season form.

Team Line-ups

United: Kuszczak (Heaton 46); Bardsley, Vidic (Silvestre 58), Ferdinand (Brown 58), Simpson; Martin (Evra 58), Carrick, Gibson (O'Shea 46), Nani (Eagles 58); Rooney (Ronaldo 76), Dong (Smith 62)
Unused subs: Evans, Fletcher

Guangzhou: Shuai; Zhihai (Xichang 74), Dechao (Suozhi 83), Yan, Wenpeng (Zhixing 56), Z Lin (Xianrong 69); Pengfeng (Yong 56), Zhijie (Zhiyi 69), Oliveira, L Lin (Deen 56); Batista (Junyan 56).

Manchester United Asia Tour 3 [ Macau ]

Report: Shenzhen 0 United 6

Pre-season friendly The Macau Stadium

SHENZHEN FC 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 6
Giggs, Rooney, Nani, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Eagles

New signing Nani scored on his debut as United ran riot against Shenzhen FC in a humid Macau Stadium.

The summer signing hit the Reds' third after just 23 minutes in a game that felt more like a practice match than a pre-season showpiece. Shenzhen rarely troubled Unit ed's rearguard and Sir Alex may have preferred a sterner workout. But the Reds did provide plenty of entertainment, including spectacular goals from Wayne Rooney and Chris Eagles.

Only five players who started against FC Seoul last Friday kept their place in Macau, with the manager handing starts to a number of youngsters. Nani operated on the right side of midfield, while Jonny Evans partnered Nemanja Vidic in central defence. Paul Scholes' injury-enforced absence handed Darron Gibson a chance to prove himself in central midfield and he looked lively early on when he combined with Wes Brown to force a corner in the third minute. Cristiano Ronaldo rose highest to head the cross past Shenzhen goalkeeper Jianjia, but the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul.

But the Reds continued to press and duly took the lead after 12 minutes. Rooney collected a curling Darren Fletcher pass inside the area and headed straight for goal. But while everyone expected the England forward to shoot, Rooney squared the ball inside to Ryan Giggs who rolled the ball into an empty net for a deserved lead.

The home side looked comparatively ineffective going forward but could have equalised had the referee spotted Evans' 15th-minute handball as he attempted to block a cross. United took advantage on 20 minutes via another moment of magic from Rooney. This time it was Giggs who provided the splitting pass into the area. Rooney controlled the ball before sending a superbly disguised chip over Jianjia - a sublime piece of skill that called to mind a similar pre-season effort in 2005.

Nani marked his debut with a goal shortly afterwards when he thumped Ryan Giggs' lay-off into the bottom corner. It was a well-taken strike that left the goalkeeper with little chance and prompted the 20-year-old's trademark somersault celebration.

Giggs, now 33, enjoyed a sparkling first half and was involved in all three United goals. The Welshman certainly doesn't look like relinquishing his spot in the side, despite the arrival of Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves over the summer. Giggs made way for Alan Smith at the interval, while the United boss also introduced Tomasz Kuszczak, Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea.

Shenzhen started brightest in the second period, with Ferdinand doing well to block a fierce Marek Zajac shot. But the more numbers the home team committed forward, the more the gaps opened up at the back. O'Shea kept his cool to net on 55 minutes after Ronaldo had drawn two men inside the penalty area, before the Portuguese winger capped a brisk counter-attack shortly afterwards to send the Reds 5-0 up.

It was the last action Ronaldo saw, as Sir Alex made a further four changes. Among them was Chris Eagles, whose impact was felt almost immediately. With the ball bouncing almost 35 yards from goal, the youngster lashed a shot over substitute goalkeeper Lei and under the bar. It was a fine finish and one that rivalled Rooney's first-half gem.

Smith should have made it 7-0 on 75 minutes but the striker almost seemed to have too much time when sent clear of the Shenzhen defence. Of course, it mattered little to the final result, as the Reds coasted to victory in front of yet another capacity Far East crowd.

Team Line-up:

United: van der Sar (Kuszczak, 45), Brown, Vidic (Ferdinand, 45), Evans, Evra (Silvestre, 59), Nani (Carrick, 59), Fletcher, Gibson (O'Shea, 45), Ronaldo (Eagles, 59), Giggs (Smith, 45), Rooney (Dong, 59)