Mancherter United 1 - 0 Sunderland [ EPL 5]

Barclays Premier League

Old Trafford, Saturday 1 September

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Saha (71)

SUNDERLAND 0


Louis Saha marked his return from injury with a vital winning goal as United just about overcame a well-disciplined Sunderland side on a nail-biting afternoon at Old Trafford.

The French striker, on as a half-time substitute for debutant Anderson, headed home a Nani corner 19 minutes from time to finally end the resistance of the visitors, who were inspired by a fine performance from goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Ex-Reds skipper Roy Keane returned to Old Trafford for the first time as an opposition manager, and included a host of former United players in his side - including the highly impressive Dwight Yorke in midfield.

Predictably, and completely correctly, Keane was afforded a rapturous reception on his return, and the sentiment continued to flow as both teams quickly assembled into a guard of honour for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who announced his retirement this week.

The veteran striker received a standing ovation from all corners of the ground, including the generous travelling support, before departing the spotlight after an impromptu embrace with Keane.

With two legends of the modern era suitably recognised, it was time for the focus to move quickly into the present, a shift which was facilitated in no small part by United's starting line up.

All four of the Reds' summer signings started for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, with Brazilian playmaker Anderson the latest debutant in attack.

It was another new boy, Nani, who had the game's first noteworthy effort. The winger's left-footed shot had none of the venom which brought his first United goal last week, against Tottenham, but it still had Gordon scrambling unconvincingly across his line.

Shortly afterwards, Patrice Evra fizzed in a fine left-wing cross, only for Danny Higginbotham another ex-Red - to superbly snuff out the danger in his first real act on his Black Cats debut.

United were, as is often the case, dominant in possession in the face of the visitors' limited attacking ambition, but there was no apparent cutting edge in the early exchanges.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium throughout a fairly lifeless first half, although Anderson was harshly denied a free run on goal just before the half-hour, having been adjudged to have fouled Nyron Nosworthy.

Much of the Brazilian's debut was a frustrating affair, although he did show glimpses raw power to accompany his much-vaunted skill.

His first sniff of space resulted in a decent chance for Tevez. Following a slip by Yorke in the centre of midfield, Anderson advanced and released the Argentine on the left edge of the area.

Despite the acute angle, Tevez opted for a first-time shot which Gordon did well to parry out. Moments later, the Scot was called into action again as he clutched at a long-range effort from Eagles.

That brief flurry of activity was an anomoly for much of the first 45 minutes, however. For all the enterprising build-up play on show across the United attack, there was no evident focal point to aim for.

As such, it was little surprise that United's closest brush with taking the lead came from a set-piece. Nani cleverly teed up Scholes, whose 25-yard effort was deflected just past Gordon's right-hand post by Nosworthy.

That was the last action before the half-time break, at which point Sir Alex opted for a change of personnel and approach.

The absence of an out-and-out striker had been blamed for United's lean goalscoring spell in many corners, and the half-time introduction of Saha would test the validity of those claims.

The Frenchman started the second half in place of Anderson, in doing so clocking up his first minutes of action since last May's Champions League semi-final exit in Milan.

Within 90 second he was heavily involved, as a harsh offside flag invalidated a right-foot shot which forced Gordon into action. Immediately sensing the new possibilities, the home fans were nudged into vocal action.

Again involved moments later, Saha chased a long punt from Rio Ferdinand. Higginbotham's clearing header dropped to Tevez, who saw his low shot well held by Gordon.

The Scot, established as Britain's most expensive goalkeeper by his move from Hearts, showed exactly why Sunderland had lavished £9million on his signing with a stunning stop from Saha after 56 minutes.

Hargreaves, Scholes and Eagles combined to feed the Frenchman, whose superb control and snapshot was brilliantly kept out by Gordon's right arm. Nemanja Vidic then volleyed narrowly over from the resulting corner as United continued to press without tangible reward.

Frustration almost turned to despair on the hour-mark, as Edwin van der Sar reacted well to punch away Rio Ferdinand's skewed header with Kenwyne Jones lurking.

Gordon again saved the visitors, parrying a Hargreaves shot and gathering the rebound before Scholes could convert, but the Scot was caught cold when United finally took the lead after 71 minutes.

Nani fizzed in a superb left-wing corner which Saha converted, rising between Daryl Murphy and Nosworthy to head past the stranded goalkeeper.

Old Trafford erupted - with part joy, part relief - and the Frenchman revelled in his glorious cameo in front of a baying Stretford End. Those who had awaited Saha's comeback as a return of the Reds' goalscoring threat had been validated.

A second was almost forthcoming 10 minutes from time, as the excellent Hargreaves fizzed a 25-yard effort just over Gordon's top corner.

Saha then claimed a penalty after going to ground under pressure from Higginbotham, while those claims were reprised for a handball by Collins four minutes from time.

Substitute Darren Fletcher, on for the impressive Nani, lifted a half-chance over the crossbar as United missed the chance to double their advantage. It mattered little, though.

The important thing was the garnering of another three points and, perhaps more crucially in the long-run, the return of Saha to provide a telling goal threat upfront.

Team line-ups
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Hargreaves, Scholes, Eagles (Fletcher, 66); Anderson (Saha, 46), Tevez, Nani (O'Shea, 84).
Substitutes not used: Carrick, Kuszczak.

Sunderland: Gordon; McShane, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins; Etuhu (Miller, 82), Leadbitter, Yorke, Wallace (Stokes, 82); Chopra, Jones (Murphy, 70).
Substitutes not used: Ward, Kay.

Attendance: 75,648

EPL [ 4 ]: Manchester United 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur

Barclays Premier League

Old Trafford, Saturday 26 August

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Nani (68)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0

This 1-0 victory, courtesy of a 68th-minute Nani strike which deflected off Carlos Tevez’s head, may not have had much of the attacking flair and verve that United’s performances at the start of last season were blessed with, but it is a victory nonetheless, and the Reds’ first of the season.

There were times when it appeared United’s winless start to 2007/08 would continue, and the final whistle was met with considerable relief from the home crowd.


Before the match, Sir Alex claimed not to have looked at the league table. Had he done so, he would have seen his team second bottom on just two points. And the Reds could have been propping up the rest of the division had Derby County claimed a point against Birmingham on Saturday.

Martin Jol’s side, who themselves have made a slower-than-expected start to the campaign, began with immediate purpose to their play. After just 20 seconds, Robbie Keane had Edwin van der Sar scrambling across his six-yard box with a curling shot that clipped the crossbar of the Dutchman’s goal.

Tottenham had clearly come with the specific intention of pressing United back in order to keep Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick deep, and blocking avenues through to Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nani, who looked to break forward and support Carlos Tevez in attack.

The weight of expectation around Old Trafford and the necessity for a first win of the season was abundantly apparent. It was certainly a cagey start from the Reds, highlighted when Rio Ferdinand dallied on the ball in his own area expecting van der Sar to come and collect and Keane quickly stole in. It took a last-ditch block from Wes Brown to save his team-mate’s blushes.

But the United defender almost immediately redeemed himself, forcing a brilliant save from Paul Robinson in the Spurs goal with a powerful volley at the far post. That one incident inspired urgency among the supporters and the team.

possession brilliantly in midfield, United piled forward midway through the half. Carrick went close with ferocious 30-yard shot, then Scholes, who actually knew little about it, saw a Tevez cross deflect off his shin and onto the roof of the net. However, Sir Alex’s men needed to contradict recent form and turn possession and chances into goals, and as half-time approached the breach had not been made.

Ten minutes into the second half and the impasse remained. So Sir Alex switched to a 4-4-2, replacing Carrick with Chris Eagles and pushing Giggs up front alongside Tevez, and it gave United an added attacking edge.

The game sprang into life after the hour when Gareth Bale broke away for Spurs and slipped a ball through to Berbatov, who although he stumbled managed to toe his shot through van der Sar’s legs. The ball trickled towards the goal and Ferdinand had to race back to clear off the line. Then the visitors claimed a penalty as Brown, the last man, blocked Berbatov’s shot. The Spurs players surrounded the referee, but it would have been harsh had the decision gone against the Reds defender.

Seconds later, United attacked and Tevez had a shot from outside the area cleared off the line by Jermaine Jenas. It stirred the crowd, and the cacophonous support drove the Reds on. After 68 minutes Nani dispossessed Tom Huddlestone on the edge of the area and rifled a shot past Robinson via the slightest of deflections off Tevez’s head. Nani wheeled away and produced his trademark somersault celebration as the stadium erupted, as much a huge sigh of relief as sheer joy.

Tottenham weren’t about to surrender easily. Berbatov, largely quiet in the first half, is capable of moments of true class, and he began to come into the game even more in the second half. Entering the last 20 minutes, he expertly controlled the ball on the edge of United’s penalty box and arrowed a shot millimetres over the crossbar.

It was an edgy finish. But in the end the Reds were prepared to see this match out and secure a much-needed first win of the team’s title defence. Victory at last, and for the Reds the season starts here.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Hargreaves, Carrick (Eagles, 57), Giggs (c); Tevez (Fletcher, 78).
Subs not used: Dong, O’Shea, Kuszczak.
Tottenham Hostpur: Robinson; Chimbonda, Rocha (Zokora, 83), Gardner, Lee (Taarabt, 75); Malbranque, Huddlestone, Jenas, Bale; Berbatov, Keane (c) (Defoe, 75).
Subs not used: Stalteri, Cerny.

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.
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