Debut strike

By Chris,
July 21 2009

Manchester United kicked-off their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against a Malaysian XI. Michael Owen has bagged the headlines with the striker netting the winning goal on his debut as the Red Devils left it late in Kuala Lumpur.

Owen entered the fray as a second-half substitute and it was his calm, late finish that secured victory for United in their opening pre-season encounter.

The Red Devils had looked on course for a comfortable win after Wayne Rooney broke the deadlock and Nani doubled the tourists' advantage.

However, in front of nearly 100,000 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, the Malaysian XI staged a very credible fightback.

Mohammed Amri Yahyah laced a fine effort beyond Edwin van der Sar before the break; whilst an awful mistake from substitute goalkeeper Ben Foster allowed the player to snatch a brace. The England stopper failed to deal with Darron Gibson's backpass, the ball bouncing off his shin and towards Yahyah who slotted home.

The Malaysian XI looked on course to snatch an unlikely draw - but substitute Owen delighted the travelling Reds in the closing stages. After Zoran Tosic was upended, Owen pounced on the loose ball to mark his debut with a morale-boosting winning strike.

Full Time - Malaysian XI 2-3 Manchester United