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.

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

Rooney strike gives Reds a winning start

Discussion started by manutdweb.com , 17/08/2009 13:07

manutdweb.com
17/08/2009 13:07

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Rogero
17/08/2009 22:32

Not the greatest performance or match but a winning start and three points ahead of the BBc's title favourites already!!

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Irish Red
17/08/2009 23:10

I thought we were ok. We never start brilliantly anyway plus we were short on layers.

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

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Rogero
18/08/2009 09:22

Mancunian hangover eh Irish?

Hope you had a good trip.

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Irish Red
18/08/2009 12:05

Oh yes! Got into Manchester at 10am Saturday morning and flew home Sunday night

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

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Rogero
18/08/2009 12:15

Revolution eh ?

When I go in there they think I'm too old to serve !!!

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Irish Red
18/08/2009 12:27

I always have a few pints in Yates to see if there are any slags women in there.Then off to Revolution for as much vodka as my body can hold then on to a club. Even i draw the line at Brannigans though!! What a dump!!

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

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