United Players Involved as England Slump


By David Hobbs
November 18 2004

A number of Manchester United players were involved in England's dismal display that was marred by chants of racism forwarded towards England players from a misbehaved Madrid crowd. No high points can be taken out of the game, and United's Wayne Rooney didn't help the situation. Hobbs in Trouble

United Players Involved as England Slump

A number of Manchester United players were involved in England's dismal display that was marred by chants of racism forwarded towards England players from a misbehaved Madrid crowd.

No high points can be taken out of the game as the performance was that poor, and United's Wayne Rooney didn't help the situation after being substituted late in the first half as Sven Goran Eriksson and the rest of the England bench could foresee a potential sending off.

The game ended 1-0 to the Spain courtesy of an early Del Horno goal from a corner. Real Madrid star Raul could have added a second from the penalty spot, but was denied by Spurs' Paul Robinson in goals.

Gary Neville was the only Red Devil to complete the full 90 minutes as Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney were substituted. Rooney reluctantly made way for United team-mate Alan Smith just before the interval.

England boss Sven Goran Eriksson was obviously disappointed with the evening as a whole, saying: "It was too competitive, especially for a friendly game"

"In the first half, I'm sorry to say, we lost our heads and when you do that it's difficult to come back"

"We came here to play football and it was not good from our side in the first half. It was better in the second" 

                                                   Final Score: Spain 1 - England 0
                                                              Att: 48,000

Spain:
Casillas, Salgado, Marchena (Ibanez 46), Juanito, Del Horno, Joaquin (Romero 80), Alonso (Orbaiz 69), Xavi, Reyes (Angulo 57), Torres (Guti 46), Raul (Luque 46).

England: Robinson, Gary Neville, Ferdinand (Carragher 62), Terry (Upson 65), Ashley Cole (Defoe 78), Beckham (Wright-Phillips 60), Butt, Lampard (Jenas 60), Bridge, Rooney (Smith 42), Owen. Substitutes not used: James, Kirkland, Phil Neville, Hargreaves. 

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