Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal - Barclays Premier League

Arsenal were knocked off the top of the Premier League table after a narrow 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Monday night.

The goal had more than a touch of good fortune about it. Nani’s cross deflected on to the head of Ji-Sung Park four minutes before half-time, though the Korean’s reaction was razor-sharp.

Manchester United also missed a second-half penalty when Wayne Rooney blazed over the bar.

Those were the major moments of the game. In between them, there was little to split the sides. Arsenal’s performance was combative and controlled. Though we have said it before, on another night they might have gleaned something from the game.

Yes rookie keeper Wojciech Szczesny made more saves than Edwin van der Sar but this is Old Trafford and the volume of the travelling Arsenal fans at full time suggested they still had pride in their side after this evening.

A fifth defeat of the season is a big blow to Arsenal’s title hopes but this performance means they can still claim that very quality - hope – for the remainder of the campaign.

The stand-out team news was the selection of Szczesny in goal. Lukasz Fabianski had damaged his hip in the final seconds of the win over Partizan Belgrade last Wednesday and so his compatriot took the gloves for the first time in a Premier League game.

Cesc Fabregas had been out with a hamstring problem since the 2-0 defeat in Braga last month. He was a significant doubt in the days before this game and began on the bench.

Otherwise Wenger shuffled his squad as he has done throughout the past month.

This game was an opportunity for Arsenal. They came to Old Trafford as the Premier League leaders but had yet to attain the kudos of a side with true title aspirations. That would change with a win this evening.

In the first half, they would never really find a fluency and would lose a goal but they were always competitive.

In the eighth minute, Van der Sar’s quick clearance found Rooney. The England striker turned sharply and his deflected shot was clutched by Szczesny with Park in close attendance.

The play was pretty even but the chances – such as they were - went to the home side.

Midway though the half, Darren Fletcher’s cross was aimed towards Rooney but Sebastien Squillaci intervened. The Frenchman’s header was weak and found Nani on the right of the area. His volley flew inches past the far post. It was by far the clearest chance of a tense opening quarter.

Just before the half-hour, Manchester United had a major shout for a penalty. Nani swung a cross over from the left and, as Marouane Chamakh stooped to nod the ball clear, it only brushed his head but hit his hand. Referee Howard Webb waved play on. Just as he had when Rafael blocked off Chamakh in the area earlier on.

Arsenal were holding their own but had not created a chance worthy of the name. Yet Manchester United were hardly carving the visitors apart.

In fact when they took the lead four minutes before the break, it required a healthy portion of luck.

Nani drove in-field with Clichy in close attendance and tried to cross the ball. His effort deflected off the Frenchman but Park reacted quickly and guided a header over Szczesny. It dropped agonisingly beyond the Arsenal keeper and into the net.

In a tight, fiercely-contested game, it was a huge moment. Arsenal went into the break feeling slightly aggrieved.

Tomas Rosicky thumped a cross-shot just wide in the opening moments of the second half. And, after Alex Song had nodded Rooney’s ball across his own goal and over the bar, Samir Nasri fired across goal only for Van der Sar to save at the near post.

Arsenal had upped the ante but Manchester United had been breaking quickly all night with long balls over the top. With the visitors chasing the game, this played into their hands.

In the 54th minute, Rooney fed Anderson and the Brazilian’s toe-poke was wonderfully batted away by Szczesny. His best save of the night so far.

A couple of minutes later Van der Sar made his first real stop. Nasri’s low cross-shot was turned into the path of Chamakh by the Dutchman. For a second the Moroccan had the goal at his mercy but Nemanja Vidic slid in to block as the Arsenal striker prodded a shot towards goal.

Wenger brought on Fabregas and Robin van Persie for Jack Wilshere and Rosicky. The away side were now pushing down the pedal but, when the Dutchman just failed to scramble home Sagna’s cross, you sensed it was not to be Arsenal’s night.

Anderson fired just wide with the right back lying prostrate after a high challenge from Rio Ferdinand.

Then, in the 72nd minute, Manchester United should have killed the game. On the right of the area, Nani tussled with the sliding Clichy. The Portuguese winger dragged the ball back on to the hand the Frenchman was leaning on and the assistant referee indicated a spot-kick. It was the fifth penalty awarded against Arsenal in their last eight trips to Old Trafford.

Often they are decisive but this one was missed. Inexplicably, Rooney thundered his effort high over the bar from 12 yards.

It was the impetus Arsenal needed and Wenger added pace to his side by replacing Andrey Arshavin with Theo Walcott.

But, as the seconds ticked by, Manchester United were defending deep and making the better chances on the break.

From one, in the 88th minute, Rooney tried to chip Szczesny. The Pole stretched his huge frame and batted the ball aside.

In final seconds of normal time, Walcott’s drifting cross was headed away from Van Persie by Ferdinand at the far post.

Manchester United were now closing the shutters and Arsenal could not prise them open.

There was one final half-chance when Chamakh nodded on and Walcott blazed over the bar.

But, despite a half-decent performance, this was just not Arsenal’s night.

New date for Seasiders

A new date has been fixed for Blackpool's Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United.

The encounter at Bloomfield Road will now be played on Tuesday 25th January with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The fixture was due to be played on 4th December but was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

The Seasiders brought in industrial heaters but the playing surface was unable to beat the Big Freeze.

The re-arranged fixture will be an intriguing encounter between the newly-promoted side and the club with the most Premier League crowns.

Ian Holloway's Blackpool have made a hugely encouraging start to their first campaign in the Barclays Premier League.

But Sir Alex Ferguson's men will be desperate to make the most of their match in hand over their title rivals.

Nani: Gunners main threat

Manchester United winger Nani views Arsenal as a bigger title threat than Chelsea this season.

The Gunners visit Old Trafford on Monday looking to consolidate top spot in the Barclays Premier League table. For their part, United know a home win would allow them to jump back to the summit, while retaining a match in hand following the postponement of last week's visit to Blackpool.

It promises to be a feast of football, with Nani believing it represents the acid test of United's trophy ambitions.

"Arsenal are a bigger threat than Chelsea now," he said.

"Chelsea have lost a few games and drawn some and their confidence looks a bit low.

"But Arsenal have been winning and being top of the league gives you great confidence."

The north London giants have lost three times on home soil this season.

However, away from the Emirates they have been a formidable force, managing recent victories over Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa, none of whom United were able to beat on their own travels.

"Arsenal have been doing well. They are growing up in the way we are," the Portugal star said.

In Samir Nasri, the Gunners boast a player who is at the very top of his game and arguably the most influential in the top flight at present.

"Nasri is the most important player in the Arsenal team," said Nani.

"He is a very big danger for us and we have to take care of him."

Arsenal might well feel the same way about United's confident winger.

It was Nani's direct running that got Arsene Wenger's side into a flap on their most recent meeting in January as United extended an unbeaten run against Arsenal to four matches in very impressive style.

"I like to play against Arsenal," he said.

"It is good playing against any big team but I have done well against them in the past.

"The way they play gives you a chance to show your quality."

Manchester United 1-1 Valencia - UEFA Champions Leagu

A rare goal from Anderson gave United a point in a captivating encounter with Valencia, ensuring the Reds’ passage to the knockout stages of the Champions League as winners of Group C.

The Spaniards had forged ahead before the interval when Pablo Hernandez punished a slack piece of play from Michael Carrick – firing home the first goal the Reds have conceded in this season’s competition – before Anderson tucked away the rebound from Ji-sung Park’s parried shot just after the hour mark.

Already assured of qualification to the second round, both sides scuffled for victory in an end-to-end tussle. Sir Alex Ferguson named a side bearing only two changes from that which obliterated Blackburn Rovers in Old Trafford’s most recent fixture. Most surprising was the inclusion of Ben Amos, who made his Champions League debut in goal, while Fabio replaced the injured Patrice Evra at left-back.

Whereas latter group stage games can often be lacklustre affairs, both sides signalled an early intention to attack. Nani dragged a shot just past Vicente Guaita’s left-hand post inside four minutes, while Ricardo Costa headed wide when well placed.

Anderson played a neat one-two with Rooney and fired tamely at Guaita, before Alejandro Dominguez twice came close in quick succession; firstly drawing a smart save from Amos with a cheeky effort from distance, then cracking a low drive against the outside of the youngster’s post.The clearest opening of the game’s early stages fell to United, however, when Anderson’s delightfully weighted through-ball released Berbatov, who opted to try and round Guaita, only for the youngster to deny the Bulgarian by thrusting out an arm and halting his progress.


That chance marked a sustained spell of United pressure. Both Nani and Anderson came close from promising positions within the visitors’ area, then a superb left-wing cross surge and cross from Rooney gave Park an unmarked volley which Guaita parried to safety with his legs.

Within the same passage of play, Valencia took the lead. Carrick’s errant pass was pounced upon by the alert Dominguez, who advanced and slipped a pass to Fernandes, and the midfielder struck a powerful low shot between Amos’ legs.


The chance to make history by navigating a Champions League group stage without conceding had gone. More importantly, Valencia had suddenly seized control of Group C, fronting United with the possibility of facing more imposing Spanish opposition – Barcelona and Real Madrid - in the second round.

The Reds' riposte was brisk and almost emphatic. Rooney picked up possession on the left wing, cut infield and curled a stunning effort from 25 yards which thudded against the underside of the crossbar, and Nani’s volleyed rebound skidded agonisingly wide of the far post.That purpose carried over through half-time, and Berbatov could twice have levelled from Rooney crosses within two minutes of the restart. First the Bulgarian’s flicked header was parried away by Guaita, then his second header dropped just past the stranded goalkeeper's far post.

Berbatov seemed to have levelled in the 56th minute when he clinically volleyed home a Nemanja Vidic flick, but he was correctly ruled offside. Although Aritz Aduriz tested Amos with a near-post volley soon afterwards, United’s dominance was almost total, and Guaita was increasingly under siege.

Rooney spun and fired just wide after good approach play from Park, then moments later fired in a stinging half-volley from distance which Guaita opted to punch to safety. The youngster’s preference for parrying had proven effective, but soon afterwards it played a major role in United’s equaliser.

Rafael burst through a cluster of players and spread the play to Park. Cutting in from the left and using Rooney’s run as a decoy, the Korean unleashed a superb shot which was destined for the top corner. Guaita did well to keep the shot out, but his parry landed only at the feet of Anderson, who tucked away the rebound and embarked on a rare goal celebration – indeed, his first at Old Trafford.

The early stages of the second half had seen United as the only attacking agitators. Suddenly, Valencia were stung into life. Pablo Hernandezsomehow missed a gilt-edged chance from six yards after the visitors had survived a legitimate shout for offside, before Guaita frustrated Berbatov twice in under a minute with a pair of fine saves to keep out the Bulgarian’s header and shot.

As the game swung from end to end, Valencia’s small band of supporters claimed a penalty when Fabio and substitute Isco collided inside the area, before Aduriz shot straight at Amos following Nani’s loose pass to substitute Chris Smalling.

Perhaps inevitably for a game conducted at such breathless pace throughout, the sides ran out of steam in the final 15 minutes. Both teams can now draw breath before looking forward to next Friday’s draw for the second round of this season’s Champions League, and United can breathe a little easier in the knowledge that, theoretically, winning the group should carry a more favourable pairing.

United: Amos; Rafael, Ferdinand (Smalling 50), Vidic, Fabio; Nani (Giggs 81), Anderson (Fletcher 90), Carrick, Park; Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Hernandez, Obertan, Macheda.

Valencia: Guaita; Miguel, R Costa, Dealbert, Mathieu; Hernandez (Feghouli 82), Banega, Albelda, Alba (Mata 68); Dominguez (Isco 54); Aduriz.
Subs not used: Sanchez, Maduro, Soldado, T Costa.

Blackpool v Manchester United called off

Blackpool's televised Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United tomorrow has been postponed because of concerns about the Bloomfield Road pitch.

Temperatures dipped below minus eight last night meaning the Seasiders' attempts to make the pitch playable, using protective covering and hot-air blowers, were in vain.

The match was officially called off this afternoon after referee Peter Walton carried out an inspection this afternoon.

A statement on the club's website, www.blackpoolfc.co.uk, read: "Mr Walton expressed concern that the severely affected areas of the playing surface would not thaw sufficiently for the game to be completed."

This weekend's Football League programme has been ravaged by the weather, but this was the first Premier League game to fall.

West Ham United 4-0 Manchester United - League Cup

From one extreme to another, United followed Saturday’s 7-1 Barclays Premier League hammering of Blackburn Rovers with a disjointed 4-0 Carling Cup quarter-final defeat away to West Ham, surrendering the Reds’ two-year grip on the trophy and ending a 29-game unbeaten run in all competitions for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

West Ham, playing with the shackles off from their struggles against relegation in the league, looked hungrier and certainly more organised than United, who could conjure none of the verve and magic of the weekend’s demolition of Sam Allardyce’s side, and instead at times seemed intent only on defensive self-destruction.

Despite United’s success in this competition in recent years it still does not top the list of priorities, but that will not soften the blow of a frustrating and disappointing night in East London as United missed out on a 13th appearance in the semi-finals of the League Cup.

For the trip to a snow-capped Upton Park, Sir Alex made ten changes from the team that so freely took Blackburn apart at Old Trafford, with only Anderson surviving from the weekend’s starting XI. Although there was widespread change in the United ranks, the team still boasted plenty of senior men, with Anderson joined in central midfield by Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher.

An early flurry of West Ham possession quickly gave way to a spell of United dominance, and the Reds had the first chance after seven minutes following a series of raids down the right side. After several attempted crosses, John O’Shea’s sidefooted ball found Gabriel Obertan. The Frenchman took two touches to create space for a shot, which Rob Green brilliantly tipped onto the post. Javier Hernandez slid in at the far post for the rebound, but James Tomkins beat the Mexican to the ball.

United appeared in total control, both midfield and defence confidently keeping possession. But on 17 minutes Jonathan Spector, playing in an unfamiliar midfield role, went on a surging, unchallenged run through the centre of the park. He squared the ball to Victor Obinna on the edge of the area and continued his run, but Obinna’s shot struck Spector – now in an offside position – as it deflected past Tomasz Kuszczak. The West Ham players and supporters all celebrated, but the linesman’s flag was up for offside. The decision was completely correct, but a perceived sense of injustice galvanised the home side and within five minutes they legitimately had the lead, via the same combination of players. Obinna, a potent and lively threat all night, twisted and turned before lofting a pass into the area, which Spector glanced past a stranded Kuszczak.

The Reds looked shaken, West Ham were stirred. In midfield United looked overrun, while defensively Sir Alex’s men appeared unsettled. The boss made a move to address the balance of the team by switching his full-backs; Fabio moved to the right and O’Shea to the left.

Just after the half-hour mark on a now rare foray forward, Chicharito crossed to the far post for Giggs, but the Welshman’s free header was straight at Green rather than making him work. But it was by no means a Reds resurgence. On 37 minutes Spector, who made eight appearances starting out his career with the Reds, was again allowed to break forward from midfield. As United failed to clear the ball, Spector gleefully pounced for his second goal of the game and United went in at the break 2-0 down.

Sir Alex had no choice but to make a change at half time. Bebe was sacrificed as the Reds switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Federico Macheda joining Chicharito up front; Obertan subsequently moved to the right and Giggs took up his new post on the left. There immediately seemed more purpose and structure to United’s play as the Reds pinned West Ham into their defensive third.

But once again United’s early dominance in the half was undone by soft defensive errors. A ball down the left channel allowed Obinna far too much room to cross, and Cole attacked the ball, beating Evans to reach it and nod past Kuszczak to make it 3-0, further loosening United’s grip on the Carling Cup.

The snow continued to pelt down at Upton Park, but this was no picture postcard performance from the Reds, with seemingly very little to warm the travelling United fans. And it only got worse. After 66 minutes, Obinna again provided the cross for Cole to make it 4-0. This time it was Rafael, on for his brother Fabio, that Obinna got the better of, while Cole again got in front of Evans to beat Kuszczak with a left-footed strike into the far corner.

Hernandez clipped the top of the bar with a right-foot effort, a rare attempt on goal in the second half, after 74 minutes. But there was no joy on a night to forget. United’s silverware must come from other sources this season.

Aston Villa 2-2 Manchester United - Premier League

United staged a late fightback at Villa Park to earn a point after going two goals down to a relatively inexperienced Aston Villa side.

Gerard Houllier’s young men had taken the lead through Ashley Young and Marc Albrighton, but Reds substitute Federico Macheda gave United hope on 81 minutes before Nemanja Vidic headed home a vital equaliser with five minutes to go.

Much had been made of United’s selection problems in the build-up to the game, but Villa were equally hampered by injury and illness with as many as 10 regular first-teamers unavailable. Sir Alex made two changes to the side that earned a point at Eastlands, with Wes Brown coming in for the injured Rafael and Javier Hernandez adding weight to United’s attack, which was without the services of the suspended Paul Scholes.

Gerard Houllier, meanwhile, was forced to call upon a number of his burgeoning, yet inexperienced, youngsters to fill the squad – four of his squad had played in the Reserves’ play-off final against United last May at Old Trafford. The Midlanders still posed a big threat up front, though, with Ashley Young alongside the fit-again Gabriel Agbonlahor, who was back in the starting line-up for the first time in almost two months.

Despite having not lost a league game for 15 years at Villa Park, the Reds had been forced to settle for a point on the last two visits. With Chelsea already holding a mini advantage at the top of the table, Sir Alex’s men knew only three points would do this time round and the visitors set about the task with real eagerness. While United were dominant in possessionearly on, Villa’s young team weren't about to be rolled over and they did their utmost to match the Reds' energy and endeavour during a somewhat scrappy first half.

United's backline was relieved to see a couple of fizzing centres from the lively Marc Albrighton and Stewart Downing come to nothing in the opening quarter of the game, but soon after the Reds almost made Villa pay for a lapse in concentration at the other end. Michael Carrick intercepted a poor pass from James Collins and found the onrushing Chicharito, who in turn slotted a lovely ball through to Dimitar Berbatov, but the Bulgarian fired wide.

United continued to look for the opening, but like in the derby against City in midweek the final ball let the Reds down. Apart from half chances for Wes Brown and Carrick, Brad Friedel was relatively comfortable in the opening period. His opposite number, meanwhile, was a little busier than the Reds would have liked, saving low to his right from Ashley Young just after the half hour and breathing a sigh of relief a couple of minutes before the break when Downing’s curling effort was deflected wide off Rio Ferdinand.

Having finished the half on top, Villa began the second in much the same vein. A flowing move early on saw Agbonlahor muscled off the ball by Vidic as he looked to meet Albrighton’s fine cross with his head. A minute or so later, the ever-eager Albrighton blasted into the side-netting as Villa had United flapping at the back.

While the Reds were struggling to find rhythm, Houllier’s men were visibly growing in confidence andthey almost went ahead on 54 minutes. Downing powered past Brown down the left before whipping a dangerous cross towards the back post where Albrighton was waiting. Thankfully for United, the winger’s guided header dropped just wide of van der Sar’s far post.

The Villans went even closer, in quick succession, not long after the hour. Having come up for a corner, which was initially cleared, James Collins headed Downing’s cross against the bar, before Agbonlahor smacked van der Sar’s right-hand post after following up Young’s blocked effort.

Villa were now totally on top and the breakthrough they had been threatening duly arrived on 72 minutes. Agbonlahor latched onto a long ball forward before turning inside to cross towards Young who was pushed to the ground inside the area by Brown. Mike Dean had no qualms in pointing to the spot and Young dusted himself down to send van der Sar the wrong way.

Things got worse for United four minutes later when Albrighton doubled the advantage. Substitute Federico Macheda, who had joined Gabriel Obertan in coming on for Berbatov and Hernandez, was sloppy in possession and allowed Villa to break. Young found Downing down the left, who crossed to the back post for Albrighton to slot home from five yards.

An out-of-sorts United weren’t about to panic, though. After Rio Ferdinand had seen his volley blocked on the line, Macheda gave the visitors a lifeline nine minutes from time when he fired a stunning effort into the roof of the net after a neat lay-off from Fletcher.

Villa still looked dangerous atthe other end and Downing almost made it 3-1 on 83 minutes, but his sweetly-struck shot flew just over.

As we've seen throughout Sir Alex's 24-year reign, United never know when it's time to quit and five minutes from time the Reds drew level. Nani jigged his way down the left before sending a fizzing cross to the back post where Vidic was waiting to plant a diving header past Friedel. Cue wild celebrations amongst United players and fans alike.

Friedel blocked a goal-bound effort from Obertan soon after as the Reds went in search of a winner, but time was always against United who in truth were probably more relieved than disappointed with another away draw.

Nani: I'm one of world's best

Manchester United winger Nani believes he is now one of the world's top players.

The Portuguese international is delighted with his current form which saw him score one of the season's more unusual goals in Saturday's 2-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur.

United were leading through captain Nemanja Vidic's first-half header when Nani poked in a second for the hosts five minutes from time.
The 23-year-old rolled a shot into the net after Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes had thrown the ball onto the ground believing a free-kick had been given after Nani had handled in the box.

However, referee Mark Clattenburg was waving for play to continue and consequently allowed the goal to stand after consulting his assistant.

The opportunist strike was Nani's seventh goal of the season and fourth in as many matches, and he is thrilled with his progress at Old Trafford.

"As a player I think I'm close to being as complete as I can be," said Nani. "Now I can say I'm one of the top players in the world.

"I play for the best club in the world and my role in the team is as a decisive player, scoring goals or setting up and so the team can win.

"You have to believe in yourself and believe in your abilities on the pitch. Big games are for big players.

"I want to be one of the best. I'm not scared to play in the big games, they are the most beautiful in football - you play with very high quality.

"Beautiful football, that's what everyone likes. And that helps lift my performance too."

Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur - Barclays Premier League

A late goal from Nani and a first-half header by Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic ensured Tottenham Hotspur's 21-year wait for victory at Old Trafford continued.

United captain Vidic opened the scoring with a header after 31 pulsating minutes before Nani reacted quickest to some goalmouth confusion to prod home five minutes from time.

With just two minutes gone Park Ji-sung had come within a whisker of giving United the lead, taking a couple of touches to line up a shot before letting fly from 25 yards. His low effort had Gomes well beaten but cannoned off the post to safety.

Nani also found room to shoot in the opening minutes but this time Gomes made a straightforward save.

Spurs did not allow themselves to be shellshocked by United's busy start and only a precision tackle by Darren Fletcher stopped Aaron Lennon testing Edwin van der Sar after a swift counter-attack in the fourth minute.

Rafael van der Vaart then matched Park's earlier effort, holding possession despite tumbling to the floor before rising to curl the ball against the far post.

Chances continued to come at both ends - Van der Vaart drilling over for the visitors and Park missing the target after some neat footwork in the Tottenham area.

By now United were looking the better side and Spurs survived another nervy moment when Gomes spilled Michael Carrick's shot before gathering again with Javier Hernandez lurking.

Tottenham looked capable of catching their opponents on the break but United's attacks were producing more clear-cut opportunities.

Fletcher missed the latest of them after 25 minutes, failing to convert from the edge of the box after some patient approach play from Nani.

A clumsy Younes Kaboul challenge after half an hour gave the Red Devils the chance to attack from a set-piece and they duly cashed in. Nani floated in the free-kick in from the left and Vidic eased in front of Benoit Assou-Ekotto to head home.

A quickly-taken throw by Gareth Bale, who started despite Harry Redknapp's suggestion that he may be rested, gave Van der Vaart a sight of goal soon after but he mishit his shot.

Luka Modric did better with a sweetly-struck half-volley from the Holland star's corner a minute later but Van der Sar was on hand with a vital diving save.

Dimitar Berbatov could have doubled the lead over his old club just before the interval but a combination of Gomes and William Gallas stifled him.

As in the first half, United came out firing at the start of the second, with both Hernandez and Berbatov just failing to get clean shots away in the opening moments.

Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas, both drafted in to the starting XI for this match, were looking distinctly off the pace in key positions for Spurs.

In the 59th minute, Bale finally gave the away support something to cheer. In a passage reminiscent of his memorable Champions League hat-trick against Inter Milan he strode past a handful of red shirts and bore down on goal, only to see his shot squirm just wide of Van der Sar's far post.

Keane gave way to Roman Pavlyuchenko just past the hour mark, handing the captaincy to Modric in the process.

After Van der Vaart failed to beat Van der Sar from a tight angle, Pavlyuchenko almost got lucky when his 25-yard effort nearly found its way over the line courtesy of Vidic's deflection, before Peter Crouch replaced Van der Vaart - who looked in a little discomfort as he left the pitch - in the 77th minute.

Nani's strike ended matters, with the officials judging play to be active when keeper Gomes placed the ball down in his area after an unsuccessful penalty appeal.

Gomes clearly believed he was lining up a dead ball but the Portuguese winger was the only one on the referee's wavelength and rolled the ball in.

Manchester United 3-2 Wolverhampton wanderers - League Cup

Javier Hernandez took United to within three games of Wembley on Tuesday night when his 90th-minute winner sunk Wolverhampton Wanderers and settled an absorbing Carling Cup tie.

The Mexican striker came off the bench with less than 10 minutes to play and, as he's done so many times already in his short 11-game United career, made an instant impact. His winner, a cool left-footed finish after he'd sold a defender a sublime dummy, was his sixth for the club and his fourth in three games.

His late goal settled a game that epitomised one of football's biggest cliches. It really was a game of two halves: the first was largely free from action, the second featured five goals as Wolves twice clawed back deficits before suffering their final, agonising fate.

Plenty of questions have been raised in the last week about United’s capacity for long-term success, but on this evidence there's little sign that the silverware is about to dry up. On a mild Tuesday evening a string of youngsters were handed a chance to impress, including Robbie Brady and Ravel Morrison, neither of whom had previously been involved in a first-team squad. They began on the bench – Morrison eventually came on for a 60-second cameo but didn't get a touch – alongside fellow youngster Magnus Eikrem (an unused substitute at Scunthorpe), club captain Gary Neville, Rafael, Tomasz Kuszczak and match-winner Hernandez.

Sir Alex's men, Carling Cup holders and undefeated at home in the competition since September 2007, began confidently and, given the hodgepodge nature of the team selection, cohesively. Amos was making only his second senior appearance in goal, the back four had never played together, Bebe was also involved from the first whistle for the first time, while Gabriel Obertan took up an unfamiliar advanced role, just behindFederico Macheda.

Darron Gibson was the first United player to take aim at goal, but his curling shot deflected out for a corner. There were then shouts for a penalty on 12 minutes when Obertan's shot nicked off an arm on the way through to Hennessey but referee Lee Mason's refusal was immediate and adamant.

Summer signing Bebe started brightly and helped carve out a chance for Macheda on 19 minutes. The Portuguese bravely put his body on the line in a challenge with George Elokobi before reaching the loose ball first and crossing low into the penalty area. Macheda controlled the ball and shot through a crowd of players but his effort was straight at Wayne Hennessey.

Hennessey's opposing number, Ben Amos, endured a brief scare at the other end when a deep cross eluded the young goalkeeper. Wes Brown, captain for the night, was positioned well, though, and nodded the ball out for a corner.

Wolves' best chance in the first period came after Jonny Evans got himself into trouble and, in an effort to recover, tangled with Steven Fletcher 25 yards from goal. Former Red David Jones lined up the resulting free-kick but only succeeded in blasting the ball into the wall.

Evans' error arrived amid a sloppy 15 minutes from United's point of view. After a positive start, it was as if a switch had been flicked: the simple act of passing to a team-mate turned into a chore and too often players dribbled into crowded spaces or down dead ends. Lee Mason's half-time whistle at least offered a chance for Sir Alex to issue fresh instructions, and the Reds duly emerged re-energised for the second period.

Carrick flashed an early shot over the bar, Obertan chased and won what looked like a lost cause and Macheda curled an effort just wide of the post. After Bebe was impeded 30 yards from goal, Gibson stung Hennessey's palms with a powerful free-kick. Then, when everyone expected Carrick to shoot from the edge of the box, he threaded an incisive ball through the defence to release Ji-sung Park. Hennessey was all that stood between United taking the lead and his 6ft frame proved a formidable barrier.

United were knocking on the door, though, and within 11 minutes of the restart the home side took the lead. It was Bebe who made the breakthrough, his attempted cross looping off a defender and up over Hennessey. Kevin Foley headed the ball clear but the assistant referee on the North Stand side correctly flagged to indicate it had crossed the line.

The lead lasted all of four minutes. Wolves levelled through left-back Elokobi, who rose highest to head home a corner from the right side. Amos complained he had been blocked in his attempt to reach the cross but his appeals fell on deaf ears.

Both Wolves' Stephen Hunt and United's Federico Macheda missed presentable chances to add to the scoreline, while Chris Smalling, superb all night in the heart of the Reds' defence, headed clear from almost underneath his own crossbar.

It proved a timely intervention. Moments later Ji-sung Park atoned for his earlier miss by finishing a move he'd started outside the area with a sweeping left-footed shot into the corner of the net. With the game see-sawing from end to end, though, it was now imperative United took control.

Despite Gary Neville's introduction, though, Wolves again cancelled out United's lead almost immediately. This time ex-United forward Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was at the heart of the move, showing fine skill 30 yards from goal before picking out Fletcher in the middle. The Scot helped the ball on to Foley, who, in one motion, spun and shot past Amos to silence Old Trafford.

Worryingly, Wolves kept creating chances and Ebanks-Blake beat Amos with a rasping shot. The young goalkeeper was able to breath a sigh of relief when it also flashed past the post.

Hennessey then saved well from Obertan at his near post before the Frenchman was guilty of shooting when an early pass may have yielded better results. Had he fed Macheda in the middle the tie may well have been wrapped up without the need for Chicharito's brilliant late intervention.

Stoke City 1-2 Manchester United - Barclays Premier League

It was always going to be hard-fought if United's first away win of the league campaign was to be at the Britannia Stadium, and so it proved as Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez's double defeated Stoke City with minutes to spare.

The Mexican made the breakthrough with a back-header in the first half but it was his second goal, a less spectacular stab from close range, that cued the biggest celebrations, coming as it did in the 85th minute – four minutes after Tuncay equalised for the home side. At that point, when the Stoke substitute's superb shot rippled the net behind Edwin van der Sar, the Reds looked to be heading for a fifth successive away league draw after once again surrendering a winning position. But United stayed calm and constructed a fine move that Chicharito finished with lethal aplomb.

Sir Alex favoured experience and physical presence over Brazilian flair, handing club captain Gary Neville his 600th United appearance at right-back – instead of Rafael – and picking John O’Shea at left-back with Patrice Evra pushed up to wide midfield. Nani started on the right, Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes were paired in the middle and in the absence of Rooney – unable to play on his 25th birthday because of an injury rather than any fall-out from the past dramatic week – United's attack comprised Chicharito and Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian’s first sight of goal came when Fletcher threaded a pass to him on the edge of the area. Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen was swiftly off his line to intervene. Moments later, Berbatov led a three-on-two break and fed Nani to his right. When the Portuguese picked out Chicharito at the far post and the Mexican could only head back into the middle for Stoke to clear, Berbatov was evidently incensed. At the other end, Rory Delap slashed a long-range effort wide after van der Sar had left his net gaping with a poor kick from close to his right-hand corner flag.

Talk before the game was about how United’s defence, yet to keep a clean sheet in a league away match this season, would handle Stoke’s aerial bombardment from Delap’s infamous throws and the deliveries from wingers Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington. How ironic, then, that a corner should find the Potters floundering in their own box for Chicharito’s breakthrough goal on 27 minutes. From the set-piece, Nani played a one-two with Patrice Evra and crossed to the far post, the majestic Nemanja Vidic won the aerial battle to nod the ball back into the mixer, and Chicharito – the smallest man on the park – beat Sorensen with a sweet back-header.

Chicharito almost bagged a cheeky second when Faye sold his keeper slightly short with an under-hit backpass, and as Sorensen cleared, the ball cannoned back off the Mexican but cleared the crossbar. Another effort went over the top when Evra met Nani’s corner.

The Reds looked more likely to score again than concede as the first half drew to a close but there was controversy when Neville scythed down Stoke winger Matthew Etherington only moments after being booked for a foul on the same player. Boos rang out around the Britannia as referee Andre Marriner declined to give the right-back his marching orders. Instead, Neville left the fray at his manager’s behest, and was replaced by Wes Brown for the second half. The period opened in similar fashion to the first and there was a momentary flash of danger when former Reds centre-back Ryan Shawcross attempted an overhead kick inside the United box.

Marriner took action when Danny Collins’ crunching foul on Nani brought an angry Sir Alex to the touchline – the referee booked the Stoke left-back – but he did nothing when Evra was crudely shoved over in the area by Delap with only Sorensen to beat. Evra also appealed in vain for a penalty when his ball inside the box struck one, if not both, of Robert Huth’s hands but the former Chelsea defender – in fairness – had his arms down and behind his back.

With the war of attrition all but won, Sir Alex replaced O’Shea the grafter with craftsman Michael Carrick. However it was the goalkeeper, van der Sar, rather than a midfielder, who sent Berbatov promisingly away with some perfect distribution. The Bulgarian latched onto the Dutchman's long throw and produced a great cross from left to right that Chicharito almost buried, instead just missing the far post with his volley across Sorensen. It was a let-off for the Potters and they duly profited in the 81st minute when Scholes gave away possession and Tuncay – one of three Stoke substitutes – fired a stunning left-footed shot beyond van der Sar’s grasp, into the top left-hand corner.

Yet again, the Reds had lost a lead, but thankfully it was only for four minutes. Scholes atoned for his error by heading on Berbatov’s chipped pass, Evra controlled it with his chest and then hooked the ball inside for the lurking Chicharito to stab home his second, decisive goal. A handful of ecstatic United fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrate with the players and their exuberance was understandable – the Reds had won away for the first time this season, in classic last-gasp fashion, and at the end of a turbulent week.

Manchester United 1-0 Bursaspor - UEFA Champions League

United edged closer to a place in the knockout stages with as routine a 1-0 win as you are likely to see in the Champions League. Nani had three points wrapped up as early as the seventh minute with his piledriver left-foot strike. And after the week United have just had, some semblance of simplicity was almost welcome.

The Reds now lead Group C by two points after Rangers and Valencia shared the spoils at Ibrox.

It’s hard not to feel deflated after the events of the past few days. Even Sir Alex responded to a reporter who told him this was his 2,000th game in management by quipping: “It feels like the 10,000th after this week”.

There can be no mistaking that Tuesday’s revelatory news that Wayne Rooney does not want to sign a new contract rocked Old Trafford. The Reds have experienced adversity before, and the reaction is always to unite. After all, ask any of the 70,000 fans inside Old Trafford and they will tell you: many players have been idolised, but ultimately it’s United the fans love.

Rooney wasn’t on the field due to an ankle injury sustained in training, hours before Sir Alex dropped a bombshell at his pre-match press conference. But it’s not just Rooney’s short-term absence that United must contend with. Sir Alex insisted the door remains open for Rooney to change his mind – there is no doubting his importance to the team since he arrived in 2004 – but the chances of that happening now looking wafer thin after Rooney released a statement hours before kick-off reiterating his stance. Ironically, Rooney’s United debut that autumn six years ago came against Turkish opposition, Fenerbahce. His hat-trick in a 6-2 win was a glorious glimpse into the good times ahead. Yet, against current Turkish champions Bursaspor tonight, it was more a window into what life without To make that judgement on this starting line-up might seem a little unfair. Sir Alex had intimated that he would make changes to his team, and that’s exactly what he did. There were five changes from Saturday’s draw with West Bromwich Albion; Tomasz Kuszczak, Chris Smalling, Darren Fletcher, Ji-sung Park and Federico Macheda all came in.

But after a trying week, the last thing United wanted was a drawn out affair, and it took just seven minutes for Nani to release some tension. The Portuguese winger collected Darren Fletcher’s pass, cut inside and drove at the Bursaspor backline. As against Bolton, alarmed defenders back-pedalled and Nani’s punishing left-footed drive found the far corner.

Bursaspor looked limited as far as an attacking threat was concerned in a first-half that offered few scoring opportunities and, it must be said, excitement. The visitor’s were limited to one breakaway, in which Rafel produced a superb saving tackle on Ozan Ipek to halt the Turkish forward, who was bearing down on goal.

The second half started much as the first had finished, and it took Evra’s cross-shot after an hour to force a save out of Dimitar Ivankov at his near post.

Anderson toiled in midfield and tried to pick out passes, Macheda offered plenty of willing movement, while Nani and Patrice Evra looked dangerous going forward. That Ever was able to act almost solely as an attacker from deep told what an easy night it was for United’s defence. The final ball, and the openings in front of goal, seemed elusive. Sir Alex introduced Gabriel Obertan with 20 minutes to go for only the Frenchman’s second appearance of the season. He took up the right-wing role.goalscorer, and he had an effort stopped by Ivankov on 72 minutes. Jinking on the edge of the area, the winger created space to shoot, but it was straight at the Bursaspor keeper.

With a little under 15 minutes remaining, Sir Alex replaced Anderson with Javier Hernandez, and United’s front line certainly had more of a rapid look about it. Obertan added some much needed urgency, pace and power to United’s play. He got pulses racing with some neat trickery in the box to win a corner with seven minutes to go, and then headed inches wide at the near post from the resulting centre.

Fellow substitute Chicharito fired just wide after the Mexican’s run was picked out perfectly by Nemanja Vidic’s long left-footed pass, but that was the last opportunity to extend the scoreline.

This might not have been the occasion for a bellowing, defiant response from the team, or the fans, to the week’s dramatic events. Neither was it a classic European encounter. The wider issues remain at the forefront of everyone’s minds, but tonight is a clean sheet and a victory at least, a step in the right direction, as United edge towards qualification to the knockout phases of the Champions League.

Manchester United 2-2 West Bromwich Albion - Barclays Premier Leagu

United were left reflecting on yet more dropped points in the Barclays Premier League as the Reds once again surrendered a position of complete control at 2-0, albeit from a freakish Patrice Evra own goal and a rare Edwin van der Sar error.

An open game was to United’s favour and the Reds looked unstoppable in the first half when Javier Hernandez pounced on Nani’s parried free-kick to put United in front after just five minutes. Nani then turned goal-getter to make it 2-0 and Sir Alex's men were cruising. But a bizarre five minutes early in the second half knocked the Reds off rhythm that not even with Wayne Rooney emerging off the bench could rectify.

With all the attention and focus on Rooney in recent weeks, there was even more fuel for the press when the Reds striker was named on the bench. Sir Alex opted for the in-form Dimitar Berbatov and the livewire Javier Hernandez. And there’s no arguing that their attributes compliment each other.

The decision to start Chicharito paid dividends almost instantly when, after five minutes, he won a free-kick 30 yards out. Nani took it and his shot dipped and swerved so much that Scott Carson could only parry the effort. Hernandez has lightning fast reactions and he was first to pounce and found the net. His first league start at Old Trafford, and his first goal here, right in front of the Stretford End.

With two passing, attacking sides, the match was unsurprisingly open. And other than an occasional early tendency to concede possession, United looked good in attack. Berbatov was inches away from scoring the Reds’ second just before the 15-minute mark with a curling effort from 20 yards, while Hernandez – buoyed by his goal – looked effervescent up front.

United’s passing became sharper with time, the attacking play ever more penetrative. Berbatov had an even better opportunity to score the second goal after 22 minutes. Carrick’s low cross from the right had the goal at the Bulgarian’s mercy, but he scuffed his effort wide. Three minutes later the wait ended, although Berbatov had to settle for a supporting role. Nani capitalised on Nick Shorey’s stumble in possession, charged at the West Brom defence before playing a one-two with Berbatov and neatly finishing the move off with his left foot.

Straight after the restart, United went in search of a third goal and Nani was once again at the centre of the action. The Reds won a corner after Hernandez’s header from Rafael’s deep cross was deflected wide. After the initial centre was headed clear, Nani twisted and turned to make space on the left and pitched up an inviting cross, which Vidic headed against the base of the post.

But it was West Brom who got the half’s opening goal five minutes in when Chris Brunt fired in a free-kick from a tight angle. It took a deflection off Evra and van der Sar was unable to prevent it crossing the line. Then, astonishingly five minutes later, West Brom drew level when van der Sar spilled Brunt’s hooked left-wing cross and Somen Tchoyi tapped in a simple finish at the far post. United went from total control to out of control in a mad few minutes.

The fans immediately called for Rooney to be summoned from the bench, and Sir Alex did so, in a double substitution with Scholes on for Anderson and Carrick. Rooney lined up on the left flank and had his first shot at goal in strange circumstances. Carson was penalised for catching what referee Mike Jones deemed a back-pass from Gonzalo Jara. Nani teed Rooney up from the indirect free-kick 12 yards out, but Wayne's shot was well blocked. And United would not be able to find a way through in a frustrating final quarter of the game.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side should be commended for not adopting the usual template of shutting up shop at Old Trafford, even if it looked like being their undoing. The concern for United is more leaked goals, a problem we thought had been eradicated, and more dropped points - a trend that has now passed from worrying to damaging. Although West Brom’s first goal could happen at any time in any game, United didn’t react well, looked on edge, and the second goal was the punishment for it.

As with other similar outcomes this season, large parts of United’s performance were good. This isn’t a bad team, far from it. But lapses are being punished, and luck is very much against the Reds at present.

Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United - Barclays Premier League

Edwin van der Sar was Manchester United's saviour as Sunderland manager Steve Bruce came close to breaking his duck against Sir Alex Ferguson.

The veteran Dutchman produced a fine 16th-minute save to deny Steed Malbranque and then saw compatriot Bolo Zenden hit a post eight minutes before the break as the home side enjoyed much the better of the first half.

Half-time substitute Dimitar Berbatov had a 48th-minute strike ruled out for offside and after Nani had forced a good stop from Simon Mignolet, fired inches wide 10 minutes from time as United improved after the restart. However, the Black Cats were more than good value for their point in front of an appreciative crowd of 41,709.

There is a new-found confidence about Sunderland this season fostered by a home victory over Manchester City and, in their last two Barclays Premier League matches, more than creditable draws against Arsenal and Liverpool.

That, coupled with Bruce's determination to finally get one over on his old manager after years of trying in vain, ensured the visitors would not have things all their own way.

Bruce would have been pleased with the way his team took the match to United from the off to produce an opening 45 minutes which could, and perhaps should, have brought more tangible reward.

With Lee Cattermole, Steed Malbranque and Zenden totally eclipsing Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher in the middle of the field, the traffic was largely one way, and although lone striker Darren Bent had his work cut out, Nemanja Vidic left the field at half-time knowing he was in a game.

Sunderland had a glorious opportunity to take the lead with just 16 minutes gone when Cattermole's superb through-ball and Malbranque's excellent first touch put the Frenchman in on van der Sar.

However, the vastly-experienced Dutchman got in a vital block to spare his side, although that was far from the only occasion on which his goal came under threat.

Nedum Onuoha saw an instinctive shot hacked off the line after he had got a touch to Ahmed Elmohamady's driven cross, but it was the woodwork which came to United's rescue eight minutes before the break.

Zenden was allowed to set himself after shifting the ball on to his left foot 20 yards out, and although his swerving drive evaded van der Sar's out-stretched arm, it hit the post.

United offered little in response as striker Michael Owen found himself fatally isolated, and Mignolet did not have a single save of any note to make before the break, although Nani might have done better with a 39th-minute free-kick which flew well wide.

Owen's afternoon ended at the break when he was replaced by Berbatov as Ferguson sought to inject some menace into his side's game.

The Bulgaria international had the ball in the back of the net within three minutes of his arrival, although was clearly in an offside position when he turned home Scholes' miscued shot and the flag duly went up.

But although the visitors were playing with greater purpose now that they had a focal point to their attack, they continued to look vulnerable down their left with Elmohamady proving a constant threat.

If van der Sar had kept his side in the match before the break, Vidic had to do the same after it when Fletcher could only help Zenden's 63rd-minute free-kick towards his own goal, the defender blocking that and Elmohamady's follow-up before the Egyptian blasted the rebound high over.

United were living dangerously and they were relieved to see Malbranque's 67th-minute effort drop just over after Ferdinand had got in a partial block.

Bent, who had seen little of the ball in front of goal, had a sniff with 17 minutes remaining when full-back Phil Bardsley broke down the left and squared, but his left-foot shot flew wide.

Mignolet had to beat away Nani's dipping 77th-minute strike from distance and Berbatov blasted inches wide three minutes later with the match entering its closing stages.

Substitute Asamoah Gyan tested van der Sar's concentration levels with an acrobatic overhead kick six minutes from time, but Titus Bramble had to throw himself into the path of Vidic's late header to cement the draw.

Hernandez encouraged by first goal

Javier Hernandez believes his first competitive goal for Manchester United will provide the boost he needs.

The £7m Mexican came off the bench to score an 85th-minute winner for United in the Champions League win over Valencia on Wednesday night.

It was only the Red Devils' second triumph in 19 attempts against Spanish opposition on Spanish soil and more importantly put them back on track for a place in the last 16 after a stuttering start to their campaign against Glasgow Rangers a fortnight ago. And for Hernandez, it was a goal to savour.

"The goal will give me so much confidence," he said.

"I am only at the start of my career with United and to score so early in the Champions League is a big boost.

"I always used to watch the Champions League when I was back home in Mexico.

"It is one of the most important tournaments in the world, so I was always keeping up with it.

"It is great to be a Manchester United player and I want that to continue for a long time."

Not surprisingly, Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted too, choosing quite an appropriate way to describe the art of scoring for a player nicknamed 'Little Pea'.

"The way he took his chance, it was like shelling peas," said Ferguson. "It was so natural to him.

"Of course, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar (Berbatov) were the natural choices at the start of the season, which has meant Javier has not had a lot of football.

"But he is young and he is developing his game and doing good work in the gymnasium. He still has work to do in that aspect of his physique but you cannot take away from the fact that he is a fantastic finisher."

Valencia 0-1 Manchester United - UEFA Champions League

avier 'Chicharito' Hernandez made the difference as United claimed only a second away win over Spanish opposition in the club's history.

The Mexican striker needed just eight minutes to make his mark in the Mestalla; after coming off the bench, and hitting a post with his first effort, he then drilled home a low left-footed shot from the penalty spot to secure a famous victory. His goal and the resulting 1-0 win sends United top of Group C on four points, alongside Rangers, with back-to-back games against Turkish champions Bursaspor next in line.

Victory in Valencia was no mean feat. Los Che currently top La Liga, ahead of Spanish football's traditional giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, and went into the game boasting an 11-game unbeaten home run in European competition. What’s more, the Reds achieved the win without Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, all of whom missed the flight to Spain through injury. Rio Ferdinand returned for his third start of the season, however, and showed no sign of the back and knee injuries that have forced him to miss 61 of United's last 103 fixtures. His sliding interception on 71 minutes was vital, just as Valencia were showing signs of moving in for the kill.

Despite an appalling record in Spain – just one win in 18 previous attempts – the Reds began with plenty of attacking intent. Indeed, for long periods in the first half Sir Alex’s men appeared to employ a 4-2-4 formation, with Ji-sung Park and Anderson pushed up on the Valencia defenders and Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick sitting deep. Man-of-the-moment Dimitar Berbatov

fired off the game’s first shot on four minutes, capping a slaloming run with a 25-yard strike that passed just the wrong side of the woodwork.

Valencia, shorn in the summer of striking stars David Villa (Barcelona) and Nikola Zigic (Birmingham City), and without the creative spark of David Silva (Manchester City) in midfield, also played with plenty of ambition. Alejandro Dominguez and Roberto Soldado linked well and Pablo Hernandez proved a handful on the right flank. Still, it took the home side 17 minutes to truly threaten. And they should have taken the lead. Soldado hadn’t banked on Edwin van der Sar misjudging the flight of a Dominguez cross, however, and when the ball reached the no.9, in acres of space and with an open goal to aim at, it merely hit his head and looped over the bar.

The hosts' next real chance came when Hernandez motored past Evra just after the half-hour mark and curled a sumptuous cross between Edwin van der Sar and the Reds’ back four. None of his team-mates anticipated such a teasing delivery, though, and United, danger averted, breathed a sigh of relief.

It was the start of a period of sustained possession for the home side, who grew in confidence as the half wore on. United, on the other hand, seemed to shrink, as ball retention rates dropped and the foul count rose. The impressive French left-back Jeremy Mathieu stung van der Sar’s palms just before the break with a volley but the effort wouldn’t have counted; referee Viktor Kassai had already blown for a foul.

Pablo Hernandez had the home supporters out of their seats again inside fourminutes of the restart, flashing a shot across goal. The 25-year-old remained Valencia’s most potent threat until Manuel Fernandes came off the bench. At the other end, Sir Alex’s men threatened to break quickly through Carrick and Anderson but Mathieu was alert to the danger and extended a leg long enough to toe the ball clear of the Brazilian. When Fletcher released Berbatov, and the Bulgarian surged into the box and forced a fine save from Cesar Sanchez, it was clear United still had designs on the three points.

As a spectacle, the game improved wholesale. Carrick fired over from distance and Park just failed to reach a curling Nani cross before the Portuguese was involved in his own penalty area, sliding in superbly to block a Pablo Hernandez shot. Stretched more than it had been at any other point in the evening, the match opened up and the volume inside the Mestalla increased.

An intricate passing move on the edge of the box between Fletcher and Park almost paid off, while Patrice Evra ended a forward run with a shot at goal. Edwin van der Sar did well to push away Fernandes’ long-range shot, and from the resulting corner the ball flashed across the six-yard box without anybody getting a touch. The home side went even closer when Soldado was inches away from connecting with substitute Aritz Aduriz’s cross, while at the other end Javier Hernandez came oh-so-close when he slid in at the far post and diverted his shot onto the woodwork.

Never mind. Sixty seconds later, Hernandez collected a square pass from Macheda, took one touch to control and then fired home an unstoppable winner.

Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool Barclays Premier League

Sir Alex Ferguson was indebted to the "genius" of Dimitar Berbatov after the Bulgarian's brilliant hat-trick floored Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Every single member of the United side had need to thank Berbatov at the end after they had tossed away a two-goal advantage against Merseyside opposition for the second weekend running, only for the former Tottenham Hotspur man to net the winner six minutes from time.

In some very perceptive programme notes, Ferguson suggested to lose a winning position once was bad luck, twice is downright careless.

Now Liverpool can be added to Fulham and Everton as teams United have thrown winning positions away against this season.

They were only spared the sight of Ferguson's fury stripping paint off the home dressing room because of Berbatov as his header denied Liverpool, who had levelled through Steven Gerrard's double.

he other part of Ferguson's pre-match missive was the declaration that "you must have faith and we are being rewarded this season for our confidence in a player who has a touch of genius about him".

Genius was an apt word to describe Berbatov's contribution, in particular the astonishing overhead kick that had put United two ahead midway through the second-half of a slow burner of a match that eventually turned into a classic.

The atmosphere was crackling at kick-off, although the early action failed to match it.

United did create one excellent opportunity, which Nani wasted when he fired wide after Wayne Rooney's shot had bounced kindly for him after striking Gerrard.

But the match was low on incident until Berbatov broke the deadlock by nodding home Ryan Giggs' corner at the near-post.

If defensive questions needed to be asked about that, there was nothing more to do than simply admire Berbatov's brilliance when he doubled his side's lead just before the hour.

It was almost impossible to believe it took just two touches to get Nani's right-wing cross into the net.

But it was precisely that. The first to control with his knee. The second to dispatch an overhead kick which left Pepe Reina rooted to the spot as it bounced in off the crossbar.

In any normal season, the contest would have been over.

However, there is a fallibility about United just now and Jonny Evans lunged in on Fernando Torres as the striker checked back inside the box.

On the second occasion, John O'Shea could count himself mightily relieved Webb did not reach for the red card once he decided the Irishman had dragged Torres to the ground just outside the box.

With both situations though, Gerrard found the corner of United's goal with precision, racing gleefully to the ecstatic visiting fans the second time around to hail a position he could not have expected his team would be in 10 minutes previously.

It looked like United had blown it. Berbatov had other ideas and rose to meet O'Shea cross to give his side victory.

Manchester United 0-0 Glasgow Rangers - UEFA Champions Leaguee

United's Champions League campaign began with a frustrating 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, against a Rangers team that, for long periods, bore more resemblance to Hadrian's Wall than a football side. Such was the strength and breadth of the visitors' defensive line.

The Scottish champions, who netted 82 goals in 38 league games last season, did little more than “park the bus” at Old Trafford, defending with a five-man backline and almost always 10 men behind the ball.

Rangers' tactics certainly weren't pretty but, as Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted afterwards, they were mightily effective. United struggled to break down the wall of blue and visiting goalkeeper Alan McGregor didn't have to make a single meaningful save.

"You have to give credit to Rangers," the boss said. "They have a formula for playing away from home that's successful."

To make matters worse for the home side, Antonio Valencia was carried from the pitch with a broken ankle and will undergo surgery on Wednesday morning. It's feared he will miss the rest of the season.

The 0-0 draw definitely wasn't the result the majority of the 74,408 fans inside Old Trafford had hoped for, but Sir Alex's men still have five games to secure safe passage to the knockout rounds of Europe's premier club competition.

"Tonight, that was a blemish," he said. "I always say you need 10 points to qualify – now we need nine points from five games."

For Rangers' visit, the boss made 10 changes – only Darren
Fletcher survived – to the Unted side that drew 3-3 at Everton on Saturday and handed Champions League debuts to summer signings Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez. There were also welcome returns to action for both Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Darron Gibson, all of whom hadn't previously kicked a ball this season.

But all the talk in the press lounge surrounded the inclusion of Wayne Rooney. Rested against his former club at the weekend to shield him from fans' venom, the striker was unleashed at Old Trafford against the Scottish champions for his first club outing since allegations surrounding his private life surfaced nine days ago.

If Rooney was nervous, it didn't show. Straight from the kick-off he carried the ball forward with purpose and, in the early minutes, often came short to receive balls from Fletcher and Darron Gibson. Rooney's wanderings weren't just the work of a man determined to make an impact: they allowed Javier Hernandez – clocked as the fastest player at the summer's World Cup – to operate on the shoulder of 40-year-old Rangers defender David Weir.

It was the visitors, though – Weir, even – who registered the first shot on goal, a flicked header from a Steven Davis free-kick that trickled through harmlessly enough to Tomasz Kuszczak. At the other end, Hernandez hung in the air for what seemed an eternity to head Fabio's cross just wide of the post before Rangers survived a half-hearted shout for handball after a penalty-area scramble.

United looked comfortable but didn't create a clear-cut chance until, in the 21st minute, Hernandez and Rooney –
playing their first minutes of football together – exchanged passes to break clear of the five-man Rangers defence. But with only one man back for cover, Rooney hung onto the ball too long and his attempted return pass deflected off veteran centre-back Weir and into the arms of goalkeeper McGregor.

There was little for either set of supporters to get truly excited about until Gibson unleashed two efforts from distance in quick succession. The first, on 34 minutes, arrowed inches wide of McGregor's left-hand post; the second forced the custodian into a routine save.

Rangers' objective was clear: get men behind the ball and stifle United's creativity. Often, there were 30 to 35 yards between the midfield bank of four and lone striker Kenny Miller. All the Reds could do was play patiently, keep possession and probe for openings.

Rooney continued to seek the ball, tear about the pitch and, as is his want, berate team-mates when passes failed to land at his feet. There were fears for his fitness just before the break when he appeared to turn his left ankle but the England forward soldiered on and by half-time was again moving freely.

United emerged brightest after the interval, with Gibson almost volleying a spectacular effort into the top corner within a minute of the restart. The Irishman's appetite for the ball was insatiable; he constantly sought to win possession and pull the strings from midfield.

But Rangers stood firm. Neither Park and Hernandez nor Hernandez and Rooney could combine successfully on the edge of the area to pass their
way through the defence, while Gibson was increasingly denied space to pull the trigger from distance.

The Reds then lost Antonio Valencia just before the hour-mark to a horrific leg injury that left the Ecuadorian requiring oxygen as he was carried from the field on a stretcher. It had appeared an innocuous incident – the winger tangling with Kirk Broadfoot – but afterwards his left ankle hung at an unnatural angle and, tellingly, TV producers only showed one replay.

Ryan Giggs was sent on – Park switched to the right flank – and orchestrated United's next chance, clipping a cross towards the penalty spot. Rooney met the ball but, backpedalling, couldn't direct his header on target.

Rangers then had a penalty appeal turned down – it certainly wasn't frivolous to ask the question – when Chris Smalling caught Kirk Broadfoot's trailing leg before Sir Alex made a double substitution with 15 minutes to play, sending on Michael Owen and Jonny Evans for Ji-sung Park and Fabio.

Rooney had a chipped effort easily fielded by McGregor, Fletcher sprung the offside trap but couldn't get away a shot in time and Gibson saw another long-range effort just miss the target. Not even the six minutes of injury time yielded a goal. Instead, this was a night in which defending – organised, disciplined and resolute throughout – triumphed.

Everton 3-3 Manchester United

Everton scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a dramatic 3-3 draw at home to Manchester United.

After a turbulent week, Wayne Rooney did not even travel to Goodison Park as manager Sir Alex Ferguson, on the occasion of his 700th Premier League match, said he wanted to protect the 24-year-old from abuse from the fans with whom he used to be a favourite.

The disruption appeared to affect his team-mates early on as they fell behind to a Steven Pienaar goal but Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov put United well ahead before the Toffees' stunning late comeback through Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta.

Rooney's absence seemed to affect United more than they expected as, for the first 15 minutes, they found themselves under constant pressure.

First Arteta's sixth-minute free-kick clipped the top of the bar.

The Spaniard had another shot deflected behind by Jonny Evans, Pienaar saw his shot from the Spaniard's corner blocked and Leon Osman blazed over all in the same passage of play.

Ferguson was less than happy and was soon prowling his technical area barking orders at the players.

John O'Shea's response was a blistering drive from the left angle of the penalty area which grazed the outside of Tim Howard's left-hand post.

Everton's pressure, albeit slightly less intense, continued while Nani was off the field having a cut lip tended with Cahill, Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines all failed to trouble the goalkeeper with half-chances.

There was always the danger their failure to capitalise on possession would leave the way open for United to nick a goal and they almost did in the 34th minute.

Tony Hibbert's foul on Ryan Giggs, despite winning the ball, saw Nani roll the free-kick to Paul Scholes and his powerful drive took a big deflection off Cahill but Howard, diving in the opposite direction, somehow diverted the ball over with his foot.

Four minutes later the American goalkeeper stuck up a hand to palm away Giggs' close-range shot after United counter-attacked.

But the visitors were caught cold themselves when Patrice Evra missed an ambitious overhead-kick clearance to put Arteta charging through on goal and although he shot straight at Edwin Van der Sar,

Osman turned the rebound to Pienaar at the far post who rolled home.

Two minutes before half-time, however, Nani's cross was diverted home by Fletcher and Berbatov's volley almost put them ahead in added time.

It was apparent at the start of the second half Everton were in for a tougher test and it took just three minutes for that to become a reality.

Nani's corner from Berbatov's deflected shot was only half-cleared and when Scholes returned the ball to the Portugal international wide on the right he swung over a cross for an unmarked Vidic to head in from five yards.

It at least provoked a reaction from Everton and Pienaar's curling 20-yard shot was held by Van der Sar at the second attempt.

But United were where they like to be, in control and able to counter-attack, and one rapid foray forward saw Howard deny Nani low to his right.

He got nowhere near the next one in the 66th minute, which owed everything to the brilliance of Scholes and Berbatov.

The former England international's raking pass picked out the Bulgarian wide on the right and his first touch brilliantly took him clear of Sylvain Distin.

With acres of space to run into the striker took five or six paces before lashing an early shot into the bottom corner, taking Howard by surprise.

Baines curled a free-kick into the side-netting and as Osman hit a woefully-weak shot at Van der Sar as the hosts tried to find a way back but, as has been the case in their previous matches, they lacked a cutting edge.

However, in a dramatic finish Cahill headed home in injury-time before Arteta's deflected strike snatched an unlikely point.

Wayne's a winner

United's international players experienced mixed fortunes on Tuesday night, from Wayne Rooney's goalscoring performance with England to another slip-up for Nani and Portugal.

Rooney took just 10 minutes to breach the Switzerland defence in Basel, converting a cross from Glen Johnson to claim his first competitive goal at international level for 12 months. England substitute Adam Johnson made it 2-0 in the 69th minute - shortly after the hosts had Stephan Lichtsteiner sent off for a second bookable offence - and although Xherdan Shaqiri pulled a goal back, the Three Lions eventually wrapped up a deserved 3-1 victory when another sub Darren Bent struck two minutes from time.

The result means England have maximum points so far in the European Championship qualifiers, as have the Republic of Ireland. John O'Shea played 90 minutes and Darron Gibson came off the bench for the final half-hour as the Irish beat Andorra 3-1 in Dublin.

Darren Fletcher's Scotland were also victorious on Tuesday night but only just, with the winner from Stephen McManus clocked at seven minutes into injury time. The Celtic defender's strike capped a face-saving turnaround - the unfancied Liechtenstein had taken a shock lead through Mario Frick in the 47th minute and were in front for quarter of an hour until Rangers forward Kenny Miller equalised. Fletcher skippered the Scots from first to final whistle as he earned his 50th cap.

It wasn't Nani's night in Norway, where Portugal surprisingly lost 1-0. Erik Huseklepp's first-half goal heaped misery on the visitors, who were held 4-4 at home by Cyprus at the weekend.

Serbia fared slightly better in a contest that kept the referee busy - Nemanja Vidic was one of ten players booked by Portuguese official Olegário Benquerença. The visitors from Slovenia struck first in terms of goals but Nikola Zigic's late equaliser for the Serbians secured a final score of 1-1.

Scholes keen to continue

Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes says he thought he would have retired by now.


The midfielder is currently one of the most talked about players in the Barclays Premier League.

Fabio Capello tried - and failed - to talk him out of international retirement in order to play a part in England's ultimately dismal World Cup campaign.

Successive man-of-the-match performances in the Community Shield and opening-day Barclays Premier League win over Newcastle confirm the 35-year-old is on top form once more.

And he followed that up by scoring his 102nd Premier League goal in the 2-2 draw at Fulham.

Yet, while 2010 will go down as one of Scholes' best years as a professional, in his eyes, 2009 was one of the worst.

And, in a special interview for MUTV with former United European Cup winner Paddy Crerand, Scholes acknowledged things were so bad, he was seriously considering whether to hang up his boots.

"At Christmas last season I did not think I would be playing in this one," he admitted.

"I wasn't playing well enough. The season before last I had an injury for three months and then from Christmas onwards my form wasn't brilliant. Leading up to Christmas last year it still wasn't great.

"I wasn't playing as much as I would have liked but you need to be playing well to get into the team.

"I set myself high standards. I want to feel as though I am contributing to the team. If I am not doing that what is the point of being here."

Fortunately, Sir Alex Ferguson had other ideas.

The United manager reassured Scholes he was still making a valuable contribution to the Red Devils' cause and the evergreen midfielder took the club to within a point of what would have his 10th Premier League title, Capello made his move.

Scholes has already admitted he regrets saying no to the England chief.

However, the summer break does mean he is fresh at the moment and ready to make a positive impact when his appearances start to get rationed as the games mount up.

"The manager has handled me, Ryan and Gary the same way for the last couple of seasons and I am sure this season will be no different," he said.

"If I am playing well enough, maybe I will play 25 or 30 games. You want to play every game but at our age, you can't."

Scholes has now sidelined any talk of retirement and intends to keep going as long as he legs can carry him.

Ferguson recently spoke of the possibility United's ageing heroes could maintain a career at the highest level until they were 40.

Yet even that date is not too far away, leaving the Salford-born star to contemplate what lies ahead.

"I want to stay in football," he said.

"I started my coaching badges towards the end of last season. Hopefully I can get the first part done at some point this year."

Park: There's more to come

Ji-sung Park is expecting further improvement from United in the coming weeks, after an encouraging start to the season.

Convincing 3-0 home victories over Newcastle and West Ham and a tough 2-2 draw at Fulham leave the Reds in third place. But Park says there's plenty more to come from a squad which is nearing full strength.

"We’re pleased to have won two of our three games, but we know we can still improve," Park told ManUtd.kr. "We are experienced enough to know that as we get more games under our belt, our qualities will shine through."

Park, who is preparing to captain South Korea in Saturday's friendly against Iran, is also not unduly concerned by early pacesetters Chelsea's flying start to the campaign.

"It has been a good start for Chelsea but we are not worried about that as it is a very long season," he said. "Each team has their ups and downs and the real test for Chelsea will come when things are not going so well for them."

Park has only played 67 minutes of the league season so far, but it won't be a surprise if he's called upon by Sir Alex for the big games again this term. Last season Park performed a typically selfless role, either out wide or in central midfield, where he impressed as a destructive man-marker against AC Milan and Liverpool.

"I think this season I will be playing on the wing, either side, as I have been doing for most of my time here," Park added. "I've played in the centre and enjoyed it, but as long as I am picked I don’t care where I play."

Rio makes Reserves return

Rio Ferdinand returned to competitive action in the Reserves' Manchester Senior Cup clash with Oldham Athletic.

The defender, who was denied the chance to captain England in the summer's World Cup by knee ligament damage, completed 45 minutes at Bower Fold, and showed no ill-effects during his return.

Ferdinand was largely untroubled during his outing, and left the fray at half-time with the game goalless. Second half goals from Nicky Ajose and Kiko Macheda secured a 2-1 win for United, while Rio watched on from the stands.

In a further boost to Sir Alex Ferguson's senior squad, Brazilian midfielder Anderson completed 90 minutes in his own ongoing return from knee ligament damage