Manchester United 1 up against West Ham United at Half time (1-0)
The Red Devils hosted the Hammers at Old Trafford in their 3rd Premier League game of the season. Manchester United looked to bounce back from their last week slip at Fulham, where they managed just one point, even though they were in front twice.
The starting XI for Manchester United:
Gk Van Der Sar, O’Shea, Evra, Vidic, Evans; Scholes, Nani, Giggs, Fletcher; Rooney, Berbatov
subs: Hernandez, Owen, Carrick, Rafael, Valencia, Smalling, Kuszczak
The starting XI for West Ham United:
Gk Green, Spector, Upson, Gabbidon, Illunga; Parker, Faubert, Noble, Boa Morte, Cole, Dyer
Subs: Kovac, McCarthy, Da Costa, Stanislas, Stech, Piquionne, Barrera
Manchester United dominated the opening exchanges of the match, feeding from the energy of the 12 man. English striker Wayne Rooney was finally back in the squad, as he missed the last match owing to stomach illness. In the middle of the match, Portuguese winger Nani took a beautiful strike at goal, only to be denied by the framework. Berbatov, Scholes, Nani and Giggs combined well together, creating a lot of problems for the Hammer’s defence. Issues for the visiting side seemed to bother them a bit as their last season top scorer Carlton Cole was also seen withering in the United penalty area. The physio was called up to analyse the situation and looked like the striker would play the remaining part of the game.
Rooney finally broke his 13 match goal silence as he plunged the ball to back of the net owing to a penalty earned by Ryan Giggs. It must have felt really good to the striker to finally get the much awaited goal and get his form going. The Red Devils manager explained earlier in the week that for any striker to find his form, goals should keep on coming. Rooney had a disappointing summer in South Africa, where he could not score a single one with his national side in the World Cup. The last time this player had scored a goal was back in March and would welcome this goal more than anything.
At the 33rd minute mark, United took a much deserved lead, thanks to the goal from Wayne Rooney. Manchester United looked to build from this, as Fletcher took a curling shot at Robert Green, who expertly saved it on the 39th minute mark. United now looked to further torment the Hammers and build on the lead provided by their number 10. At half time, United are comfortably in front from the visitors but will be building on this lead in order to secure all three points at Old Trafford. 2 minutes of extra time were granted by the referee and Nani came close to scoring as he lofted the ball above the goal keeper.
Yet at half time, United are in lead thanks to a penalty goal from Wayne Rooney. Sir Alex Ferguson would be delighted by his player’s performance and happy with Wayne Rooney finally finding the back of the net.
Tags: