Man Utd 1 - 0 Birmingham

Wayne Rooney approaches a ton as Manchester United beat Birmingham in their opening Premiership game. He tapped his 99th goal home, when his header from a cross from Nani, rebounded back to him in the 34th minute. It was not an easy victory as Ben Foster was at full stretch to save from Christian Benitez in the 77th minute. However, Michael Owen could have extended his side's lead but missed a good chance in stoppage time.

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Rooney seemed to be enjoying himself, but United didn't look as sharp without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Birmingham's defensive intentions were undermined by the persistence of the striker, who was rewarded when he scored what was to be the only goal of the match. It's a good job he put the ball away as Fletcher missed what looked like a good chance to secure maximum points before the break.

Nani was replaced ,with the veteran but able Ryan Giggs, at the beginning of the second half. However, it was that man Rooney ,who again forced a reasonable save from goalkeeper Hart.

Birmingham were not yet done with, and Barry Ferguson was prominent in midfield. Both Fahey and McFadden had chances to level the score but it was not to be. Then Berbatov was denied at the opposite end, when Carsley cleared his shot off the line. It was followed by a penalty appeal from the Bulgarian when Carr appeared to stamp on his foot. Shortly afterwards he was replaced with Michael Owen, who is very much the new boy at Old Trafford.

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Foster made a good save from recent Birmingham signing Benitez, and then Rooney came close to making his 100. But it was the unpredictable Owen who should have put the game beyond dispute for a dream start that didn't materialize, as his shot hit the goalkeeper. It was not the greatest start for the Champions, considering what was happening elsewhere, but they bagged maximum points so nobody was complaining.

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Man Utd 1 - 0 Birmingham
soccer and football
Man Utd 1 - 0 Birmingham