Manchester United - Reading

BEGINNING OF A NEW SEASON:

It was a disappointing start for the CHAMPIONS as they began their mission of retaining the premiership. As Tevez dint have enough match practice he was not in the squad and Nani was the only new signing in the squad with Hargreaves and Anderson watching for the Box.


UNITED IN COMMAND:

United had plenty of possession but they where not able to find the net and Rooney had a couple of good chances and Gigssy hit the post once. As United where pushing further to get the opening goal of the season, Rooney who tried to convert Carrick's ball from that right was tackled from behind and badly injured his foot. Though he got back on to the pitch he was subbed at the start of the second half and Nani came in.


NANI's DEBUT:

It was the first match for the young Portuguese at OT and the first official match in England. He was involved in some good moves and had some good hits at the goal and was working well along with Ronaldo but United where unable to find the target.


DESPERATE TO SCORE:

Silvestre was then pulled out and O'Shea got in and was playing upfront trying to break the deadlock. Evra had a good chance but hit wide and Reading were reduced to 10 men after Kitson was sent off just after37 seconds he came on for a rash challenge on Evra.


11 vs 10:

This lifted the crowd and they where cheering all the way but Reading stood firm and their keeper Hannaman was doing a fine job keeping all the shots off the goal and Scholes got a great chance to open the score but headed straight to the keeper.


LAST THROW OF THE DICE:

Brown was pulled off and Fletcher came on but United who were there all the time in Reading's half where not able to score and time ticked on. And right at the stroke of the whistle United got a free kick and Ronaldo hit that wide and the match ended in a 0-0 draw. It will be counted as 2 points dropped by United and it was made even more frustrating with the news that Rooney had a fracture that could keep him out for couple of months.