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Sizzling start for Red Devils

Comment: 0 August 15th, 2011 by: admin

MANCHESTER United launched their title-retention drive in the Premier League on a victorious note by subduing West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at The Hawthorns last Sunday.

On a mission to nail down a 20th crown, the Red Devils leaned on the goals of Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young on a day their new goalkeeper David de Gea got his baptism of fire.

Rooney struck in the 13th minute to push the Red Devils ahead but West Brom equalised in the 37th through Shane Long.

Young provided the winning goal for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side when his cross was deflected into the back of the net by West Brom defender Steven Reid in the 81st minute.

The 20-year-old De Gea, who was acquired from Atletico Madrid for 19 million pounds to replace the retired Edwin van der Sar, came under severe test as he misread Long’s shot and allowed the ball to get past him and into the net.

The blunder brought to mind his miscues in their comeback 3-2 triumph over Manchester City in the Community Shield recently but Ferguson was not disappointed by his young ward’s performance.

“He is young. He will learn. He just needs a bit of concentration out there. Welcome to English football,’’ said Ferguson, of the young Spanish shot-stopper who appeared to be having problems too in dealing with high balls into the box.

The win, however, was tainted by injuries to two mainstays of the record 19-time league titlists.

Ace defender Rio Ferdinand sustained a hamstring injury and could be out for six weeks. His central defensive pal Nemanja Vidic will be sidelined for two weeks because of a calf injury. Earlier Sunday, right back Rafael da Silva was announced to need a surgery on his dislocated shoulder and he will be out for 10 weeks.

Despite the early manpower setback, it was still a fine start for the Red Devils who struggled playing away last season. They tallied just 25 points out of a possible 57 en route to surpassing Liverpool for the most number of English titles. Ferguson said the triumph could suggest they can be better performing as visitors this season.

Ferguson added he expects his young players to deliver more positive results in their coming fixtures. He was also delighted by the performance of midfielder Tom Cleverley, 22, and striker Danny Welbeck, 20, who both started against West Brom.

But Young’s debut impressed him a lot. The former Aston Villa standout’s teamup with Rooney in their opening goal and his burst of speed into the box to fire the crucial cross nine minutes from the final whistle are proofs that he will be a vital part of the squad as the new season progresses.

The Red Devils resume their campaign when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on August 23.

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