| By Sam Fox,
on 01-10-2008 03:56
|
Views : 511 |
Favoured : 36 |
 Despite dominating from start to finish, some poor finishing prevented United from making it more than the 3-0 it was on the night.
Rooney opened the scoring mid-way through the first half following a golden opportunity wasted by Berbatov to open his account after Ronaldo had hustled the Aalborg keeper into a mistake. It was another mistake that finally led to Berbatov opening his account but he wasn't finished adding a spectacular second 11 minutes from time.
Match report
In an end-to-end first half, Dimitar Berbatov missed a glorious
opportunity to hand United an early lead. However, Wayne Rooney was
able to slot the visitors ahead (22) after being played through on goal
by substitute Ryan Giggs as the reigning European champions assumed
control of the game.
A shocking error from Thomas Augustinussen allowed Berbatov to
volley home his first United goal after the break (55) before the
Bulgarian tucked home his second from Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross (79) to
seal the three points. United could have scored more than three in what
was a comfortable evening for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.
Team News
On-loan from Southampton, Polish international Marek Saganowski was
selected to play as a lone striker for Aalborg, who fielded a five-man
midfield as they looked to snuff out United’s creative threats.
18-year-old Brazilian Rafael Da Silva was handed a surprise first
European start for United at right-back. The starlet was preferred over
Wesley Brown, with Gary Neville left at home with fitness concerns.
Portuguese internationals Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani were named on
either wing for United in a 4-4-2 formation, with Dimitar Berbatov and
Wayne Rooney leading the line up-front. John O’Shea was preferred to
Darren Fletcher in midfield.
First Half
In a lively opening ten minutes, it was the visitors who wasted an
excellent opportunity to make an early breakthrough. Aalborg goalkeeper
Karim Zaza took too long to clear the ball and Ronaldo got a touch to
his scrambled clearance. The ball scooped upwards and landed at the
feet of Berbatov, who could only volley wide from eight yards with the
goal gaping.
Paul Scholes had to be replaced by Ryan Giggs in the 15th minute
after a clumsy challenge from Thomas Augustinussen, before Rafael
surged forward at pace and had a shot well saved by Zaza.
The opening goal came on 22 minutes. After good work from Nani, he
played the ball to Giggs, who found himself in space in the centre of
the pitch. The Welshman slotted a superb pass through to Rooney,
the England international in oceans of space due to the lacklustre
Aalborg defensive coverage, and the former Everton man comfortably
slotted past the onrushing Zaza into the left corner of the net.
Kasper Bogelund was set free after Ronaldo lost the home full-back
moments later, but was denied the opportunity to shoot by an excellent
Rio Ferdinand tackle. Nonetheless, United were warned to stay on task.
Ronaldo had a deflected effort spilled by Zaza in the 33rd minute
before the Danes cleared, but the Aalborg players, particularly Michael
Jakobsen, were furious with the winger for playing on while defender
Michael Beauchamp lay injured in the penalty box.
The lively Rafael received a booking for a miss-timed challenge,
before testing Zaza with an audacious left footed chip as he approached
his first European start with great endeavour.
Jeppe Curth struck narrowly over the bar just before the break, but
it was United who went into the half-time break with the advantage
after comfortably having the better of the first period in what was an
entertaining first 45 minutes.
Second Half
It didn’t take long for United to snuff out any threat of a home
comeback after the break. Just ten minutes into the second half, Berbatov
struck to score his first goal for the club. Augustinussen
miss-controlled the ball to give the Bulgaria international a chance
just as easy as the one he somehow missed just minutes into the game.
The defender’s touch scooped up into the air and allowed the striker to
volley home past an out of position Zaza from the edge of the box.
Giggs hit the side netting from a tight angle as United continued to
control proceedings. Curth then struck wide with his left foot for the
home side after a surging run forward by Andreas Johansson.
Johansson flashed a shot across the face of goal for Aalborg before
substitute Carlos Tevez superbly beat three players for United before
squaring the ball unsuccessfully for Ronaldo, when it would probably
have been better to shoot.
The Argentinean then struck narrowly over after a purposeful run
with fifteen minutes left on the clock. Kasper Risgard shot straight at
Edwin van der Sar but it was soon to be 3-0 to the visitors.
Giggs passed to Tevez, who in turn found Ronaldo wide on the right.
Ronaldo flicked the ball over Pedersen and aimed his cross at Berbatov. The striker then showed great technique to guide the bouncing ball home.
Berbatov attempted to return the favour to the Portuguese winger by
sending the former Sporting Lisbon star through on goal, but he was
unable to beat Zaza to add a fourth.
United had to settle for three in the end and they will be hoping
this win kick-starts their season as they sit on top of Group E
Goal.com
Last update : 01-10-2008 16:40
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