Fuente : Manchester United
http://www.manutd.com/

UNITED : Ruud Finds Crucial Breakthrough To Defeat Villains

United 1 Aston Villa 0, Old Trafford

/noticias.info/ Barclays Premier League
Manchester United 1
Aston Villa 0
Old Trafford

Old Trafford erupted as much with relief as with ectasy as Ruud van Nistelrooy's second half goal sent United on their way to victory against Aston Villa.

The Reds' first home game of the season provided plenty of attacking football to placate the critics of last season's displays, which lacked penetration.

But, the longer the game wore on with the scoreline still reading 0-0, there will have been plenty of Reds in the ground mulling the thought 'same old story', as getting an elusive goal was United's only stumbling block.

United piled the pressure on Aston Villa in the first half.

Park Ji-sung, who impressed against Everton on the opening day of the season, again replaced the injured Ronaldo, who was named among the substitutes.

The Korean midfielder started on the left for the Reds, but proved to be equally dangerous when cutting inside or when he briefly moved over to the right flank.

He had United's first meaningful effort on goal, a fizzing drive that Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen could only tip onto the crossbar.

Wayne Rooney attempted an almost identical effort to the goal Paul Scholes scored from a corner kick against Bradford. The young forward latched onto Scholes' corner kick but didn't quite achieve what his team-mate had done.

Scholes then went close with a rasping 30-yard drive. The 30-year-old had Sorensen beaten at his left-hand post, but the shot drifted just wide.
United's frustration at the lack of reward for their superior possession and numerous chances was evident when Rooney upended former Red Eric Djemba-Djemba, a substitute who had replaced the injured Jlloyd Samuel.

Sir Alex's side began the second half in much the same vein. The midfield three of Keane, Fletcher and Scholes continued to dictate the pace of play, while Rooney and Park foraged for chances in support of Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Dutchman began United's barage of the Villa goal in the second half following good work from Rooney, but his shot again went the wrong side of the woodwork.

He was involved in another attacking move moments later when Park played a clever one-two, but his cross-shot yielded no breakthrough.

With half an hour to go and the need to break David O'Leary's side down becoming even more apparent, Ferguson gave Cristiano Ronaldo his first Premiership football of the season.

Park made way for the Portuguese winger, once again proving that he will be a valuable asset for his manager this term.
Ronaldo instantly had an impact. He forced a superb save from Sorensen, directing a powerful header goalwards from Gary Neville's cross.

United's breakthrough stemmed from an unlikely source. Rio Ferdinand cut out a rare Villa attack and surged forward. He played the ball out to Gary Neville on the right wing, and his cross found van Nistelrooy lurking at the far post. A simple tap in gave him his third goal in three matches. Old Trafford was like a pressure valve untightened.

A close range header from Scholes with fifteen minutes to go almost made it two, but somehow Sorensen palmed the ball to safety. Van Nistelrooy also had an effort cleared off the line by Djemba Djemba.

The victory means United are so far unbeaten this season, temporarily top of the table, and playing some exciting, attacking football. If Ferguson chooses to find any fault, it will be that he still must preach the imperative need to convert chances into goals.

MANCHESTER UNITED: van der sar: Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O’Shea (Heinze, 59); Fletcher, Scholes, Keane, Park (Ronaldo, 59); Rooney (Smith, 78); van Nistelrooy.
Subs not used: Howard, Richardson.

ASTON VILLA: Sorensen; Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel (Djemba-Djemba, 20); De La Cruz (Solano, 73) Davis, McCann, Barry, Whittingham (Moore, 73); Angel.
Subs not used: Taylor, Cahill.
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