United defeated Roma 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to a lovely second half strike from Wayne Rooney. Roma probably deserved a point, but despite numerous opportunities and several open goals, Roma failed to find the back of the net.
United started the game with O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, and Evra at the back, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, and Nani in midfield, Rooney slotting in as a Centre Forward with Saha ahead of him in a more traditional striking role.
Many were surprised to see Nani starting in the place of long-time red Ryan Giggs, but the Portuguese winger put himself about well and set up the winning goal. Hargreaves was expected to make his return, but failed to pass a late fitness test, he has received an injection which will hopefully solve his tendinitis problems permanently. He will, however, be out for 3-4 weeks for recovery.
United looked decent in the first half, Rooney came close with a lovely volley midway through the first half. Roma also had chances, but Kuszack, in for the injured Van der Sarr managed to hold them at bay.
Saha's poor run of form continued from the weekend, his touch looked poor and he contributed little. No one could have argued with Sir Alex's decision to bring on Tevez later in the match.
The second half looked much the same until Rooney took the ball on the bounce from a lovely diagonal ball from Nani and turned it off the far post and into the back of the net. United dominated for the next 15-20 minutes. Tevez came on to replace Saha, and Giggs came on for Nani. The welshman didn't do much for United, but Tevez looked threatening from the moment he touched the pitch.
Tevez slid deep and sat just ahead of the midfielders while Rooney stepped into Saha's vacant spot. Tevez even got back to help out in defence on several occasions, tackling well and then bringing the ball forward out of defense.
Ronaldo took an elbow to the face, near 80' and united played the rest of the match with ten men, as they had already used all of their substitutions.
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