Utd Kids Wife

United finally started their Premier League campaign with a one-sided victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford. The win came courtesy of first-half goals by Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Fletcher with Giggs adding third late in the 2^nd half.

The Red Devils kicked off with Berbatov partnering Wayne Rooney up front, with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Chris Smalling watching from the bench. Former Magpie Michael Owen was left out completely.

Newcastle started with a five man midfield to try to stifle United’s attacking instinct and for the first 15 minutes it seemed to work. However, with the amount of possession United were enjoying Sir Alex Ferguson’s boys slowly took control of the game and it was merely a question of when United would score and not if. The opening goal came just after the half hour mark.

Antonio Valencia dispossessed Jonas Guterriez and discovered Paul Scholes who produced a perfectly weighted ball into the box for Berbatov to thump low and past Steve Harper.

The goal was exactly what United deserved and less than 10 minutes later the second dually arrived thanks to Darren Fletcher.

Nani who was his usual busy self slid in Patrice Evra who drove a ball into the penalty area. Rooney managed to get a foot on it but was unable to control it, nonetheless the ball fell perfectly for the young Scot to tuck in.

The second half began much like the first half ended, with United dictating the game and Paul Scholes playing like he was ten years younger. He was at the heart of everything with his inch-perfect passing.

In one movement he discovering Rooney around the edge of the box, who passed with the tip of his boot to Berbatov. The Bulgarian just needed to beat Harper but as he was oncoming had to take a quick shot with the outside of this boot which went just wide.

Rooney was looking a bit rusty with his customary touch deserting him so it was no surprise when he was replaced by Hernandez for his home debut.

However, it was another substitute, Ryan Giggs, who was to steal the show and the final goal of the game. Once more Scholes was the creator lofting the ball to the Welshman who sweetly volleyed it to the keepers left hand corner. With 18 shots on goal and 10 on target the scoreline flattered Newcastle somewhat. If this game had been towards the end of the season Ferguson would have been lamenting the missed chances but as it was it was a great coasting start to the season.

Technorati Tags: berbatov, fletcher, giggs, newcastle, scholes