carlyluvsunited
13-12-2007, 07:02 AM
MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson was satisfied with his young team’s
efforts after they battled to a creditable 1-1 draw in Rome last night.
Gerard Pique put an inexperienced United side ahead with a header in the first
half before Alessandro Mancini levelled 20 minutes from time in the Stadio
Olimpico.
Ferguson was happy with the display, however. “There was a bit of inexperience
at times but we put in a good performance and we can be pleased with that,” he
said.
“They played some good football against a stronger side,” said Ferguson, who
revealed John O’Shea sustained a groin strain.
For the second season running violence scarred United’s visit to Rome. Mercifully,
there were no problems inside with 1,200 visiting fans watched their team
perform impressively.
Although Alex Ferguson started eight full internationals, United’s youthfulness
was there for all to see.
Wayne Rooney, responding to the captaincy the way Ferguson would have
wanted, led from the front, covering every blade of grass as he aided his side’s
cause in attack and defence.
Keeper Tomasz Kuszczak produced a couple of excellent saves to deny David
Pizarro and Mancini, who also struck the crossbar after being set up by captain
Francesco Totti.
But it was United who claimed the spoils in that opening period, with Pique’s
name going up in lights.
The Spain Under-21 international rose to nod home when Nani eventually got a
corner right.
Ghanaian midfielder Ahmed Barusso left a nasty imprint on Evans’ shin at the
start of the second half and brought an angry reaction from O’Shea. O’Shea was
replaced by Wes Brown not long afterwards.
Barusso offered a glimpse of his better side soon after, sending a 25-yard effort
just wide of Kuszczak’s goal.
United looked comfortable but sub Mirko Vucinic changed that. He set up Mancini
for a well-taken equaliser before striking the base of a post with an excellent
snap-shot, the nearest Roma came to a winner.
ROMA: Doni, Cicinho, Ferrari, Mexes, Barusso (Giuly 62), Antunes, Pizarro,
Esposito (Vucinic 62), Taddei (De Rossi 46), Mancini, Totti.
MAN UTD: Kuszczak, Simpson, Pique, Evans, O’Shea (Brown 54), Eagles, Fletcher,
Carrick, Nani, Saha, Rooney (Dong 71).
Referee: Martin Hansson (Sweden). www.irishexaminer.com
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efforts after they battled to a creditable 1-1 draw in Rome last night.
Gerard Pique put an inexperienced United side ahead with a header in the first
half before Alessandro Mancini levelled 20 minutes from time in the Stadio
Olimpico.
Ferguson was happy with the display, however. “There was a bit of inexperience
at times but we put in a good performance and we can be pleased with that,” he
said.
“They played some good football against a stronger side,” said Ferguson, who
revealed John O’Shea sustained a groin strain.
For the second season running violence scarred United’s visit to Rome. Mercifully,
there were no problems inside with 1,200 visiting fans watched their team
perform impressively.
Although Alex Ferguson started eight full internationals, United’s youthfulness
was there for all to see.
Wayne Rooney, responding to the captaincy the way Ferguson would have
wanted, led from the front, covering every blade of grass as he aided his side’s
cause in attack and defence.
Keeper Tomasz Kuszczak produced a couple of excellent saves to deny David
Pizarro and Mancini, who also struck the crossbar after being set up by captain
Francesco Totti.
But it was United who claimed the spoils in that opening period, with Pique’s
name going up in lights.
The Spain Under-21 international rose to nod home when Nani eventually got a
corner right.
Ghanaian midfielder Ahmed Barusso left a nasty imprint on Evans’ shin at the
start of the second half and brought an angry reaction from O’Shea. O’Shea was
replaced by Wes Brown not long afterwards.
Barusso offered a glimpse of his better side soon after, sending a 25-yard effort
just wide of Kuszczak’s goal.
United looked comfortable but sub Mirko Vucinic changed that. He set up Mancini
for a well-taken equaliser before striking the base of a post with an excellent
snap-shot, the nearest Roma came to a winner.
ROMA: Doni, Cicinho, Ferrari, Mexes, Barusso (Giuly 62), Antunes, Pizarro,
Esposito (Vucinic 62), Taddei (De Rossi 46), Mancini, Totti.
MAN UTD: Kuszczak, Simpson, Pique, Evans, O’Shea (Brown 54), Eagles, Fletcher,
Carrick, Nani, Saha, Rooney (Dong 71).
Referee: Martin Hansson (Sweden). www.irishexaminer.com
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
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