An own goal from Kyle Walker ensured Manchester United
opened the Barclays Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham
Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Spurs right-back stabbed into the back of his own net
midway through the first half after a new-look United side had made a shaky
start. David de Gea watched on as Sergio Romero made his debut in the United
goal, with Louis van Gaal stating that the Spain goalkeeper is not in the right
frame of mind amid ongoing speculation over a move to Real Madrid.
Romero, the new signing, produced an assured display, making
a couple of fine, late saves, as Spurs were unable to build on an encouraging
start in which Christian Eriksen came close to opening the scoring.
Van Gaal may have seen room for improvement as he aims to
turn United into title contenders this season, but will be more than happy with
three points after losing at home to Swansea City on the opening day last year.
Romero, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis
Depay made their Barclays Premier League debuts for United, while Bastian
Schweinsteiger was among the substitutes. Michel Vorm started in goal for
Spurs, with Hugo Lloris on the bench, and Ben Davies got the nod at left-back
in the absence of Danny Rose (thigh). Toby Alderweireld was the only new
recruit in Mauricio Pochettino's side.
Romero could have been picking the ball out of the back of
the net just four minutes into his United bow, when Harry Kane and Eriksen
linked brilliantly to open up the home side's defence. Kane picked out
Eriksen's run into the penalty area with a clever chip and the Denmark
midfielder headed in front of him before lifting a deft lob over Romero, but on
to the roof of the net.
Romero was forced to race out once again soon after to save
an effort from Walker when the right-back surged forward as Spurs made an
impressive start.
Walker had the ball in the back of the net 22 minutes in,
but it was at the wrong end to gift United an undeserved lead out of the blue.
Nabil Bentaleb’s
loose pass was intercepted for United to break. Ashley Young passed to an
unmarked Wayne Rooney in the area, and as the United captain prepared to shoot,
Walker nipped in but could only poke the ball beyond Vorm.
Schweinsteiger was given a tremendous ovation when he
replaced Michael Carrick on the hour following an uneventful start to the
second half.
Young, who this week signed a new contract, came close to
doubling United's lead when the ball arrived at the winger's feet at the back
post but Vorm got down to smother his shot.
The agile Romero twice kept out shots from Eriksen in the
closing stages and also palmed away a Kane header as Spurs applied late
pressure, but were unable to salvage a point.
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