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| Ashley Young celebrating the winner |
United narrowly beat out their opponents West Brom Sunday morning to win their opening 2011-2012 Premier League fixture. Rooney, with a full head of hair opened the scoring for the Champions in the 13th minute. After his initial back heel picked out Young, the winger's return to Rooney was controlled on his right and and driven in with his left to beat former Red Devil, Ben Foster. The celebration was short lived however, after Premier League newcomer and Rep. of Ireland International, Shane Long scored in the 34th minute. United's Spanish keeper was at fault as Long cut inside Smalling and cashed in with a right footed strike that dropped just under David de Gea. United fought hard, finally scoring a winner in the 83rd minute. Ashley Young tormented defenders on the left side of the pitch all match and in the 83rd minute, his strike deflected off of West Brom's Steven Reid and in. The win will prove vital as Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all failed to pull out a win this weekend.
Despite the success of newcomer Ashley Young (who was involved in both goals) as well as youngsters Welbeck, Fabio, Cleverley and Smalling showing much promise; United saw Rio Ferdinand suffer a groin strain putting him on the sidelines for the next 6 weeks and Spanish Keeper de Gea once again showed signs of weakness as he did in the Community Shield last weekend.
I'm never one to question Sir Alex, but one must believe that 20 year-old David de Gea might not yet be ready to be the number one keeper at Old Trafford. The Spaniard is beginning to see how ruthless English football can be and what an unforgiving place it can be for a young 20 year-old. West Brom supporters chanted "dodgy keeper" every time he touched the ball as well as yelling "shooooot" every time a West Brom player was in any kind of shooting range. Rough crowd for the youngster's first Premier League start.
If you are doubting David de Gea's ability you must not have watched any La Liga football last year or any of the Under-21 European Championship. He undoubtedly has the ability to compete, the fact of the matter is the English game and media can be a rough place for a player of any age, let alone a 20 year-old keeper. Give the kid a chance.
On a good note, it feels great to have 2 points on Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal so early in the season.
I'm never one to question Sir Alex, but one must believe that 20 year-old David de Gea might not yet be ready to be the number one keeper at Old Trafford. The Spaniard is beginning to see how ruthless English football can be and what an unforgiving place it can be for a young 20 year-old. West Brom supporters chanted "dodgy keeper" every time he touched the ball as well as yelling "shooooot" every time a West Brom player was in any kind of shooting range. Rough crowd for the youngster's first Premier League start.
If you are doubting David de Gea's ability you must not have watched any La Liga football last year or any of the Under-21 European Championship. He undoubtedly has the ability to compete, the fact of the matter is the English game and media can be a rough place for a player of any age, let alone a 20 year-old keeper. Give the kid a chance.
On a good note, it feels great to have 2 points on Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal so early in the season.
