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13 August 2007, by Sean Gillen

Nani makes debut as Reading frustrate United

Manchester United 0-0 Reading

Manchester United’s defence of their Premiership title got off to a subdued start as Reading frustrated the champions at Old Trafford to escape with a goalless draw on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

An injury to Wayne Rooney, which has since been confirmed as a fracture of the left foot, added to United’s aggravation, on a day in which Portuguese winger Nani was given his league debut as a second-half substitute.

Rooney was probably United’s liveliest player in the first half, with the young forward coming close after ten minutes but denied by Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Michael Carrick then fired just over from twenty metres, before Ronaldo’s low drive was easy for Hahnemann.

The best chance of a first half in which United dominated possession came when Ronaldo brilliantly sidestepped Steven Hunt before chipping a cross to the far post for Ryan Giggs to volley against the outside of the post.

Although the home side saw plenty of the ball, United found it difficult to break down a well-organised Reading defence. Rooney’s injury in the run-up to half time gave Alex Ferguson problems going into the break, with no other natural striker in the match squad.

Nani replaces Rooney

Ferguson ultimately opted for summer signing Nani as Rooney’s half time replacement, but with no specialist centre-forward on the pitch, United again struggled to convert huge amounts of possession into goalscoring chances.

Nani was given a warm welcome by the Old Trafford crowd, but the former Sporting man looked nervous at times on his debut and had little impact on the match, other than a decent left-footed shot that swerved wide of Hahnemann’s left post.

United began the second half with a good tempo, and the staggeringly large possession count enjoyed by the Red Devils meant that a breakthrough seemed inevitable. However, a superb defensive effort from Reading limited United to a handful of decent opportunities, with Ronaldo often involved but having a rare off day for the home side.

Patrice Evra missed a good chance when the ball fell to him inside the penalty area but the Frenchman shot wide, while substitute John O’Shea was blocked by Hahnemann and Paul Scholes’ late header lacked the power to trouble the American.

Reading’s failure to hold the ball up in attack or offer any kind of goal threat gave United all the incentive to snatch a late winner, but the visitors showed superb determination to survive the late sending off of substitute Dave Kitson for a wild challenge on Evra, to secure a well-earned point from the champions.

Man Utd:
Van der Sar, Brown (Fletcher 77), Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre (O'Shea 57), Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Evra, Giggs, Rooney (Nani 46)
Yellow Cards: None

Reading:
Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey, Murty, Ki-Hyeon (Oster 57), Harper, Gunnarsson, Hunt (Bikey 87), Doyle (Kitson 72)
Yellow Cards: Ki-Hyeon, Oster
Red Cards: Kitson (73)