Rooney helps Man Utd struggle past Birmingham

Manchester United 1 Birmingham City 0. The champions began their Premier League defence against divisonal new boys Birmingham City and ran out winners despite failing to add to Wayne Rooney's 34th-minute goal after numerous chances.

Alex McLeish's side were well-disciplined and will feel that they gave a good account of themselves at a packed Old Trafford, but Alex Ferguson will feel that his initial strike force of Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Luis Antonio Valencia should have put more past Joe Hart.

The second half saw the introductions of Ryan Giggs and, with a quarter of an hour to go, summer signing Michael Owen, who had the ball in the net once - ruled offside - before spurning a glorious chance to make his competitive home debut with a goal when he hit the ball straight at Hart when one-on-one deep in injury time.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYINGOliver Kay, the Times: "The first game of the season, at home to Birmingham City, is not the context in which to draw meaningful conclusions about United’s prospects in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era, but, with Antonio Valencia making little headway and Dimitar Berbatov showing few signs that he is ready to raise his game, it was just as well for Sir Alex Ferguson that Rooney hit the ground running yesterday. Too many of his team-mates were plodding, but, with eminently winnable games against Burnley and Wigan Athletic to follow this week, there is time for United to get into their stride."

Tim Rich, the Guardian: "As he prepared for life without Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir Alex Ferguson would have been comforted by one great certainty. Manchester United's inspiration may have gone but they still boasted probably the best defence in the world. Their third successive Premier League title was based as much on 1–0 results as it was by anything achieved by the boy from Madeira."

Matt Lawton, Daily Mail:  "Had it not been for a more encouraging contribution from goalkeeper Ben Foster and a wonderful goal-line clearance from the outstanding Patrice Evra, Birmingham could have embarrassed the champions at Old Trafford. They were pretty good, players like James McFadden, Lee Carsley and Joe Hart impressing enough to suggest they might not be the certainties for relegation some would have us think. Ferguson quite rightly acknowledged their efforts, which was more than he did for his own team." ·