West Brom 1 - 2 Man Utd - Own Goal Spares De Gea Blushes

Strikes from Wayne Rooney and an own goal from Steven Reid helped Manchester United€™s title defending side to victory in their first game of the new season - a trip to the Hawthorns to take on Roy Hodgson€™s West Brom. Baggies debutant Shane Long responded in the first half before Ashley Young forced Reid into conceding the winner. The day was dominated however by the performance of new Manchester United €˜keeper David de Gea who was at fault for the West Brom goal, just one week after he came under criticism for his debut at the Charity Shield debut at Wembley. Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a fairly inexperienced side with Danny Welbeck (on loan at Sunderland last season) starting alongside Rooney up front and Anderson slotting in the centre of midfield with Tom Cleverley. The latter was making his first Premier League start for the Red Devils after an impressive performance in last Sunday€™s Community Shield final. United were hoping to start the season with a win after seeing fellow title contenders Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all being held to draws to expected mid-table opposition. Roy Hodgson was hoping to continue their strong form at the end of last season, and started new signing and prolific Championship hitman Shane Long, who recently signed from Reading for a fee that could reportedly rise to £6.5 million. Somen Tchoyi sat just behind. Goalkeeper Ben Foster, on loan from rivals Birmingham also made his debut against his former club. Gabriel Tamas started in defence despite his transgressions mid week earning him a lifetime ban from representing Romania at international level. Man United were quick of the mark with a fast passing move that ended with a corner after a deflected shot by Ashley Young. The resulting set piece caused chaos in the West Brom six yard box before being cleared. David de Gea flapped ineffectually at a James Morrison free kick, continuing the inauspicious start to his Manchester United career following a nervy 90 minutes in last Sunday€™s game. West Brom€™s game plan was then made clear when Paul Sharner attempted a 40 yard strike to test the young Spaniard, which ended up in the stands. United opened the scoring in the 13th minute, as Wayne Rooney sent the ball into the far corner after being played in by Ashley Young. The shot, a low, well-placed effort with his left foot left Foster scrambling in vain, and the delight on Rooney€™s face was plain to see. Hodgson€™s men looked powerless to resist the reigning champions at times as more flowing moves showed just how well Ferguson€™s summer signings have fitted in to the Manchester United style of play. Ashley Young in particular looked lively and energetic and along with Nani should prove a deadly outlet for United this season. Such was domination from the Red Devils that the possession in one five minute spell was 90/10 in their favour. Nani should have added to the lead after some great link up play between Welbeck and Rooney eventually found the Portuguese winger who blazed the ball over from just inside the area. He had another chance on the half hour mark with a volleyed rebound from close range that ended up clearing the bar. It wasn€™t until the 35th minute that de Gea was really tested when he pulled off a fantastic save from Paul Sharner, pushing the powerful effort around the post to deny the Austrian. West Brom were growing in confidence however, and David de Gea€™s good work was instantly outdone when the Spaniard was left red-faced after a tame effort from Shane Long somehow crept beneath his outstretched arm. The frustration in the United players was clear to see as the Irishman celebrated his debut with a goal. The communication between the keeper and his back four was clear to see when indecision from de Gea led to confusion, and a poor clearance from Fabio found Brunt who blasted over. The Spaniard couldn€™t rest long though as he made a meal of a Somen Tchoyi cross, punching awkwardly away from what should have been an easy claim. His nightmare was put on temporary hold as the sides left the field for half time. Ben Foster seemed desperate to emulate his opposite number minutes into the second half, waiting too long before clearing the ball, and narrowly escaping the oncoming Danny Welbeck before finally getting rid of it. The second half started in a far more even manner, failing to continue the excitement of the first. There were few chances for either team, and despite possession being fairly even there was little to do for Foster or de Gea, largely due to the poor final ball on display. Ashley Young, one of the better performers for United, came close in one of the few points of note with a curling effort that had Foster worried but it dropped just wide of the far post. David de Gea€™s confidence took a further dent when he spilled a cross after some strong pressure from West Brom, who clearly saw the weakness in the Manchester United €˜keeper and were jumping with him at every opportunity. As the teams entered the last ten minutes an own goal from Steven Reid was forced by Ashley Young, who ran down the left side of the area, beat Jonas Olsson for pace, and put in a low cross that deflected off a crestfallen Reid, who could do nothing more than help the ball on its way into Foster€™s goal. West Brom didn€™t seem to have much of a response, with Tchoyi firing over from a tight angle. Brunt fired a shot straight into the grateful arms of de Gea. A late free kick was also held by the Spaniard, making sure of the win for United. Manchester United (4-4-2) De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand (Jones, 75), Vidic, Fabio, Nani, Cleverley, Anderson, Young, Rooney, Welbeck (Berbatov, 65) West Brom (4-4-1-1) Foster, Reid (Jara Reyes), Tamas, Olsson, Shorey, Brunt, Mulumbu, Sharner, Morrison, Somen Tchoyi, Long (Cox, 88)