Anxious Listeners in Manchester : Episode Nine *

It was almost predictable. The only thing that didn't happen was our getting caught on the break by a muggins goal.

Coppell decided to use man-markers, certainly on our forwards and to some extent all over the pitch. But this sort of thing really shouldn't surprise us; one version or another of a massed defence is something we have been used to for years.

Of course, the loss of Rooney is much more serious than the loss of two points. He had had a decent summer rest for once and was looking in prime condition. He was injured in a nothing clash with Duberry, when he just managed to get in front of him, falling a bit awkwardly as he stretched. I am still convinced the number of foot injuries must be related to the boots one way or another.

He hobbled around until half-time, which could have been a mistake in itself, but that was it. It was later confirmed he had suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot : cue much reference to "the England striker" and the Euro 2008 qualifiers in September.

SAF bemoaned his loss as the reason we didn't finish it in the second half, which is probably true but hardly the point. We should be able to break down this sort of defence - we are going to get enough practice; we shouldn't need to be bringing on O'Shea as a striker. Mutter mutter.

Even though we appeared more threatening after half-time, it was largely illusory. Most of the attempts were from longish range, and born partly of desperation.

Kitson came on for Doyle towards the end, only to be sent off within a minute of his introduction for clattering Paddy into touch. It was an overdose of adrenalin from time on the bench and red hair, more than malice, but Rob Styles is rarely charitable in those situations.

And why have Sky decided to put the score and time-clock in the bottom corner of the screen, rather than the top?

United 0 Reading 0


Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown (Fletcher, 78), Vidic, Ferdinand, Silvestre (O’Shea, 57); Carrick, Scholes, Evra; Ronaldo, Rooney (Nani, 46), Giggs.

Substitutes not used: Kuszczak, Pique.

Booked : None

Red shirts, white shorts, black stockings.

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty, Gunnarsson, Duberry, Shorey; Hunt (Bikey, 87), Harper, Ingimarsson, De la Cruz; Seol (Oster, 57), Doyle (Kitson, 72).

Substitutes not used: Federici, Cisse.

Sent Off: Kitson (73).

Booked: Ki-Hyeon, Oster.

Attendance: 75,655 Referee : Rob Styles