Airtricity League XI 1-7 Manchester United - Highlights

Airtricity League XI 1-7 Manchester United Highlights (04.08.2010). All Goals: 13' min. Park Ji Sung, 25' min. Michael Owen, 47' min. Javier Chicharito Hernandez, 60' min. Antonio Valencia. 63' min. Park Ji Sung, 69' min. Evans, 78' min. Mulcahy, 82' min. Nani (pen)



It was less a contest and more a celebration -- of United's enduring Irish connection, of unerring finishing in front of goal and of a magnificent new sporting structure -- as United romped to a 7-1 win against a League of Ireland XI in Dublin.

Wayne Rooney made his long-awaited club return but it was goals from Ji-sung Park (2), Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez, Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans and Nani that stole the show.

The Reds, English football's crown jewels, had travelled to the Emerald Isle to open Dublin's glistening new Aviva Stadium. And it was a group of rough diamonds, mined from the semi-professional League of Ireland, who had been charged with the unenviable task of trying to stop United's stars from shining.

For 13 minutes, the home side -- a term used loosely here, for United supporters dominated the virgin terraces -- succeeded. But the Reds, bolstered by returning World Cup stars Rooney, Park, Michael Carrick and Nemanja Vidic -- all playing their first games since the summer tournament -- were never likely to stumble. Valencia and Owen were also named in Sir Alex's starting XI, their first run-outs since injury curtailed their 2009/10 campaigns. For Owen, it meant the end of a five-month wait to lace up his boots again.

The Dublin crowed cheered each Rooney touch, but Ji-sung Park had the greatest early impact. He missed a free header from close range before, shortly afterwards, winning a strong tackle in midfield and teeing up Rooney, who dragged his shot wide of the target. Then the South Korean opened the scoring in bizarre fasion: he only meant to block a defender's clearance but the ball cannoned off his shin and flew past goalkeeper Gary Rogers and into the net.

Rooney wasted a golden chance on 23 minutes -- blazing over with the goal at his mercy -- but it hardly mattered. Moments later Michael Owen marked his comeback with a deliciously dinked goal after a clever first touch and good work down the left by Park and Jonny Evans. With the season proper in full swing, the goal would have warranted a celebration of lip-smacking proportions. But with no Gary Neville in Dublin and the match a mere pre-season friendly, the no.7 merely raised an arm and flashed a cheeky smile.

A somersault throw-in by League of Ireland's Ryan Guy drew a rousing cheer from the Aviva crowd before Michael Carrick was forced from the pitch after appearing to slip and twist his ankle. Darren Fletcher took Carrick's place in the centre of midfield but the Scot, nor anyone else on the pitch, could craft any real moments of magic before the half-time whistle.

Despite a marked drop in intensity after United's second goal. Sir Alex will have been pleased with the opening 45 minutes. Antonio Valencia and Chris Smalling were particularly impressive, while Owen, Rooney and Park also caught the eye.

Owen and Rooney made way for Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez at the break, with the Mexican striker finding the net with his first touch. Valencia again caused havoc on the right and his low cross was swept emphatically into the roof of the net by Sir Alex's diminutive summer signing.

League of Ireland's Joseph Ndo curled a free-kick wide of the upright on 59 minutes but a minute later Valencia shone again, collecting a defence-splitting pass inside the area before turning his marker inside out and finishing with his left-foot.

Then the floodgates opened. Park grabbed his second in sublime style, curling into the far corner with pinpoint precision, while Jonny Evans headed home after a well-worked short corner.

Even the League of Ireland XI got in on the act, Dave Mulcahy steering the ball past substitute goalkeeper Ben Amos with the outside of his foot.

And the action didn't stop there. Hernandez won a penalty on 81 minutes, duly converted by Nani, who still found time to thump a 20-yard effort off the crossbar. Amos then did his best Schmeichel-style star jump to thwart a close-range header and

It was breathless stuff. And most importantly, for the 49,861 fans inside the Aviva Stadium, it was terrific entertainment.

United: Kuszczak (Amos 64); Evans, Smalling, Vidic, O'Shea; Valencia, Carrick (Fletcher 37), Gibson, Park (Nani 64); Rooney (Hernandez 45), Owen (Berbatov 45)

Ireland XI: Rogers (Doherty 70); Shelley, Powell, Peers (Kenna 54), Oman; Williams (Ryan 64), Keegan, Madden (Sheppard 64), Ndo (O'Brien 70); Brennan (Kirby 45), Guy (Mulcahy 70)

Category:

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[gOTHICdAVUCHO]

Antonio Valencia is the law !!!!!!!! 

[efra100a]

chicharito is gooooooood

[IrishStar]

Dave Mulcahy!!!

Saint Patrick's Athletic Midfielder!!

lol I think I was th eonly one in the stadium Cheering! lol

Come On You SuperSaints!!!!!!!!! ;-)

[ciaranMUFCireland]

i was at this game! what a good stadium! i was supporting both but im a man u man! :D

[flooder1]

goalkeeper was rubbish

[joshyloveafa]

what a second goal its such a good lobb!!!!

[gOTHICdAVUCHO]

@cornettoman6 thanks !! would to god he cans recovery soon ...

[cornettoman6]

@gOTHICdAVUCHO

Wish him a speedy recovery from all cardiff fans

[KnightzRacingClub]

ES TODO CHICHARITO HE THE BEST !!

[imbahades]

chicharito is not good. he is GREAAAAAAAT! :D <3