Right back at you: Walker gifts subpar United opening day win

Tottenham defender’s own goal seals 1-0 victory for the hosts at Old Trafford

MANCHESTER/ LONDON: Manchester United secured an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in their opening Premier League game of the season on Saturday thanks to an own goal from Kyle Walker.

On manager Louis van Gaal’s 64th birthday the hosts rarely threatened the Tottenham goal as the Old Trafford crowd got their first glimpse of some of United’s close-season signings.

The visitors had chances of their own as they rallied late in the contest, but ultimately Walker’s own goal in the 22nd minute proved to be the difference.

Van Gaal handed a debut in goal to Argentina international Sergio Romero, signed on a free transfer following his release from Sampdoria. United also gave full debuts to forward Memphis Depay, midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and right-back Matteo Darmian.

With four new faces, United’s play was fragmented and passes went astray as they struggled for rhythm during a first half in which none of their players managed a shot on target.

Tottenham almost took the lead in the sixth minute when Harry Kane scooped a clever ball over the top of the United defence for Christian Eriksen, who lifted his effort over the crossbar.

Despite their uncertain start United took the lead, albeit fortuitously, with an own goal from Spurs right-back Walker after Juan Mata had intercepted a lazy pass from Nabil Bentaleb.

Mata sent Ashley Young scurrying clear down the right flank and his low cross picked out the unmarked Wayne Rooney, only for Walker, in his haste to deny the United captain a shot at goal, to accidentally poke it past Spurs goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

Wenger sends title warning

Arsene Wenger has warned Arsenal’s title rivals that his resurgent side
are finally strong enough to end the club’s 12-year wait to win the Premier League.

Wenger’s team kick off their new campaign against West Ham on Sunday and the mood at the Emirates Stadium will be one of unbridled optimism in the aftermath of a pair of Wembley victories that are being hailed around North London as the foundations of a sustained title challenge.

After producing a swaggering FA Cup final demolition of Aston Villa at Wembley in May, the Gunners returned to the English national stadium last weekend to secure a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the Community Shield.

Asked on the eve of the new season if he feels Arsenal can win the title for the first time since 2004, the usually conservative Wenger cast caution to the wind. “I believe yes, all going well, and us maintaining our game,” he said. “That’s important as well — that we develop what we do well and do not stand still. That means we develop our cohesion, our passing game. If we are capable to keep the cohesion and the solidarity we have at the moment through the 38 games, we have a good chance.”

Wenger did concede that Chelsea will start as the title favourites. “Chelsea won it by a margin last year so they are the favourites,” he said. “After that let’s see how it goes. After 15 games you will know more about that.”

Rodgers promises better Britannia showing

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Stoke will face a much different team than the one they humiliated 6-1 at the end of last season when the Reds return to the Britannia Stadium for their Premier League opener on Sunday.

“We’ll certainly be better than what we were last season, that’s for sure,” said Rodgers.

“That was a one-off game. It was incredible; in every aspect of football and high-class football, we lacked in everything. It was very surprising and very disappointing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2015.

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