Report: United 3 Celtic 2

13/09/2006 20:30, Report by Ben Hibbs

United got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start in a seesaw encounter at Old Trafford as the Reds ran out 3-2 winners against Celtic. Goals from Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer secured the win, but not before Celtic had taken the lead and then equalised to make it 2-2 at half-time.

Celtic will feel somewhat aggrieved by referee Lubos Michel’s decision to award a first-half penalty to United. But, in the end, the Reds had created enough chances to be worthy winners in this opening Group F fixture. And with FC Copenhagen holding Benfica to a draw in the other game, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side sit top of the group.

Celtic’s imposing army of around 6,000 fans took over the second tier of Old Trafford’s East Stand and made sure everyone knew they were there. United’s supporters were in equally good voice, making for a deafening, spine-tingling entrance for the two teams.

Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney returned to United’s starting line-up after their three-match domestic suspensions, but the Reds werewithout Cristiano Ronaldo, who served a one-match European ban. Scholes slotted back into central midfield alongside Michael Carrick, playing his first Champions League match, while Rooney partnered Louis Saha up front. The Frenchman had United’s first chance after seven minutes, when his header from a Gary Neville cross went narrowly wide. The 28-year-old forward went closer still moments later when he smashed a sweet volley over the bar.

But, for all the Reds’ possession, Celtic were the team to take the lead after 22 minutes. And it came from the most simplistic of moves. Hoops goalkeeper Artur Boruc’s long kick forward left Rio Ferdinand in two minds whether to head clear or play with his feet. In the end he did neither, and Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink took advantage, beating his countryman van der Sar with a left-footed finish into the far corner.

Urged on by a fired-up Old Trafford, United pressed forward looking for an equaliser, but Celtic repelled two Scholes efforts, with Celtic defenders throwing themselves in front of the midfielder’s attempts.

United’s efforts paid dividends, with an equaliser fifteen from half time, although it was under fortuitous circumstances. Ryan Giggs raced onto a long ball forward and went down under Boruc’s challenge for the ball. However, contact appeared to be minimal. Boruc was booked and United handed a fortunate spot-kick. Saha, looking for his first goal in the Champions League, wasn’t about to be charitable, and fired home the penalty. It came at a cost, Giggs tweaked his hamstring whilst winning the penalty - a major blow ahead of Sunday’s visit of Arsenal. Ole Gunner Solskjaer replaced the Welshman on the left flank.

Nine minutes later, though, and Saha had his second of the match. In lively form, he latched onto a perfectly weighted Scholes through-ball and beat Boruc with his right-footed finish.

It was developing into quite a game, but there were further twists to the tale. Shortly before the half time whistle, Wes Brown needlessly conceded a free kick 25 yards from goal and the impressive Japanese international midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura bent a beautiful shot over the defensive wall and past van der Sar, who was rooted to the spot.

The pace and tempo was incredibly quick in the first half, and it showed no sign of abating after the break. Within two minutes of the restart United had resumed the lead. Scholes pounced on a Thomas Gravesen mistake and put Saha through. Boruc saved his initial shot, but Solskjaer was in the right place to score his 20th European goal with a left foot finish from inside the six yard box.

United could have significantly added to the total as Celtic ran out of steam. Saha was a livewire all night, and he could have got his hat-trick on numerous occasions. After spinning off his marker he sent a powerful, curling effort wide on 55 minutes, and again had Boruc scrambling across goal ten minutes later when he latched onto Darren Fletcher’s inch-perfect cross with a powerful header that the Celtic stopper did well to keep out. Rooney, who had a relatively quiet evening, missed from close range as he slid in to meet Rio Ferdinand cross on 69 minutes, then missed a one-on-one with Boruc two minutes later.

Despite the late misses, United had done enough to go top of Group F. A winning start for the Reds, and three goals scored, equalling last season’s total and setting Sir Alex’s side on the way to avenging last year’s early European exit.

Team Line-ups

United: Van der Sar, Neville (c), Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Fletcher, Scholes (O’Shea, 79), Carrick, Giggs (Solskjaer, 32), Rooney (Richardson, 86), Saha.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Evra, Smith, Vidic.
Goalscorers: Saha (pen 30, 39), Solskjear (46)

Celtic: Boruc, Wilson (Telfer, 52), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Gravesen, Jarosik (Miller, 57), McGready (Maloney, 69), Vennegoor.
Subs not used: Marshall (GK), Balde, Zurawski, Evander.
Goalscorers: Hesselink (20), Nakamura (42).

Attendance: 74,031