Premier League - United thump Irish League XI

Eurosport - Wed, 04 Aug 22:43:00 2010

An injury to Michael Carrick was the only sour note as Manchester United christened the new Lansdowne Road with a 7-1 win over a League of Ireland XI in Dublin.

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Ji-Sung Park scored twice, and there were goals from Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez, Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans and Nani at the newly-named Aviva Stadium.

Dave Mulcahy scored a consolation for the League of Ireland XI late in the game.

Sir Alex Ferguson picked Wayne Rooney for the first time this pre-season in a strong-looking side.

The League of Ireland XI were committed but short of quality, and it did not take long for United to break the deadlock.

Thirteen minutes in Gavin Peers looked to have dealt comfortably with Park's cross, but he lingered on the ball for an eternity and the South Korean blocked his clearance into the net.

Owen, returning from injury, added a second 10 minutes later. Park played him through, but the goal was about Owen's individual brilliance flicking a lob from a narrow angle over Gary Rogers.

Rooney was lively throughout the half, but missed a couple of chances to add to United's lead.

And there was concern for the Red Devils towards the end of the first half when Carrick hobbled off and down the tunnel.

Rooney and Owen made way at half-time for Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov, and the Mexican impressed immediately with a poacher's finish on 47 minutes from Valencia's low cross.

As the second half continued the League of Ireland XI's defence was breached time and again. Valencia bustled through to score the fourth on the hour with a driven shot on his left foot then three minutes later Park added his second with a composed finish from Evans's pass.

Evans made it six by nodding in Valencia's cross before Mulcahy rescued some pride with a classy first-time finish from Conor Powell's pass.

Normal service was resumed moments later, however, when Ken Oman brought down Hernandez crassly in the area and Nani tucked away the penalty.

Mark Patterson / Eurosport

Comment 14 - 33 of 33

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  1. well said trevorwaste - carrick is a waste of space­ verging on very ordinary - and they should tie­ berbatov,s leg to him when they throw him out

    From michael, on Fri 6 Aug 9:05

  2. united fans must be so proud after that victory­ especially after doing so so well in the usa lol

    From rawest1, on Fri 6 Aug 7:29

  3. If the overrated, slow, lazy Carrick is not available­ for the start of the season, that is a HUGE BONUS for­ United.
    Even more reason for Fergie to splash out on a­ quality midfielder.

    From trevormarch43, on Fri 6 Aug 3:36

  4. When Fergie produced his great young players like­ Beckham,Scholes,Neville Bros,and Butt it surprized the­ football world.I have got a feeling of deja vu when I­ see Hernandez,Smalling,Da Silva Twins,Macheda ,Evans­ ,Gibson etc.I think the great man is about to do it­ again

    From harrysingleton22, on Fri 6 Aug 1:14

  5. When Fergie produced his great young players like­ Beckham,Scholes,Neville Bros,and Butt it surprized the­ football world.I have got a feeling of deja vu when I­ see Hernandez,Smalling,Da Silva Twins,Macheda ,Evans­ ,Gibson etc.I think the great man is about to do it­ again

    From harrysingleton22, on Fri 6 Aug 1:14

  6. Laugh? I nearly wet myself after reading the previous­ purile childish comments. Am i right in thinkng the­ lunatics are out of the asylum on day release or if not­ some of you need to grow up & get a life. ITS ONLY­ A GAME PLAYED BY OVERPAID PEOPLE!!!!!.End of.

    From Proud to be English, on Fri 6 Aug 0:56

  7. Man U fan Haggy (previously of Norwich, now of Bishops­ Stortford) says:
    I agree the new Man U away kit is a­ bit too retro, but the fact remains that Chelsea and­ Man City once again are simply trying to buy their way­ to success. Unfortunately it is us fans that have to­ pay for this, by extortionate replica kit prices, and­ soaring ticket prices. From the showing at the world­ cup, I say its about time we all boycotted the England­ friendly, and also boycotted the first premiership­ games of the season. This will put the power of­ football back into the hands of the people, where it­ belongs. Then maybe the fa and club directors will sit­ up and listen, that players wages are not justified,­ that the cost of taking a family to see a game is not­ justified, and that we have all had enough of these­ 'fat cats'.

    From haggy, on Fri 6 Aug 0:47

  8. lol at the jealous fans. the fact is man Utd are­ invincible and will win the premiership easily.­ Looserpool enjoy your fight wit man city for seventh­ spot.

    50p head looserpool name is the laughing stock­ of the world and chinese pulled out yesterday but that­ news would not have filtered down to you yet cos you­ live in the dark ages lol you checked the record books­ yet and discovered how man utd are far mor successful­ than looserpool lol and their fan base is far larger­ than looserpools lol and as for our super cool new kit­ its the bizz and is out-selling looserpools kit by 2 to­ 1 lol

    From MUFC Champions by 9 points, on Thu 5 Aug 23:36

  9. ar5e bandit you are owned by american jews , its­ impossible to be more corrupt than that you idiot ,­ also before anyone starts talking of human rights­ issues America executes more prisoners and enough said­ about the jews the better, plus the gun ho yanks­ killing innocent people all over the world in illegal­ wars, POT KETTLE BLACK ar5e bandit, that kits­ absolutely shocking too

    From 20p head, on Thu 5 Aug 23:07

  10. man united will do it in this coming season wiz our­ man furguston

    From Nams, on Thu 5 Aug 22:16

  11. reddevils_4life99 im sure u are one of our rival club­ fans..but if u still wanted so much to abuse United­ cause ur life is suck and spoil just comment as ur­ club supporter name..dont hide ur real ugly club name..

    From Gajah_ MicH_giLeR, on Thu 5 Aug 22:03

  12. im irish and i still live in ireland and still a kid­ but man u were already gonna win from the start

    From Aaron, on Thu 5 Aug 21:49
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    so rooney couldent score against school boys i think he­ is still doped up owen best striker at united and thats­ saying something

    From robert, on Thu 5 Aug 20:28
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Alan now thats a bit rich coming from a united fan,­ your so callede fans comment on every page on here so­ expect a little back in return. Your not whiter than­ white just tainted with manure for brains. Donney is­ Uniteds biggest manure spreader how can u comment when­ that dipstick is on every story Beat an amature side­ bigdeal rooney p!ssed smoking Anderson P!ssed smashed­ his car up and thats just what the press know about. Im­ looking forward to the new season because united will­ struggle bigtime. If chain smoker Rooney gets injured­ your fooked.

    From J.J.Jamber, on Thu 5 Aug 17:35

  15. I think the title race is between Arsenal and United­ this year.

    From marti1700, on Thu 5 Aug 16:57

  16. Good news for United...bad news for others...title­ going back to us this season..

    From Gajah_ MicH_giLeR, on Thu 5 Aug 16:22
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i see 2 scousers in that pic. anyway, that kit is by­ far the worst i've seen this season.

    From c, on Thu 5 Aug 15:58

  18. Hey bitter Chelsea and Man City fans GO TO YOUR OWN­ RESULTS PAGE! OH WAIT? YOUR TEAMS LOST, SO YOU COME­ HERE TO TRY AND MAKE YOURSELVES FEEL BETTER... BUNCH OF­ SAD PRICKS

    From 19 titles,, on Thu 5 Aug 15:49

  19. The sad no-lifes running down Man U are obviously­ jealous Chelsea and Man city fans that LOST today.. 2-1­ and 3-1 hahahaha

    From 19 titles,, on Thu 5 Aug 15:42

  20. Considering that this was nothing more the a friendly I­ thought United did well. I was impressed with Smalling,­ Park, Valencia and Hernandez thought they played well.­ Was also glad about Owen scoring hopefuly he can keep­ that going for new season. I think Uniteds team is­ almost balanced I just think we need another­ midfielder, as I have doubts over Hargreaves and with­ Carrick bein injured thats why I think we need another­ holding midfielder. But good result tonight was­ impressed with United! Oh by the way just another­ slight point to make. I really dont like this new awy­ kit!?

    From Stu, on Thu 5 Aug 14:45
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