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The champions enjoyed three-quarters of possession throughout but were unable to break through an organised and well-manned Reading rearguard.

The visitors had Dave Kitson sent off 17 minutes from time for a bad challenge on Patrice Evra - just a minute after the striker came off the bench - but in the end held out with relative ease as United were reduced to firing long shots.

Ryan Giggs hit the outside of the post with a volley and Paul Scholes went close with a header, but otherwise Sir Alex Ferguson's side failed to find space inside the box and rarely troubled Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann.

They were the only side of the 'big four' who failed to win on the opening weekend, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all claiming maximum points in their matches.

While the loss of two points will not panic Sir Alex Ferguson, he will be concerned at the departure of Rooney, who was injured in a challenge with Michael Duberry in the 38th minute.

He immediately removed his left boot and looked in pain, playing on until half-time before being withdrawn, sparking fears of another broken metatarsal bone in his foot, an injury that would rule him out for months.

United lined up with none of their big-name summer signings in their starting XI, with Nani on the bench and Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez and Anderson watching from the stands.

With his first-team place under threat from Hargreaves, Michael Carrick enjoyed a good game, dictating play with his impressive range of passing from the start.

But with no recognised target man and Reading denying United space in the box, Ferguson's side failed to create many clear-cut chances.

Their best move came on 24 minutes when Ronaldo left Stephen Hunt in a heap with a neat stepover and crossed deep to the left for Giggs, who unleashed a volley but watched it ricochet unluckily for a goal kick off the outside of the woodwork.

Rooney's departure meant a debut for Nani, who showed impressive touches and fired some clean shots.

But the lack of a physical threat led to the introduction of John O'Shea as a makeshift striker - just weeks after forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Alan Smith were sold.

The Irishman was presented with a decent chance on his left foot two minutes after the hour mark, but saw his effort parried by Hahnemann.

Kitson saw red 57 seconds after coming on for a needless and rash sliding challenge on Evra that saw him make heavy contact with the Frenchman's angle.

The United pressure intensified as Wes Brown met a Giggs corner with his head, but again Reading's American keeper was on hand to smother it.

Scholes also had a chance after Fletcher knocked down a Nani cross, but the attacking midfielder's header had insufficient power to beat Hahnemann.

Ronaldo fired a number of bullets from long distance late on, but failed to find his range and Reading - despite barely entering the home side's half - had their point.

Alex Chick / Eurosport