MU 3 - 1 Chelsea - Nani Stars! Torres Misses!

Rooney misses a penalty, then Torres misses an open goal! This is highly entertaining match of football. United marching on as Chelsea crashed.

Smalling opener...

Nani magical goal...

Rooney scores the 3rd...

and then missed a penalty kick!

but Torres tops it by missing an opened goal!

Benfica 1 - 1 MU

The so called 'older' United just doesn't cut it any more. Dreadful performances from Fletcher, Carrick, Valncia and Park saw United escape a defeat in Lisbon.

A stunning 42nd-minute equaliser from veteran Ryan Giggs earned United a 1-1 draw in Lisbon after Oscar Cardozo had fired Benfica ahead in their Group C opener.

Bolton 0 Man United 5: Rooney bags another hat-trick in Reebok romp

By JOE BERNSTEIN

Last updated at 10:54 PM on 10th September 2011

Bolton tried to rough up the champions in traditional fashion and one of their uglier challenges - by Kevin Davies - left young Tom Cleverley with a suspected broken foot, which could keep him out for three months.

Wayne Rooney left the Reebok Stadium clutching another match ball as Manchester United showed that the best way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them.

But the intimidating approach, while incensing United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, failed to upset his young players.

All together now: Man United continued their excellent form

MATCH FACTS

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Eagles (Pratley 61 mins), Reo-Coker, Mark Davies, Petrov, Kevin Davies (Ngog 65 mins), Klasnic (Tuncay 75 mins).

Subs not used: Bogdan, Muamba, Kakuta, Wheater.

Yellow cards: M Davies, K Davies.

Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans (Smalling 61 mins), Evra, Nani, Cleverley (Carrick 24 mins), Anderson, Young (Giggs 61 mins), Hernandez, Rooney.

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Berbatov, Park, Fabio.

Scorers: Hernandez 5, 58, Rooney 20, 25, 68.

Referee: Andre Marriner.

Attendance: 25,944.

By the time they had torn Bolton apart with a free-flowing masterclass, Owen Coyle's men were left kicking at shadows, thanks to a Rooney hat-trick - to follow the one he scored in the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal a fortnight ago - and two goals from Javier Hernandez.

United have scored 18 in their opening four games of the season, a Premier League record and the best by any club in the top flight since Wolves in 1947.

Rooney has eight on his own, more than any other club bar Manchester City. He has now scored seven hat-tricks for United, the same as Sir Bobby Charlton.

And he is only the fourth striker - following Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright and Didier Drogba - to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the Premier League era.

Best of all, he is reunited with Hernandez, whose start to the season had been delayed by concussion suffered on tour in the US.

Ferguson said: 'Their partnership was excellent, they were a constant threat and caused our opponents big problems.'

Opener: Wayne Rooney wheels away after scoring his first

Hernandez was just as glowing in his tribute to Rooney.

'Anyone can play with Wayne, he is world-class, he can do anything,' said the Mexican.

Arguably, though, even the two strikers were overshadowed by a peerless display from Phil Jones, usually a centre-half but yesterday shining as a marauding right-back, who set up Rooney's first two goals.

Pea-sy does it: Javier 'Little Pea' Hernandez slides in to score the second

It was the perfect riposte from United, who had to overcome questionable Bolton tactics.

Jones was winded by Paul Robinson in the opening minutes and skipper Davies put Cleverley out of action with a bad challenge from behind, then put his boot down on Patrice Evra's foot.

By that stage, Ferguson was arguing with the fourth official about the lack of protection, but his players ultimately shut Bolton up by outplaying them.

Jav some of that: Hernandez celebrates his first goal

Rooney said: 'We always know Bolton is a difficult place to come. We got an early goal and kicked on. It could have been more. It was my first start with Chicharito and it's great that we both scored.'

The pre-match talk had been of how United's 20-year-old goalkeeper, David de Gea, would cope with an aerial onslaught.

But the real issue was how Bolton were repeatedly opened up by United, with England's goalscoring defender Gary Cahill and veteran goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen as powerless as anyone.

Keeping up with the Jones's: Phil crosses for Rooney's second

United had seen neighbours City go top a couple of hours earlier with a 3-0 win over Wigan, meaning they had to win by three to stay ahead of Roberto Mancini's men.

Five minutes in, the fleet-footed Nani put in a low cross and while Jaaskelainen and Cahill hesitated, Hernandez hooked it in.

All smiles: Rooney and Nani show their delight after the third goal

Bolton's response saw shots by Ivan Klasnic and Mark Davies blocked by Jonny Evans and Rooney. De Gea then palmed away a shot by Klasnic.

But the harder Bolton tackled, the better United became. Mark Davies joined namesake Kevin in the book for flattening Nani, and with alarming gaps developing down Bolton's left, Jones surged forward and crossed for Rooney to score from a few yards.

Top of the league: United leap-frogged rivals Man City

Jones then instigated United's third, cutting in and releasing a shot which hit Jaaskelainen's boot and fell kindly for Rooney to tap in the rebound.

United scored a fourth on the hour mark. Nani could have won a penalty as he was felled in the area but as the ball fell loose to Michael Carrick, his cross-shot was turned in from eight yards by Hernandez.

Double trouble: Hernandez hails his second strike

Former Liverpool striker David Ngog came on for his Bolton debut after 65 minutes but Rooney soon completed his hat-trick, taking a square pass from Nani and burying it first-time low past Jaaskelainen from 18 yards.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: 'There was never five goals between the teams. I thought the margin was hard. But United are ruthless.' He can say that again.

Hat-trick: Rooney celebrates his second trio in two Premier league games

Manchester United 8 Arsenal 2: Crushed and humiliated! Wenger in crisis as Rooney runs riot

By MATT LAWTON

Last updated at 12:49 AM on 29th August 2011

According to Gary Neville, Manchester United used to bully Arsenal physically. This, however, was more brutal than that; a far purer form of sporting torture that left Arsene Wenger and his players not only embarrassed but emasculated.

Arsenal were as bad as United were good, weakened by the absence of so many key players but weak-willed, too.

Where was that defiance and determination we saw only a few days earlier against Udinese? Where, more to the point, were Arsenal?

Here we go: Danny Welbeck (right) lifts the ball over Wojciech Szczesny to open the scoring at Old Trafford

MATCH STATS

Manchester United: De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra, Nani, Cleverley,
Anderson, Young, Rooney, Welbeck (Hernandez 35).

Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Berbatov, Giggs, Park, Fabio Da Silva.

Scorers: Welbeck, Young, Rooney (3), Nani, Ji-sung

Booked: Evans, Young

Arsenal:Szczesny, Jenkinson, Djourou, Koscielny, Traore, Ramsey, Coquelin, Rosicky, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin.

Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Oxlade Chamberlain, Chamakh, Lansbury, Miquel, Ozyakup,Sunu.

Scorers: Walcott, Van Persie

Booked: Arshavin, Jenkinson.

Sent off: Jenkinson

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Click here for the latest Premier League table, fixtures and results

This looked like a team of imposters who had tied up the real players and emerged from the Old Trafford tunnel in their kit. A team even Wenger conceded had ‘collapsed’.

‘It was painful for us,’ he said, if not a broken man then a severely battered one.

Against a United side seemingly determined to match Manchester City stride for stride, they had no answer.

Inspired by Wayne Rooney, now back to the player he was prior to that ankle injury last year and the scorer of a marvellous hat-trick here yesterday, United were terrific.

Ashley Young was only marginally inferior to Rooney, scoring his first United goals to crown a quite exceptional display on the left wing. But then they were all outstanding yesterday, even if goalkeeper David de Gea managed to take the shine off an otherwise impressive display — including a penalty save — by allowing Theo Walcott to score through his legs.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s young side again showed a level of maturity way beyond their tender years. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans were superb in central defence; Tom Cleverley and Anderson were just as dominant in midfield.

Danny Welbeck was also growing in stature until a hamstring injury brought his afternoon to a premature end and ruled him out of England’s plans. He had scored the first goal, but when he went off Ferguson was could turn to Javier Hernandez.

Denied: David De Gea saves Robin Van Persie's penalty to keep United in the lead at Old Trafford

Compare that to Wenger’s first substitute, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, hugely promising but way out of his depth as a replacement for the equally ineffective Francis Coquelin.

These are the kind of players who highlight the need for Wenger to spend some money — and fast. Yes, there were eight players missing, among them Jack Wilshere, Alex Song and Gervinho. And yes, they lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to richer, more attractive clubs.

Peach: Ashley Young curls the ball home to double United's advantage as they take control against Arsenal

But Wenger has to add strength and quality, if only to prevent more goals like Welbeck’s opener being conceded. Can you imagine Tony Adams or Sol Campbell bouncing off the young English striker the way Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny did here? They really did not look fit to wear the shirt, so pathetic were their attempts to win the ball.

Three and easy: Wayne Rooney bends home a free kick to put United three up against Arsenal

Wenger said Park Chu-young, the South Korean striker, would soon be arriving from Monaco. But he needs a Gary Cahill at the back and he needs a defensive midfielder too.

Back in it? Theo Walcott celebrates his goal but his joy was short lived as United soon took command again

United were as in control as Arsenal were out of control yesterday, with Andrey Arshavin lucky to escape with a yellow card for a shocking challenge on Jones and players arguing. Carl Jenkinson, eventually sent off for a second booking, was severely reprimanded by Walcott for allowing Patrice Evra to burst clear.

Who's a clever boy? Rooney of celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal with team mate Anderson

It was moments after their exchange that Welbeck got the 22nd-minute opener, shrugging off those challenges from the Arsenal centre halves to meet a delightful chip forward from Anderson with a header that looped over the advancing Wojciech Szczesny.

Within five minutes, Arsenal had the opportunity to equalised. Evans pulled down Walcott in the box and Howard Webb invited Robin van Persie to score from the penalty spot, but the Arsenal captain’s effort was poor and De Gea made a save that had the home supporters singing his name.

Five star: Nani salutes the crowd after putting United further in front against Arsenal

The miss proved all the more painful because of what followed two minutes later; a stunning 22-yard shot from Young that curled into the top corner.

Joy of six: Park Ji-sung (right) piles on the misery for Arsenal with yet another goal

Rooney made it three with another curling strike from a free-kick, his 150th goal for United. That Walcott then replied seconds before the break with a shot that De Gea should have dealt with did little to ease the sense that Arsenal were being annihilated.

Hat-trick hero: Rooney slots home a penalty to score his third, and United's seventh

Seeing red: Carl Jenkinson (left) is sent off after fouling Javier Hernandez

Rooney scoring United’s fourth goal by employing the exact same free-kick routine in the 63rd minute must have been all the more galling. There was worse to come.

Nani beat Szczesny in the 67th minute with an outrageous chip — again Rooney was the creator — before sub Park Ji-sung shared a one-two with Young before driving home low for 6-1.

There was a brief riposte in the form of a volley from Van Persie.

Jenkinson was the provider of that but he then earned Arsenal’s third red card of the season for a foul on Hernandez.

When Walcott, now at right-back, then brought down Evra, Rooney completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, Young making it eight with a goal almost identical to his first in second-half stoppage time.

Afterwards, Wenger requested ‘more time’ before being written off as a spent force, and he has certainly earned it.

He also deserves more support from members of the Arsenal hierarchy, who had disappeared from the Old Trafford directors’ box long before referee Webb brought an end to the torture on the pitch.

Wenger needs to bring in reinforcements, if only to ease the suffering.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2031027/Manchester-United-8-Arsenal-2-Champions-run-riot-Wengers-men-ripped-apart.html#ixzz1Y0LNUMLC

MU 8 - 2 Arsenal - Yes! It is true

Wayne Rooney led Manchester United to a spectacular eight-goal demolition of Arsenal on a day the champions answered an emphatic title statement from Manchester City.

It was a classic case of anything you can do, we can do better. First City, inspired by four-goal Edin Dzeko, thumped Tottenham 5-1 at White Hart Lane.

Then United responded by thrashing Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford to overtake City at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

All smiles: Wayne Rooney stole the show on a spectacular day for Manchester United

Rooney grabbed a hat-trick for United - on a day that established Manchester as the powerbase of English football - to inflict the heaviest defeat on Arsenal since 1896 and pile more pressure on under-fire boss Arsene Wenger.

'The performance today was incredible and we deserved the result,' Rooney said. 'Whether or not Arsenal have a full-strength squad every time we play them we have a go and try to score. They had some players out but that should take nothing away from us.'

Rooney also reached a landmark 150 goals for the club, continuing a trend against the Gunners.

'A lot of my milestone goals have come against Arsenal,' he added. 'My first goal when I was at Everton was against them and my first United goal in the Premier League came against them too.'

But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson sounded apologetic for increasing his rival’s misery.

Landmark: Rooney's goals took him above 150 for Manchester United

He said: ‘We could easily have had more goals, but, to be honest, I didn’t want to score more than eight. I was more than satisfied with the outcome.

‘Arsenal were very weakened, but you still have to do the job, which we did with some fantastic goals.’

The result appeared to take its toll on Wenger, who looked drained but vowed to fight on.

He is about to wrap up the £3million signing of Monaco striker Park Chu-young but seemed on the point of despair over a collective failure to strengthen in other areas, with time running out before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.

‘I am very open to the idea of finding the right players and there is money,’ said Wenger, who denied trying to sign Everton’s Mikel Arteta.