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United cruise past Arsenal

09/04/2006

Two goals from Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park enabled Manchester United to beat a young Arsenal side 2-0 at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Thierry Henry was left on the bench by Arsene Wenger as Arsenal started with an inexperienced front pairing of Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie.

Arsenal enjoyed the better of the first quarter, dominating possession on a slick Old Trafford surface, but Arsenal’s front two both failed to capitalise on good chances.

As the half wore on, United gradually began to force their way back into the game. Jens Lehmann, outstanding all game, was forced to make a series of good saves from close-range and two long-distance shots from Rooney.

United could have taken the lead before the break and were unfortunate not to be given a penalty. Rooney rounded Lehmann, who got a glove to the ball, bringing down Kolo Toure. The Ivory Coast international appeared to handle the ball as he tumbled and knocked the ball onto the post from Rooney’s shot.

United began to turn the screw in the second half and after an extended period of pressure in the Arsenal half, Rooney finally opened the scoring.

Receiving an inch-perfect cross from the left-back Mikael Silvestre, Rooney controlled the ball expertly and shot fiercely past Lehmann.

Arsenal brought on Henry in an attempt to restore parity but the captain, receiving little possession from his team mates, made little impact on proceedings.

Park then made sure of the victory for United with a goal ten minutes from the whistle, his first in the Premiership, after good work from Rooney on the right.

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