Red-hot Rooney off to a flyer

ONE positive for Alex Ferguson is that while Manchester United gave their usual below-par opening day performance, at least there were three points to show for it, but he will expect plenty more from his team than they served up yesterday if a record fourth consecutive league title is to be won.

It may feel like a cliche now but the truth is that United rarely start the season strongly and while there is more to come from the team, Ferguson can be pleased with some impressive individual performances, particularly from Wayne Rooney, and the knowledge that even without Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, he has plenty of cover at the back. The concern is that he will certainly need it.

Nemanja Vidic could return at Wigan next week after a shin injury but Rio Ferdinand is facing a fortnight out with a thigh problem he picked up in training, while Jonny Evans also limped off yesterday and Gary Neville has only just started training again.

But there was some good news. Rooney seemed to rise to the challenge of filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo more than most, although his team-mates look like they will take time to get used to a more rigid 4-4-2 system.

The England forward understandably struggled to continue his development at the same rate as his mid-teens and looked to have settled at a level a couple of years ago but is once again showing that he can elevate himself further and be Ferguson’s main man.

He spent much of the day on the shoulder of the last man but created an early chance for himself by dropping into the hole and hit a dipping shot that Joe Hart had to tip away.

His role in the only goal of the game was equally impressive.

Rooney delayed his jump to meet Nani’s cross, judging the flight of the ball perfectly as it flew over Franck Queudrue, and despite heading onto the post, he was alert enough to again beat the Birmingham defender to the ball to tap in.

Ferguson is doing nothing to play down the expectation now being heaped on Rooney’s shoulders.

“Wayne is off to a flying start and he took his goal well,’’ he said. “The header was a good one, but he reacted the right way by following up for the rebound. With his goal in the Community Shield last week, hopefully he is on the road to getting a significant total for us this season.

“He is capable of getting more than 20 goals for us this season. We know it’s not impossible for the boy and hopefully he will do that. The first game of the season can be like that sometimes for us. Three points is better than we have done for the last couple of years. I will take eight one-nils every season.’’

Darren Fletcher wasted a great chance in first-half added time as Birmingham persisted with a containing 4-5-1 despite going a goal down and even when Alex McLeish brought on Garry O’Connor midway through the second half, it was for lone striker Cameron Jerome.

For all their possession on the edge of Birmingham’s area, United failed to add to their lead leaving them open to some nervy moments late on, Ben Foster denying Christian Benitez with a solid stop from the visitors’ best chance before substitute Michael Owen failed to convert late on after Rooney played him through.

McLeish knows the important matches will be games like Portsmouth on Wednesday but was clearly impressed with Rooney’s showing. “You get the Zidanes and Platintis of this world and I’ve seen them over the years and it’s just natural.’’

MAN OF THE MATCH: Wayne Rooney (United): Relished a definite role at the top of United’s formation and was always effective. His goal was that of a classic centre-forward, from the lay-off in the build up to the presence of mind to follow-up after his initial header hit the post.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Lee Mason 8: Kept game moving and employed a fairly casual approach.

MATCH RATING: *** Not the most exciting but plenty for both managers to think about.