United sprinkle the stardust

MANCHESTER UNITED will remember their first visit to the Aviva Stadium as a pleasant stroll in a lovely park, Alex Ferguson’s team banging in seven against an Airtricity XI — and that without Smokin’ Wayne Rooney ever catching fire in front of goal.

It might have been an historic night for Irish football but as early as 40 minutes before kick-off, and with the new stadium still filling up, it was already clear that national pride stopped short of actually supporting the home side.

The announcement over the PA of the Manchester United line-up stirred the early comers to noisy life, the roar of acclaim for the night’s skipper John O’Shea exceeded only by the deafening ovation which greeted the name of Rooney.