Van Nistelrooy, Ferdinand missing from line-up

Men of the moment Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rio Ferdinand were both missing from Alex Ferguson’s starting line-up for the final match of Manchester United’s Far East tour against Urawa Red Diamonds this afternoon.

Ferdinand, booed by a group of United fans after Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Kashima Antlers, was left on the bench, while Van Nistelrooy, who has failed to score on a tour which has seen his temper boil in every match so far, was not even among the substitutes.

United officials confirmed the Dutchman was not suffering from an injury and had been omitted by Ferguson purely to give some of his other players a game.

In Van Nistelrooy’s absence, Giuseppe Rossi was included, with Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney providing the extra attacking support to the young Italian, who has impressed over the last week, scoring in the 2-0 win over Hong Kong seven days ago.

Rooney drifted deep to bring Kieran Richardson into the game but the new England international, operating at left-back, failed to find Rossi with his attempted through ball.

Richardson burst forward again shortly afterwards, although that fun was ended by Makoto Hasebe's challenge.

Darren Fletcher had a goal disallowed after Louis Saha was ruled offside in the build-up, then Rooney caught Takuya Yokoyama with a thunderous tackle which sent both men spinning to the ground.

Hajime Hosogai’s attempts to set up Yokoyama came to nothing when the Diamonds striker completely missed his kick as he attempted to convert a low cross from 10 yards.

Alan Smith and Mikael Silvestre got in each other’s way as they attempted to reach Fletcher’s corner, then a home counter-attack broke down in disappointing fashion when Keita Suzuki sent his cross straight into the hands of Edwin van der Sar.

For the first time on tour, United were playing to a capacity crowd, containing the biggest number of English supporters so far.

Rooney’s chipped pass was just too long for Paul Scholes, who had wandered into the penalty area unattended, then the young England international cannoned a shot into Hosogai from close range.