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11 points about the Birmingham match

1. Rooney's goal.  We all know the story: now Ronaldo's gone, we're expecting more goals from Wayne Rooney - especially as he's playing in his preferred position through the centre.  In which case, it was good to see him open his account on day two of the league, with his 99th goal for the club (you can watch it here).  Hopefully, there are many more to come.  Fergie certainly expects.

2. United's Zidane. There are plenty of plaudits for Rooney's overall performance yesterday - in the newspapers, on the blogs and from Fergie himself.  But the most eye-catching comes from the Brum manager, Alex McLeish, who said after the match, "Every so often natural footballers come along. You get players like Zidane and Platini and now there is Wayne Rooney."

3. Injury-hit defence.  What's wrong with our defenders at the moment?  They're dropping like flies.  United went into the day without Vidic, while Neville and Rafael are still recovering from knocks.  And then Rio goes and injures his thigh in training, and Jonny Evans hobbles off the pitch after 75 minutes.  Rio will be out for 2 weeks, but there's been no confirmation on Evans - the Beeb are reporting that the young Northern Irish defender was taken off as a "precaution", so hopefully he should be fit for the games ahead.

4. Defensive strength in depth.  Having said that, the defenders that are fit put in a decent performance.  Sure, Birmingham are no Real Madrid.  Sure, there were some shaky moments.  And, sure, Utd will never look as solid as when they have Vidic and Rio paired together at the back.  But captain-for-the-day John O'Shea marshalled his forces well, and Wes Brown and Ritchie De Laet certainly aren't bad options to have on the bench.  The clean sheet is testament to their efforts, as well as to a couple of decent saves by Ben Foster.  Despite some hints in the Times this morning, I'm not sure we need to be looking to the transfer market for defensive cover.

5. Goal-line clearance specialist.  Evra stopped one on the line against Chelsea last week, and then repeated the trick against Birmingham yesterday; getting in the way of Franck Quedrue's goal-bound header.  It capped what was an impressive performance by our left-back - reliable in defence but, also, one of our most effective attacking forces.  Just don't let him take any penalties.

6. Missed chances.  Typical United.  They dominate huge swathes of the game; should have scored a hatful; but only put one away, and end up enduring a more uncertain finish than they need have done.  Nani, Fletcher and Owen all had gilt-edge opportunities - although, to be fair, Owen's came when the match was pretty much over.  It's been said a thousand times, but bears repeating: Utd really do need to start converting more of their chances.  After all, you don't always get Birmingham at home.

7. Birmingham's best player: Joe Hart.  Of course, it didn't help that Birmingham's keeper (on loan from City) put in an impressive performance between the sticks.  Scott the Red, over at Republik of Mancunia, sums it up nicely:

"11 shots saved by the former City keeper, 9 shots off target and a further 10 blocked shots is all you need to know about what a frustrating day it was for us today. Hart was on form and their defenders were eager not to be embarrassed, so whilst I’d like to see us looking sharper in front of goal over the next few weeks, credit has to go to Birmingham’s defence."

8. Owen Watch.  After the Valencia game, Owen won't have appreciated that missed opportunity in the dying minutes of the match.  But he'll have taken heart from the positive reception Old Trafford gave him when he replaced Berbatov in the 74th minute.  I think most people expect the goals to come.

9. A confidence-boost for Foster.  After his wobbly performance at Wembley last week, Ben Foster needed a solid match to reassure both the fans and - you assume - the manager, his teammates and himself.  And that's what he delivered: some fine saves - especially from Christian Benitez late in the game - and less jitteriness with the ball on the ground.  Indeed, Fergie paid tribute to Foster afterwards, saying that, "We know he has ability and he proved that again today."  The perfect tonic for our stand-in keeper.

10. Same old Nani.  The Portuguese winger looked quite good against Chelsea last week - he really did.  But yesterday it was back to the same old Nani: wasteful in possession, lazy when off the ball, and sloppy in front of goal.  He partially redeemed himself with his cross for Rooney's goal.  But this wasn't the performance to make us forget a certain other Portuguese flyer.

11. Mighty Spurs!  United's performance may not have been the best, but a win's a win - and that win was made infinitely sweeter by Liverpool's defeat, later in the day, at White Hart Lane.  Last season, Benitez's men only lost two games.  One match down, and they're already half-way there...

Pete

In praise of Rio

No, I'm not going to praise Rio for his footballing ability, his composure on the ball, or his leadership at the heart of our defence - although he certainly deserves the acclaim gets for all that.  Instead, I have in mind his new web-based lifestyle magazine #5, which you can read here. 

I'm sure people will suggest that it's unfair for the central defender to use his influence - and shirt number - to get a leg-up in the world of the media and publishing.  But I'd look at it a different way: it's good to see a footballer doing something creative with his money, regardless of whether or not the venture is successful.  That the magazine is well put-together and readable (or should that be clickable?) makes it all the more satisfying.

Perhaps most importantly, though, #5 bridges the gap between Rio and the Utd fanbase.  The video editorial he's put together - and, say, the Ronny video that we posted up on MustBeRed earlier - give the kind of insights into the players and the club that fans crave.  Sure, #5 isn't just a ManUtd fanzine, but you've got to hope that the focus on matters footballing will continue in future issues, and that it could develop into a means of direct communication between supporters and their Premiership idols.

And there's no reason why it should end there.  In this era of spiralling wages for footballers, and spiralling ticket prices for fans, the internet can enable clubs to keep the sense of community alive.  I'd certainly follow Wayne and Coleen's Twitter feed, or download Michael Carrick's post-match podcast.  And I'd do so mainly for the glimpse they'd give me into the football club I'm devoted to.  So go on Utd, follow Rio's example.  And go on Rio, take #5 even further.

Pete

Ronnie's freestyle skills

Sit back and drool...

The video features in Rio Ferdinand's innovative new online magazine which you can access here.

Five brief thoughts on the Porto game

That goal.  I posted on it last night, and the papers are drooling over it this morning.  Ronny's goal really was quite special.

The return of Rio.  It's obvious isn't it?  Put Rio back in the heart of the Man Utd defence and it immediately looks stronger and more composed.  The boy Evans may be the heir to Ferdinand, but the experience of the Real Ferdinand is crucial in these do-or-die European ties.  As much of our success this season has come on the back of clean-sheets, it's great to have him back for the run-in.

Nani.  Now, I've always been one of the Nani sceptics.  He certainly has ability and potential, but he's never quite looked United class.  His brief appearance last night - coming on as a substitute in the 68th minute - was utterly atrocious.   He lost the ball too easily; couldn't deliver in the final third; and seemed to be shunned by his teammates on the pitch.  A performance that could well have ended his United career.

Talk of a quintuple.  Notice how talk of a quintuple has died down over the past few weeks, as United's form has stuttered?  I don't want to tempt fate, but I think that could help our cause.  The weight of expectation is always difficult  to bear, and any team - even United; especially United - will face hurdles and dips on the way to glory.  Momentum is a good thing but, in a way, it might be better if the Q-word doesn't reemerge after this victory.

Is the blip over?  Well, I guess only time will tell - but the signs are certainly promising.  Fergie spoke of the "galvanising" effect that Macheda's goal had in the aftermath of the Villa game.  But becoming the first English team to triumph at the Estadio do Dragao is a far more impressive achievement than leaking two goals at home then relying on a late, if stunning, winner.  And to do so relatively comfortably - with solidity in defence - augurs well for the matches against Everton and Portsmouth.

Pete