Rooney fails to inspire Manchester United to win over Rangers
Published:Despite including Wayne Rooney in their starting line-up, Manchester United made a disappointing start to their Champions League quest this season by being held to a goalless draw at Old Trafford by Rangers.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men looked short of ideas for much of the 90 minutes against a disciplined Rangers side and struggled to really test visiting goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
Meanwhile, United’s uninspiring evening was worsened when winger Antonio Valencia had to be stretchered off with a serious looking ankle injury after a challenge with Kirk Broadfoot and could be out for the remainder of the season.
The one bright spark of the evening was that Rio Ferdinand completed 90 minutes as he was one of ten changes from the team that drew 3-3 with Everton in their last Premier League game.
This meant that Javier Hernandez joined Rooney in attack, while the likes of Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov and Nemanja Vidic did not even find a place on the bench.
United are now 8/1 to win the Champions League after the result, but remain 2/5 to top Group C despite Valencia winning 4-0 against Bursaspor in the other fixture.
Despite losing both David Villa and David Silva over the summer, Valencia have won their opening two La Liga games and impressed again in Turkey, with three new recruits all finding the target.
European debutant Tino Costa broke the deadlock with a thundering 35-year drive, before Aritz Aduriz headed into an empty net before the break.
Pablo Hernandez, the one non newcomer to score, struck the third and he then set up Roberto Soldado to complete the rout.
Valencia are now 9/4 to win Group C and could improve their chances further with a victory in their next fixture, which is at home to Manchester United.
Valencia finished runners-up in the Champions League in 2000 and 2001 and are 40/1 to go one better this year. See the full Champions League winners market.
