Manchester United Start Far East Tour With Narrow Win Against Malaysia XI

Sir Alex Ferguson's side left it late to win the first game of their pre-season tour...

First Half:

The visitors were quickest out of the trap in a humid national stadium in Kuala Lumpur and were ahead within 10 minutes of the opening whistle, following early pressure. 

Dimitar Berbatov's rasping third minute volley, which earned a corner, preceded a Wayne Rooney chance, from which he forced Marlias to tip over the bar. 

After nine minutes, Darron Gibson had space to deliver from the right wing but could only hit the first defender. His second bite of the cherry teed up Berbatov, who made Marlias parry. However, Wayne Rooney was on hand to bury a tap-in from close range. 

The English team's ease of possession meant that the Malaysians were chasing for long periods and were limited to half-chances. Their talisman, Amri Yahyah, was prominent, though, and made life uncomfortable for Edwin van der Sar with a clever 14th minute chip, after Paul Scholes conceded possession. 

United responded with a Scholes drive which had the 'keeper scrambling and they raced into a two-goal lead before the half hour mark. Berbatov released Rooney on the left and some clever footwork from the Englishman saw him feed Nani, who timed his run into the area well. He made no mistake with the finish. 

Scholes could have made it three after being set-up by Nani and Berbatov definitely should have made it three with a free header from a corner.

There was to be a sting in the tail, however, at the end of the half, when Yahyah capitalised on a missed Patrice Evra header. From fully 30 yards, the veteran unleashed a powerful, dipping volley that gave van der Sar no chance and sent the home fans into raptures. 

Second Half:

The Malaysians took the game to their adversaries in the early stages of the second period, with Zafuan going close with a long range effort after Evra lost possession in midfield. 

United were still creating chances, however, and Paul Scholes' lofted through-ball set Rooney on his way towards goal. The striker pulled the ball out of the sky with ease but aimed his lob narrowly wide of the target. 

Within moments, though, Malaysia were level.

Substitute goalkeeper Ben Foster will cop all the blame following his lax contribution. A back-pass was mis-controlled by the England international and he allowed Amri Yahyah to steal in to slide his side onto level terms. 

Rooney immediately attempted to restore the lead, but his close-range snapshot went just over the top. 

A raft of substitutions then robbed the game of some of its continuity and chances were limited. United introduced Michael Owen for his debut and the former Newcastle captain failed to convert his first true chance for his new club. Following a ong range strike from Nani, which kind of certainty. 

You can't keep a good man down, though, and, with five minutes of the game remaining, the striker knocked in the winner.

Darron Gibson offered a fine through ball to Ryan Giggs, who was denied effectively in the area by Marlias. The ball came to the edge of the box and, with the 'keeper out of position, Owen made no mistake, aiming an accurate strike low into the corner of the net.

Manchester United Line Up: Van der Sar (Foster h/t); O'Shea, Ferdinand (Brown), Evans, Evra (Fabio); Scholes (Tosic), Anderson (Giggs), Gibson, Nani; Rooney (Macheda), Berbatov (Owen)

Goals:

Malaysia: Yahyah 45' 50' 

Manchester United: Rooney 9', Nani 28', Owen 85' 

Frank Lampard: Wayne Rooney Is The Best Player I've Played With

The England midfielder is full of praise for the Red Devils striker...

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has revealed that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is the best player he has ever played with.

The pair have performed together on numerous occasions for England, and Lampard feels they are forming a good on-field relationship.

The former West Ham United star has played alongside some of the world's finest at Upton Park and Stamford Bridge, but remains adamant that the cream of the crop is Rooney.

The 31-year-old accepts that Gianfranco Zola was an exceptional talent for the Blues, but feels Rooney is in a class of his own.

Speaking to Daily Star Sunday, Lampard said, "Wazza is the best I’ve played with.

"When Wayne exploded on to the England scene at 17 I’d never seen anything like him for his power. "His awareness is exceptional – it’s his key strength.

"Zola is top class as a player and coach.

"But the football Wayne is producing for England makes him a very special player."

The Blues star made the move across London from Upton Park in 2001, when former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri signed him for a fee of £11 million.

The Romford-born player has since made 284 league appearances for the club, scoring 83 goals.

Manchester United & Chelsea Have Both Asked For Inter Ace Ibrahimovic - Agent

Mino Raiola, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent, has revealed both Premier League sides made enquiries about the hitman...

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is wanted by both Manchester United and Chelsea, according to his agent who has revealed an interest from both teams.

Until now, all the talk regarding a possible move to the Premier League has been by and large in the papers. Raiola, has now revealed the two English giants made enquiries about his man, but no offer was made to Inter. The revelations come just 24 hours after 'Ibra' was less than clear on his future.

"Chelsea and Manchester United have both made enquiries about Ibrahimovic," Raiola told Sky Sport Italia.

"However, there has not been an offer."

Last week reports in the British media claimed United were considering making a €35million bid for the lanky striker after they missed out on Karim Benzema who joined Real Madrid.

Over the weekend, voices suggested Chelsea were looming. Ibrahimovic is currently in Los Angeles with his club but when asked about his future before leaving on Sunday he toldSky Sport Italia, "We will see, we will see. I am taking each day as it comes."

Manchester United To Offer Barcelona €29m For Samuel Eto’o – Report

The Barca striker's future could be about to be resolved, with the British press reporting that the Red Devils are poised with an offer.

anchester United are reportedly closing in on a deal for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o as they prepare to bid €29 million for the Cameroon international.

The News of the World claims that the English champions will offer Eto’o a four-year deal, worth £150,000 a week, in order to secure their man.

Neighbours Manchester City had looked favourites to sign the 28-year-old, but Mark Hughes’ side bowed out of the race on Friday, leaving the path clear for United.

The report goes on to say that Eto’o has already informed Barcelona president Joan Laporta that he will leave the Catalan outfit this summer, with Old Trafford now appearing to be his most likely destination.

The player’s agent, Jose Maria Masalles, also insisted that money was not the striker’s main motivation and that the prospect of claiming silverware was more attractive.

“At 28 he wants to join a club which will give him another chance of winning trophies,” he said.

“It can't be just about money. It has to be about the sporting project.”

Having watched Eto’o seemingly stall in his negotiations with both Barca and Man City, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have made it clear that this is their sole offer and that a swift answer is needed if the deal is to go ahead.