Man Utd midfielder Paul Scholes has made a quicker return to fitness than expects after playing in the 4-0 friendly triumph over Dunfermline.
Scholes, 32, was injured during a pre season game against FC Seoul in United's Asia tour and returned to England for exploratory knee operation.
But Scholes was in a United team at East End Park, that also included Owen Hargreaves, who was making his debut.
Scholes' involvement means he would play against Reading Sunday.
Another United side ran out 3-0 winners against Glentoran in Belfast Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in either team however the winger expects to shake off a minor ankle knock in time for United's Premier League opener.
08 August 2007
Nani scored a spectacular goal and Frazier Campbell and Patrice Evra netted as Man Utd eased to a 3-0 triumph over Glentoran in Belfast.
Provided he manage to complete his house move in time, Alex Ferguson would have been able to sit back in his favourite armchair and reflect on a satisfactory day.
In fact, the only thing Ferguson had to vex himself about, apart from any breakages by the removal men, was the return of Nani's gymnastics.
Told by his manager to stop them after scoring his 1st United goal on their recent Far East tour, Nani had taken advantage of his Ferguson's absence to treat a capacity 14,000 crowd after firing home a superb effort in a comfortable 3 goal win.
The goal would easily force Nani into Ferguson's starting line up Sunday, when United start the defence of their Premier League title against Reading.
But, with the Scot due back in the dugout at Old Trafford, it seems a fair bet the Portugal international will not be repeating the acrobatics.
A packed Oval, drawn by the most glamorous visitors probable to celebrate their 125th anniversary, were treated to a majestic United stroll.
The supporters were denied the opportunity of seeing not only Cristiano Ronaldo, who pulled out with a minor ankle injury, as well as Carlos Tevez and Gabriel Heinze.
It had taken only 5 minutes for the visitors to seize the initiative, Lee Martin snapping up possession following Colin Nixon's mistake, then floating over a cross which Campbell expertly volleyed home.
Campbell has impressed during United's pre season campaign, even if the forward must wait until the Red Devils venture into the Carling Cup next month before he tastes senior action again.
It was Campbell who supplied the final pass for his side's 2nd goal, laying the ball off to an overlapping Evra, who belted home.
With only 14 minutes on the clock it looked like becoming a humiliating landslide for the Glens on their historic night.
Thankfully, Michael Dougherty made a few timely, if unconvincing, saves, allowing the Northern Irish club to build something of a defensive barricade.
They needed it too as Nani, Anderson and Michael Carrick weaved pretty patterns outside the box.
Inspite of the pressure, Glentoran did manage a few attacks themselves, Daryl Fordyce bravely throwing himself at one Gary Hamilton cross, only to connect firmly with the far post rather than the ball.
The 1st half highlight came 10 minutes before the break as Nani fired home in impressive fashion.
Having reportedly heeded Ferguson's advice to stop his trademark celebrations, it was something of a surprise to see Nani complete his trademark double somersault.
The 2nd period, which saw Glentoran field almost a completely different side, was a fairly uneventful, even though Nemanja Vidic was forced off after taking a blow to his head.
Paul Leeman did hook Martin's effort off the line and China international Dong Fangzhou was also off target after being presented with a decent opportunity.
But United were content to remain in 2nd gear, knowing far stiffer challenges will lie ahead over the next 9 months.
08 August 2007
Alex Ferguson was informed he would not watch Man Utd's friendlies Wednesday because he has to help his wife move house.
The Ferguson family are in the process of moving into their new residence this week and the United manager's partner Cathy said there is no way he would go to either of the champions' games at Glentoran and Dunfermline.
Ferguson could be the main man at Old Trafford however he knew better than to cross his wife, so his coach Mike Phelan was in charge at the Dunfermline game, whilst assistant Carlos Queiroz had taken the remaining players to Belfast.
"I informed her I had a match however she was not having any of that," Ferguson said. "She mentioned it was a friendly and I had to help her. Actually, she's saved me from making a difficult choice. My father played for Glentoran however I also have close associations with Dunfermline, where I played the best football of my career before my transfer to Rangers."
08 August 2007
Carlos Tevez, Gabriel Heinze and Cristiano Ronaldo remained at home as Man Utd prepared to complete their final pre season preparations in Scotland and N. Ireland.
With Tevez's registration not completed, Alex Ferguson had little option other than to exclude the 23 year old from the sides which travelled to Glentoran and Dunfermline respectively.
Instead the forward expects to go through another training session at Carrington in the hope he will in the end be cleared to play some part in Sunday's Barclays Premier League opener against Reading.
Heinze was excluded from action too, having reported back for pre season training with a small muscle injury.
The Argentinian is unlikely to figure against Reading either, which means he will not play before the Premier League arbitration panel sit in judgement on his proposed transfer to Liverpool Tuesday.
Whilst the absence of Tevez and Heinze was anticipated, Ronaldo's failure to make the flight to Belfast robbed Glentoran of the undoubted player attraction of their 125th anniversary celebrations.
There was no immediate word from Old Trafford on the precise reason for Ronaldo's omission, even though the Portugal winger completed the full 90 minutes at Wembley Sunday without any apparent problem as United beat Chelsea on penalties in the Community Shield.
Ferguson, who has remained at home as well after being informed by wife Cathy he must help out with a long-planned house move, did receive some good news though as Paul Scholes headed off for Dunfermline.
Scholes expects to be missing for at least another week after flying home from the pre season tour of the Far East to undergo minor knee surgery.
But the former England player could be in line for a place in Ferguson's team at the weekend should he come through tonight's test at East End Park with no problem.
Joining Scholes at Dunfermline will be Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves, Ryan Giggs and Scotland international Darren Fletcher.
Meanwhile, with no Ronaldo or Tevez to cheer, the Glentoran fans must satisfy themselves with England duo Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick, plus new arrivals Anderson and Nani.
