Manchester United welcomed an in form West Ham United to Old Trafford with the home side hoping to improve on their worst ever start to a Premier League season.
The Red Devils got their wish early on with a goal in the 5th minute from skipper Wayne Rooney.
After an outstanding first half from the 28 year old, a high kick saw Rooney given a straight red to the surprise of all watching and that will now see him miss three crucial games.
Down to ten men, off came Radamel Falcao and on came Darren Fletcher to try to reduce the damage.
United dealt with a few scares, notably a late disallowed Kevin Nolan goal, but were relieved to end the match 2-1 – their second league win of the season.
West Ham put up a decent fight almost equalising at the end but the main talking point unfortunately will be about Rooney’s reckless tackle.
Here are five other things we learnt about United this week.
United’s long standing fitness coach is replaced
After recent injuries to several key United players including Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and new signing Luke Shaw, it has been revealed that Tony Strudwick, the first team fitness coach, has been replaced by Jos van Dijk – a so called fitness guru – in an attempt to halt any further depletions to the squad.
Strudwick has worked with the first team since 2007 but will now handle United’s youth players.
The English coach is well respected and worked with the England squad this summer so perhaps it is just a case of sticking to who you know best as Van Dijk has worked alongside Louis van Gaal at previous clubs.
RVP reveals United crisis meeting
After United’s 5-3 humiliation by newly promoted Leicester City, it is unsurprising that the dressing room would be in a dejected mood but striker Robin van Persie has revealed that the performance resulted in a lengthy discussion where each player had the chance to voice their concerns.
The post-match crisis meeting appears to have been fruitful as United went on to win their next match 2-1.
LVG admits to feeling the pressure
With both Barcelona and Bayern Munich on his managerial CV, many thought Louis van Gaal would have the expertise to come into Manchester United and quickly get the 20 times Premier League winners back on track.
But after a difficult run of opening games which has seen the Dutchman start worse than his predecessor David Moyes, LVG has finally admitted that the last few weeks have been his hardest moments in management.
The 63 year old has had to battle against numerous injuries and will now also have to work around the temporary suspension of Rooney.
Despite the hardships the manager also concedes that the season ‘lasts longer than a day.’ Luckily for him.
Fans plead for Ronaldo’s return
With the whispers of a possible return for former United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo echoing around Old Trafford, a section of supporters are frantically trying to make it a reality by flying a desperate banner across Spanish skies.
The banner read ‘COME HOME RONALDO – UNITED REEL’. United Reel, which is a fan group, accepted worldwide donations in order to make their feelings known.
The banner flew for 15 minutes during Real Madrid’s game away to Villarreal. It is still unknown if the banner will incite Ronaldo to put pen to paper.
Rooney expects to end career with United
With a decade spent in a Manchester United shirt Wayne Rooney has reassured fans that he will ‘more than likely’ be there for the rest of his career.
Since arriving from boyhood club Everton, Rooney has made 313 appearances for United and scored 161 goals.
2014 has been a significant year which has seen the 28 year old permanently receive the skipper’s armband and in February he signed a massive £300,000-a-week five and a half year deal.
Despite handing in a transfer request on at least one occasion Rooney remains a fan favourite and an important player for both club and country for the foreseeable future.
United supporters. Are you pleased with news that Rooney has committed his future to United? Were you embarrassed by the flying Ronaldo banner? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.
10 years ago
no big deal for Wayne, we can all admit at some point that we say that coming( commiting his future to utd) when he didn’t leave at the beginning of last season under Moyes. And for cr7, well I don’t think in as much as I want him back home, that we needed fly a plane, to pasuade him to come home, because, currently there is someone in his position right now and he ( Maria) is doing a great job. moreover Ronaldo coming back now might destabilize some of the players in the squad. just as it seems also like a desperate move( flying the bana for cr7 to come home), it has its disadvantage in terms of the price as Madrid will like to capitalize on it to make utd spend above necessary for what belongs to them(utd) from the very beginning. I did say we just let Ronaldo be for now till we have a balanced and fearful squad. then it will be hin ( Ronaldo) who will be desperate to come home.