By Ollie Irish
pa-9271276
So, a goal rush to mark the opening of the splendid new Aviva Stadium at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Fergie dignified the occasion by fielding a strong side, so the lopsided scoreline was no big surprise.
United’s goals (in order) came from Park Ji-Sung, Michael Owen (who partnered Wayne Rooney up front in the first half), Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez (his first touch of the game, having come on in the second half), Antonio Valencia, Park with his second, Jonny Evans and Nani (from the penalty spot after the lively Hernandez was fouled).
Dave Mulcahy scored the consolation goal for the hosts, on 78 minutes. Something to tell the grandkids about.
I’m very interested to see how Fergie rotates his four main strikers this season. There’s a growing feeling that Rooney/Chicharito will be the first-choice partnership – in a straight 4-4-2, or with Rooney in the hole behind the little Mexican, or with Rooney on one flank in a 4-3-3, with Hernandez as the spearheading fox-in-the-box and Nani or Valencia on the other flank – with Owen and Berbatov as the second string. And of course don’t forget Federico Macheda, who has looked sharp and stronger than ever in pre-season.