Top > Sport > 2006 > September > 2006-09-15

United perfect, better than previous season

By beating Celtic in a British derby, Manchester United maintained a perfect start to the season with five wins from five matches in both the Premier League and now the Champions League. The come-from-behind 3:2 victory in their opening Group F match at Old Trafford on Wednesday also equaled the team`s goal tally for all of last season`s group games.

Celtic was first to score. Dutch international striker Jan Vennegoor excited the 6,500 Celtic supporters who made the trip to Manchester after 21 minutes. But two goals by Louis Saha brought the score to 2:1 in favor of the home team. Japanese midfielder Shunsake Nakamura tied the game with a free-kick two minutes before the half-time break, before Manchester ultimately went ahead with substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer`s decider in the 47th minute.

United manager Alex Ferguson had allowed record European scorer Ruud Van Nistelrooy to leave in the summer. Ferguson`s faith in Louis Saha proved justified. United are hoping to improve on their poor record in the competition last season. A 100 percent record so far this season could serve as a confidence boost and a warning to the rest of the group.