MONACO, August 29 -- Zenit St Petersburg romped to a surprise
UEFA Super Cup victory over European champions Manchester United at
Monaco's Stade Louis II on Friday.
Pavel Pogrebynak opened the scoring and Danny, who cost an
astonishing £24million, extended the UEFA Cup winners' lead before
Nemanja Vidic pulled a goal back.
United's misery was completed late on when Paul Scholes was sent
off for a second bookable offence after committing a deliberate
handball in the area with United looking to draw level.
While there will be bigger prizes to win than the Super Cup and
more competitive games, it is clear the Champions League holders
are thin on numbers in attack.
Cristiano Ronaldo helped lighten their load in spectacular
fashion last season with 42 goals. But he is currently sidelined
through injury and United, not surprisingly, miss his cunning and
eye for goal.
Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez worked hard but could not break
down the Russian side, who sealed a memorable victory.
Sir Alex Ferguson had spoken on the eve of the match of his
admiration for managerial counterpart Dick Advocaat -- and United
found themselves chasing the game.
Former Rangers boss Advocaat has won widespread acclaim for the
way he has transformed Zenit and turned them into winners.
The Russians chalked up a notable double last season securing
the UEFA Cup and their domestic title.
It was obvious from the start their confidence was high and they
took the game to United.
United were anxious to make up for the disappointment of losing
to Lazio the last time they appeared in the Super Cup nine years
ago.
However Pogrebnyak was quickly into the action and peeled away
from his marker before spooning his effort over the top.
United responded and Tevez sent a shot into the body of
Vyacheslav Maleev after 19 minutes.
Zenit carried a threat for set-pieces, though, and a superb free
kick from Alejandro Dominguez went narrowly wide of the post five
minutes later .
Rooney almost put United ahead in the 35th minute after a
surging run by Tevez only for the goalkeeper to make a marvellous
block.
Zenit hit back immediately and Ivica Krizanac came close after
another good free kick from Dominguez.
Danny then headed wide in the 42nd minute before Pogrebnyak made
the breakthrough. He headed in at the back post after Igor Denisov
had flicked on a corner from Dominguez to leave United rattled.
The unsettled Andrei Arshavin, who has been linked with a move
to Tottenham, came on for Zenit at the start of the second half but
Rooney gave them a scare in the 56th minute, getting clear on the
edge of area only to see his effort go narrowly wide of the
post.
Tempers flared a minute later when Vidic and Pogrebynak were
left on the floor in a nasty clash of heads.
Anderson, in particular took exception to the challenge and was
booked for his troubles.
Zenit stunned United again in the 60th minute by extending their
lead with a magnificent effort from Danny.
He ran from deep, shrugged off Rio Ferdinand and cut inside
before rifling a shot beyond Edwin Van der Sar.
United were stung but pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute when
Vidic scored from close range after Tevez had cut the ball back
from the by line.
Substitute John O'Shea almost pulled United level in the 86th
minute, only to see his header tipped away by the goalkeeper.
Zenit then launched a swift counter attack and Danny chipped Van
der Sar but his effort went over the bar.
United's irritation at playing second fiddle to Zenit was
emphasised at the death with Scholes dismissed for palming the ball
into the net and he will now be suspended for the home
Champions League game against Villarreal.
