Mixed fortunes for Euro Reds
-
There were mixed fortunes for United's international contingent in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Darren Fletcher helped Scotland to a famous win over France at Hampden Park. A second half goal from Gary Caldwell kept Walter Smith's side top of Group B with nine points out of nine.
Reds' striker Louis Saha, who has been struggling with a groin problem for the last week, came on just after the hour but was unable to help the French steal an equaliser.
The in-form Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace in Portugal's 3-0 win over Azerbaijan. The United winger struck his first goal after 25 minutes, before adding a second just after the hour.
Back at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Michael Carrick suffered disappointment as England were held to a goalless draw by lowly Macedonia. The United trio all started the game, but Rio Ferdinand missed out with a back injury.
Edwin van der Sar was part of the Dutch team that earned a 1-1 draw in Bulgaria. Holland are now level on points with Romania who are top of Group G on goal difference.
John O'Shea and his Republic of Ireland team-mates endured a humiliating evening in Cyprus after going down 5-2 in Nicosia. The United utility man also picked up a yellow card to add insult to injury.
Reds' youngster Jonny Evans played a big part in helping Northern Ireland claim a point after a 0-0 draw against Denmark in Copenhagen. Evans, who also collected a second half booking, came to the rescue just before the break when he cleared the ball off the line after Maik Taylor could only push Thomas Kahlenberg's strike across goal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completed 90 minutes for Norway but was left disappointed after suffering a 1-0 defeat against the defending champions Greece.
Nemanja Vidic's Serbia side ran out 1-0 winners over Belgium in their first home game as a separate nation. The United defender played the full 90 minutes and hit the woodwork late on with a powerful header.
The next qualifying games take place this Wednesday.
Reds In International Action
Edwin van der Sar (Holland) - Albania (h);
John O'Shea (Republic of Ireland) - Czech Republic (h)
Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Gary Neville, Kieran Richardson, Wes Brown , Ben Foster (England) - Croatia (a);
Jonny Evans (Northern Ireland) - Latvia (h);
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - Poland (a);
Darren Fletcher (Scotland) - Ukraine (a)
Louis Saha (France) - Faroe Islands (h)
Nemanja Vidic (Serbia) - Armenia (h) -
Fletcher had the best result of all...
-
lucky him