An own goal from Kyle Walker ensured Manchester United opened the Barclays Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Spurs right-back stabbed into the back of his own net midway through the first half after a new-look United side had made a shaky start. David De Gea watched on as Sergio Romero made his debut in the United goal, with Louis van Gaal stating that the Spain goalkeeper is not in the right frame of mind.
Romero, the new signing, produced an assured display, making a couple of late saves as Spurs were unable to build on an encouraging start in which Christian Eriksen came close to opening the scoring.
Van Gaal may have seen room for improvement as he aims to turn United into title contenders this season, but will be more than happy with three points after losing at home to Swansea City on the opening day last year.
Romero, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay made their Barclays Premier League debuts for United, while Bastian Schweinsteiger was among the substitutes. Michel Vorm started in goal for Spurs, with Hugo Lloris on the bench, and Ben Davies got the nod at left-back in the absence of Danny Rose (thigh). Toby Alderweireld was the only new recruit in Mauricio Pochettino's side.
Romero could have been picking the ball out of the back of the net just four minutes into his United bow, when Harry Kane and Eriksen linked brilliantly to open up the home side's defence. Kane picked out Eriksen's run into the penalty area with a clever chip and the Denmark midfielder headed in front of him before lifting a deft lob over Romero, but on to the roof of the net.
Romero was forced to race out once again soon after to save an effort from Walker when the right-back surged forward as Spurs made an impressive start.
Walker had the ball in the back of the net 22 minutes in, but it was at the wrong end to gift United the lead out of the blue.
Nabil Bentaleb's loose pass was intercepted for United to break. Ashley Young passed to an unmarked Wayne Rooney in the area, and as the United captain prepared to shoot, Walker nipped in but could only poke the ball beyond Vorm.
Schweinsteiger was given a tremendous ovation when he replaced Michael Carrick on the hour following an uneventful start to the second half.
Young, who this week signed a new contract, came close to doubling United's lead when the ball arrived at the winger's feet at the back post but Vorm got down to smother his shot.
The agile Romero twice kept out shots from Eriksen in the closing stages and also palmed away a Kane header as Spurs applied late pressure, but were unable to salvage a point.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "It's always difficult because first time play at Old Trafford and people are very supporting. I said in advance for example to Memphis he doesn’t have to play with too much eagerness or passion.
"I said that also counts for whole team. It’s always the first time you play at Old Trafford is always difficult.
"I like the performance, especially Darmian, he played a good match with and without the ball. Romero kept the zero, he did it wonderful with saving the ball.
"He is only one week with us, this is a process, you have to wait for it."
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino: "I'm frustrated and disappointed, but very happy with the performance. I think the first 20 minutes we dominated the game, we created chances and you can see that after our mistake we conceded the goal.
"In the second half we played the same way and dominated the game Manchester United, at Old Trafford, only shot once on target. This is good for us, we created more chances and I think we deserved more than to lose 1-0.
"I'm not surprised because we always try to dominate games, this is our style, our philosophy."
