Defending champions Manchester United started off the new season with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Reading at Old Trafford on Sunday.

United went into the game with just one change from the team that played in the Community Shield against Chelsea with Paul Scholes replacing John O'Shea in the midfield. Meanwhile debutant Kalifa Cisse was on the bench for Reading as Steve Coppell decided to employ a defensive formation against the league champions.

With Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs tightly marked, United struggled to create clear chances. The team came close to scoring in the 24th minute when Giggs hit the post after doing well to control a cross from Ronaldo. United suffered an injury blow when Rooney limped off the field in the 37th minute after fracturing his foot that can see the 21-year old spend some time on the sidelines.

Alex Ferguson replaced Rooney with debutant Nani and was forced to use Ronaldo as a striker, since he had no back-up on the bench. United start to assume full control of the match in the second half, coming close to breaking the deadlock on more than one occasion.

Reading were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when substitute Dave Kitson was shown a red card following a dangerous tackle on Patrice Evra. United took advantage of the numerical superiority and laid siege on the Reading goal.

O'Shea, Carrick, Ronaldo and Nani all missed the target while Scholes should have scored in the final minute of the game, but his header went straight into the arms of Hahnemann. After the match, Ferguson bemoaned the loss of Rooney, stating that they would have won the game had the England international stayed on the pitch in the second half.

With the first match out of the way, United will be looking for a better result when they face Portsmouth on Wednesday. Carlos Tevez could feature in that match, with no other striking options available for Ferguson. Meanwhile Reading welcome Chelsea on Wednesday, with fans looking for a similar performance from their team.