Wayne Rooney scored the only goal off the game as Manchester United began their defence of the title with a 1-0 win over Birmingham at Old Trafford. United applied all the early pressure and Rooney, playing in his favoured central striker role, turned the ball home in the 34th minute after his initial header had struck the post.

Birmingham were then unlucky not draw level almost immediately as Cameron Jerome and Franck Queudrue both went close, then Darren Fletcher missed a good chance for United on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half, Dimitar Berbatov saw an effort cleared off the line as well as a penalty appeal.

Michael Owen came on late as substitute for the home side and passed up two opportunities.