Super Cup glory for Zenit

Pogrebnyak: On target for Zenit

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Manchester United failed to add the Uefa Super Cup to their UEFA Champions League triumph as they were defeated 2-1 by Zenit St Petersburg in Monaco.

The Russians carved out the better chances in a lively first half and took the lead just before the break when Pavel Pogrebnyak headed home from close range.

Andrei Arshavin came on for the start of the second half as Zenit continued to show the kind of form that took them to Uefa Cup glory, and Danny doubled their lead with a magnificent solo goal on 59 minutes.

Manchester United responded well and reduced their deficit when Nemanja Vidic fired a shot through a crowded six-yard area after 73 minutes

United poured forward in pursuit of an equaliser in the closing stages but Vyacheslav Malafeev pulled off a number of saves before Paul Scholes was sent off for guiding the ball into the net with his hand and Zenit held on for a famous win.

Confident start

It was obvious from the start their confidence was high and they took the game to United.

With Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick both sidelined, Anderson and Nani were given added responsibility in midfield.

However, they struggled to make an impact and Nani in particular looked rusty after suspension.

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 Carlos Tevez sent a shot into the body of Malafeev after 19 minutes.

Zenit carried a threat from set-pieces, though, and a superb free-kick from Alejandro Dominguez went narrowly wide of the post five minutes later.

Wayne 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.

Breakthrough

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 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 Pogrebnyak 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.

Stung

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' dismissal and he will now be suspended for the home Champions League game against Villarreal.