United lose Super Cup

Manchester United failed to become the ninth British winners of the Uefa Super Cup when they lost narrowly 2-1 to an impressive Zenit St Petersburg in Monaco.

For the first 60 minutes Zenit were comfortably two goals ahead through a fist half header from Pogrebnyak then a wonderful solo effort from Portuguese star Danny on 58 minutes.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson had been insistent this was a cup he wanted to win and only after the Russians were two goals clear did his team make any attempt to get a result.

Suddenly it was United who looked the stronger side and their dominance was rewarded on 72 minutes when defender Nemenja Vidic forced the ball home from close range.

John O'Shea and Carlos Tevez had opportunities to equalise but United's misery was complete in the final minute when Paul Scholes was dismissed for a second yellow card after a blatant hand ball.

The United chief acknowledged his side only came to life once they were behind. He told ITV1,"We probably played our best football when we were two goals down and then we created one or two chances, but it was a very warm night, an open game and their were some tired players out there at the end.

"Tevez was outstanding, he was fantastic. We had some of the best chances in the match, but that happens.