Premier League - Friendlies: United sink Dons

Wayne Rooney kicked off Manchester United's preparations by inspiring the European champions to a 2-0 victory against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Rooney won a first-half penalty, then netted a second-half header as United cruised to the win in their first game since winning the Champions League two months ago.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, back at Aberdeen to mark the 25th anniversary of the club's 1983 European Cup-Winners' Cup triumph against Real Madrid, named nine internationals in the starting line-up against his former club.

While the injured Cristiano Ronaldo was in Portugal recovering from a recent ankle injury, Rooney, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes all found themselves on duty at Pittodrie.

England striker Rooney could have claimed a hat-trick inside the opening ten minutes but for some wayward finishing.

On three occasions, Rooney found himself with only goalkeeper Jamie Langfield to beat, but the Aberdeen man denied him each time.

But Langfield was at fault on the stroke of half-time when his rash challenge on Rooney led to referee Calum Murray awarding a penalty.

It was harsh on the Scottish Premier League team, who had caused United problems in the early stages, but Carrick - a penalty shoot-out scorer against Chelsea in the Champions League final two months ago - calmly sent Langfield the wrong way to give United the lead.

United's class began to come to the fore in the second-half and youngster Chris Eagles should have scored shortly after the interval with a far post volley that was wastefully directed over the crossbar.

But another United goal appeared inevitable and, after substitute keeper Bertrand Bossu had brilliantly kept out a Giggs header, Rooney was finally rewarded for his efforts on 68 minutes.

With Ronaldo set to be sidelined for up to three months, Rooney's goals could be crucial and he made up for his earlier misses with a crisp header from Darren Fletcher's cross that was too accurate for the helpless Bossu.

Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun was on target as the Reds beat League One outfit Tranmere Rovers 1-0 in their first pre-season friendly.Rafael Benitez ran the rule over Liverpool's supporting cast while his mind was no doubt buzzing with ways of raising the money to complete deals for Gareth Barry and Robbie Keane.

The Liverpool manager admits he has to wheel and deal to do that - but he has raised almost £14million by moving on Peter Crouch and Danny Guthrie this week.

Steve Finnan and Scott Carson were, significantly, absent from Liverpool's 21-man squad for their friendly against Tranmere at Prenton Park on Saturday with further moves likely soon.

And Benitez is not understood to be over-concerned about suggestions Arsenal are trying to snatch Barry at the last moment.

All business is now likely to be conducted while Benitez's squad are at a training camp in Switzerland for the next fortnight, during which time they will also play four matches.

It took a fine angled drive from Benayoun - who has made a point of committing his future to Anfield - to clinch a comfortable victory as Benitez's young brigade impressed.

Liverpool welcomed back defender Daniel Agger for his first game in nine months following a metatarsal injury and had Spanish teenager Danny Pacheco, the former Barcelona junior, up front.

Youngsters Stephen Darby, Jack Hobbs, Damien Plessis, goalkeeper David Martin and Emiliano Insua all had run-outs.

New signings Diego Cavalieri and Philipp Degen were introduced at the break.

Tranmere had their new names - John Curtis, George O'Callaghan, Bas Savage and Edrissa Sonko on show - but it was the expected better passing, movement and control of the Liverpool outfit that had them very much in control.

Martin had to save well from Chris Greenacre, but former Wales international Danny Coyne kept the score down until Benayoun's 20-yarder saw Liverpool ahead.

Jermaine Pennant, a target for Blackburn, hit the bar with Andy Taylor's free-kick clipping the foot of Martin's left-hand post before the break.

But this was little more than a gentle exercise in the sun to entertain a 15,000 full house.

Liverpool made seven changes at the break, with Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia and another couple of youngsters - Jay Spearing and Ryan Flynn - coming on, Academy product Martin Kelly also making a late appearance.

But the crowd had been waiting for Steven Gerrard, who arrived just after the hour-mark along with Andriy Voronin.

Gerrard had a strolling involvement, containing himself for sterner battles over the coming months.

Aston Villa lost their first match of their Alpine tour 2-1 to FC Zurich.

Almen Abdi scored a penalty in either half for the home side, with only Gabriel Agbonlahor repsonding for Villa.

Didier Crettenand scored the only goal in FC Sion's match with Everton as the Toffees also lost their first pre-season friendly.

Source : uk.eurosport.yahoo.com