Barclays Premier League 2011/12 - - PHOTOS: Victorious Start for United Against WBA

United Beat WBA 2-1: Wayne Rooney put United ahead 1-0 in the 13th minute of the match.

A victorious start for defending champions as Manchester United took down West Brom 2-1 on Sunday (August 14) while Chelsea ended in a scoreless draw at Stoke.



Sir Alex Ferguson sent out a youthful United team including Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling and Fabio da Silva, as well as debutants David De Gea and Ashley Young, and they needed a late Steven Reid own goal to seal the points at the Hawthorns.

Ashley Young was lucky enough to get 80th minute goal for defending champions when a defender deflected a cross from Young into the net which ensured United did not follow Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in failing to win their opening match.

Veteran United star Wayne Rooney put United ahead 1-0 in the 13th minute, and West Brom leveled the score in the 37th when Shane Long's angled shot went under David de Gea, renewing questions about the new 20-year-old Spanish goalkeeper.

See more exciting moments from the match between Manchester United and West Brom:

United Beat WBA 2-1 - Ashley Young of Man United celebrating 80th minute goal, for defending champions, which a defender deflected into the net.

United Beat WBA 2-1: Celebrations after Wayne Rooney put United ahead 1-0 in the 13th minute of the match.

United Beat WBA 2-1: United lost central defender Rio Ferdinand in the second half who is reportedly out for almost 6 weeks due calf muscle injury.

United Beat WBA 2-1: Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young celebrating victory in the opener of Premier League.

United Beat WBA 2-1: West Brom leveled the score in the 37th when Shane Long's angled shot went under United's goalkeeper David de Gea.