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The pressure in replacing Van der Sar seems to have gotten to De Gea, and Sir Alex has to find some confidence for the youngster.

It wasn't altogether convincing performance from the champions, as Manchester United struggled past West Brom to win 2-1 at the Hawthorns.

After an explosive start, United scored the opener through Wayne Rooney. The Englishman seems to have found form, unlike the beginning of last season when he laboured after a disappointing World Cup, and the goal was just sublime. He back-flicked Fabio's pass to Ashley Young and raced forward to collect the return, after which he burried a left-footed drive from the centre of the box.

However, things were'nt comfortable for the Champions. New keeper David De Gea was struggling, after failing to impose himself in aerial battles. And it was a mistake from the 20-year-old which led to the equalizer. Fabio lost the ball in the centre of the field, and West Brom worked their way up the park. Shane Long found the ball wide left and he cut in before striking with his right towards the far post. De Gea appeared to dive over the ball, as it slipped beneath his body on its way to the back of the net.

To compound United's problems, centre-halves Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both went off injured in the second half. Sensing the nervousness in the visitors defence, West Brom probed. Tchoyi's shot was clawed from under the bar by De Gea, while Brunt sent a shot just over. Not to say the home side dominated. United missed chances, with Nani guilty of spurning two glorious opportunities.

Eventually, with 10 minutes to go, Young's cut-back cross was inadvertently deflected in by Steven Reid, giving United a hard-fought win.

Although they didn't follow Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in drawing their opening game, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have a lot of thinking to do. He has to instill some confidence into De Gea, whose quality is in no doubt, while his defence, with Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra and Rafael all injured, has to be enforced.

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