Manchester United suffered a miserable opening to the Premiership season by losing Wayne Rooney after just 45 minutes to a fractured foot and failing to breakdown Reading at a packed Old Trafford.

Rooney picked up the injury as the first half neared a close, following a challenge from Reading defender Michael Duberry.

Beforehand, Rooney had been United's main goal threat and manager Alex Ferguson admitted losing the England star was a huge blow.

"The loss of Wayne Rooney was obvious. If he'd been on the pitch I think we'd have won the match."

United's number eight was thwarted by Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann early on, headed just over midway through the half and then went close with a first-time effort which led to his injury.

Other than that the Red Devils only threatened briefly in the opening half when Ryan Giggs struck the post with a fierce volley.

After the break United were forced to play John O'Shea as an emergency striker in Rooney's absence, while Nani came on to make his debut.

But it was Reading's American goalkeeper Hahnemann who was the hero, saving well from O'Shea, Michael Carrick, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes as the home side piled on late pressure.

At the other end Reading rarely threatened, but took defending to another level when substitute David Kitson was sent off after just 37 seconds for a dangerous challenge on Patrice Evra.