United defeated in Monaco

Zenit St Petersburg lifted the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United.

Pavel Pogrebnyak gave the UEFA Cup holders a deserved lead in the 44th minute.

Miguel Danny added a second in the 59th minute as Zenit remained in control of the game, but United pulled a goal back through Nemanja Vidic in the 73rd minute.

Paul Scholes further added to United's misery as his rash action in the final moments of the match saw him dismissed by referee Claus Bo Larsen.

The former England midfielder, who had been booked earlier, got a second yellow for a deliberate handball in the area with United looking to draw level.

While there will be bigger prizes to win than the UEFA Super Cup and more competitive games, it is clear the Champions League holders are thin on numbers in attack.

Cristiano Ronaldo helped lighten their load in spectacular fashion last season with 42 goals.

But he is currently sidelined through injury and United, not surprisingly miss his cunning and eye for goal.

Dimitar Berbatov could be the missing link as Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez worked hard but could not break down the Russian side, who sealed a memorable victory.

Sir Alex Ferguson had spoken on the eve of the match of his admiration for managerial counterpart Dick Advocaat - and United were second best as they chased the game.