Man Utd Photo/Picture Album

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Manchester United fixtures 2009/10

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

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WITH one sweet swish of his left boot and delicate application of instep to orb, Michael Owen was back. He preened himself before his new club’s supporters and they sang the chorus they had been storing since Sir Alex Ferguson signed him: “Are You Watching Merseyside?” Manchester United were also back, finding true form for the first time this season.

How inevitable it happened at Wigan. They have faced Ferguson’s team 10 times since reaching the top flight and lost each time with a cumulative goal difference of -26. If this was cricket, they would be known as United’s rabbit.

In fairness, Wigan did not do their Flopsy Bobtail act until 11 minutes into the second half, when Wayne Rooney scored his 100th goal for United with a sharp and decisive header, to jolt his team out of their early-campaign lethargy and break his opponents’ resolve. Until then, Roberto Martinez’s men were competing, trading chances with the champions and pressing a United midfield and forward line which — except for Rooney and the industrious Darren Fletcher — seemed worryingly containable.

Rooney’s goal woke Dimitar Berbatov, who scored a fine one of his own and helped Rooney notch a second before Owen struck. In stoppage time Nani exposed Chris Kirkland’s poor positioning with a crafty free kick and suddenly Wigan faced their record Premier League defeat.

While it remained 0-0, doubts created by Wednesday’s defeat at Burnley still hung over United. “You always look for a response,” said Ferguson.

“We’re not going to kill ourselves because of it but we’re going to take reminders from it. It shouldn’t have happened but it did happen and the players had to do something about it.” Owen’s strike pleased him particularly. The striker, introduced for Rooney, tailored his run expertly to the needs of Nani who required time to manoeuvre into a position from which he could deliver a telling ball, something the Portuguese, in his most mature United performance to date, did with aplomb. The pass found Owen in a pocket of space no bigger than a picnic-rug, with Kirkland fast advancing. His dinked finish was instant, sending the ball home via the far post.

“Fantastic goal, great run, the movement was excellent,” Ferguson slavered. “Michael has been England’s best goalscorer over the last decade and he proved that today. It will do him the world of good.” Rooney — marvellously for England — is adopting his colleague’s predatory mien. Goal No 100 came via a cross by Antonio Valencia. Rooney’s next strike went in off Mario Melchiot’s shins after Berbatov found him in the box.

Berbatov looked typically enervated before scoring and energised thereafter. In a give-and-go with Paul Scholes he reached Scholes’ chipped pass, flicked it over Kirkland and hooked home the bouncing ball. “Their first goal affected us too much psychologically,” said Martinez. “It was two different games.”

Though Berbatov (misdirecting a header), Scholes (miscuing a drive) and Rooney (foiled by Kirkland) missed first-half chances, Wigan also made opportunities. Jason Koumas caught Gary Neville flat-footed in possession and smacked in a swerving shot that Ben Foster, fully extended, pushed away.

Foster made an even better save to repel Hugo Rodallega’s looping header immediately after Rooney scored for 1-0. Forget Owen being back, Nemanja Vidic returned and that, fundamentally, is far more significant for United. With him leading their backline, United gained an assurance in defence missing while he was out with an ankle injury. Titus Bramble executed a fine interception to stop Berbatov scoring but Vidic’s tackle on Charles N’Zogbia, with the midfielder poised to run clear, was just as good.

Rodallega made the mistake of roughing up Foster and appeared to suffer off-the-ball retribution from Vidic and his elbows. Rodallega will bully plenty of defences but not one containing the Serb. For strikers it must be like jousting with a malevolent pair of giant scissors.

WIGAN: Kirkland 6, Melchiot 6, Scharner 6, Bramble 7, Figueroa 7, N’Zogbia 6 (Scotland 73min), Thomas 5, Diame 5 (McCarthy 74min), Koumas 6 (Sinclair 62min), Gomez 6, Rodallega 6

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http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/3309288/

Standing room only: Arsene Wenger is lost for words after being sent off at the end of Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford

It will go down as one of the iconic moments of the season. Having seen his side denied a late equaliser through the linesman’s offside flag, Arsène Wenger was sent off by referee Mike Dean for his protests.

The Arsenal manager climbed to the back of the dugout but was told he needed to move to the stands.

So he clambered up above the benches, standing on a platform in front of the directors box, arms spread out in mockery. Happy now? It was symbolically rich moment.

You could understand his frustration if not his actions. His Arsenal side had somehow lost to an unconvincing United courtesy of an unlikely penalty and a freak own goal. No wonder Wenger’s sensitivity to persecution was at its rawest.

Arsenal will receive a £25,000 FA fine after they received six bookings – United had three in an ill tempered game – and with one of them coming for Emmanuel Eboue’s dive, Wenger will again have to defend his side from the accusations of cheating.

What with the furore about Eduardo’s dive in midweek, Mike Dean evidently didn’t want to be duped by into giving away a penalty.

Unfortunately he took that to the point of absurdity shortly before half time. The ball had broken to an unmarked Arshavin in the far side of the penalty box.

Darren Fletcher, firefighter supreme, came sprinting across, slipped and absolutely flattened the Russian. It even looked like he handled the ball in committing the foul. A more certain penalty you will not see all season; Dean waved play on.

Wenger’s touchline apoplexy – already at arm-flapping levels of intensity over United’s persistent fouling – was understandable but was calmed by the delivery of almost instant compensation by the football gods.

Arshavin certainly is capable of exploiting the physics of kicking a ball with results beyond the ability of most mortals. Just moments after picking himself up in disbelief after Fletcher’s challenge, he received the ball some 25 yards out and, with Nemanja Vidic failing to close, sent the ball hurtling into the near post with illogical power.

It was the goal the game needed. Until that point it had suffered from a lack of cohesive play – particularly from an inarticulate United – and a nasty undercurrent that had produced four bookings. With Dimitar Berbatov dropped, Rooney was often left on his own up front and chances were few.

Fletcher had sent an early left-footed volley over but otherwise United’s usually ruthless counterattacking lacked conviction. And there can be few games where an Alex Ferguson side has so frequently surrendered possession.

Arsenal certainly played with more menace. With 25 minutes gone they almost opened the scoring, Van Persie cutting inside Vidic and shooting, his effort deflecting off Patrice Evra and wide. The ball broke to Arshavin from the ensuing corner and the Russian cleverly tried to squeeze the ball into the top corner, sending it just wide.

The outstanding Arshavin was involved again as Arsenal came close to extending their lead minutes after the restart. He seemed to get the ball stuck under his feet running into the area but then surged to the byline and drove a low cross in to Van Persie. The Dutchman met the ball crisply but Ben Foster stuck out his left boot to stop it crossing the line.

A superb reaction save and the hinge in the game. From that moment things began to swing in United’s favour as the game ramped up in intensity. Out of nowhere, United had a penalty.

Rooney raced Almunia for a ball that had in behind Gallas, got their first and was brought down by the goalkeeper. Penalty? There were several problems with the decision.

First was the fact that Rooney was not in control of the ball and had he not been touched the ball would have shot out for a goal kick.

The second issue was that Rooney was already going down before Almunia made contact. Still, contact in the area: penalty. Rooney converted calmly.

Arsenal swiftly tried to recover the lead. Abou Diaby went surging down the right and was fouled by first Rooney and then Wes Brown.

Both were booked and from the free kick, Van Persie hit a viciously swerving shot that thudded into the middle of the cross bar.

Two minutes later and United had a wide free kick of their own which Ryan Giggs sent swinging into the Arsenal box. What happened next was bizarre.

Diaby, completely on his own was comfortably under the incoming ball but inexplicably guided his header into his own net.

The was the chance to put some stoppage-time gloss on the result when united, belatedly, counterattacked with real potency, Rooney finding Nani who hit the pass of the game with the outside of his boot for Berbatov to chase.

The Bulgarian mis-hit his shot embarrassingly. Nani wasted an equally inviting chance moments later. The points were safe by then though, surely?

Had William Gallas not drifted offside, Van Persie's late equaliser might well have stood and Wenger would have been spared his dramatic exit.

Andrey Arshavin celebrates his goal

Manuel Almunia brings down Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney slots home from the spot

Rooney celebrates his spot kick

Abou Diaby heads into his own net

Robin van Persie is gutted after his late goal is ruled offside

Fuming Arsene Wenger boots a bottle in the air - and is sent off

Arsene Wenger climbs into the stands

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CURL POWER ... Ryan Giggs bends the ball into the top right corner

Midfield ace Anderson lashed United into the lead before Paul Scholes was dismissed and Wayne Rooney wrapped up the points.

Scholes was sent off for two trademark fouls — all in the space of five minutes. The veteran was booked for a late studs-up tackle on Defoe. And he was given a second yellow for a lunge on Tom Huddlestone on 59 minutes.

And Alex Ferguson blew his top at ref Andre Mariner — claiming Scholes' reputation as a rubbish tackler was to blame for the red. He moaned: "It was terrible sending off, I think the referee got it wrong. I have looked at the video twice and I don't see any sending off. "The Tottenham player is the one who has committed the real foul. Scholesy was a foot above him. He's never touched him.

"He's been sent off because his name is Paul Scholes. That is why he was sent off. It was a ridiculous decision. "It could have mattered. You are down to 10 men against Tottenham and only have a one-goal advantage. It's not easy."

Harry Redknapp saw his 100 per cent record blown away by the champions. But the Spurs boss wasn't too downcast to have finally lost.

He said: "I have never got carried away. It's still a great start, 12 points from five games. It wasn't an easy start for us in terms of games this season, with Liverpool and Man United at home, but I fancied us to get something.

"We had a fantastic start and we were seeing three points again. But we knew they would come back - that's why they win titles and European titles. "They have outstanding players - (Darren) Fletcher was fantastic, I thought."

Paul Scholes gets his marching orders

Premier League champions Manchester United overcame the second-half dismissal of Paul Scholes to end Tottenham Hotspur's 100% start to the season with a 3-1 win at White Hart Lane.

England striker Jermain Defoe gave Spurs the lead after just 47 second but United hit back through a Ryan Giggs freekick, Anderson's first competitive goal for the club and a Wayne Rooney strike.

It was meant to be the game when Spurs proved their top-four credentials after four straight wins but instead it was United who showed their steel, if anyone thought they would not challenge for titles without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal

Tottenham: Cudicini, Corluka (Hutton 69), King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios (Jenas 46), Defoe, Crouch, Keane (Kranjcar 72). Subs Not Used: Gomes, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Naughton. Booked: Palacios, King, Jenas. Goals: Defoe 1.

Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson (Nani 81), Giggs, Berbatov (Carrick 62), Rooney. Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Owen, Fabio Da Silva, Jonathan Evans, Valencia. Sent Off: Scholes (59). Booked: Vidic, Scholes. Goals: Giggs 25, Anderson 41, Rooney 78.

Att: 35,785

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

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United have registered 35 players for this season's Champions League group stages, and it is also positive to note that Owen Hargreaves has been included.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men kick off the new European campaign away to Besiktas on 15 September in Istanbul.

The Reds midfielder isn't due back at the club on 23 September, where it is hoped he will begin the final phase of his recovery tendonitis after surgery on both knees last season.

But it is positive nonetheless that he is being considered for action during the group stages.

Hargreaves has been in America working on his rehabilitation programme over the summer and it would now seem he is nearing the end of a year-long road to recovery.

United's Champions League squad numbers in full are:

1.Van der Sar, 2.Neville, 3.Evra, 4.Hargreaves, 5.Ferdinand, 6.Brown, 7.Owen, 9.Berbatov, 10.Rooney, 11.Giggs, 12.Foster, 13.Park, 15.Vidic, 16.Carrick, 17.Nani, 18.Scholes, 20.Fabio, 21.Rafael, 22.O'Shea, 24.Fletcher, 25.Valencia, 26.Obertan, 27.Macheda, 28.Gibson, 29.Kuszczak.

Additional players registered*: 8.Anderson, 19.Welbeck, 23.J.Evans, 31.C.Evans, 33.Hewson, 36.Gray, 37.Cathcart, 38.Zieler, 39.Chester, 40.Amos.

*UEFA rules permit any player born on or after 1 January 1988 who has been eligible to play for the club for any uninterrupted

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Sunday, 20 September 2009

Michael Owen

Late show: Michael Owen fires home the winner for United in the dying seconds

Michael Owen stole the show in a derby for the ages as Manchester United defeated Manchester City 4-3 and demonstrated why the team from Old Trafford remain the city's dominant force.

Michael Owen believes he proved his dedication to Manchester United with his dramatic last-gasp winner against Manchester City at Old Trafford.

Owen spent eight years playing for United's bitter rivals Liverpool but Sir Alex Ferguson signed him this summer - and the 29-year-old scored his second goal for the club to seal a 4-3 win deep in stoppage-time against City.

When asked if that would confirm hero status with United fans, Owen told Sky Sports: "Yes, if there was any doubt before then maybe. It was always going to create noise when I joined but even if the fans didn't take to me you're never going to pass up an opportunity to play for team like this."

First blood: Wayne Rooney thunders the ball in past Shay Given after two minutes

Back of the net: Darren Fletcher gives United the lead again from this header

High on life: Sir Alex Ferguson jumps for joy after Owen's late winner for United

Dejected: Former United player Carlos Tevez just cannot believe it as Owen nets

City equalised three times before Owen struck. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring before Gareth Barry took advantage of Ben Foster's error. Darren Fletcher scored two headers, with Craig Bellamy levelling twice for the visitors.

"We dominated and the lads played well for a lot of the game," Owen added. "There were individual mistakes but over the years before I was here the defence has been fantastic."

Fletcher added: "It was an unbelievable match, we showed great character to come back. The goals were mistakes but we look at the positives - we showed character to the end."

Manchester United fans before the kick off

Carlos Tevez robs Ben Foster to set up the equaliser

Darren Fletcher nods home shortly after the break

Bellamy fires a stunning leveller

Darren Fletcher heads home to make it 3-2 to United

Fletcher slides to cheers his second

Bellamy slides the ball in to level late on

Bellamy celebrates his dramatic late equaliser

Owen fires home in injury time

Owen is mobbed after his match-winner

Rooney slides the ball home to open the scoring

Wayne Rooney celebrates with Anderson

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Owen fires home in injury time

Michael Owen says his winning goal at Old Trafford against Manchester City will rank as one of the best moments of his career.

The Manchester United forward struck in the sixth minute of stoppage time yesterday to give the hosts a dramatic 4-3 victory. United had led on three occasions, but the game looked set to end in a draw when Craig Bellamy equalised in the 90th minute.

"It is probably one of the moments I will reflect on as a highlight of my career," Owen said. "To score a goal as dramatic as that in a derby was amazing. You had to see it to believe it. It must have been one of the best televised games of all time."

Owen insisted, however, that United would not get carried away by the victory and would turn their attention quickly to the Carling Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.

Darren Fletcher, the United midfielder, who scored two goals in the game, praised Owen’s finish. “The whole move was superb,” he said.“Ryan Giggs’ pass was unbelievable, as was the way Michael controlled the ball with the outside of his right foot and finished it the same way.

"A natural goalscorer makes natural goalscoring movements and over the next few months Michael is going to be an important player for us."

Owen's winner sparked tumultuous celebrations among United fans and on the club's bench. The usually implacable former Liverpool forward admitted he, too, was taken up by the emotion of the contest.

High on life: Sir Alex Ferguson jumps for joy after Owen's late winner for United

"It was brilliant," he said. "I don't know how the manager and staff do it. It must be so nerve-wracking. When I start a game I never get nervous. I always feel in control. But when you are sat on the bench the game rubs off on you.

"When you go on to the pitch you are a little nervous because you have felt all the emotions of everyone around you. You kick every ball with the team. The first couple of minutes are quite hard.

"At this level you have to be at the right speed despite sitting on your backside for the previous hour. But you get sent on to get a goal. Thankfully, that is what I did."

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Sharp shooter: Man of the Year Dimitar Berbatov with his latest prize

Dimitar Berbatov is yet to prove whether he can cut it at Manchester United but he looks pretty deadly in these pictures after being presented with a giant sword.

The Red Devils forward was handed the weapon as his prize for being named as Bulgaria's Man of the Year.

Former Tottenham striker Berbatov, who became his country's all-time leading scorer last month, pipped world boxing champion Detelin Dalakliev and Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov to the award.

Quite an accolade, although we're not sure whether it'll take pride of place next to his Premier League winner's medal...

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TOP AWARD ... Ryan Giggs

2009 BEEB WINNER ... Utd's Ryan Giggs

The Manchester United star pipped Formula One world champion and favourite Jenson Button to the prestigious award.

Welsh winger Giggs, 36, said: "It's a shock, it's a big shock.

"As if I wasn't nervous enough, my heroes Seb Coe and Michael Johnson are here. Honestly this is unbelievable.

"I have been lucky enough to win a lot of things in my career, playing with great players and under the greatest manager that ever lived, and playing for the greatest club.

"This is up there with all of that. I grew up watching this TV programme and to see all the people who have won it and to be up there with them, it's unbelievable."

Button, 29, like Lewis Hamilton a year ago, may have won the world drivers' championship but had to settle for second place on the rostrum behind Giggs.

Jessica Ennis, the 23-year-old from Sheffield who won gold in the heptathlon at the World Athletics championships in the summer, finished third.

Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2009, Ryan Giggs

Wing wizard: Giggs is the most decorated player in English football history

Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2009, Ryan Giggs, with second place Jenson Button (right) and third place Jessica Ennis (left)

Winners rostrum: Jessica Ennis (left), Giggs (centre) and Jenson Button (right)

Josh19 SG

great team , players and coach!!!

Ashianamarley SG

those picture are the symbol of their success.

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27 Jan 2010

The banner at the Stretford End mocking Manchester City's lengthy wait for a trophy will not be torn down just yet.

City boss Roberto Mancini vowed to tear it down, while their cocksure chief executive Garry Cook had predicted an imminent power shift in Manchester.

Yet all their bold rhetotic proved premature, as United put their "noisy neighbours" firmly in their place by reaching Wembley at their expense and prolonging their 34-year wait for silverware.

On the eve of the game Sir Alex Ferguson accused City of getting "carried away" with their plans for world domination, and mocked the hapless Cook's delusions of grandeur.

Wayne Rooney quietened 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City with an injury-time winner which sent Manchester United to Wembley.

Last week, in a New York bar named Mad Hatter, City chief executive Garry Cook delivered the best team-talk Sir Alex Ferguson could have wanted as he declared this Carling Cup tie as good as over with the Blues leading 2-1 from the first leg at Eastlands.

If Cook knew much about Manchester United, it is this - never write them off.

So, after Carlos Tevez had threatened to take the semi-final into extra-time when he quite brilliantly turned home Craig Bellamy's cross 14 minutes from time, up popped Rooney, who nodded home Ryan Giggs' cross to secure a Carling Cup final meeting with Aston Villa on February 28.

In fact, the Red Devils thought they were already there.

Controlling possession against a City side which sat too deep, they had carved out a decisive lead thanks to two precise finishes from Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.

Only Tevez's refusal to bow at the feet of his old club kept the Blues going, but it was not enough. And though Rooney inexplicably failed to grab a third before Tevez struck, he is too much a part of United's fabric to merely accept defeat.

City were attempting to "change history" in Mancini's words.

In pure domestic and European terms alone, United had made 21 cup final appearances and won 11 league titles since the Blues last reached Wembley in 1981.

Tevez was the clear focal point for City from the start. The South American flung himself at a Bellamy cross and Edwin van der Sar needed Jonny Evans' help to ensure there was no trouble after he had dropped what seemed to be a routine save.

Rio Ferdinand got away with a despairing lunge at Tevez that left the former United man on the deck. If referee Howard Webb had been feeling in a stricter mood, the gamble of playing Ferdinand this evening and leaving the consequences to be faced tomorrow when he goes before an FA disciplinary panel could have backfired disastrously.

In the spotlight: the game was bound to focus on United old-boy Carlo Tevez whose comments after the first leg had couased such controversy...

and the match was torrid from the outset with both teams living up to the pre-match hype

Carlos Tevez

Hard-fought: Rio Ferdinand clashes with Carlos Tevez

Paul Scholes to break the deadlock and level the score on aggregate seven minutes into the second half

Delighted: Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes

SCHO GOOD ... Paul Scholes celebrates his opener at Old Trafford last night

In it goes: Michael Carrick then stunned City with a goal 20 minutes later

Last action hero: Wayne Rooney wheels away after shattering City's Carling Cup dream

Sheer delight: Rooney's 21st goal of the season put the tie beyond City who last reached Wembly in 1981

Celebration: Rooney jumps on scorer Carrick's shoulders after United's second, and later sealed it

Top man: Wayne Rooney quietened 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City with an injury-time winner which sent Manchester United to Wembley

So close: Mancini saw City denied their first Wembley appearance since 1981

United players celebrate meeting Aston Villa at wembley Stadium on Feb 28th in a repeat of the 1994 Carling Cup final.

As the teams trooped in for their half-time pep talk, the feeling persisted that the game was destined to explode.

The firecracker went off seven minutes after the restart and following a brief stoppage after Bellamy had been hit on the back of the head by a coin as he went to retrieve the ball for a City corner.

United quickly countered as City conceded possession. Rooney delivered a superb pass for Giggs, who would have had a clear sight of goal if City goalkeeper Shay Given had not been so quick to react and push him out wide.

The veteran Welshman did not panic and delivered the ball back into the City area and, after, Nani had run into a wall of defenders, Michael Carrick prodded the ball back for Scholes, who drove his shot into the bottom corner.

United had the scent of Wembley in their nostrils and when Nani flicked a superb pass through to Darren Fletcher inside the City box, the Scotland star had the awareness to lay a pass off to Carrick. The England midfielder does not score many, but he is an accurate striker of the ball and his shot was perfectly placed into the bottom corner with the aid of the post.

If Rooney had tapped home Patrice Evra's cross when he was completely unmarked three minutes later, the tie would have been over. Inexplicably, he put it wide.

It was virtually certain Rooney would be made to pay almost instantly. After playing a pass out to Bellamy, Tevez continued his run and somehow managed to squeeze the ball beyond Van der Sar from the most unlikely angle.

United could feel aggrieved but relief should have arrived 10 minutes from time when Vincent Kompany's block offered Carrick a second chance. On this occasion though his snap shot flew wide.

But Rooney still had one more trick up his sleeve. And with it came a very large slice of humble pie for Cook.

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Manchester United is delighted to announce that Fulham defender Chris Smalling has agreed terms and passed a medical examination. He will join the club in July 2010 on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

An England Under-21 international, Smalling has made 10 first-team appearances for Fulham, who signed him from non-league Maidstone 18 months ago.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Chris is an extremely talented young defender, who we have been monitoring for some months. He’s very quick and reads the game well. He will be a great asset to the club, playing alongside some of the best defenders around and we’re delighted to have secured his signature."

Smalling, 20, described the move as an "unbelievable opportunity".

"My time at Fulham has been great and I have learned a lot about the game from Roy Hodgson and the coaching staff," he said. “But the chance of coming to the biggest club in the world is something I just couldn’t turn down. I’m excited about working with Sir Alex and the fantastic players in the squad.

"I’ve played a few times in the Europa League this year, but the thought of making the step up to the Champions League next year is great. I can’t wait.”

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Manchester United swept aside title rivals Arsenal 3-1 at Emirates Stadium to move a point behind leaders Chelsea.

Nani opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when his chip across goal was palmed in by Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, before in-form England striker Wayne Rooney swept home a second following a quick counter attack.

A third on the break from Ji-sung Park at the start of the second half effectively ended the contest, although defender Thomas Vermaelen netted a consolation for the out-muscled Gunners.

Nani described the match as his best performance since joining United from Sporting Lisbon in 2007.

'I think that was my best game,' said the Portugal international. 'I played well, scoring and getting an assist.

'It was a fantastic performance from the team and I was so happy to help. I'm working hard every day to be fit for the team.

'I want to help the team play well. I can feel the confidence of my team-mates, the fans and the manager. I'm so happy and want to continue this good form.

'We had a very good game (against Manchester City) last Wednesday and that gave everyone confidence for this match.

'The manager said we had to have the same attitude today if we want to be champions.'

Arsenal, who had started the match five points behind Chelsea ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend, began well as Andrey Arshavin got away down the left, before cutting inside and trying to curl the ball past Edwin van der Sar from a tight angle, but his shot drifted wide.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN ... Paul Scholes chases Nani after Manuel Almunia pushed in the winger's cross

United, though, were quick to regain possession and then cut down any space for the home side. Nani and Darren Fletcher combined as they almost played in Rooney, but William Gallas made an important blocking tackle in the six-yard box.

Alex Song - back from the African Nations Cup - then had to hack the ball clear at the far post as United again got clear down the right far too easily.

When Arshavin - who was ineligible for last season's Champions League semi-final clash between the sides - burst away again, he lacked any support in the middle.

The Russian, though, remained Arsenal's most potent attacking threat.

In the 13th minute he skipped away down the left, cut back inside Wes Brown and curled another effort goalwards, which this time was only just wide of the far post.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas suddenly burst into life with a surging run down the middle, before slipping in Arshavin, but the Russian lost his footing at the key moment and United cleared.

United - who have played a match more than Chelsea - slowly started to gain the upper hand and Gallas needed to make another timely tackle in the penalty area as Paul Scholes shaped to shot.

Nani drilled the ball wide as Arsenal were again exposed in the right channel, before playing a key part in the goal which gave United the lead.

The winger skipped easily in between two defenders then chipping the ball back across goal. Almunia pushed it inside his far post, with Park Ji-Sung ready to tap the ball into the net.

Wayne Rooney connects with a cross from Nani to volley in Manchester United's second goal after 37 minutes.

Wayne's world: Rooney celebrates

Fabregas' shot following a corner was blocked - and four minutes later United were 2-0 ahead. Again Nani was the provider, dashing clear after picking the ball up from Rooney before squaring it for the England striker to sweep home his 22nd goal of the season, low into the corner.

The Gunners faced an uphill battle to get back into the match, with Arshavin firing wide from just inside the box - as manager Arsene Wenger was left to scratch his head and looked to the heavens for inspiration.

It could have been worse on 41 minutes, but Nani blazed his shot wide after more good work from Rooney down the left.

There was a hold-up at the start of the second half as Rooney received treatment following a knock on the knee in a challenge with Bacary Sagna.

The England forward, though, was soon back in the action, and tested Almunia with a fierce angled drive after cutting in from the left.

It was game over on 52 minutes, when United scored a third following another simple counter.

This time is was Park who broke clear, sprinting onto Fletcher's chip into the Arsenal half and then slotting past Almunia from just inside the box.

Walk in the Park: South Korea star Ji-sung Park celebrates United's third

The Gunners were also well beaten here 3-0 by Chelsea at the end of November, before a run of seven wins from nine hauled them back into title contention.

Fabregas, continued to drive his young team on, firing over and then just too close to van der Sar, then Song volleyed wide.

Theo Walcott came on as substitute - and Arsenal pulled a goal back with 11 minutes to go when Vermaelen's volley took a deflection off Jonny Evans to wrong-foot van der Sar.

However, there was to be no grand finale as Wenger's youngsters were again found wanting when it mattered most.

Arsenal manager made to regret pre-match boast as he blames naïvety and individual errors for defeat against Man United.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna (Bendtner 72), Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Denilson (Walcott 61), Nasri, Arshavin, Rosicky (Eboue 71). Subs not used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Silvestre, Traore. Booked: Song.

Goals: Vermaelen 80.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Jonathan Evans, Brown, Evra, Scholes (Giggs 71), Carrick, Fletcher, Nani (Berbatov 89), Rooney, Park (Valencia 87). Subs not used: Kuszczak, Owen, Gibson, De Laet.

Goals: Almunia 33 og, Rooney 37, Park 52.

Att: 60,091

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

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Leading the applause: Thierry Henry (left) has praised Wayne Rooney (right)

Rooney said of his feat: ‘It’s something I’m very proud of. It’s a great feeling to score 100 goals.’

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry puts Wayne Rooney’s increased scoring rate down to his changed role with Manchester United.

‘People were having a go at him before because he wasn’t scoring,’ said Henry, who scored 174 Premier League goals.

‘But how can he score when he was running like a nutter to get the ball? When he was arriving in the final third he was not fresh enough to finish, and this year you see the difference. If he stays up there for 10 years, he will score goals for 10 years.’

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"We are not the same team now," he said. "We are a different animal because we have improved."

Having seen that theory comprehensively undermined by an equally emphatic 3-1 defeat, Wenger last night took the highly unusual step of delivering a publicly scathing assessment of his team's performance.

"It's difficult to accept but easy to explain: we were poor defensively, offensively and cohesion-wise – we delivered an off-the-mark performance completely," said Wenger. "We were well beaten. We gave them too much room and were naïve. When you are completely off the mark, it's impossible to win the game. There were massive individual errors. I feel we never had any cohesion offensively or defensively."

It is the sixth time since April that Arsenal have lost against Manchester United or Chelsea, leaving fresh question marks about their psychological strength.

Wenger even pointed to "some mental reasons" but, having invested such faith in this young squad, he stressed the need for unity ahead of this Sunday's match against Chelsea. Defeat at Stamford Bridge, however, could leave Arsenal 11 points adrift of the Premier League leaders and realistically out of the title race for another year.

"It's a massive blow," said Wenger. "We have to stick together and deliver a completely different performance next Sunday.

"We need to do something special now to stay in the race. We were completely not at our level. Why? I believe there are some mental reasons."

By restricting space for Arsenal's intricate passing and almost inviting them on to the edge of their penalty area before counter-attacking with devastating speed, United executed what seems to be the perfect game plan against Wenger's inexperienced team.

"We conceded twice from our own corners," said Wenger. "I believe it was down to the intelligence of our positioning."

With Arsenal lacking players to retain possession up front and so limit the threat of a counter-attack, there will be further calls for Wenger to sign a striker before today's 5pm deadline. Wenger, though, confirmed that Sol Campbell will be his only addition. "We are not doing any business," he said.

Sir Alex Ferguson insisted that Arsenal remained in the title race but there is no doubt which team he regards as United's greatest rivals. "We need Chelsea to drop points," he said. "I hope Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge next Sunday and batter them."

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Wayne Rooney made it 20 goals in 20 games as Manchester United defeated Aston Villa and retained the Carling Cup in front of the Glazer family at Wembley.

Wayne Rooney was the Carling Cup final head boy as Manchester United came from behind to retain a knockout competition for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

After starting as a substitute, Rooney was only on the pitch because of an injury to Michael Owen, who had levelled James Milner's fourth-minute penalty.

He was not going to let that inconvenience stop him becoming the Wembley match-winner against Villa though and 16 minutes from time, Rooney got on the end of Antonio Valencia's cross and looped home yet another headed goal - his fifth in a row - to take his goal tally for the season to 28 and allow United to retain the trophy after a thrilling Wembley encounter Sir Alex Ferguson feared was not possible.

One of the more obvious reasons why Ferguson would choose to leave his best player out of such a showpiece occasion was the surface, which has been claggy every time the Red Devils have played at the rebuilt stadium.

Fearing a draining match, plus extra-time, then an England game and a Premier League trip to Wolves, when victory will take his side top, before that decisive meeting with AC Milan on March 10, Ferguson presumably felt this was an outing Rooney could do without.

Yet any worries about the pitch were groundless. And Villa's flying start meant there was no chance of either side being allowed to turn this into the sterile affair many had predicted.

At the time, Martin O'Neill questioned how Nemanja Vidic avoided a card of any kind for his foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor. As the contest wore on, and an increasing number of his own players ended up in Phil Dowd's notebook, the criticism grew.

If Agbonlahor had gone down when Vidic first grabbed his shirt, the card should have been red. Instead, the Villa striker admirably attempted to stay on his feet after outpacing the Serbian to reach Ashley Young's lofted pass beyond the United defence. In the end, it was too much. Vidic stuck out a leg and hauled Agbonlahor down. Milner kept his nerve, sending Tomasz Kuszczak the wrong way to provide the contest with the start it craved.

As tends to be the case when they fall behind, United's response was an all-out attacking assault, which in turn provided Villa with space to counter. The mixture produced a thrilling spectacle, made all the more absorbing because Ferguson's team levelled so quickly.

So solid all season, it was just Richard Dunne's luck his blunder should come in Villa's biggest game of the year. The Irishman was robbed by Dimitar Berbatov close to his own penalty area and though he made up the ground, in making his despairing tackle, Dunne only succeeded in rolling the ball into Owen's path, offering the kind of instinctive first-time finish he has made a career out of.

That Owen's contribution - and Rooney's exile - came to an end three minutes before the break was cause for regret, although the watching Fabio Capello has long since deduced those dodgy hamstrings cannot be trusted through another World Cup campaign.

Capello was probably also reaching the conclusion Stephen Warnock should be handed his problematic left-back berth against Egypt on Wednesday. But when Warnock slipped just before half-time, man-of-the-match Valencia galloped past him down the by-line, his cross eventually arriving at the feet of Park Ji-sung, who slammed it onto the inside of a post, where it rocketed across goal for Carlos Cuellar to hack clear.

Friedel palmed away a magnificently constructed effort from Michael Carrick after half-time, although Villa were United's equals and could easily have levelled when Ashley Young sent a volley bouncing into the ground.

The problem for Villa was knowing Rooney lurked. After falling victim to him in midweek, Gianfranco Zola claimed England's superstar has the Midas touch. It is more a Boy's Own story he is writing at the moment and having looped home yet another header to put his side ahead, Rooney came agonisingly close to making it number six when he crashed another onto the woodwork.

Villa responded in kind, Vidic nudging Emile Heskey's header onto his own bar. But that would have spoiled the story.

Brad Friedel - 6

Richard Dunne - 6

Carlos Cuellar - 6

Stephen Warnock - 5

James Collins 6 - BOOKED

Stewart Downing 6 - BOOKED

Ashley Young - 6

James Milner - 8

Stilian Petrov - 7

Gabby Agbonlahor - 6

Emile Heskey - 6

Substitutes

John Carew (for Cuellar) - 4

Not used: Guzan, L Young, Beye, Sidwell, Delph, Delfouneso

Tomasz Kuszczak - 7

Patrice Evra - 7 - BOOKED

Nemanja Vidic - 5 - BOOKED

Rafael - 7

Jonny Evans - 8

Park Ji Sung - 7

Michael Carrick - 7

Darren Fletcher - 7

Antonio Valencia - 9 - STAR MAN

Michael Owen - 7

Dimitar Berbatov - 8

Substitutes

Gary Neville (for Rafael) - 5

Darron Gibson (for Park) - 5

Wayne Rooney (for Owen) - 8

Not used: Foster, Brown, Scholes, Diouf

Referee: Phil Dowd

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SILVER SERVICE ... Valencia clasps the cup after his man-of-the-match display

Succeeding in the right-wing spot held so famously by David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo is not easy. Not only is Valencia showing the form that persuaded Alex Ferguson to pay Wigan £16million last summer but also beginning to surpass expectations.

Wembley's scuffed pitch held no horrors for him. And he has kept his feet on the ground this week in readiness to wreck Wolves at Molineux today.

He was bought to replace £80m Ronaldo so the comparisons will never be far away. But Valencia, 24, said: "Cristiano is a superstar and I'm Valencia, a footballer learning each day.

"I don't desire comparisons with him as we are different players. "And while I'm happy with my work in the team, I know every day I must fight for my place.

"It's not easy to get into the starting XI here - but this is my challenge." That bid is tougher now Nani has served his three-match ban - but Valencia is oozing confidence at the moment.

And he admitted: "I'm enjoying my best moments as a pro. I always dreamed of being at a big club and to win titles. Now I can fulfil those dreams at United.

"Sincerely, I didn't deserve to be Man of the Match in the Carling Cup final as the success was down to all the team. But that day at Wembley will always be in my head. I'm very happy.

"I'm here because of Mr Ferguson. The coach insisted he wanted me and that really came as a surprise to me. "From the first moment I joined, he was clear with me. He explained why United needed me.

"The key to my good form is I receive the coach's confidence. "From afar the image of Mr Ferguson appears different to the one that actually exists. "Some people believe that he does not connect with the players but, really, he is very open and gives you a chance."

The Carling Cup was the first trophy in United's bid to win a hat-trick of silverware this season. And Valencia, who last year turned down a move to Real Madrid, is convinced United can win the Premier League and Champions League.

He said: "At Wigan, I worked hard to fight relegations - at United it's about winning titles!

"We have obtained the first title and talk of the treble is not madness. The Premier League race is open and we have a good chance in the Champions League. "If I add these in my first season at Old Trafford, it will be a year never to be forgotten."

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Wayne Rooney made it 20 goals in 20 games as Manchester United defeated Aston Villa and retained the Carling Cup in front of the Glazer family at Wembley.

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Paul Scholes entertained the crowd with an epic challenge on Mathieu Flamini, the United midfielder storming in off the type of lengthy run-up usually seen at the other Old Trafford. Perhaps remembering past encounters against United with Arsenal, Flamini wisely jumped out of the way.

The English were too quick, too powerful, too mobile and too decisive in possession for Milan, whose ageing players ran into the perfect storm, a red-flecked tempest blowing through them as if they were mannequins. And to think people feared such a strong collective of players as Ferguson’s would be lost without Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

On a night when United showed what a well-balanced force they are in Europe, Ronaldo and Real Madrid slumped out of the Champions League. The irony.

Ronaldo may head the European scoring lists with seven but Rooney hurtles upwards, all his four goals coming against Milan. If Juventus are La Vecchia Signora, Milan are the Old Man.

However many anti-ageing miracles they perform in that famous Milan Lab, they cannot escape the reality that the team urgently need rejuvenating, looking towards the Pato generation not the Beckham.

Pato, the promising Brazilian, was sadly injured, ensuring Milan’s attack had little bite, particularly with Klaas Jan Huntelaar desperately searching for form and Ronaldinho too sluggish.

Unlike Rooney. The United forward’s first goal arrived after 13 minutes. When Ronaldinho failed to track back with Gary Neville, the full-back had time and space to lift over a magnificent cross, the ball dropping perfectly towards the penalty spot where Rooney was lurking with intent. Daniele Bonera had dozed off, gifting Rooney the freedom to make a twisting leap, powering an unstoppable header past Christian Abbiati.

Once again, Rooney’s prolific success up top for United provided further food for thought for Fabio Capello, although the England manager is adamant that Rooney will play in the hole at the World Cup. Rooney is a threat wherever he is fielded but Ferguson clearly believes he is most effective as the front man.

Rooney’s goal meant Milan required three, a mission impossible for younger legs, let alone these rusting limbs. Leonardo’s visitors might have scored before Rooney struck, Ronaldinho heading wide and then Huntelaar’s touch letting him down badly. United withstood these early scares, plumping up their cushion through Rooney, who added a second shortly half-time.

Ferguson’s interval instruction to “keep the tempo up’’ was certainly heeded by his players. Nani showed his threat on the counter, racing away from Ignazio Abate and then playing a sublime ball with the outside of his right foot behind Milan’s defence. Rooney scarcely had to break stride to slide the ball past Abbiati.

Milan, a great club needing a new direction, could have pulled one back but Huntelaar headed over from Abate’s cross, summing up their abject performance. United showed Milan how to finish just before the hour-mark, following a Valencia dart down the right. When he laid the ball back to Scholes, Milan’s defence was even more of a mess, ripe for the taking.

Scholes rolled the ball through to Park, who promptly placed his shot from right to left past poor Abbiati.

The game then turned into a testimonial with the arrival of a moist-eyed Beckham, who was greeted with genuinely heartfelt cheers and chants from United fans and ironic shouts of “Fergie, Fergie sign him up’’.

Beckham, his best years long gone, looked overwhelmed by the fans’ reaction. So did his mother sitting in the directors’ box.

So used to creating chances for United in his pomp, Beckham inadvertently almost fashioned another for them. Underhitting a back-pass, Beckham allowed Nani a run at goal before Milan’s defenders managed to remember seemingly long-forgotten skills, re-organising to thwart Nani.

Beckham then paraded his more positive side, unleashing a stinging volley that Edwin van der Sar pushed over.

Alternating saluting Beckham and slaughtering Glazer, the Stretford End finished with the pleasure of Fletcher’s goal two-minutes from time, the Scot heading past Abbiati. As Beckham heads into the sunset, United head into the last eight.

Manchester United (4-3-2-1): Van der Sar 7; Neville 7 (Rafael 66min, 6), Ferdinand 7, Vidic 7, Evra 7; Fletcher 7, Scholes 7 (Gibson 73, 6), Park 8; Valencia 7, Nani 7; Rooney 9 (Berbatov 66, 6).

Booked: Scholes.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Abbiati 5; Abate 5 (Beckham 64, 6), Bonera 4 (Seedorf 46, 6), Thiago Silva 5, Jankulovski 6; Flamini 6, Pirlo 6, Ambrosini 6; Huntelaar 5, Borriello 5 (Inzaghi 68, 6), Ronaldinho 5.

Booked: Ronaldinho, Flamini.

Man of the match: Wayne Rooney.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).

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