He's only gone and done it again: Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates
as Paul Scholes scores a crucial late winner at Eastlands. It
has become one of the defining characteristics of Sir Alex's
remarkable era.
It looked for all the world as if Manchester United
would have to settle for a point against locals rivals City in
Saturday's crucial Premier League match.
Once again, we reckoned without United's extraordinary knack of
claiming victory with time almost up.
It has become one of the defining characteristics of Sir Alex
Ferguson's remarkable era as United manager.
Here are some other late, late shows produced by Ferguson's
men.
They still talk about this one - it was probably the first of
United's epic late goals that have helped to shape football over
the past couple of decades.
Steve Bruce headed home two goals in stoppage time, the second
after about 140 minutes, to spark celebrations from Sir Alex and
Brian Kidd that will long stay in the memory. United took advantage
of a crucial victory to go on and win a first league title for 26
years.
This one is often forgotten when they talk about United's 'annus
miraculous' of 1999.
Liverpool were leading 1-0 and seemingly on their way to
knocking their bitter rivals out of the FA Cup, but Dwight Yorke
equalised with time running out and in stoppage time Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer fired home a winner that send Old Trafford into
delirium.
No place, no time and no moment could compare with the Nou Camp
in May 1999, when United stunned Bayern Munich to win their first
European Cup in 31 years.
Mario Basler's free-kick had put Bayern in front, and as the
game entered stoppage time German ribbons were being tied round the
famous old trophy.
United turned history on its head however, with Teddy Sheringham
firing home an equaliser and then Solskjaer flicking the ball into
the roof of the net to set up the party of a lifetime in
Barcelona.
Party of a lifetime: Solskjaer celebrates his winner in
the Nou Camp
United were clearly second best in a Premier League clash
against their great rivals Liverpool at Anfield in 2007 (as they
had been a week earlier when Cristiano Ronaldo scored a dramatic
late winner against Fulham at Craven Cottage).
That made what happened in stoppage time all the sweeter for
supporters, as Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina fumbled a Ronaldo free
kick and John O'Shea blasted the ball into the roof of the net in
front of a disbelieving Kop. Sir Alex was delirious once more, and
United went on to win a first league title in four seasons.
Jumping for joy: John O'Shea celebrates with Rio
Ferdinand after scoring the late winner at Anfield
Another vintage piece of Old Trafford theatre, the sort that
falls into the 'you couldn't make it up' category.
United had already suffered a couple of disappointing results
before Aston Villa took a 2-1 lead at Old Trafford that had the
natives twitching.
Ronaldo scored an equaliser before 17-year-old Italian
substitute Federico Macheda turned and curled home a magnificent
winner to put United back in charge of the title race.
Late late show: Federico Macheda celebrates after
scoring against Villa
This topsy-turvy derby clash at Old Trafford had it all, but
when Craig Bellamy scored City's third equaliser in the closing
minutes the visitors looked to have clinched a draw.
Michael Owen had other ideas however, bursting through to score
a 96th minute winner that had Sir Alex dancing around in delight
yet again.
City were winning 2-1 after the first leg of this Carling Cup
semi-final, and even though United went 2-0 up in the return Carlos
Tevez scored to set up a grandstand finish.
United were determined to prevent City reaching their first
domestic final since 1981 however, and Wayne Rooney headed a
stoppage time winner.
Heading to Wembley: Wayne Rooney scores United's late
winner against City
After the fireworks earlier in the season, the match at
Eastlands was rather flat but again there was a dramatic finish in
store.
Patrice Evra crossed into the danger zone, and Paul Scholes rode
to head home past the despairing Shay Given. What odds would you
have found I wonder on United scoring three stoppage time winners
against City in the same season?
