Michael Carrick celebrates after Man Utd's
opening goal
Man Utd 2-0 Sheff Utd
Manchester United opened-up a six-point advantage over
rivals Chelsea at the Premiership summit with a comfortable win
against Sheffield United. Michael Carrick put United on course for
victory after four minutes, lifting Cristiano Ronaldo's pass over
Paddy Kenny as the keeper raced out.
Wayne Rooney doubled the lead with an emphatic finish after 50
minutes. Michael Tonge came closest for the Blades, hitting the bar
with a curling 20-yard drive two minutes from time. United were
without groin injury victim Rio Ferdinand and goalkeeper Edwin van
der Sar, who suffered a heavy blow to the nose in the FA Cup
semi-final win against Watford. It made little difference to their
early rhythm as they took the lead.
Ronaldo, inevitably, was the prime mover in the build-up to the
goal, slipping in a perfect pass for Carrick to beat Kenny as he
ran out. Rooney could have doubled United's lead two minutes later
but Kenny bravely blocked the effort from point-blank range.
United's defensive resources, already stretched to breaking point
by injuries, suffered another casualty after 19 minutes when
Patrice Evra limped off following a wild challenge by Colin
Kazim-Richards.
Rooney was involved in some unnecessary incidents and he picked up
a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Phil Jagielka. But he showed
the other side of his character with a goal of quite stunning
quality five minutes after the break. He controlled a pass of rare
vision from Ryan Giggs in an instant before lashing an unstoppable
right-foot finish across Kenny.
Sheffield United's main threat came from the lively Luton Shelton
but he wasted a glorious chance to quickly peg back United,
shooting over from only 10 yards. United then attempted to press
home their advantage, with Kenny saving well in quick succession
from Ronaldo and Giggs.
The Premiership pace-setters then had an escape with the sort of
generous decision that would have reduced Sir Alex Ferguson to a
seething rage had it happened at the other end. Shelton showed
lightning pace to escape the United regard again before being
clearly fouled by Gabriel Heinze - only for referee Rob Styles to
wave play on when a spot-kick looked a formality. Tonge then curled
a shot against the bar as Sheffield United continued to battle in
the face of United's overwhelming superiority.
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"It was a professional job and in the second half we just ran down
the clock a bit. "We saved our legs well and I think that was a
sensible thing to do. The performance was economical and we didn't
kill ourselves, which was important. "It is good to have our
six-point lead back, with five games to go. The players have got
the right temperament to cope with it as well. They just kept
playing their football and it was quite good at times."
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock:
"I thought we gave a good account of ourselves but we have been
beaten by a better side. "It was as clear as daylight that we
should have had a penalty when Gabriel Heinze fouled Luton Shelton.
"If you are a football person you don't need anyone else to tell
you that was a penalty. This was a major decision and between
referee Rob Styles and his linesman, they have got to get that
right. "If he gives it he upsets Sir Alex Ferguson and I know
people don't like to upset Sir Alex but he should have given
that."
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Man Utd: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Brown, Heinze, Evra (Richardson 21),
Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Rooney, Giggs (Solskjaer 80),
Smith.
Subs Not Used: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Cathcart.
Booked: Smith, Rooney, Ronaldo.
Goals: Carrick 4, Rooney 50.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Morgan, Kozluk (Armstrong 77), Kilgallon,
Jagielka, Webber, Montgomery, Tonge, Kazim-Richards (Gillespie 75),
Shelton (Nade 89).
Subs Not Used: Alan Quinn, Fathi.
Booked: Geary, Morgan, Armstrong.
Att: 75,540.
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).
