United wasted no time as Berbatov scored a header in the first two minutes of play off a flick from O’Shea. The man who replaced Rafael, who is out due to a suspension.

Berbatov would score again in the 31st min. as he takes it in from the left side and beats Johnson inside before finishing. Rooney made this goal happen, he may not be scoring as much as we would like but he is still so crucial to United’s attack, as he makes the players around him better.

For United’s third, Rooney would once again be key, as he threads the ball across the face of goal to find Ryan Giggs, who scores his third of the season.

Giggs would find Berbatov for the forth, and a very selfish Nani would finally get his goal in the 76th min.

Manchester United tops the premier league table and is slowly pulling away from all other clubs. Chelsea now 10 points behind the Red Devils.

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United started with a 4-4-2, still no Ferdinand as Johnny Evans took on the responsibility of center-back. Sir Alex would also try playing with two strikers as opposed to a lone striker.

In the 8^th minute Rooney was looking to curl it in from the corner of the eighteen, but the effort was well wide of the target. But I was more upset with Berbatov, because as Roonys missed Berbatov managed to sneak into the back, and as Rooney’s shot went well wide Berbatov threw his hands up in disappointment.

Berbatov and players like him need to know their place. He needs to respect Rooney and his efforts; because I guarantee you Berbatov would have blown the chance if Rooney had placed that ball on his head.

After 25 minutes Manchester United were struggling to get anything offensively. Given, it’s tough to do be creative when the other team is playing with 11 defenders.

It was Valencia’s work rate that led to Uniteds first goal as he stripped Gutierrez got the ball back to O’Shea who fed Scholes first time and it was Scholes that fed Berbatov to set up the Bulgarian with a one v one that the Bulgarian surprisingly finished, beating Harper on his far post in the 33^rd minute

Nani nearly coast United a goal in the 38^th minute by trying to play cute just inside his own 18. I’m sure Vidic let him know it was a stupid move.

In the 42^nd minute United would get a second as Nani and Evra worked the left hand side. Nani would split two Newcastle defenders to find Evra, who blasted it into the middle figuring someone would find it, and Fletcher did. Letting it go across his body with his back to goal before finishing with a half turn shot.

For the remainder of the half it looked like all United was trying to do was feed Rooney for a goal. The English striker looks like he needs a confidence boost at the moment.

Its 2-0 Manchester United at the end of the first half.

No Changes in the second half

Good chance by Manchester United in the 53^rd minute, Rooney unselfishly looking for Berbatov but it was read by the defender and cleared out

One minute later Rooney would put in a brilliant one touch flick into Berbatov, the pass couldn’t have been better, it lands 15 yards in front of goal, just Berbatov and Harper, with every advantage to the Bulgarian, and he puts it wide. Why would he try to use the outside of his foot in that situation?

Unfortunately I feel his goal earlier was just a fluke and this is the Berbatov we will continue to see through out the season.

Javier Hernandez would be introduced in the 63^rd minute coming on for Wayne Rooney who has not scored in 13 games now for club and country.

Rooney has been struggling lately, hasn’t fully recovered from the ankle injury suffered against Bayern Munich in last seasons Champions League.

Giggs came on for Nani in the 71^st minute. 36 year old, Giggs continues to add to his already impressive records. Including “Most appearances by a Manchester United Player”

Again Berbatov would be fed a brilliant ball by Scholes, and again Berbatov would miss an opportunity to put United 3 up. Berbatov should be used as a sub, not a starter. He doesn’t have the pace to play 90 minutes and he loses too many chances.

Evra was taken down in the 83^rd minute and would have to be subbed off. But it wasn’t the sponsor boards around the field where Evra picked up the knock, it was in the challenge with the Newcastle defender. Evra landed on his knee before rolling into the sponsor boards. Evra would be subbed off for Rafael shortly after.

In the 85^th minute, Ryan Giggs would make it 3-0 as he converts a volley from Scholes, hitting it first time across the face of goal, scoring the most difficult opportunity of the night and adding to his impressive record of being the “Only player to have scored in all 21 Premier League campaigns since its inception”

And it’s all over, welcome back to the premier league Newcastle.

Great performance by Manchester United and the Man of the Match for me is undoubtedly Paul Scholes.

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It only took United 2 minutes to create a scoring opportunity, when Fletcher’s cross was met by Rooney and his header was denied.

By the 16th minute it was clear that United’s attack was being led by Tevez. As he played a ball wide to O’Shea and followed up the one-two with a shot which was denied by Almunia for a corner. The corner that lead to the O’Shea’s goal. As Arsenal got caught chasing the ball, O’Shea was left alone in the back and put it away with no problem.

12 minutes later Tevez supplied Ronaldo with a stupendous ball, which Ronaldo headed directly into the hands of Almunia.

After the first half, it was all United. Arsenal had trouble advancing and creating any chances.

The second half didn’t change much. It was all United. Arsenal were extremely static, they would pass and stay in the same area.

There was a spark of brilliance from Ronaldo in the 69th minute when the Portuguese winger had  a go from 30 yards out which caught Almunia off his line and struck the crossbar. If Ronaldo was half a yard back it’s a goal!

I was disappointed Sir Alex took off Tevez, I honestly feel Ronaldo should have come off before Tevez. He spent 40 percent of his time on the ground,

It’s as if Ronaldo and Drogba are in competition to see who can spend more time on the ground during a match.

Giggs came on to make his 800th appearance and was convinced he scored the 2nd goal in the 78th minute, only to have it denied because he was slightly offside.

Rio Ferdinand picked up a knock, but no word on how serious it may be. He was rushed to the hospital immediately following the match.

United are definitely in the driver’s seat heading into the second leg next week, although United have yet to win at the Emirates.

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The 35-year-old picked up the young player’s award twice before, once in 1992 and again the following year in 1993.

”I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of trophies, I won the young player award twice, but this is the big one.

Giggs credited Sir Alex Ferguson with his development and was quick to thank Sir Alex.
“The manager has been massive in my career from when I first met him when I was 13,” said Giggs.
“That’s over 20 years and he knows me better than anyone and our relationship has been brilliant and just gets better. “

“I’ve been so fortunate to have such a great career in so many great teams, it’s not even worth thinking about what it would have been like without the manager. “
”This is right up there, with personal accolades it’s the best to have as it’s voted by your fellow players,”
“It’s an exciting season,” he said.

“I think it is going to go right to the wire, there’s big game after big game now. That is what you want and need at a club like Manchester United.”

“As long as I’m getting picked, enjoying it and injury-free, I’ll carry on as long as I can.
“At 35 you can’t look too far into the distance, you just can’t.”

What do you think? Was Giggsy’s award one of sympathy? Or did he really deserve the award?

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I did have an issue with Giggs though, I do believe he is in great shape, but there were a couple of plays where he wanted to be the hero and didn’t make the right decision. For example, in the 16th minute he took a free kick that went right into the wall! I couldn’t remember the last time Giggsy scored a free kick! So I decided to YouTube “Ryan Giggs free kicks” and all I got was PES and FIFA videos.  So why the hell did he take that kick?

Another play I felt he could have done better on was the break he got from Nelson Rivas, he took the shot on goal but had such a tough angle and the way Julio Cesar was playing, he was never gonna score, he should have played the ball square to Berbatov!

And I really don’t think he should have been out there for 90 minutes.

Everyone else played really well, I was pleasantly surprised by both Johnny Evans and John O’Shea! Containing Ibrahimovic and Adriano is no easy task! Park did what he does best, plays within himself. I would like to have seen a little more of Berbatov.

Overall I feel we have a great advantage going into the return leg. If everyone can stay healthy and Vidic can keep from getting suspended, we should have a much stronger team for the decisive match at Old Trafford!

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But Rafael da Silva tore a hamstring that will see him sidelined for a month, while Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs also failed to complete 90 minutes.

Anderson was sent for an X-ray on a suspected broken left ankle that saw him stretchered off late on, while Jonny Evans limped through the final stages in pain after appearing to sprain his ankle.

Ferguson said: “There are probably six or seven of them who have picked up injuries. It was a bad night in that respect.

“We finished with 10 men but it was effectively nine because Jonny was in great discomfort. We will just have to see what happens now.

“The serious one is Anderson. Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Nani all picked up injuries.

“Jonny Evans has got a recurrence of the ankle injury that has bothered him for a few weeks now, but hopefully he’ll be OK in a week’s time, and Rafael has a hamstring injury and will be out for a few weeks.”

Rio Ferdinand (back), Wes Brown (ankle) and Patrice Evra (foot) are already out injured, leaving United desperately depleted – Nemanja Vidic and John O’Shea are their only recognised fully fit defenders.

Darren Fletcher is expected to be used as a makeshift full-back for this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Tottenham, while Rafael’s twin brother Fabio could make his debut at left-back, although he is also short of fitness following an injury of his own.

United are likely to face Tottenham again in the Carling Cup final on March 1, with Harry Redknapp’s side taking a three-goal advantage into their semi-final second leg against Burnley.

Ferguson said he would keep faith with youngsters such as Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck who have performed well on the road to Wembley.

“They will all play in the final. They deserve to,” said Ferguson.

“It is always a great occasion at Wembley but the only way you can really enjoy it is by winning.”
Alex Chick/Eurosport

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Come on United, get rid of these charity cases: Neville, Giggs, Saha, and Silvestre have played their fare share of games and their best years are behind them! They are all 30+ and accident prone. Either ask them to step down or sell them off to the Bolton’s and Bordeaux’s.  Manchester United are the Premier League and European Champions, and should be looking for the highest level talent in the world. Gary Neville can no longer keep up with the pace of the game. Giggs can’t make his memorable runs. While Saha and Silvestre have 2 or 3 good seasons left in them, Saha has suffered every injury known to man and Silvestre should not settle for 2nd string.

Sir Alex, sign someone already!!

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Wigan Started Heskey, Bent up top, Koumas, Brown, Palacios, and Valencia across the middle. Figueroa, Scharner, Bramble, and Boyce in the back with Kirkland in goal.

Ronaldo took a weak shot that also went wide in the 8th minute. Not a very good start for Cristiano.

Ronaldo and United started very shaky and in the 14th minute Paul Scholes received a yellow card he shouldn’t have . It was much too early and unnecessary.

Boyce and Bent both got early chances before United could get a decent chance

PK! In the 32nd minute. The referee points to the spot after Rooney was taken down in the box. Ronaldo stepped up. How brave of Ronaldo to take the penalty kick after missing one against Barcelona. Ronaldo took the kick and Ronaldo scored! Ronaldo went to his right, and Kirkland guessed the wrong way!

Roman Abramovich and all the Chelsea fans are aware of it. Abramovich received a phone call and turned to his staff with a look of concern and disappointment

Rooney lost the ball in the 36th minute which led to Paul Scholes having to foul to prevent a counter attack, and Scholes got away with it, no booking, that would have been his second!

A SCARE in the 37th as Valencia crossed a ball for Bent who caught it first time only to have it hit the side post.

Half Time

Doctors have confirmed John Terry has suffered a broken arm, after a collision with Peter Cech.

No Changes for the second half

Free kick for United in the 48th minute Park was fouled 30 yards out
Ronaldo took a great shot, but it was pushed over the bar by the keeper.

Ronaldo came so close to scoring the second goal for United in the 54th from a corner kick. Ronaldo was unmarked in the box and connected well but the ball just went wide.

Rooney was furious after the referee waved play on. Rooney felt the Wigan defender handled the ball and he let the referee know it. The ref wasn’t going to take it, and booked the short tempered striker.

Chelsea just pulled ahead 1-0 at Stamford Bridge with a goal by Schevchenko. If Wigan found and equalizer at this point, Chelsea would have been very close to clinching the title

Scholes came off for the more defensive Owen Hargreaves in the 67th minute. United could not give up a goal at this point. Sir Alex knew United were 20 minutes from back to back titles.

Park was replaced by Ryan Giggs, with todays appearance the 34 year old Welshman ties Sir Bobby Charltons record with 758 appearances. Giggs could break it, if he plays in the Champions League Final

GOAL!!! Ryan Giggs scored the second goal for United and has won the title for a tenth time!!!! Wayne Rooney supplied a brilliant through ball, and Ryan Giggs made no mistake! Ryan Giggs has been a part of everyone of those 10 titles!!!!

There is the Final whistle and UNITED ARE CHAMPIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Both Rooney and Ronaldo on the bench to start.
Ferdinand passed the fitness test and he started alongside Brown, Pique, and Silvestre. Sir Alex went with a Carrick as a defensive mid Anderson and Hargreaves in the center. Park on the right and Giggs on the Left
17 year old Danny Welbeck was called up to the first team.

In the first 10 minutes United had 5 good chances to score. First Hargreaves centered the ball for Tevez in the 3rd minute but its deflected for a corner kick. Then Giggs finds Park making the run behind the Roma defense but Park puts it too wide looking for the far post. Then Park finds Tevez with a center inside the 18, but Tevez heads it wide. Then in the 10th minute Giggs connects with Owen Hargreaves, Owen was through on a 1v1 but couldn’t finish as Doni blocked to much of the angle.

United with another great chance in the 16th Owen Hargreaves sends a ball into Giggs who takes a shot  at point blank but Doni dives the right way.

Giggs delivers a great ball to Owen Hargreaves right in front of goal but was immediately rushed by Casseti and Juan. Owen couldn’t get the shot off

Hargreaves again with a ball that makes it all the across the middle, That time for Anderson who connects wonderfully but is denied by Doni. Great shot by Anderson and I’m glad to see he’s keeping the ball down when he shoots

A very greedy and selfish play by Tevez in the 27th minute. There was a counter attack from United which Tevez started, by playing Ryan Giggs to the left, Giggs carried and megged a player before passing it to Anderson who had a light touch for Tevez and immediately took off for the give and go. At this point Giggs had continued his run up the left completely unmarked and Anderson was making the right run. Tevez held WAY to long, and im not sure his last touch was intended as a pass, it looked like wanted to go solo, but Anderson who was offside ran to the ball and was called for it.

In the 30th minute Roma were awarded a PK after Mancini shook Brown and made Brown commit to slide tackling. The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. 
De Rossi stepped up and with the pressure of an entire country (Roma was the only Italian club left), He couldn’t convert.
United got very lucky.

Again Tevez decided to play himself instead of giving the ball to Park, who would’ve been clean through.
Tevez ran straight into the opposition. His teammates must have been furious.

In the 34th minute United came close to conceding a goal but a bad first touch by De Rossi give United a chance to clear.

Ferdinand was limping around the whole match. Makes you wonder if he will be fit for the weekend.

A good counter from United as Anderson carried the ball a good 30 yards before passing off to Giggs on the left side, Giggs got past his defender but delivered a poor ball.

2nd half

No changes for United, Ferdinand was back on the pitch.

Roma kept taking shots from outside the 18, Van der Sar had some trouble holding on to the ball but none that would cost United a goal.

Silvestre in great form as he deflected a very dangerous shot taken by Roma. And Van der Sar also doing his part as he gets to a very difficult ball taken by Juan from the corner, and this time he holds on to it

And at the other end again Tevez has another greedy moment, he took one to many touches once again. Tevez did not lift his head to look for other teammates on too many occasions. Tevez wanted to do everything on his own.

Ronaldo and Rooney were warming up
Ronaldo is 9 away from breaking Dennis Law’s record of 45 goals in one season. V.Nistelrooy has come the closest to breaking the record with 44 goals in one season.

Bad ball by Anderson in the 62nd minute, he tried for the switch but he had his left defender making the run, why make soccer difficult? Play it simple.

Man Utd have played with composure and confidence. United were knocking the ball back in forth with no worries

Carlos finally gets his goal in the 70th minute, Hargreaves provided the perfect ball for a diving header,
Maybe now he’ll play with his teammates. And as he celebrated he lifted his shirt to reveal “Feliz Cumple Ariel” or Happy Birthday Ariel
That explains a lot, he was determined to score for “Ariel”

73rd minute Perrota takes his frustration on Park, as he deliberately kicked him. It was a late and cowardly tackle and he still gets upset over getting it called against him. Telling park to “get up”

Rooney on for Giggs in the 74th minute, and O’Shea for Carrick.
I found it very interesting Ferdinand was left on.

Gary Neville’s long awaited return would come in the 81st minute and Anderson  was the player to come off. Neville has not played a match in over a year with the 1st team.

Gary Neville was immediately given the captains armband.

Park was fed a lovely ball by Wayne Rooney in the 88th, No offside call but Park cant convert its out for a corner kick.

And that was the final whistle.

United through to the Semi-Final against Barcelona.

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