Burnley 1 - 0 Manchester United

Robbie Blake, centre, celebrates his early goal for Burnley

Sir Alex Ferguson discovered the true cost of his decision to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid as Robbie Blake's first-half goal sent his toothless champions to defeat at Turf Moor.

Blake, the journeyman forward who cost Burnley just £250,000 when rejoining the club from Leeds United in 2007, marked Turf Moor's first top flight fixture for 33 years with a goal to fit the occasion, scoring with a blistering 18th minute volley.

But despite the romance of Burnley's famous victory, United only had themselves to blame.

Michael Carrick's missed penalty, Michael Owen's painful search for form and Wayne Rooney's frustration almost earning a red card as a result of a brutal late challenge on Tyrone Mears were the sorry tale of United's evening.

And it was a night when the absence of Ronaldo was telling. The Portuguese would certainly have fancied his chances from the penalty spot and, as Burnley tired late in the game, he would have relished the opportunity to put Owen Coyle's team to the sword.

For all of his faults, Ronaldo was deadly against lesser mortals. United are simply not the same without him.

Burnley chairman Barry Kilby had declared prior to this game that his club were the 'Sandinistas of the Premier League' due to this determination that Owen Coyle's team strike a blow for the little man against the established order, but the top tier of English football is no easy place to break the mould.

Stoke City afforded Burnley a reality check by sending the promoted outfit to an opening day defeat at the weekend and United, with a recent record of 17 successive victories against promoted teams, would surely emerge unbowed from Turf Moor.

But the champions were strangely impotent in the first-half as Burnley, spurred on by the bearpit atmosphere, dominated and deservedly took the lead through Blake's stunning volley.

Ferguson's starting XI certainly encouraged Burnley to be adventurous. With Ji-sung Park and Anderson deployed on both flanks, United lacked the attacking instinct of Nani and Antonio Valencia. How they could have done with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The home side took advantage and £3 million record signing Steven Fletcher and Chris McCann both went close with efforts inside the United penalty area before Blake scored Burnley's first top-flight goal since 1976.

United, missing the injured Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the heart of their back four, allowed Martin Paterson to collect Wade Elliott's pass twelve yards from Ben Foster's goal, but the England goalkeeper blocked Paterson's initial shot.

The danger was not cleared, however, and after two scuffed United attempts to kick the ball to safety, Blake opened the scoring with a vicious right-foot volley from close range that arrowed past Foster at the near post.

Turf Moor shook with Blake's goal, but the noise levels did not subside and Burnley capitalised on the raucous backing by continuing to push United onto the back foot.

Fletcher attempted to beat Foster with scissor-kick on 23 minutes before United finally gained a foothold in midfield, with Wayne Rooney dropping back to orchestrate attacking forays.

Rooney twice shot wide from 25 yards, prompting ironic chants of 'You're not Robbie Blake!' from the Burnley supporters, but United were not seriously testing goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

Owen, in front of the watching Fabio Capello, directed a glancing header wide from a Wes Brown cross before the United forward's pass to Patrice Evra on 45 minutes led to referee Alan Wiley awarding the visitors a penalty as a result of Blake's rash challenge on the French full-back.

Here was United's chance, yet instead of grasping the opportunity to score his 100th United goal, Rooney allowed Carrick to take the spot-kick. Bad decision.

Jensen's penalty shoot-out heroics against Chelsea in the Carling Cup last season underlined his ability to outfox opponents from 12 yards and the Dane made easy work of saving Carrick's penalty.

Burnley's challenge in the second-half was merely to hold out. Without Ronaldo, United lack the lethal pace on the counter attack that so often rescued them in the past, but in Rooney and Ryan Giggs, they still possessed the players capable of killing the home side with a pass.

And as United pushed Burnley deeper and deeper, the cracks began to show in Coyle's team. Graham Alexander, at 37 the Premier League's oldest outfield player, was tiring in midfield and the back four found itself under increasing pressure.

Park had a shot blocked, Rooney sent another long range strike off target and Jensen kept out Park's low drive from 20 yards with a fine diving save.

Ferguson withdrew the ineffective Owen and sent on Dimitar Berbatov, but Burnley merely stiffened their resolve and midfielders became defenders as the clock ticked towards a nervous finale.

And despite their obvious fatigue, Burnley held on to record their first victory over United since 1968.

Man United 1-0 Birmingham

The destinies of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo have been bound together once before in a World Cup season, with a certain dismissal and a wink as England's hopes of glory were extinguished three years ago. That was the endgame played out in Germany but as a new season unfolds we have evidence already that the world's most expensive player may have laid the groundwork for a tournament to remember for England's most potent striker. Freed from the yoke of the left wing by Ronaldo's departure, Rooney has finally been allocated that small area of turf in the penalty area which he has so coveted and his natural instinct for finding space there is proving as valuable for Sir Alex Ferguson as he always told him it would be.

Alex McLeish, the vanquished Birmingham manager put it best last night when he placed Rooney in the same bracket as Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini. "We've seen them over the years, players who drop into all the little pockets and are hard to pin down," McLeish said. "If he faces up you have to watch out, he has a vicious shot on him." Last season, it took Rooney until October to score twice but yesterday's instinctive strike, the striker pouncing on the rebound having leapt acrobatically to head Nani's fine 34th-minute cross on to a post, takes him there already, if you count his Community Shield goal too.

Rooney has that tendency to score in spurts but he is looking like a 30-goals-a-season man already. "A very significant total this season," is what Sir Alex Ferguson said he expected, last night. "He is capable of [30], we've seen that. It's not impossible."

While Rooney stands a goal short of 100 for United, Michael Owen would give the earth for just one. The anticipation he showed to react to Rooney's cushioned chest pass and race through on goal in second-half injury time shows that he has an understanding with Rooney which Berbatov despite his markedly better workrate does not. Time stood still at Old Trafford as Owen advanced but the ensuing miss Owen snatching nervily where in days past he would have skipped past Joe Hart was agonising. "He will get his goal and it will set him on the road," his manager said.

Hart's alertness was a contributory factor though and part of an absorbing subplot involving him and Ben Foster, contenders for the England goalkeeping jersey next summer. "I know it's his ambition to play in the World Cup, and what better incentive?" McLeish said of the 22-year-old who is keeping the established Maik Taylor out.

Foster knows from his experiences in the relegated Watford side of three years ago that Hart's year-long loan from Manchester City will provide a chance to catch the eye. Each matched the other, save for save; Hart leaping to palm over a 12-yard chip from Rooney in the first quarter of an hour and to parry wide a 45-yard shot the striker let go in the first minute of the second half. Rooney's industry was endless. Foster responded with something marginally finer – palming wide after Wes Brown had allowed Christian Benitez to spring United's offside trap. "Benitez denies United": the headline writers were denied an opportunity too. It was a save which atoned for Foster's shaky Community Shield performance. "I think he has learned from last week, which was an unusually nervy performance from him," Ferguson said.

United's 10 clean sheets delivered them the title last season and Ferguson, who said he would "take eight 1-0s," was right to take some pleasure because James McFadden and Cameron Jerome were threatening and it took a gravity defying headed goalline clearance from Patrice Evra to keep out Franck Queudrue's header. There are more defensive challenges ahead. Rio Ferdinand will be missing for at least two weeks after sustaining a thigh injury in training on Friday and Jonny Evans, who has had ankle and groin trouble, was withdrawn injured though Ferguson hopes Nemanja Vidic will be fit for Wigan on Saturday.

Nani's removal at half-time is another concern as the 22-year-old is United's new tale of the unexpected. And eclipsing all but Rooney was Darren Fletcher, at 25, two years older than the matchwinner but starting to set the world on fire in United's midfield nearly a decade after joining as a trainee. The new banners for the Old Trafford entrance, replacing those which depicted a grinning Ryan Giggs and others clutching the European Cup, extol the virtues of the Manchester United Soccer Schools. "Learn to play the United Way," they state. A prescient message considering what the Ferguson youth are providing. Did someone say Ronaldo was missing?

Manchester United (4-4-2): Foster; F Da Silva, O'Shea, Evans (Brown, 75), Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani (Giggs, h-t); Rooney, Berbatov (Owen, 75). Substitutes not used: Anderson, Gibson, Kuszczak (gk), De Laet.

Birmingham City (4-1-4-1): Hart; Carr, R Johnson, Queudrue, Vignal; Carsley (Benitez, 75); Larsson (O'Shea, 82), Ferguson, Fahey, McFadden; Jerome (O'Connor, 65). Substitutes not used: Maik Taylor (gk), O'Connor, Phillips, McSheffrey, Parnaby.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).
Booked: Birmingham City Vignal; Manchester Utd Fletcher.
Man of the match: Rooney.
Attendance: 75,062

Red Devils plan to David Silva

Valencia midfielder David Silva has drawn the interest of English champions Manchester United. The Manchester Evening News have reported that the Red Devils plan to make a bid for the Spanish international.

United head honcho Sir Alex Ferguson could finally be dipping into the cash from the Cristiano Ronaldo sale, with a deal looking to be in the region of £20 million.

With Silva's sought-after teammate David Villa off the market, United face competition to acquire the 23-year-old's signature, as bitter rivals Liverpool have shown a keen interest as well.

The rumourmill is still abuzz despite the midfielder repeatedly declaring that he wishes to stay at the Mestalla.

"I don't know anything about the rumors and I insist that I have a contract with Valencia that I wish to fulfill," Silva said.

Hull 0-1 Manchester United

Tigers together: Hull City display a moment of unity prior to kick off

Hull escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth despite slumping to defeat to an under-strength Manchester United.

Darron Gibson fired the only goal of a tense Barclays Premier League encounter at the KC Stadium with a stunning strike midway through the first half.

Yet with Newcastle losing at Aston Villa, the Tigers just managed to limp over the line to safety with 35 points.

United made 10 changes as Sir Alex Ferguson rested his biggest names ahead of the Champions League final on Wednesday but the final score meant there could be no complaints.

Their starting XI had an average age of just 23, a figure boosted by the return of veteran club captain Gary Neville, 34.

England defender Rio Ferdinand, hoping to prove his fitness to face Barcelona in Rome after a calf injury, failed to make the team.

Hull started brightly by winning two early corners and a long ball from Michael Turner put Craig Fagan in on goal but the forward could not control and Tomasz Kuszczak gathered.

Geovanni then broke clear down the left twice in quick succession but the Brazilian's first cross just evaded Fagan and Kuszczak punched his second clear.

Nani had United's first serious attempt from a free-kick 30 yards out but Boaz Myhill was not troubled.

Hull were almost caught on the counter-attack when a vicious low cross from Rafael da Silva almost found the onrushing Lee Martin.

United then struggled to clear a corner from Andy Dawson and the ball broke to Marney but his shot was easily saved by Kuszczak.

United stunned Hull by taking the lead in the 24th minute with a ferocious strike from Gibson.

The 21-year-old let fly from 25 yards with a powerful shot across goal that flew past Myhill into the top corner.

That goal put Hull into the bottom three, as things stood, and the Tigers needed to respond but Federico Macheda almost doubled their misery when he shot straight at Myhill.

United then began to dominate possession but Dawson did get forward to curl in a dangerous cross which Michael Turner headed over.

Hull were almost caught again after a strong run by Danny Welbeck but the 18-year-old striker dragged his shot wide.

Macheda then engineered another opportunity for himself but failed to hit the target and Hull had a chance when Geovanni blasted a free-kick over.

Geovanni then turned provider to tee up a shooting chance for Dawson but Kuszczak tipped over the left-back's piledriver.

The atmosphere intensified considerably before the break as news filtered through of goals being scored against relegation rivals Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Hull had a good chance early in the second half when Kevin Kilbane's cross picked out Nick Barmby but the former England international failed to make firm contact and Kuszczak tipped wide.

Gibson tried his luck again from distance just before the hour but this time his effort sailed well over the bar.

Hull boss Phil Brown replaced the creative talents of Geovanni, his top scorer, with a target man in Caleb Folan but nerves were affecting the Tigers' play.

Hull failed to make the most of their possession with Richard Garcia letting himself down after a good break with a poor ball for Folan.

Gibson conceded a free-kick for handball on the edge of the area but Dawson curled his shot straight at Kuszczak.

United countered and Macheda again had a chance to double the lead but shot wide.

Fagan attempted a spectacular volley after a long Sam Ricketts throw into the area but was well off target.

Turner got his head to another Ricketts throw but his looping effort was clawed out from under the bar by Kuszczak.

The closing minutes were tense with City trailing but knowing a goal for Newcastle at Villa Park could relegate them.

Nani almost put them further behind with a powerful shot four minutes from time but Myhill pushed the ball wide.

Hull struggled to get the ball in injury time and they had a nervous few seconds' wait after the final whistle before their survival was confirmed.

Many fans invaded the pitch when the news was confirmed despite the efforts of police to contain them.

MU claimed their 3rd successive BPL title

United captain Gary Neville leads the celebrations

Manchester United claimed their third successive Barclays Premier League title today after a goalless draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson's side needed only a point to seal the trophy in the day's lunchtime kick-off and a steady if unspectacular performance delivered just that, making it 11 Premier League crowns in total for the Scot and 18 top-flight titles for the club overall.

United were rarely troubled by an improved Arsenal side, for whom Andrey Arshavin looked lively and Robin van Persie went close late on.

But the hosts held firm at the back and finished the job to move seven points clear of Liverpool, who travel to West Brom tomorrow but can no longer catch Ferguson's team.

Squad the key to United success

When the in-depth analysis of Manchester United's latest title success is done the conclusion will be much the same.

United won their 18th championship because their squad was far superior.

It is a fairly obvious statement. Nevertheless, it is one other clubs must take heed of.

In the same way Arsenal and then Chelsea raised the Premier League bar with their flying starts, so United have nudged it slightly further skywards by amassing more quality than any other squad in English football history, and quite possibly Europe too.

How else could United come within one FA Cup semi-final shoot-out defeat to Everton of completing a full season, with not a round missed in every competition they entered?

Cristiano Ronaldo might not agree with the way Ferguson makes his substitutions and Carlos Tevez is not always so keen on the choices his manager makes when the Red Devils teams are picked.

But from a detached viewpoint, Ferguson has assembled two complete teams that are almost impossible to differentiate from each other. No longer does the term 'first-choice side' apply.

True, there are some; Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar, who would definitely command a place in the biggest games.

How though do you choose between Rafael, Gary Neville, John O'Shea and the currently injured Wes Brown to complete the defence?

Where do you even begin to start picking between the competing talents of Michael Carrick, Anderson, Paul Scholes, Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher in central midfield, not to mention the more sparingly-used PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs? And don't forget Owen Hargreaves, who is hoping to be fit and raring to go by next August.

Then up front, Ferguson can select just two, and on occasion only one, of Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney.

The antics of Ronaldo and Tevez during the derby win against Manchester City might have been the first signal of cracks in Ferguson's delicate strategy beginning to appear.

After all, though the 1999 treble-winning strike force of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is often hailed as the perfect example of squad rotation, in the years afterwards, when Cole and Yorke suddenly found themselves on the bench, it very quickly broke up.

However, the template is now in place.

If Ronaldo and Tevez do move on, replacements will come in. Franck Ribery has already been spoken of as a potential big-money recruit from Bayern Munich. Wigan's Antonio Valencia has also been watched. And when Ferguson is assessing Tevez's contribution and whether to keep him, the emergence of Federico Macheda is bound to play some part in his thinking.

Indeed, it promises to be a big summer at Old Trafford.

Quite aside from the issues over the more sulky members of his squad, Ferguson realises the contributions of Van der Sar, Giggs, Scholes and Neville cannot be relied upon much longer.

That is not to say there will be a massive influx of new players, more added responsibility being given to the likes of Ben Foster, Anderson and Rafael, who have been groomed as replacements, plus a demand that Nani shows considerable improvement.

Ferguson himself will still be there. For how much longer though? How many more summers will the most successful manager Britain has ever known spend plotting the downfall of major rivals, or swatting away emerging ones?

These questions provide United's challengers with reason for optimism, reason to doubt an unprecedented fourth successive title - and what, to Liverpool's horror, would be a record-breaking 19th - will end up at Old Trafford.

Yet on Merseyside and in west and north London, the problems are greater.

Liverpool, for all the massive improvement made this season, still appear too heavily reliant on Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, two brilliant footballers with questionable fitness records.

Ferguson felt Chelsea had gone beyond the age of improvement last term. They have not got any younger and major surgery is required for a new manager. Arsenal have talent but neither the experience, nor the depth.

They are major structural faults, immediate issues for messrs Benitez, Abramovich and Wenger to solve. In contrast, Ferguson's problems are fairly minor and centred around individuals, so many of whom have been moved on without affecting the success United enjoy.

True, if Tevez, or more importantly Ronaldo, left there would be a big hole. But it is not that long ago much the same was being said about Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane. Before that, Paul Ince and Mark Hughes.

Eric Cantona's legacy was immense but most of United's triumphs under Ferguson have been achieved without the talismanic Frenchman. And that is why Ferguson can allow himself a brief moment of relaxation, toasting another year of glory with a glass of his favourite red.

Man United 0-0 Arsenal

Committed: Wayne Rooney, centre fights for the ball against Arsenal's Denilson

Manchester United were today crowned champions of England for a record-equalling 18th time at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side might not have given Usain Bolt a goal to celebrate on his first visit to the Theatre of Dreams but the Premier League trophy will do as consolation after a goalless draw with Arsenal ensured Liverpool cannot now catch their north-west rivals.

After over three decades as the unquestioned kings of English football, the Merseysiders now have someone else to share the title with.

And, if Ferguson is to be believed it will not be long before the Anfield outfit lose it altogether.

While the first half ended with United still on course for the 11th league title of Ferguson's illustrious reign, Arsenal had every reason to be pleased with themselves.

After two dire displays that surrendered their Champions League semi-final with the Red Devils, plus a hammering on home soil by Chelsea, it was feared the Gunners would suffer yet another embarrassing mauling.

It surely could not be a coincidence that Andrey Arshavin's return from a combination of being cup-tied and contracting a flu bug coincided with Arsenal's return to form.

As Gunners fans search for reasons to be cheerful ahead of what will be another trophyless summer, the Russian playmaker is the main one.

Arshavin went on one mazy dribble from the left flank that would have opened United up totally had Jonny Evans not raced across to clear.

The former Zenit St Petersburg star was also the provider of a cross lone striker Robin van Persie might easily have steered into the net, rather than just over. However, the world's fastest man did not come to Old Trafford to watch Arsenal.

The hosts certainly started as if they meant business with Darren Fletcher almost sending Cristiano Ronaldo through inside the opening minute.

Yet, as time wore on, it seemed Ferguson's side were adopting a pragmatic approach to the situation, ensuring their goal was tight and secure, pushing forward in numbers only when really necessary.

The energy of Carlos Tevez helped in that regard. Sometimes it seems the South American is doing the work of two men. And, as the speculation over Tevez's future rumbles on, there is little doubt most United fans would want him signed permanently if at all possible.

It seems highly improbable though. And when he responded to his number 32 being flashed up as the man to be replaced by Park Ji-sung, the response, a little shake of the head and a two-handed wave to all four corners of the stadium, looked for all the world like a goodbye.

There has, of course, never been any discussion over Wayne Rooney. Had voting for the various player of the year awards been based on the last two or three months' form alone, Rooney would have been top of the pile.

The England striker has added an extra level of consistency to his game that truly deserves him now to be ranked if not at the very top of the game, then only just underneath.

Rooney stole in behind Bacary Sagna to head a teasing Michael Carrick cross wide after earlier having an effort deflected away by Kolo Toure.

On the brink of his 11th championship, Ryan Giggs curled a free-kick over and was then off target with a volley.

Ronaldo had an even better opportunity at the start of the second period after Tevez had failed to manage a shot after Carrick had supplied the cross, but did enough to nudge it into the Portugal superstar's path.

After offering his own sprinting guidance yesterday, Bolt must have thought Ronaldo would offer a fitting payment. Instead, he leant back and skied his shot into the Stretford End. In fairness, Bolt had chosen to come and watch his team on a rare day that they did not need to win.

For all the side issues surrounding Park's arrival, it suggested even less of an emphasis on attack, although Ronaldo did send one his trademark free-kicks whipping wide. It marked the end of United's attacking intent.

Fabregas and Van Persie had one last shot at spoiling the party. But with the trophy ready and the tickets sorted, it seemed a shame to stop it.

Wigan 1-2 Manchester United

Rodallega opened the scoring for Wigan

After Carlos Tevez had proved a point, two more followed for Manchester United here thanks to a super goal from Michael Carrick.

But it was Tevez who came to United’s rescue. Tevez who stepped off the bench to score a hugely important equaliser that was just brilliant in its execution.

Only three minutes after joining what was proving a difficult contest for the defending champions, Tevez revitalised a stuttering United with the deftest of backheels.

Flying high: Wayne Rooney tumbles off Michael Carrick as United's jubilant players celebrate the winner

A flick straight from the Cristiano Ronaldo repertoire but scored on this occasion by a striker hoping to secure an Old Trafford future.

This time he resisted the temptation to run to his tormentors and cup his ears in petulant protest. This time he simply let the brilliance of his football do the talking and chose, instead, to run to those who adore him: the supporters who responded to the sight of his 61st minute goal by again beseeching Sir Alex Ferguson to ‘sign him up’.

When he makes the kind of impact he did here at a pulsating JJB Stadium and performs every bit as impressively as he did in Sunday’s Manchester derby, it is hard to find a reason not to.
Michael Carrick

If Tevez really has been feeling unwanted and isolated, Ferguson should do something about that.

Thanks to the Argentine, and indeed Carrick, United now need only a draw against Arsenal on Saturday to secure a third successive Premier League title.

They are only a draw away from having things sewn up 11 days before they attempt to make Champions League history by successfully defending the trophy they won so memorably in Moscow last May.

Until Ferguson released Tevez from the bench in the 58th minute, it had proved an anxious night for United thanks to a 28th-minute goal from Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega.

It was looking like a tale of the unexpected. The bookies offered odds of 11-1 for a Wigan win, nobody expecting Steve Bruce’s side to re-ignite a title race which appeared all but over after Sunday’s defeat of Manchester City.

Suddenly, not even a win over Arsenal was going to be enough. Suddenly it seemed the title race would go to the last day of a season that would see United have to visit
a Hull side fighting for their Premier League lives and Liverpool entertain Tottenham.

If Arsenal could take yet more points off United at Old Trafford this Saturday, it really would get interesting.

For Liverpool, however, this has become all too familiar territory this season. They have sat at home and seen United flirt dangerously with defeat only to somehow escape with all three points.

They did as much against Aston Villa and Tottenham and they did it again here on a wet and cold Wigan night.

It is why United are the champions of England, Europe and the world.

Why they might now start to dominate Europe in the way they already dominate England.

Why players like Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo would be mad to leave.

Even when they were struggling here, they still played some delightful football. The finishing may have lacked its usual potency but they created their chances with such fluency and finesse. On a perfectly manicured surface the passing was terrific.
Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't hide his delight after Manchester United's crucial win at Wigan

It was all the more impressive because Wigan were themselves performing well. For a side beaten 3-1 by West Bromwich Albion last week, Bruce’s side started remarkably well.

Antonio Valencia would have scored in the opening moments had his finish been as impressive as the burst of acceleration that left him with only Edwin van der Sar to beat -his chipped effort floated hopelessly wide - and Michael Brown also threatened.

But Wayne Rooney and Carrick squandered the best of the early chances, each missing when it seemed certain they would score.

First came Rooney, who met a super cross from Dimitar Berbatov with a header that somehow flew yards off target; and then Carrick, who somehow sent his close-range effort over the crossbar after a quite brilliant sequence of passing from Rooney, Paul Scholes, Carrick and Ronaldo.

Wigan’s goal did not come against the run of play, though, Nemanja Vidic’s failure to win an aerial battle with Rodallega for a ball launched forward by Lee Cattermole ultimately proving United’s undoing.

Rodallega won the initial header and before Vidic could work out where the ball had landed, the Colombia striker had driven a shot between Van der Sar and his right-hand post.

Even after the break, after what would have been a fierce reception from Ferguson for his United players, Wigan more than held their own.

But the arrival of Tevez for Anderson changed everything, the presence of a fourth forward seriously unsettling Wigan’s previously excellent back four.

Bruce said: ‘I’ve waited 10 years to get something against United and I thought this was going to be my night. I’m disappointed for my players as they deserved something, but we couldn’t keep our energy levels up and you need to do that against United.’

It was Carrick who created the champions’ opening goal, driving the ball into the Wigan penalty area at real pace, but Tevez who proved the creative genius, his touch completely wrong-footing the excellent Richard Kingson.

The goal gave United belief and removed any panic and with calm heads a second goal finally came, albeit four minutes from time.

The move started with Ronaldo on the right and continued with John O’Shea before Carrick drilled his shot into the roof of the Wigan net.

Another marvellous comeback from a truly marvellous team.

Man United 2-0 Man City

After admitting this morning that his future almost certainly lies away from Old Trafford, Tevez drilled home a superb first-half shot before racing away to celebrate, alone, in a very pointed manner, right in front of his manager.

Not only was the goal a perfect way for the South American to express his frustration at a move that now looks destined not to happen, it also snatched at the straw Liverpool were clutching at, with United knowing another win at Wigan on Wednesday will virtually clinch a record-equalling 18th championship.

The Tevez situation is somewhat complicated, far more than just whether Ferguson thinks he is any good.

Strikers Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez helped Manchester United move to within four points of another title.

After all, any United player deciding the eve of a crucial game on the title run-in was a good time to air public views on his future, or lack of it, would normally be good enough reason for Ferguson to exclude him altogether.

Tevez though is a crowd favourite and a player of extreme talent.

So, with Wayne Rooney needing a rest, the South American must have been one of the first names on the home team sheet as United searched for the first three of the seven points required to clinch the title before Liverpool next play.

The United fans have made their feelings perfectly clear for a long time now, bellowing 'Sign him up' at regular intervals.

However, it has to be asked whether, in the present economic climate, £30 million can be justified on a player like Tevez, a bustling, energetic whizzball of a striker, yet one who does not possess the extra class of a Ronaldo.

Yet, having declared the likelihood of him leaving, confirming in the process that United had not so much as made him an offer to stay, Tevez had clearly decided this was the day to make a statement.

The former West Ham star had already curled a shot against the post when he collected Dimitar Berbatov's short pass a minute before the break.

He took aim and fired, gleefully watching his shot crash into Shay Given's net off the Irishman's left-hand post.

Tevez's reaction was instant. He raced straight to the halfway line, directly in front of the dug-outs, waving away all team-mates, and stood, cupping his hands to his ears listening to the cacophony of noise.

Directly opposite, Ferguson celebrated too, a rueful smile spreading across his face. Above him, chief executive David Gill looked down, knowing he will be the one who has to ask for - and then write - the cheque should the Glazer family agree Tevez's registration should be extracted from Kia Joorabchian.

At that precise moment, an 18th league championship had almost been forgotten.

As Ronaldo had already found the net with one of his blockbuster free-kicks though, United fans spent half-time knowing they were taking a significant step towards it, Liverpool's hopes evaporating on the back of a City side who played good football without threatening the home goal.

Mark Hughes knows all too well the standards United have been performing to for almost two decades now.

Hughes does seem to have got the balance of his own team right. But there is clearly still a very long way to go before they can compete for anything more than scraps off the world champions' table.

Indeed, if Tevez's prodding goes unheeded by United, it is a fair bet the Welshman was listening too as he assessed the next move forward for his club, who still harbour hopes of a place in the new Europa League.

Ronaldo's 26th goal of the season was a corker. Only 30 yards this time the distance as the Portugal superstar belted home his 18th-minute opener.

His delight did not last that long as, on the hour, he was replaced by Wayne Rooney.

The decision did not go down well. Ronaldo's future has also been the subject of intense speculation of course and he angrily swiped at some TV equipment before taking a seat in the dug-out, shaking his head in clear annoyance at the decision even though, injury permitting, he is certain to face Barcelona later this month.

A further problem arose for Ferguson in an apparent hamstring injury suffered by Jonny Evans, who was only called into battle himself when Rio Ferdinand suffered a calf injury in training yesterday.

United back on top but Fergie has the hump

Sir Alex Ferguson launched a stinging attack on his Manchester United players for their casual approach against Portsmouth at Old Trafford last night.

Wayne Rooney scored early on but the second goal from Michael Carrick which secured the 2-0 win came with only eight minutes to play.

Stretching their advantage: Wayne Rooney thanks Ryan Giggs for setting up his early goal

The victory took United back to the top of the Barclays Premier League above Liverpool but the manager was furious that victory was not achieved more emphatically and led him to question his players' commitment.

He said: 'Having seen that second-half performance I am taking nothing for granted. We have to put our foot down.

'I don't think we have any leeway if we don't perform. We were far too casual. We should have been five or six up at half-time but in the second half I was thinking we were going to throw it away.'

Furious: Ferguson lets rip at his 'casual' players

United were not at their best but were in control once Rooney converted a Ryan Giggs cross in only the ninth minute.

Thick of the action: Crouch surrounded by Scholes, Evans and Evra

Portsmouth came into the game in the second half and briefly threatened before Paul Scholes marked his 600th appearance for United by playing in Carrick for the clincher.

Carrick added: 'I don't know what there is left to say about players like Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

'They are unbelievable professionals. They have talent and ability and everybody can learn from them.'

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink conceded that his side's title challenge was over after they dropped two points in a goalless draw at home to Everton.

Macheda Snr hails Manchester United super starlet Federico

Macheda is mobbed by his team-mates after his goal against Villa

The father of Manchester United's newest hero is still in dreamland after his son's magical moment at the weekend.

Pasquale Macheda realised in a few seconds that years of sacrifice and hard work had been worth it after watching Federico score a last-gasp winner against Aston Villa.

It is not too long agao that Macheda Snr worked nights in a supermarket so that he could drive his son to Lazio's training centre, a world away from their home in the rundown Ponte Dinona area of Rome.

And after the 17-year-old announced his arrival in the Premier League in front of his dad at Old Trafford on Sunday, proud Pasquale said: 'The one thing I keep seeing in my mind is my son's eyes after he scored. When he ran towards me with tiger eyes.

'He had this incredible fiery look. Above all the noise I could hear him shouting "come down, come down".

I raced down the steps and we hugged. His look was enough to say "see where we have got to, see where we have come, dad".

'I burst into tears. It was beyond belief, I could not believe I was going through such a moment. It left me numb. I have watched the goal again and again on DVD. It is unbelievable.'

He added in The Sun: 'In the past 18 months he's developed enormously, physically and technically at United. They have done a fantastic job.

'When United were 2-1 down to Villa I thought there would be no room for my son to come on. But then someone said "there he is!"

'I rubbed my eyes because he looked like he had been playing for years - even alongside Cristiano Ronaldo he did not look like a rookie.

'When he scored I blanked out, I didn't see what happened. All these years I asked him "when are you going to dedicate a goal to me?"

'He said nothing on Sunday, he didn't have to. His look said it all.'

Macheda's achievement was of little consolation to Lazio, who were left angry after United snatched away the star prospect from their youth academy in September 2007.

'It's thanks to Lazio that today Federico is doing well in his English experience,' said Pasquale.

'He was a part of Lazio's youth team and he was fortunate there to learn a lot and become a serious lad from a sporting point of view.

'Federico was born in Rome and grew up at Lazio. But it's not easy to resist an offer from a prestigious club like Manchester.

'Now we are enjoying the moment and we are proud of what Federico has done. He is a serious kid with his feet firmly on the ground.'

One person at Lazio who did celebrate the player's instant success was Federico's former coach with the club's youth team, Stefano Avincola.

'I am delighted for him,' he said. 'Of course there's some regret at the Lazio camp for seeing a quality player leave. But I want to reiterate that Lazio did everything they could to keep Federico at the club, seeing in him a player with potential and good prospects.

'Unfortunately, it was not possible and the lad and his family made an understandable choice of leaving Lazio and thanking the club for everything they did for the young Federico.'

Fulham 2 - 0 Manchaster United

Great Victory for Fulham, Bad for MANU

YOU!!.. Out..

Sir Alex Ferguson shuffled from the crime scene, looking like an elderly man bemused by the sudden disappearance of all he holds dear. In just eight days, the heart of his team of multi-million-pound footballers has been stolen from in front of his disbelieving eyes.

On a second successive afternoon of abject misery for the Scot, Manchester United finished with nine players on the pitch and a crisis on their hands. If Sir Alex had been enraged when Liverpool sacked their Old Trafford citadel last weekend, his mood on the return north last night can be only imagined.

Just a fortnight ago, United had embarrassed Fulham in a 4-0 FA Cup victory. Yesterday, they played like drowning men, and Ferguson must take his share of the blame.

He gambled with a team selection that demoted Wayne Rooney to a seat on the bench in the sunshine that bathed this fashionably elegant quarter of south west London with a warmth that never permeated the demeanour of United's manager yesterday.

Ferguson could feel only the cold breath of Liverpool on his neck. According to well-informed sources, Ferguson has vented much of his fury in recent days in the direction of Rooney at United's training ground at Carrington.

But if the striker was not deemed necessary to stop the rot set in by that defeat against Liverpool, he must truly have offended his manager.

Ferguson, summoning all his years of experience, opted to drop England's premier forward along with Carlos Tevez, Michael Carrick and Anderson. Before the interval, he had realised the folly of his plan.

Dimitar Berbatov was a listless, ineffectual lone target man, and at half-time, when no one in a United shirt escaped Ferguson's wrath, Rooney was instructed to replace the Bulgarian.

Perhaps in the days ahead, Ferguson will reflect that this had been no occasion to put the family silver at risk on such a reckless call.

Who would you want in a backs-to-the- wall battle? Rooney's belligerence, and renowned allegiance to United? Or Berbatov, a dilettante of a striker whose neat touches complement a team in the ascendancy?

Sadly for Ferguson, by the time Rooney's call came, the red mist was only a short time away. He was summoned only after United were already one goal, and one man down.

Paul Scholes was correctly shown a red card by referee Phil Dowd after he used two hands to prevent a close-range header from Bobby Zamora finding the net in the 17th minute. As soon as he had flapped the ball to safety, Scholes dropped on to his haunches.

His faraway look told its own story. He knew a red card was inevitable and, when it came, he walked disconsolately to the dressing room.

Fulham captain Danny Murphy, cool-as-you-like, sent United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, in the wrong direction from the penalty spot with his fourth Premier League goal against the champions.

Van der Sar, who played for Fulham until Ferguson paid £2million to solve an ongoing problem with filling his goalkeeper's jersey, had to be at his best to prevent United from falling deeper in arrears.

Only after the arrival of Rooney did United at last look capable of mounting a threat. But then Fulham's previously unemployed goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, showed his full repertoire.

He made a stunning double-save, from Ji-Sung Park, and Rooney, who pounced on the rebound, and for an encore made an accomplished save from a flashing header by Cristiano Ronaldo.

In truth, Ronaldo spent too much of the afternoon in his mode of pantomime clown, falling to the ground seeking sympathy for perceived aggrievances only to be mocked by Fulham's fans sensing what they had feared to be a wake was becoming a party down by the riverside.

Rooney - obviously frustrated at being left out - showed us both sides of his mercurial temperament. On the ball, he was hard to contain; but as the clock ran down, so did his patience.

He was booked in the 81st minute for a foul on substitute Olivier Dacourt - and six minutes later Rooney over-reacted to Dowd's whistle by hurling the ball, with child-like petulance, down the field.

Dowd raised a yellow card, then instantly turned it to red. As Rooney left the field, eyes blazing wild, he smashed a corner flag that duly bounced around like a speed ball in gymnasium. He vanished to a cacophony of boos and laughter.

One minute earlier, Zoltan Gera, who had been on the field barely five minutes, scored Fulham's second with a delightful volley after an exquisite first touch.

At the final whistle, Fulham's players revelled in victory, a reward for a performance that had been bright and busy in the first half, and stoic after the interval.

It will be little consolation to Ferguson to hear that his Fulham counterpart Roy Hodgson believes his side had beaten this year's champions.

'United are such a good team with so many good players, I still think they are favourites for the championship this year,' said Hodgson. 'But the last two defeats have given the teams chasing them that little bit more hope.'

And down on the field, Ferguson, in eight short days, had aged with worry as his football team could not respond to a crisis for the second time of asking.

FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky; Davies, Murphy (Dacourt 67min), Etuhu, Dempsey (Gera 81); Johnson, Zamora (Kamara 77). Subs (not used): Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Stoor, Kallio. Booked: Pantsil, Dempsey.

MAN UTD(4-4-2): Van der Sar; O'Shea (Tevez 70), Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs, Park; Ronaldo, Berbatov (Rooney 46). Subs (not used): Foster, Neville, Anderson, Carrick, F Da Silva. Booked: Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Rooney. Sent off: Scholes (18min), Rooney (89). Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Benitez issues a quick guide on....

Manchester Utd 1 Liverpool 4:
Benitez issues a quick guide on the way to defeat United

After watching his fast Spanish striker expose the weaknesses he had identified in Manchester United's defence, the 'fat Spanish waiter' was understandably satisfied.

It was Rafa Benitez, after all, who dismissed Arsene Wenger's declaration that United had become 'untouchable'. Benitez who insisted four weeks ago that the champions of England, Europe and the world were not the invincibles Arsenal's manager would have us think.

Kop that: Rafa Benitez masterminds a stunning victory over Manchester United.

United's heaviest defeat at Old Trafford in 17 years was quite a way for Benitez to prove his point and now he only hopes that others, Wenger included, will copy the blueprint of his tactical masterplan.

If Liverpool are to have any hope of catching United, they need the teams still due at Old Trafford to follow the example of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard and use a deadly combination of pace, power and skill to unlock Sir Alex Ferguson's record-breaking back line. As well, that is, as unsettle United's midfield with someone as destructive as Javier Mascherano.

Until Saturday, United were unbeaten at home in the Barclays Premier League this season, having conceded just five goals. Teams were turning up convinced they had no hope of securing even a point. But United are not impenetrable, no team is, and Benitez is now urging others to take note.

In Liverpool's favour is the fact that there is pace in abundance in the teams that United still have to host between now and the end of the season. Aston Villa are at their best when they get the ball out to their wingers and so are Tottenham, while Manchester City and Arsenal also have quick players capable of terrorising Nemanja Vidic and Co.

Man of The Match: Fernando Torres celebrates after hitting the first of Liverpool's four goals.

'I think United have weaknesses,' said Benitez. 'They have quality, a lot of quality in attack, that is the main thing that they have. They are strong in defence because they have plenty of possession. But when they don't have the ball and you move the ball quickly and play behind the defenders, you know you can beat them. We knew that they are really good at playing between the lines with penetrating passes.

'So we needed to stop these passes and put the midfielders under pressure every time they were going to receive the ball; and after that try to play simple and go forward quickly, because it's an offensive team and they are always high.'

Before this encounter, Vidic was a contender for Footballer of the Year. But the manner in which he was terrorised by Torres before receiving a straight red card for his professional foul on Gerrard has probably ruined any chance of that.

Benitez saw something in Vidic that he knew Torres could exploit. 'That was one of the ideas,' he said. 'We knew that maybe with Fernando's movement we could create problems for the defenders.'

Holding court in an Old Trafford press auditorium Ferguson has long refused to appear in after Premier League matches, Benitez was in his element. He had endured the Spanish waiter taunts from United fans and soaked up insults from Ferguson. 'Disturbed' and 'ridiculous' was how Ferguson described him after that outburst in January, adding last Friday that he will need to read 'Freud' to understand his rival.

Smacker: Steven Gerrard¿s TV kiss after his strike from the penalty spot.

Reminded of all that, and the idea he was 'cracking up' in January, Benitez did something on Saturday he so rarely does. He smiled. 'I can guarantee you that I was calm and I am calm,' he said. 'But I had to defend my club and that is what I did.

Seeing red: Nemanja Vidic is given his marching orders.

'I read Freud in school and university but now I try to improve my English. Maybe he will understand me if I say something again but I have a lot of respect for him. We shook hands after the game because he was not talking bad blood. He is a fantastic manager at a big, big club. But I was not worried about myself. I was thinking only about my club. I think Liverpool has been the best team in Europe in the last five years. It is a fact.'

The fact is, though, Liverpool have lacked the consistency of United in the title race. Against their main rivals they have been terrific. Home and away wins against United and Chelsea as well as a draw at Arsenal. The kind of form that usually secures the championship. But precious points have too often been dropped at Anfield.

'It's football and it's difficult to explain why we have dropped points when we have,' said Benitez. 'Still we need to be more consistent against the other teams.'

This performance will give them the confidence to achieve that consistency. Not least the fashion in which they fought back after Pepe Reina's reckless foul on Ji-sung Park invited Cristiano Ronaldo to score from the penalty spot.

Four-midable: Andrea Dossena (left) is congratulated by his team-mates after rounding off Liverpool's magnificent victory.

First came that wonderful equaliser from Torres, then Gerrard's penalty for Patrice Evra's foul on the Liverpool captain, before Fabio Aurelio punished Vidic for his red-card challenge with a fine free-kick and Andrea Dossena outsprinted John O'Shea in pursuit of a Reina kick and sent an audacious lob over Edwin van der Sar.

Contrary to Rio Ferdinand's opinion, the red card was not 'debatable' and contrary to a view expressed by Ferguson, United were not the better team. Not on Saturday anyway.

Two games banned for Vidic

....receiving his marching orders for the foul....

From bad to worse! Vidic nightmare not over as two-game ban rocks Manchester United's title hopes. Nemanja Vidic was yesterday banned for two games as the fallout from a humiliating defeat by Liverpool began to take its toll on Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s rivals are waiting to see just how damaging Saturday’s setback will be to United’s hopes of a hat-trick of Barclays Premier League titles and their pursuit of a clean sweep of trophies.

Nightmare: Vidic blundered to let Fernando Torres in to score Liverpool's first......

Now the sending-off has ruled Vidic out of next weekend’s trip to Fulham and the following league game at home to Aston Villa.

...before flattening Steven Gerrard....

The FA confirmed that the straight red card shown to Vidic for hauling down Steven Gerrard at Old Trafford will mean a two-game suspension because it comes on the back of his dismissal for two bookings in the 2-1 defeat at Anfield last September.

At least Ferguson has an accomplished replacement in Jonny Evans to partner Rio Ferdinand at the heart of his defence and Ji-sung Park is confident Saturday’s defeat will not stop United retaining the title.

...and watching Fabio Aurelio curl home the resulting free-kick

Park said: ‘If we produce good performances, like we have been doing, for the rest of our league games this defeat will not be a big problem.’

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been told by UEFA president Michel Platini that the ruling body will try to avoid forcing the club to play the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 15, the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Liverpool 4 - 1 Manchester United

It had looked rosy when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a first-half penalty, but an uncharacteristically nervy display at the back allowed Liverpool back into this match; and the subsequent 4-1 defeat means the Reds’ lead at the top is chopped to four points, albeit with a game in hand.

Ronaldo put United ahead but three defensive mistakes led to Liverpool goals, and Nemanja Vidic’s second-half sending-off, which preceded the visitors' third goal, put paid to taking any points. In truth, this wasn’t a great day at the office, it never quite clicked into place. But one thing is certain: this defeat must be used to propel the Reds forward in the title race. The team responds well to set-backs, and this is only a minor stumble.

United made three changes from the team that beat Internazionale in midweek. Whereas Sir Alex chose the experience of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs against Jose Mourinho’s men, the Reds boss favoured the energy and youthful vigour of Anderson and Ji-sung Park, while Carlos Tevez partnered Wayne Rooney in place of Dimitar Berbatov.

It must have stuck in the throats of Liverpool’s players and fans when United were welcomed onto the field as “the Champions of England, the Champions of Europe, and the Champions of the World”. Such is United’s dominance these days that the roles are reversed from when Liverpool dominated at home and abroad years ago.

The shouts of “United, United” were deafening as the teams kicked off, and the sheer gravity of how potentially decisive this match could be added extra spice, though it was hardly needed. Liverpool, who knew that they had to win to keep alive their ailing title hopes, were forced into a change when Alvaro Arbeloa was injured during the warm-up and replaced by Sami Hyypia.

United made the early running, while Liverpool started with a game-plan of containment, a 4-5-1 formation aimed at constricting United’s free-flowing football, but the Reds were urged on by the fans, the coaching staff and Rooney screaming at his team-mates to press forward. The start typified both team’s styles; United brooding with attacking intent, Liverpool patient and poker-faced.

The visitors blinked first. Tevez slotted a pass through the channel to Park on 23 minutes, and the midfielder was wiped out by Pepe Reina – referee Alan Wiley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ronaldo stood poised ready to strike from twelve yards and his perfectly-placed kick was followed with a collective roar of approval and rousing “We shall not be moved” as Old Trafford bounced and rocked.

The lead lasted only five minutes, however, after a rare error from Vidic, who failed to deal with a high ball forward from Reina. Whether it was the intermittent spring sunshine or indecision, he let the ball bounce and Fernando Torres nipped the ball off his toes. The Serb stumbled and Torres was left to slip the ball past the onrushing Edwin van der Sar. It was a frustrating leveller, largely undeserved and just as the Reds had appeared to take control.

United immediately looked to make amends when Reina just held onto a deflected Ronaldo free-kick, and shortly before half time Michael Carrick sent a wicked shot just over the bar. But seconds later Liverpool took the lead. Gerrard latched onto Torres’ pass and Patrice Evra brought him down. The Liverpool skipper calmly despatched his spot-kick, though Edwin guessed the right way.

In the second half, no doubt with Sir Alex’s words still ringing in their ears, the United players pressed forward, roared on by the Old Trafford crowd. Reina was twice lucky to escape after spilling crosses, once allowing the ball to rebound off his post, another dropped on the goal line. But neither occasion gleaned an equaliser. Nor did Ronaldo’s flashed cross on 63 minutes, or the return ball from Rooney which Tevez couldn’t quite reach. But United were definitely in the ascendancy.

Tevez had an even better chance on 70 minutes when Carrick’s lofted pass found him free in the area. He chested the ball down but could apply the finish. Shortly afterwards, United made a triple substitution with Berbatov, Scholes and Giggs coming on for Carrick, Anderson and Park. But United’s hopes of turning this match around were all but curtailed when Vidic was given a straight red card for hauling down Gerrard who was through on goal, and to make matters worse Fabio Aurelio curled the resulting free-kick into the top corner of van der Sar’s goal.

It all but snuffed out even the slimmest hopes of a Reds recovery and Andrea Dossena's late lob compounded matters and made this a day to forget. Liverpool may claim the bragging rights and a double over United in the league this season, but Sir Alex and co's sights are set on bigger prizes.

Manchester Utd 2 Blackburn 1: Injury to Evans puts Fergie on the defensive

Sir Alex Ferguson flies to Milan today for Manchester United’s biggest game of the season, facing the horrendous prospect of playing a central midfielder in the heart of his defence at the San Siro tomorrow night.

Either Darren Fletcher or Michael Carrick could play alongside Rio Ferdinand after Jonny Evans was injured against Blackburn on Saturday. Ferguson faces his old foe Jose Mourinho in the first leg of a last 16 Champions League tie with Inter, desperately hoping to improve a record of just one win against the former Chelsea and Porto manager.

But Ferguson admitted last night that he faces a ‘nightmare’ in defence, with Nemanja Vidic suspended and Evans joining Gary Neville, Wes Brown and John O’Shea on the injury list.
Wayne Rooney celebrates after putting United in front against Blackburn

If O’Shea or Evans do not win their fitness battles, Ferguson may have to call on someone to play out of position alongside Ferdinand as United try to keep Serie A player of the year Zlatan Ibrahimovic quiet.

Ferguson said: ‘I just hope we can get two centre backs out for Tuesday because at this moment it’s very doubtful. Jonny Evans is unlikely to play.

O'Shea set to solve United's defensive crisis

John O'Shea and Jonny Evans climbed aboard Manchester United's flight to Milan this morning with manager Sir Alex Ferguson desperately hoping one of them is fit to face Inter in a mammoth Champions League clash tomorrow.

With Nemanja Vidic suspended and England duo Gary Neville and Wes Brown both ruled out through injury, Ferguson seemed to be facing a defensive crisis when Evans limped out of Saturday's win over Blackburn with an ankle injury, joining O'Shea, who has a sore heel, on the sidelines.

While the fitness of neither Irishmen can be guaranteed, the mere fact they were able to make the journey this morning suggested Ferguson is optimistic he will be able to call on one of them.

O'Shea would be the most likely, although Belfast-born Evans declared his willingness to play if required on Saturday evening.

Speculation has mounted over the weekend that Sir Alex would be forced to play Michael Carrick out of position at centre half, but Sportsmail has learned that O'Shea responded well to treatment over the weekend.

Ferguson is also without young player Rafael, who is thought to have picked up a knock against Blackburn on Saturday, but does have Darren Fletcher who could come in.

With Rio Ferdinand fit, Ferguson does at least have one of his first-choice central defenders available as he bids to guide United towards a repeat of last season's success in the competition.

Indeed, the Red Devils have not lost in Europe since they were beaten at the San Siro at the semi-final stage two years ago.

That loss was to AC Milan, although with Inter now cruising at the top of Serie A, midfielder Michael Carrick admitted there could be no harder test for United, who could land an 18th domestic championship this term following Liverpool's failure to beat Manchester City at Anfield yesterday.

"Inter are as tough an opponent as we could get right now," said Carrick. "They are in good form at the top of their league.

"We are both probably amongst the top four or five in Europe at the moment but that is what the Champions League is all about. You have to defeat the best if you want to win it."

Carrick watched on last week as Inter overcame an AC side including David Beckham in the Milan derby, although that did not come as a surprise.

"Inter were good but we know what to expect anyway," he said.

"Going to the San Siro to play Inter is a massive game and a big test for us.

"Over the past two years we have been very consistent in the Champions League. "We have not suffered any defeats since the last time we went to the San Siro and hopefully we can keep that run going."

Rooney Makes Scoring Return as United Moves Five Points.

Feb. 19, Wayne Rooney made a goal-scoring return from his five-week injury layoff to help Manchester United beat Fulham 3-0 and extend its Premier League lead to five points.

Rooney, who had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, completed the scoring after coming on as a second-half substitute at Old Trafford last night. United led through first- half goals by Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov.

United’s ninth straight league victory lifted the Red Devils to 59 points with 13 games remaining as they bid to tie Liverpool’s record of 18 English championships. Liverpool is second with 54 points.

"We didn’t take any risks with Wayne," United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports. "I could have played him on Sunday but I felt wait a few days and we’ll get the dividends of that, and we got that tonight."

United has now gone 14 games unbeaten in England’s top division as it seeks an unprecedented five trophies this season. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar last night extended his shutout streak to 1,302 minutes, a European record.

Scholes opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he volleyed Michael Carrick’s corner kick from the edge of the area and Fulham goalie Mark Schwarzer spilled the shot over the line. It was the 34-year-old Scholes’s 97th Premier League goal.

"Over the years I have always contributed goals but in the last couple of seasons that hasn’t been the case, as I have been playing slightly deeper," Scholes told MUTV. "Hopefully that’s the start of a few more to come."

Carlos Tevez had a goal disallowed for offside in the 25th minute before Berbatov made it 2-0 five minutes later when he got between Schwarzer and Aaron Hughes to tap in a cross from John O’Shea, who had been picked out by Scholes’s chip.

United had a second goal waved off just before half time as Berbatov was judged offside as he headed in Cristiano Ronaldo’s free kick.

Rooney, who got injured against Wigan on Jan. 14, replaced Berbatov 15 minutes into the second half. Less than three minutes later he met Park Ji-Sung’s shot across the face of goal at the far post for his seventh league goal of the season.

Van der Sar, who hasn’t allowed a goal during United’s unbeaten streak, surpassed the European single-season mark of 1,275 minutes without allowing a goal set by Atletico Madrid’s Abel Resino in 1991.

Should the Dutchman hold Blackburn scoreless for 89 minutes in three days, he will eclipse the record of Club Brugge keeper Dany Verlinden, who went 1,390 minutes without allowing a goal over two seasons of the Belgian league in 1990.

Chelsea are out of the title race, says Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Chelsea's dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari has "played into the hands" of Manchester United and rendered the title race a two-way fight between his reigning champions and Liverpool.

The United manager delivered a brutal assessment of Roman Abramovich's decision to sack the World Cup-winning coach seven months into his Stamford Bridge tenure. The dismissal, he claimed, not only illustrated the short-term mentality that exists at Chelsea but increased United's chances of landing a third ­successive league title.

Ferguson, writing in the match programme, said: "I must say I was shocked that Chelsea should part so soon with a manager of such great experience and proven success as 'Phil' Scolari. Their haste is a reflection of the sad way the game is going, with everyone from owners, the board members, the supporters and the media demanding instant success and showing absolutely no patience in the pursuit of their ambition.

"Looking at the Chelsea situation from United's point of view, I think they have played into our hands and that the title race now is going to be between ourselves and Liverpool. However, I shall be keeping a wary eye on Aston Villa, who seem to have picked up the baton from Arsenal."

United moved five points clear of second-placed Liverpool with victory over Fulham last night and 10 points clear of Guus Hiddink's new charges in fourth. Afterwards Ferguson appeared to soften his stance on Chelsea's title prospects, though he also claimed the strength in depth of the United squad made a collapse at Old Trafford highly unlikely.

"You can never be dead sure but it is fair to say Chelsea have an uphill fight now," the United manager said. "Things can happen. I remember being 12 points clear of Arsenal in 1998 and losing the league after we had suffered a lot of injuries. But we have got the squad to cope with injuries like that now."

Cristiano Ronaldo Wins FIFA World Player Of The Year 2008

Ronaldo’s vehicle is thought to have been written off in the accident on the A538 Wilmslow Road - he was not hurt.

One of the wheels had come off and was about 200 yards behind where the car had come to rest.

The 23-year-old was able to get out of the vehicle himself and was spoken to by police at the scene.

But he will also be formally questioned, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.Police said the Portuguese international gave a negative breath test to officers at the scene.

The red Ferrari was badly damaged in the collision, with the front edge of the vehicle completely demolished

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar, who was travelling behind Ronaldo in his Bentley, has already spoken to police but was not involved in the crash.

A club spokesman said: "He was involved in an incident this morning. No other cars were involved."

"He’s fine and is training as normal with the team this morning."

Onlooker Jody Lomax was driving behind Ronaldo when the crash happened.

"The Ferrari went straight into the wall, his front left-hand wheel came off and then Ronaldo got out of the car," he said.

"I was shocked. Anyway he was all right, he was walking - he was a bit shaken."

Mr Lomax added: “Obviously I was stunned at seeing a Ferrari go in the wall and seeing Ronaldo.

"He was obviously shaken - who wouldn’t be? - but it’s a shame about the car as well."

Cristiano Ronaldo as expected becomes FIFA World Player Of The Year 2008 he lifts the illustrious individual prize any footballer can get and is now well on his way to becoming a new legend in world football.

Ronaldo was voted in first place by 136 of the coaches and captains while 76 put Messi top.The United player picked up 935 total points, ahead of 678 for Messi and 203 for Torres.

Ronaldo is the first player based at an English club to win the FIFA award, which had previously gone only to footballers playing for Spanish or Italian sides.Ronaldo had a magnificent 2007/08 season, scoring 42 goals for Manchester United,capturing the Premier League, Champions League and European Golden Boot. He followed this up this by lifting the Club World Cup with club team manchester united

Ronaldo caps off a clean sweep of the major awards, having also picked up the prestigious Ballon d’Or (European Footballer of the Year) at the end of 2008.

The 23-year-old becomes the first English-based player to be named FIFA World Player of the Year, and only the second Portuguese, following in the footsteps of Luis Figo, who triumphed in 2001.

“It’s an overwhelming moment, very special,” said Ronaldo after receiving the FIFA award from Pele.

“I can say to my mother and sister, ‘let the fireworks off now’. It’s one of the most important moments in my life.”

In the women’s category, Brazilian sensation Marta was victorious, winning for the third year in succession