Paken Iskandar: May 2010

United 4 Stoke 0

A season of thrills and spills, up and downs, highs and lows, all built towards a final-day climax. Sadly, there were no dramatic scenes of ecstasy in Manchester, as Chelsea smashed eight past Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge to clinch the title and render the result at Old Trafford meaningless – even though United produced a wholly professional performance to see off Stoke with ease.

The time for reflection and the dissection of this most unpredictable of campaigns lies ahead, but United can be proud at least that, in a difficult season hampered by injuries, the Reds pushed Chelsea right until the very last.

Sir Alex was able to select arguably his strongest team for this season finale and his men did him, and the club, proud with the display. Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher have easily been United’s most potent central midfield pair, while they were flanked by the in-form Nani and Ryan Giggs, with Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in attack.

Rio Ferdinand was handed a start for the first time since the 0-0 draw with Blackburn, while Gary Neville, who missed the wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, joined him in a back four that also included Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, with Edwin van der Sar in goal.

United came out of the traps quickly, determined to keep our side of the bargain. Berbatov had the Reds’ early chances. The first came after Nani surged down the left and found Rooney, who cut the ball back for Berbatov, whose shot was blocked.

Source : Man Utd

When the pressure’s on, Manchester United so often produce the goods. Knowing defeat at the Stadium of Light would hand the title to Chelsea, Sir Alex’s men turned in a polished performance against a feisty Sunderland side to ensure the title race will now go down to the wire.

The win – achieved courtesy of a solitary goal from Nani's right boot – means Chelsea lead by just one point heading into the final day of the season. The Blues host Wigan, while United welcome Stoke City to Old Trafford.

It can’t have been easy for Sir Alex’s men to step onto the pitch in Sunderland after seeing Chelsea beat Liverpool at Anfield in the day’s early kick-off. But the Reds, boosted by the inclusion of Wayne Rooney from the opening whistle, began brightly.

Rooney, who had started only two of United’s last five fixtures, took just four minutes to make an impact, chesting down a cross from Dimitar Berbatov and volleying towards the far post. Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon was equal to the task and then grateful to his defenders for blocking Ryan Giggs’ follow-up.

At the other end, the home side threatened twice from set pieces: John Mensah headed wide from an early corner before captain Lorik Cana flicked a free-kick just over the bar. Mensah limped off after 18 minutes, though, as Black Cats boss and former United captain Steve Bruce was forced to reshuffle his defence.

The Reds almost reaped immediate rewards when Giggs clipped the corner of the crossbar after expertly making space for himself on the edge of the box.

Source : Man Utd