Man Utd 4-2 Blackpool Match Report

United 4 Blackpool 2

United were able to celebrate lifting the Barclays Premier League trophy in style after ruthlessly relegating battling Blackpool.

Ian Holloway's side produced a monumental effort but the Reds made a mockery of talk of fines for fielding a weakened line-up by completing a 4-2 victory after Park Ji-sung's opener was overturned by Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Anderson levelled and an  Ian Evatt own goal put the Reds in front again. Michael Owen grabbed the fourth with a typically clinical finish.

In the very first minute, Paul Scholes lost possession and Adam worked his way past Jonny Evans to cross perfectly for Keith Southern, only for the midfielder to get his side-foot finish all wrong with the goal gaping.

After the early reminder of what this match meant to the visitors, United mustered a decent attempt when Rafael's left-foot volley forced Matthew Gilks into a save but another dangerous Adam centre almost picked out Taylor-Fletcher soon afterwards.

The end-to-end opening continued with Dimitar Berbatov collecting a Darren Fletcher pass and turning Evatt with ease, only to see his shot pushed away by Gilks. The Bulgarian was heavily involved in the first goal as his prodded through ball was misjudged by Evatt and Park got goal side of the defender before expertly lofting his finish over Gilks and into the net.

The Seasiders looked to be on the ropes but Adam served notice of his threat with a cheeky long-range attempt that flew over the bar. United still looked to be in control and Berbatov spurned a chance to double the lead when firing against Gilks' legs after more defensive hesitancy.

Adam survived a penalty shout when flooring Park inside the box and Mike Dean was also unmoved when Berbatov was barged to the deck by Alex Baptiste.

A disputed free-kick award proved the Reds' undoing when Nemanja Vidic tangled with Taylor-Fletcher. The hosts felt offside had been given when Dean whistled but the decision went in Blackpool's favour and Adam took full advantage. The Scotland international's free-kick curled away from Edwin van der Sar and found the net via the Dutchman's left-hand post.
It was the first goal the Reds have conceded at home in the first half all league season and provided Holloway's side with a timely boost.

After Chris Smalling replaced Rafael at the break, the visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure at the start of the second half. When Vidic was guilty of a blatant foul on the edge of the area, Adam opted for pace on this occasion and his free-kick was swatted away by Van der Sar.

There was concern for Patrice Evra when he appeared to hurt an ankle but the Frenchman was able to continue and saw Berbatov head Nani's corner over the top.

With 57 minutes on the clock, David Vaughan broke forward and played a one-two with Jason Puncheon before crossing for Taylor-Fletcher to touch home off the far post and celebrate what looked a crucial goal in front of the away fans. The Seasiders were in dreamland but the lead only lasted five minutes. Anderson intelligently picked out Park on the left and made his way into the box to sweep home the South Korean's accurate cross.

With Michael Owen on for Park, the Reds upped the tempo and Berbatov forced a spectacular save out of Gilks from an Evra centre with Scholes' volleyed rebound blocked by Evatt. Although Adam advanced forward to crash a shot over the bar, the game was starting to be played deeper and deeper in the Blackpool half with the visitors defending for their lives to keep out a Scholes shot and Vidic header.

Nani really should have scored when heading a Smalling cross wastefully off target but it only proved a stay of execution as the substitute defender played the ball into the box again a couple of minutes later and Evatt, who had an afternoon to forget, turned it past Gilks for 3-2.

Evatt almost atoned by storming through at the other end, only to be denied by Van der Sar with the Dutchman making a superb, brave save on his final Premier League appearance. But United were finishing the stronger, just as they did at Bloomfield Road, and Anderson's through ball allowed an onside Owen to sprint clear and finish emphatically to pile on the agony for the visitors.Evans had to make one saving block but the end of the game mostly belonged to Berbatov. Desperate to win the Golden Boot outright, the Bulgarian could only find the side-netting from an angle and then flashed an acrobatic volley over the bar.

Substitute Brett Ormerod wasted an opening for Blackpool by sending a half-volley wide with Owen even closer at the other end by flashing a shot across the face of goal and Berbatov passing up a last chance of a 21st Premier League goal of the season.

There was still time for Ormerod to clip the woodwork in injury time but it wasn't enough for Blackpool, who were cruelly sent down on a dramatic final day.

Tribute Videos: Have A look At Our No. 1 Keeper Van Der Sar

Owen Hargreaves To Leave United This Summer :Sir Alex Confirms

All over: Owen Hargreaves limps off against Wolves

Manchester United have called time on Owen Hargreaves' career at Old Trafford and will not offer him a new contract. 

The decision almost certainly brings an end to the midfielder's playing days after a terrible time with knee problems. 

The 30-year-old managed only 39 appearances during nearly four seasons at United and his tendinitis injuries were a source of frustration for Sir Alex Ferguson as well as the Canadian-born former England international.

But the United manager has refused to write off the rest of his career. 

'This has been a difficult decision knowing how hard the lad has worked to win back his fitness,' said Ferguson. 'But we have made it in the hope he will be able to resurrect his career elsewhere.' 

The news will come as a bitter blow to Hargreaves, who burst on to the international stage in the build-up to the 2006 World Cup and was a one of England's best players in Germany. 

His performances encouraged Ferguson to fork out £17million in the summer of 2007 to sign him from Bayern Munich, where he won four German titles as well as a European Cup medal in 2001. 

But his football nightmare began at the start of his second season with United when tendinitis, which first struck at Munich, deteriorated badly. 

Not even the skills of famed Colorado knee specialist Richard Steadman could find a cure.

Sir Alex Ferguson: "Edwin van der Sar almost postponed retirement "

Edwin van der Sar will retire after Saturday's Champions League final. Photograph.

Edwin van der Sar approached Sir Alex Ferguson this week to say he was thinking of scrapping plans to retire at the end of the season. In his programme notes for Sunday's match against Blackpool, the Manchester United manager writes that Van der Sar, who announced in January that this would be his last season in football, almost changed his mind.

Van der Sar, 40, has been in outstanding form, and last month was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the third time in his United career. That, and United's 19th title, made him considered continuing in 2011-12, but he will sign off against Barcelona at Wembley on Saturday – 16 years after he played his first Champions League final, for Ajax against Milan.

"Edwin decided he wants to go out at the top, though he did have a wobble last week," Ferguson wrote. "He came to see me and told me he was thinking about changing his mind.

"I had to tell him to be quick about it because we are in the middle of concluding a deal for a new keeper. He came back a couple of days later to say he would be sticking with his original decision to go, which I think at his age is the right thing for him to do."

In his own unobtrusive way, Van der Sar has been one of Ferguson's best signings. United's attempts to replace their last great goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, were often disastrous: they used 10 keepers between 1999 and 2005, when the signing of Van der Sar solved the problem at a stroke.

In his six years at United, he has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the League Cup.

Anders Iniest: Rooney Is One Of The Best Player In The World

Next week sees Manchester United take on Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.

This will be the second meeting between the two sides in a Champions League final in 3 years following Barca's 2-0 victory in Rome back in 2009.

Despite the victory, Barcelona realise that they face a different proposition in this United side and Andres Iniesta, who was integral to Barcelona's win last time round, has heaped praise on his opposition.

Speaking to The Independent, the world cup winning midfielder said:

"Rooney is one of the best players in the world and I love watching him play.

"They have Nani as well and a very good defence.

But if you had to pick out only one, then for their history and for all that they have achieved it would have to be Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs. They are two shining examples for any player."

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Ferguson (Manager Of The Season) and Vidic (Player of the Season) :Barclays

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Nemanja Vidic have won the Barclays Premier League manager and player of the season awards

 

United boss Ferguson, 69, has been rewarded for guiding a team many thought would struggle this season to the Premier League title and a Champions League final against Barcelona.

It is United's - and Ferguson's - 12th Premier League triumph, and a record 19th overall top-flight title for the club. It is Ferguson's ninth such award.

Serbia centre-half Vidic, 29, has been a key player for the club, making more league appearances than any other team-mate this season (35) and scoring five goals in the process.

It is the second time Vidic has won the award, which is voted for by representatives of football's governing bodies, the media and supporters.

United sealed the title with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers last weekend, although their 2-1 win over closest rivals Chelsea the previous weekend effectively won them the league.

They face Barcelona in a Wembley final on May 28 as they bid to win their fourth European Cup.

Anders Iniesta Calls Sir Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes "Living Legends"

Iniesta hails 'legends' Giggs and Scholes

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are "living legends", Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta

The Spanish international, who scored the winner in last year's World Cup final, was speaking to his club's TV channel about his rivals ahead of the Champions League final at Wembley on May 28.

"(Scholes and Giggs) are living legends," Iniesta said. "They have played a great number of games, have broken records, have won titles and furthermore they prove they in every game they are great professionals."

Giggs, 37, and Scholes, 36, helped United win Europe's elite club competition in 1999 and 2008.

"They are examples for us and for youngsters who dream of triumphing some day. They are references you can learn a lot from," Iniesta said.

Reuters

Man Utd And Barcelona Running Behind Mario Goetze

Barcelona are ready to challenge Manchester Unitedfor the signature of Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Mario Goetze.

The 18-year-old has been a long-term target for Sir Alex Ferguson, who is keen to strengthen his midfield this summer.

But United will now face a battle with their Champions League final opponents Barcelona for Goetze, according to reports in Spain.

The attacking midfielder was an integral member of the Dortmund side who clinched the Bundesliga title this month, scoring six goals in 33 appearances.

But he now looks set to follow Nuri Sahin, another of Dortmund's key players, out of the door this summer.

Sahin was a transfer target for Liverpool, but the Turkey international chose La Liga over the Premier League by signing for Real Madrid earlier this month.

Now Barca hope his former team-mate Goetze will make a similar decision by snubbing Old Trafford for the Nou Camp.
 

Boss Confirms Paul Scholes Will Extent Contract at Man Utd and Strong Team Vs Blackpool

The Red Devils boss says he has encouraged the midfielder to stay and has confirmed that changes will be made against the Seasiders with the Champions League final in mind

FA Cup Semi Final- Manchester City v Manchester United, Paul Scholes

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Paul Scholes will extend his stay at the club.

The midfielder, whose contract runs out in the summer, is yet to sign a new deal at Old Trafford and had looked set to retire at the end of the season.

But Sir Alex told reporters: "I don't think it will be his last game. We have discussed it and I have encouraged him to stay on for another year. We'll talk at the end of the season."

The Red Devils boss has also dismissed suggestions that goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will be rested for the final Premier League fixture of the season against Blackpool, but has confirmed that he will make changes for the match.

The game will be Van der Sar's final league appearance of his career and Ferguson has said that the Dutchman will be one of several experienced players to feature on Sunday.

But with the Red Devils facing Barcelona in the Champions League final just six days later, Sir Alex has confirmed that he will need to "keep the right energies" ahead of the match at Wembley.

"Obviously people expect me to leave players out and that will be the case. I have to think about next week [the Champions League final]," Sir Alex told reporters.

"I have to juggle the balls and make sure I get the right mix and keep the right energies for Barcelona.

"There are players who need a game anyway. Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes and Anderson will all play. So will [Dimitar] Berbatov, [Patrice] Evra and Van der Sar."

He added: "We'll do our fairest to make sure there's no criticism of the club.

"The only thing you could be criticised for is if you lose a game and it affects other teams. That's when you should be put under scrutiny for the team you picked.

"Against Hull [in 2009] we played all the young players and we won 1-0, so there was no reason to criticise the selection on that occasion. This time it will be the same again. We have to make sure we win.

"For some reason the previous year, Neil Warnock found it easy to criticise us for losing to West Ham. But if he had seen the game we battered them, so it was a bit unfair."

The veteran boss also admitted that he was not looking forward to the game given what is at stake for United's opponents.

"This game on Sunday is not the kind of game you actually enjoy," he said.

"You are talking about one point separating five teams.

"It is very tight down there and you could sense what was coming with the way the league was shaping.

"Losing a couple of games can put you right back in the mire and Sunday is going to be a very important day for the futures of these clubs, which means it is not the easiest game for me to pick a team in."