World Best Finally Crowned

Man United rules the world

Wayne Rooney clinched victory for Manchester United in the Club World Cup final with a late goal against Liga de Quito after Nemanja Vidic was sent off.

Quito goalkeeper Jose Cevallos made a series of superb stops to deny Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Park Ji Sung in the first half as United dominated.

United‘s hopes were hit when Vidic saw red after 49 minutes for lashing out with an elbow at Claudio Bieler.

But Rooney won it with a neat finish into the bottom corner on 73 minutes.

There has been plenty of debate over the significance of this competition and the consequences that United‘s trip to the Far East will have on their domestic hopes and Champions League ambitions this season.

The immediate after-effects of their sojourn to Japan will be seen when they return to the Premier League action, and the less glamorous surroundings of Stoke City‘s Britannia Stadium, on Boxing Day.

But for now, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson can celebrate collecting the world crown to go with his side‘s Premier League and European titles secured earlier in 2008 - becoming the first English club to win the global event in its current format.

It should have been a far easier victory too, as United dominated possession from the start.

Quito’s best chance came early on when Jairo Campos found space to meet Alejandro Manso’s whipped free-kick in front of goal but somehow put his shot wide.

But the South American champions were on the back-foot from that point onwards and were grateful to Cevallos for three good saves in the first 20 minutes.

Cevallos did well to push away a Rooney snap-shot from the edge of the area and repeated the trick to keep out another ferocious effort from the England striker soon after - although this time he was relieved that the ball bounced wide after it had span from his grasp
  HATE OR LOVE IT RED RULES UP MAN U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: at 22-12-2008 07:32 PM (16 years ago) | Newbie

I think he deserves it

Posted: at 24-12-2008 02:40 AM (16 years ago) | Newbie