Team Pld W D L Pts
1 Man. United 33 24 5 4 77
2 Liverpool 34 21 11 2 74
3 Chelsea 34 21 8 5 71
4 Arsenal 34 18 11 5 65
5 Aston Villa 34 15 10 9 55
6 Everton 34 14 11 9 53
7 Fulham 34 12 11 11 47
8 West Ham 34 12 9 13 45
9 Man. City 34 13 5 16 44
10 Tottenham 34 12 8 14 44
11 Wigan 33 11 8 14 41
12 Stoke 34 10 9 15 39
13 Bolton 34 11 5 18 38
14 Portsmouth 34 9 11 14 38
15 Blackburn 34 9 10 15 37
16 Sunderland 34 9 8 17 35
17 Hull 34 8 10 16 34
18 Newcastle 34 6 13 15 31
19 Middlesbrough 34 7 10 17 31
20 West Brom 34 7 7 20 28
United ended the Barclays Premier Reserve League season on a high note
Martin, operating as a makeshift striker once again, won and converted a penalty with 20 minutes remaining, before James struck a superb goal in the final minute to seal only the Black Cats' third defeat of the season.
Although the two sides have both excelled this season, the first half was a scrappy affair, with United indebted to two fine saves from goalkeeper Ben Amos.
The Reds' best effort came from Cameron Stewart, on for the injured Rodrigo Possebon, as the winger lashed a decent opportunity wide from just inside the Sunderland area.
Martin also created an opening for himself before firing wide, but it took two fingertip saves from Amos - one to touch Liam O'Mahoney's curling effort just wide, another to tip over Jean-Yves Mvoto's header - to keep United in the game going into the interval.
The Reds were faster out of the traps after the break, however, and Martin was only inches away from turning in Zoran Tosic's viciously curling free-kick, while Stewart stung Trevor Carson's palms with a fierce drive from a tight angle.
United lost another key player through injury as Fabio limped off, but the hosts' flow was unbroken. Danny Drinkwater fired narrowly over from a free-kick before Martin won the telling penalty, going down under Carson's challenge after the goalkeeper had parried an effort from Tosic.
Although the Black Cats goalkeeper - the scourge of United on several previous occasions - dived the right way, he was unable to get a touch to Martin's powerful kick. He did partially redeem himself two minutes later though, rushing from his line to deny Martin a second.
Sunderland came agonisingly close to snatching a point with eight minutes remaining as O'Mahoney curled a superb free-kick past Amos and into the side netting. The final say went to United, however, as James added a fine second goal.
Having burst forward, the midfielder swapped passes with Nick Ajose, fashioned space for himself and arced a 20-yard shot right into Carson's top corner to round off United's league season in style.
United: Amos; Eckersley, Brown, C Evans, Fabio (Dudgeon 56); Eikrem (Ajose 78), Possebon (Stewart 18), James, Drinkwater, Tosic; Martin.
Subs not used: Devlin, Wootton.
Although the two sides have both excelled this season, the first half was a scrappy affair, with United indebted to two fine saves from goalkeeper Ben Amos.
The Reds' best effort came from Cameron Stewart, on for the injured Rodrigo Possebon, as the winger lashed a decent opportunity wide from just inside the Sunderland area.
Martin also created an opening for himself before firing wide, but it took two fingertip saves from Amos - one to touch Liam O'Mahoney's curling effort just wide, another to tip over Jean-Yves Mvoto's header - to keep United in the game going into the interval.
The Reds were faster out of the traps after the break, however, and Martin was only inches away from turning in Zoran Tosic's viciously curling free-kick, while Stewart stung Trevor Carson's palms with a fierce drive from a tight angle.
United lost another key player through injury as Fabio limped off, but the hosts' flow was unbroken. Danny Drinkwater fired narrowly over from a free-kick before Martin won the telling penalty, going down under Carson's challenge after the goalkeeper had parried an effort from Tosic.
Although the Black Cats goalkeeper - the scourge of United on several previous occasions - dived the right way, he was unable to get a touch to Martin's powerful kick. He did partially redeem himself two minutes later though, rushing from his line to deny Martin a second.
Sunderland came agonisingly close to snatching a point with eight minutes remaining as O'Mahoney curled a superb free-kick past Amos and into the side netting. The final say went to United, however, as James added a fine second goal.
Having burst forward, the midfielder swapped passes with Nick Ajose, fashioned space for himself and arced a 20-yard shot right into Carson's top corner to round off United's league season in style.
United: Amos; Eckersley, Brown, C Evans, Fabio (Dudgeon 56); Eikrem (Ajose 78), Possebon (Stewart 18), James, Drinkwater, Tosic; Martin.
Subs not used: Devlin, Wootton.
Sir Alex Ferguson
With a quick turnaround between trips to the Riverside and the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday for the Champions League semi-final, second leg, Sir Alex will freshen up his starting eleven against Gareth Southgate’s men.
As if the threat of relegation isn’t enough to fire up Boro’s players, they always seem to raise their game for United’s visit. But the Reds are keen not to let slip a three-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, who entertain Newcastle in Sunday’s 13:30 BST kick-off.
“I have got a squad, and I intend to use it,” says Sir Alex. “The midfield will change and the players up front will also probably change. I’ll bring some freshness into the team in some important areas.
“There’s Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson, Ji-sung Park and Nani, who didn’t play against Arsenal. But I won’t change my back four, which will be much the same apart from Rio. But up front I’ve got Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck, and they may be involved.”
Arsenal have an advantage in that, with four place practically secured, they can rest players for their visit to Portsmouth on Saturday (KO 15:00 BST).
“That’s Arsenal’s big advantage really,” added the Reds boss. “They could play Pat Rice [Arsenal assistant manager] at right-back and Arsene centre-forward if they like. It doesn’t matter so much for them. We have to play a team to win against Middlesbrough. It’s a lunchtime kick-off, which I don’t think is right. But we have to get on with it.”
Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Everton drained the Reds’ resources before a semi-final second leg against Milan, which United lost 3-0. But Sir Alex says his side is better equipped now.
“The maturity of the team is there,” he said. “Our performances away from home have shown a lot of maturity. The display in Porto was a case in point. When you’ve been in Europe for as long as these young players, we don’t expect them to capitulate like we did in Milan a few years ago.
"The difference was that, back then, I was playing the same players on the Saturday as I was in Europe. Now I have a bigger squad to cope.”
As if the threat of relegation isn’t enough to fire up Boro’s players, they always seem to raise their game for United’s visit. But the Reds are keen not to let slip a three-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, who entertain Newcastle in Sunday’s 13:30 BST kick-off.
“I have got a squad, and I intend to use it,” says Sir Alex. “The midfield will change and the players up front will also probably change. I’ll bring some freshness into the team in some important areas.
“There’s Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson, Ji-sung Park and Nani, who didn’t play against Arsenal. But I won’t change my back four, which will be much the same apart from Rio. But up front I’ve got Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck, and they may be involved.”
Arsenal have an advantage in that, with four place practically secured, they can rest players for their visit to Portsmouth on Saturday (KO 15:00 BST).
“That’s Arsenal’s big advantage really,” added the Reds boss. “They could play Pat Rice [Arsenal assistant manager] at right-back and Arsene centre-forward if they like. It doesn’t matter so much for them. We have to play a team to win against Middlesbrough. It’s a lunchtime kick-off, which I don’t think is right. But we have to get on with it.”
Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Everton drained the Reds’ resources before a semi-final second leg against Milan, which United lost 3-0. But Sir Alex says his side is better equipped now.
“The maturity of the team is there,” he said. “Our performances away from home have shown a lot of maturity. The display in Porto was a case in point. When you’ve been in Europe for as long as these young players, we don’t expect them to capitulate like we did in Milan a few years ago.
"The difference was that, back then, I was playing the same players on the Saturday as I was in Europe. Now I have a bigger squad to cope.”
Happy 28th birthday, John!
When it comes to early birthday presents, it’s hard to top scoring in a Champions League semi-final.
But that’s exactly what today’s birthday boy, John O’Shea, did last night as United beat Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Of course, it’s not John’s first crucial contribution in a Reds shirt. From going in goal to scoring a last-minute winner at Anfield, today’s 5 At 5 video feature pays tribute to some of Sheasy’s best moments down the years.
But that’s exactly what today’s birthday boy, John O’Shea, did last night as United beat Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Of course, it’s not John’s first crucial contribution in a Reds shirt. From going in goal to scoring a last-minute winner at Anfield, today’s 5 At 5 video feature pays tribute to some of Sheasy’s best moments down the years.
A step closer to Rome
United toyed with Arsenal at times and could, aswell as should, have skipped off the Old Trafford turf with a bigger advantage. Having said all that, many of us would have quite happily taken 1-0 before the game and it puts the Reds in a fantastic position. In the driving seat, on pole position and hopefully half way on the journey to Rome. Arsenal failed to conjure up an away goal and United have the lead thanks to a glorious goal from the most unlikely source.
Take a bow if you predicted a 1-0 win with John O’Shea scoring the solitary strike. I mean no harm to John by this, but that combination was a proper coupon buster. It was, however, a fantastic strike. Yes, the Arsenal defenders had downed tools and marched out of the penalty area when United looked at their most potent, but Sheasy still had an awful lot to do.
Leaning back and with the ball on the rise, he didn’t spoon it over or shank it wide (and many right-backs would have done one of the two). He instinctively drove it into the roof of the net. A chiselled finish, just like his recent strike against Derby. Senor Almunia's gloves got close but couldn’t stop the Irishman landing what could be the tie’s knock-out blow.
After an attacking first half, we saw a workman-like second half, notable for a couple of incidents in particular. Ronaldo rattling the bar from 35 yards with a trademark sizzler and another landmark for a player who continues to rewrite the history books.
I have run out of superlatives to describe Ryan Giggs. A tiny number of footballers ever get close to 400 appearances in the game, but twice as many as that at the highest level is quite simply phenomenal. Belated congratulations on the PFA Player of the Year award Ryan, I'm sure - as well as hopeful - that it will not be the last trophy the Welshman will lift this season.
Take a bow if you predicted a 1-0 win with John O’Shea scoring the solitary strike. I mean no harm to John by this, but that combination was a proper coupon buster. It was, however, a fantastic strike. Yes, the Arsenal defenders had downed tools and marched out of the penalty area when United looked at their most potent, but Sheasy still had an awful lot to do.
Leaning back and with the ball on the rise, he didn’t spoon it over or shank it wide (and many right-backs would have done one of the two). He instinctively drove it into the roof of the net. A chiselled finish, just like his recent strike against Derby. Senor Almunia's gloves got close but couldn’t stop the Irishman landing what could be the tie’s knock-out blow.
After an attacking first half, we saw a workman-like second half, notable for a couple of incidents in particular. Ronaldo rattling the bar from 35 yards with a trademark sizzler and another landmark for a player who continues to rewrite the history books.
I have run out of superlatives to describe Ryan Giggs. A tiny number of footballers ever get close to 400 appearances in the game, but twice as many as that at the highest level is quite simply phenomenal. Belated congratulations on the PFA Player of the Year award Ryan, I'm sure - as well as hopeful - that it will not be the last trophy the Welshman will lift this season.
Reds wait on Rio rib injury
The centre-half left the field a few minutes before the end of the European champions' 1-0 victory, having taken a blow to his torso as the Gunners pressed unsuccessfully for an equaliser.
Ferdinand sustained the injury in a ruck of players when Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner headed over from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick, the nearest the visitors came to breaching the Reds' rock-solid back line.
"Rio got a crack right on the ribs and we hope there’s nothing broken," said Sir Alex Ferguson.
"If you get a rib injury, you could be out for two to three weeks maybe. We just have to wait for the (hospital) results obviously."
Jonny Evans came on for Rio to help the Reds complete a priceless clean sheet and the young Irishman is now set to deputise for at least Saturday's league game at Middlesbrough.
Ferdinand was sent for a scan after the game on Wednesday, and ManUtd.com will bring you news of the extent of the injury from Sir Alex's press conference at 12:00 BST on Friday.
Ferdinand sustained the injury in a ruck of players when Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner headed over from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick, the nearest the visitors came to breaching the Reds' rock-solid back line.
"Rio got a crack right on the ribs and we hope there’s nothing broken," said Sir Alex Ferguson.
"If you get a rib injury, you could be out for two to three weeks maybe. We just have to wait for the (hospital) results obviously."
Jonny Evans came on for Rio to help the Reds complete a priceless clean sheet and the young Irishman is now set to deputise for at least Saturday's league game at Middlesbrough.
Ferdinand was sent for a scan after the game on Wednesday, and ManUtd.com will bring you news of the extent of the injury from Sir Alex's press conference at 12:00 BST on Friday.
02/05/09 Middlesbrough - Man. United
Form Guide: After a brief blip in March, Sir Alex’s men have won the last four league games and head to the Riverside on a high after a scintillating performance against Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions and currently reside in the relegation zone. Gareth Southgate’s men are desperate for points and will take heart in the fact United have won just three times from the last eight visits to the Riverside.
Ins and Outs: The Reds will travel to the North East without long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves, and Rio Ferdinand is a major doubt after injuring his ribs against Arsenal in midweek. Gary Neville is also expected to be sidelined for another week (foot). As for Middlesbrough, Gareth Southgate will definitely be without Chris Riggott (medial knee ligaments), while Austrian midfielder Emanuel Pogatetz could face a late fitness test on a knee injury sustained against Bolton in early April.
Star Man: Boro forward Afonso Alvez may not be firing on all cylinders this season, but United fans will remember his performance at the Riverside last term. The burly Brazilian bagged two against the Reds on a snow-kissed Sunday in last April’s 2-2 draw.
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire). Halsey has been in charge of United games on three previous occasions this season, all at Old Trafford (Wes Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Everton). In those games, he’s shown a total of just two yellow cards.
Ins and Outs: The Reds will travel to the North East without long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves, and Rio Ferdinand is a major doubt after injuring his ribs against Arsenal in midweek. Gary Neville is also expected to be sidelined for another week (foot). As for Middlesbrough, Gareth Southgate will definitely be without Chris Riggott (medial knee ligaments), while Austrian midfielder Emanuel Pogatetz could face a late fitness test on a knee injury sustained against Bolton in early April.
Star Man: Boro forward Afonso Alvez may not be firing on all cylinders this season, but United fans will remember his performance at the Riverside last term. The burly Brazilian bagged two against the Reds on a snow-kissed Sunday in last April’s 2-2 draw.
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire). Halsey has been in charge of United games on three previous occasions this season, all at Old Trafford (Wes Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Everton). In those games, he’s shown a total of just two yellow cards.
Sheasy's reward
John O'Shea will receive the perfect birthday present today - the promise of a Champions League final place. Boss Alex Ferguson revealed the versatile Irishman is a near-certainty to start in Rome if his Manchester United side keep their lead over Arsenal in this semi-final. O’Shea, 28 today, got the only goal in the 18th minute of last night’s first leg at Old Trafford. And after staying on the bench throughout last season’s triumph over Chelsea in Moscow, he has the perfect incentive to make sure United reach a second successive final. Fergie said: “John is one of the great professionals of our time. The boy never complains and is happy to play anywhere. He has not always been the No 1 choice. But he produces 30 performances a season which we’re grateful for. He plays left-back, right-back, centre-back and midfield. He is so versatile. This season he has not missed many games because of the injuries we have had. And if you ask me now if we get to the final will he be in the team, I would say yes.”
Carrick
John O’Shea gave the Reds a slender 1-0 lead at the halfway stage of the last four tie. It could, and almost certainly should, have been more.
“We played well, especially in the first half when we created a number if chances,” Carrick told MUTV. “It would have been nice for one or two more to have gone in, but we’ve won the game and we’ve kept a clean sheet so we can be pretty happy with that. It gives us something going into the second leg.
“It’s easy to say that [all we have to is play like that again in the second leg], but every game throws up different situations. I’m sure Arsenal will come out and be a real threat in the second leg. We’re confident that we can create enough chances to score again and hopefully that will make it even more difficult for them.”
Arsenal were strangely subdued and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted that his side would have to be much more of a threat in North London, something Carrick says United will have to be aware of.
“They’ve got world class players and some real threats. Fortunately tonight we nullified them as best as we could and we’re very satisified to have kept a clean sheet.
“They had one or two opportunities when they could have threatened a bit more but overall we were quite happy with the way we defended as a team. That probably allowed us to attack a bit better as well. In the second half we could have played a touch better but we did enough in the first half to win the game.”
“We played well, especially in the first half when we created a number if chances,” Carrick told MUTV. “It would have been nice for one or two more to have gone in, but we’ve won the game and we’ve kept a clean sheet so we can be pretty happy with that. It gives us something going into the second leg.
“It’s easy to say that [all we have to is play like that again in the second leg], but every game throws up different situations. I’m sure Arsenal will come out and be a real threat in the second leg. We’re confident that we can create enough chances to score again and hopefully that will make it even more difficult for them.”
Arsenal were strangely subdued and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted that his side would have to be much more of a threat in North London, something Carrick says United will have to be aware of.
“They’ve got world class players and some real threats. Fortunately tonight we nullified them as best as we could and we’re very satisified to have kept a clean sheet.
“They had one or two opportunities when they could have threatened a bit more but overall we were quite happy with the way we defended as a team. That probably allowed us to attack a bit better as well. In the second half we could have played a touch better but we did enough in the first half to win the game.”
Fletcher loves it as United plan comes together
Manchester United FC midfielder Darren Fletcher said everything went according to plan for the UEFA Champions League titleholders after they put together a 1-0 win against Arsenal FC on Wednesday night.
High tempo
Sir Alex Ferguson's side hold the initiative at the halfway point of the all-English UEFA Champions League semi-final following an energetic Old Trafford performance in which they never allowed Arsenal any time on the ball. Scotland midfielder Fletcher said: "Our game plan was to get about them and press them and do it at a high tempo and then try and break with the quality attacking players that we've got.
'In their faces'
"The game plan seemed to work," added Fletcher, a busy performer in the middle of the park. "Arsenal are a great passing side and if you stand off them, they will pass anyone to death, so it was important that we got at them, got in their faces and played at a tempo similar to what we did in the FA Cup here last season [when United beat Arsenal 4-0], before then breaking and creating chances like we did." With their route to goal blocked down the middle of the pitch, Arsenal struggled to threaten the home goal, managing just one shot on target. United, in contrast, had eight shots on target – seven in the first half alone.
Frustration
For this reason there was a sense of frustration that they did not have more to show for their efforts than John O'Shea's 17th-minute winner. Defender Patrice Evra said: "I think 1-0 is not good because we created a lot of chances – maybe four or five – and scored only one of them. I would like to congratulate their goalkeeper [Manuel Almunia], because without him we could have won 4-0." Midfielder Michael Carrick added: "We played well, especially in the first half, and created a number of chances and it would have been nice for one or two more to go in. But we have won the game and kept a clean sheet, so we have to be pretty happy with that."
Away goal
United's clean sheet means that they will be in a very strong position should they get a goal in Tuesday's return at the Arsenal Stadium, where they have scored in their three previous visits. As Carrick explained: "They will come out and be a real threat in the second leg but we are confident we can create enough chances to score again and hopefully that will make it even more difficult for them." Fletcher concurred when he said: "The pressure is on Arsenal now; they are at home and will have to come out and win the match. It will be a difficult match, but with the attacking quality we have got – whatever team the manager picks – we have enough quality to score that away goal."
High tempo
Sir Alex Ferguson's side hold the initiative at the halfway point of the all-English UEFA Champions League semi-final following an energetic Old Trafford performance in which they never allowed Arsenal any time on the ball. Scotland midfielder Fletcher said: "Our game plan was to get about them and press them and do it at a high tempo and then try and break with the quality attacking players that we've got.
'In their faces'
"The game plan seemed to work," added Fletcher, a busy performer in the middle of the park. "Arsenal are a great passing side and if you stand off them, they will pass anyone to death, so it was important that we got at them, got in their faces and played at a tempo similar to what we did in the FA Cup here last season [when United beat Arsenal 4-0], before then breaking and creating chances like we did." With their route to goal blocked down the middle of the pitch, Arsenal struggled to threaten the home goal, managing just one shot on target. United, in contrast, had eight shots on target – seven in the first half alone.
Frustration
For this reason there was a sense of frustration that they did not have more to show for their efforts than John O'Shea's 17th-minute winner. Defender Patrice Evra said: "I think 1-0 is not good because we created a lot of chances – maybe four or five – and scored only one of them. I would like to congratulate their goalkeeper [Manuel Almunia], because without him we could have won 4-0." Midfielder Michael Carrick added: "We played well, especially in the first half, and created a number of chances and it would have been nice for one or two more to go in. But we have won the game and kept a clean sheet, so we have to be pretty happy with that."
Away goal
United's clean sheet means that they will be in a very strong position should they get a goal in Tuesday's return at the Arsenal Stadium, where they have scored in their three previous visits. As Carrick explained: "They will come out and be a real threat in the second leg but we are confident we can create enough chances to score again and hopefully that will make it even more difficult for them." Fletcher concurred when he said: "The pressure is on Arsenal now; they are at home and will have to come out and win the match. It will be a difficult match, but with the attacking quality we have got – whatever team the manager picks – we have enough quality to score that away goal."
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