 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Man United clinch third straight league title
Manchester United captured their 18th English league title on Saturday when they secured the point they needed in a nervy 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal.
It was a cautious display by United, who endured some anxious moments late on before the final whistle sealed a hat-trick of titles and moved them alongside Liverpool as the teams with most English league crowns.
MU clinch third straight league title
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with a bottle of Champagne as his team topped the table (87 points) with one match remaining.
Ronaldo nearly spared United's nerves with a vicious free kick with 12 minutes remaining while the Portuguese set up Park Ji-sung for a goal that was ruled offside.
However, the final minutes produced the rare sight of a United side hanging on with 10 men behind the ball as Arsenal sensed a chance to spoil the party and Fabregas almost extended the title race until the final day of the season.
United defends title despite draw
Michael Carrick (left), Wayne Rooney (center) and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate after the draw that secured them the top spot in the league table.
Arsenal, who will finish a distant fourth, enjoyed plenty of possession and came agonisingly close to silencing Old Trafford when captain Cesc Fabregas struck a shot against the outside of Edwin van der Sar's post with seven minutes remaining.
United hung on, however, moving to 87 points with one game remaining to end the formidable challenge of Liverpool whose title drought stretches back to 1990. Liverpool, who visit relegation fighters West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, have 80.
That was the longest 90 minutes in history: Ferguson
"That was the longest 90 minutes in history," said United manager Alex Ferguson, who has won 11 league title in 22 years at the club and is already setting his sights on claiming another one next season.
"It will be even more special when we get in front of them (Liverpool). We are a young team and next season we'll go for it again. This is a great side, a great squad, I could have picked two teams today," he told Sky Sports.
Liverpool could finish second with 86 points, the highest total not to win the Premier League, and Ferguson said Rafael Benitez's side had been tough to keep at bay.
"They beat us 4-1 at home, which was a travesty of a result, but they got great impetus from that. That gave them the scent and they took the scent and credit to them because they've battled all the way."
Usain, a big fan of Manchester United
Triple Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt enjoys his time during the match.
Bolt takes to the streets of Manchester on Sunday (22:50 IST) for a 150 metres race reminiscent of the popular professional foot contests staged throughout 19th century Britain.
Bolt is the hottest property in athletics at the moment after setting individual world records in the 100 and 200 metres in Beijing last year and sharing the 4x100 relay record with his Jamaican team mates.
He will command a handsome if confidential sum in appearance money for a race on a tartan track in the city centre against British sprinters Mark Lewis-Francis and Simeon Williamson which organisers claim will bring athletics "back to the people".
Bolt, a Manchester United fan who bases himself in Britain during the European season, said it would be his first race in Manchester, his first over 150 metres and his first in a street.