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  • Date:2009-05-16
  • Kick-off:12:45
  • Venue:Old Trafford
  • Attendance:75468
  • Referee:Dean, M

Live Commentary

90mins

The full-time whistle goes and United celebrate their third title in a row.

90mins

Anderson comes on for Wayne Rooney, who receives a standing ovation.

90mins

Relief around the stadium as United are awarded a free-kick.

90mins

Robin van Persie's free-kick takes a deflection and the Gunners have a corner.

90mins

Wayne Rooney concedes a free-kick on the edge of the box deep into injury time.

90mins

There are three minutes of added time.

89mins

The crowd are urging the United players to get forward when they get the ball as the minutes tick away.

87mins

Robin van Persie gets a shot in from inside the box but Edwin van der Sar is equal to it.

86mins

Arsenal are still playing some good passing football but there's no end product.

84mins

The corner is cleared but United lose possession again and Arsenal can come forward once more.

84mins

Cesc Fabregas has a shot which is saved by Edwin van der Sar and Arsenal have a corner.

83mins

Theo Walcott sends in a high ball towards Robin van Persie but the Dutchman can't make contact and Patrice Evra can clear.

81mins

Bacary Sagna is lying off the field after colliding with Wayne Rooney and the advertising boards but looks like he'll be okay.

79mins

Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick is well struck but just wide of the post.

77mins

Alexandre Song is booked for bringing down Cristiano Ronaldo just outside the penalty area.

76mins

Kieran Gibbs makes way for Emmanuel Eboue in Arsenal's final change.

74mins

Nemanja Vidic has impressed for United today, as he does well against Robin van Persie in the area.

72mins

Ji-Sung Park finds Cristiano Ronaldo who is flagged offside.

71mins

The atmosphere has become a little tense inside Old Trafford as we move into the final 20 minutes.

70mins

Nicklas Bendtner is on for Samir Nasri.

69mins

Andrey Arshavin is replaced by Theo Walcott.

68mins

Kieran Gibbs's cross into the area is cleared by Nemanja Vidic.

66mins

Carlos Tevez is replaced by Ji-Sung Park and the boos ring out around the stadium, which turn to cheers as Tevez waves at the crowd.

65mins

Arsenal are keeping possession well but not really hurting United.

63mins

Andrey Arshavin's corner is caught by Edwin van der Sar.

63mins

Kieran Gibbs wins a corner off Cristiano Ronaldo.

62mins

Robin van Persie takes the shot which is on target but headed clear by Michael Carrick.

61mins

Patrice Evra handles Cesc Fabregas' cross and Arsenal have a dangerous free-kick.

59mins

Cristiano Ronaldo sends the ball high and wide after Lukasz Fabianski comes out to challenge Carlos Tevez.

58mins

Kieran Gibbs tries a shot from inside the area after some good build-up play from Arsenal but it fizzes wide of the post.

57mins

Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick bounces off Alexandre Song's head and eventually goes out for a throw-in to the visitors.

55mins

Ryan Giggs tries a dink over the top towards Carlos Tevez but he can't reach the ball and it goes out for a throw-in.

54mins

The surface is very wet now which might suit Arsenal.

52mins

Cesc Fabregas drives a ball across the area and Michael Carrick concedes a corner, which is cleared and United can counter.

50mins

Kolo Toure does well against Cristiano Ronaldo and forces a goal-kick.

49mins

Samir Nasri now goes into the book for a foul on Patrice Evra.

49mins

The rain is teeming down now at Old Trafford.

48mins

Patrice Evra isn't happy after Robin van Persie fouls him and there's a bit of discussion between the players.

46mins

Cesc Fabregas is booked after catching Patrice Evra as he tried to clear the ball.

46mins

The second half gets underway.

45mins

Mike Dean blows the whistle on the first half and United are halfway to retaining the title.

45mins

Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick avoids the wall but goes wide.

45mins

Andrey Arshavin is booked for a late challenge on Michael Carrick.

45mins

There are two minutes of added time.

45mins

Nemanja Vidic heads the free-kick away for a corner and Cesc Fabregas's shot is eventually cleared.

44mins

Wayne Rooney concedes a free-kick in a good position for Arsenal and makes his feelings known to the linesman.

43mins

Cesc Fabregas takes a free-kick which is headed away by Michael Carrick.

41mins

Ryan Giggs has a shot but gets underneath it and put the ball over the bar.

40mins

Samir Nasri's cross finds Robin van Persie but his header loops into the arms of Edwin van der Sar.

39mins

Ryan Giggs takes the corner but it's headed away by Robin van Persie and United build again.

38mins

Ryan Giggs makes a good run into the area and wins a corner from Kolo Toure.

37mins

Arsenal are seeing lots of possession but can't carve out any clear-cut chances.

35mins

Robin van Persie's free-kick 15 yards outside the area is straight into the wall and a chance is wasted by Arsenal.

34mins

Samir Nasri tries to find Robin van Persie but the ball is easily cleared by Nemanja Vidic.

33mins

Robin van Persie is booked for a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo.

32mins

Abou Diaby tries to find Cesc Fabregas but he's well marshalled by the United defence and the ball goes out for a goal-kick.

31mins

Samir Nasri has a shot which lacks power and is straight at Edwin van der Sar.

30mins

Nemanja Vidic and Robin van Persie have a little stand-off.

28mins

Bacary Sagna's cross goes behind after a good passage of play from Arsenal.

26mins

Andrey Arshavin tries a snapshot but it hits Nemanja Vidic and Edwin van der Sar is able to make the save.

25mins

Ryan Giggs takes the free-kick left-footed and it sails high over the bar.

24mins

Cristiano Ronaldo wins a free-kick on the edge of the area off Alexandre Song and this is a dangerous position.

23mins

Darren Fletcher catches Alexandre Song on the ankle and the Arsenal man stays down.

21mins

Bacary Sagna crosses towards the area but Michael Carrick is able to clear.

20mins

Nemanja Vidic finds Carlos Tevez but his touch is a little heavy and the ball runs through to Lukasz Fabianski.

18mins

Michael Carrick finds Wayne Rooney who heads wide from eight yards out.

16mins

Andrey Arshavin takes the corner which is headed away by Ryan Giggs.

15mins

Andrey Arshavin runs at the heart of United's defence and wins a corner off Jonny Evans.

15mins

Robin van Persie has a great chance but heads over from six yards out.

14mins

Wayne Rooney finds Cristiano Ronaldo with a wonderful crossfield pass but Ronaldo tries one stepover too many and loses possession.

13mins

Ryan Giggs takes the corner but Lukasz Fabianski comes forward and makes a good catch.

12mins

Wayne Rooney tries a first-time shot which hits Kolo Toure and loops over the bar for a corner.

10mins

Samir Nasri is in the area but the whistle goes for an apparent handball.

10mins

Andrey Arshavin almost finds Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area but the ball is too strong and United clear the danger.

9mins

Cristiano Ronaldo is down appealing to the referee but soon gets to his feet and limps away.

7mins

Cesc Fabregas forays forward but fouls Nemanja Vidic and United have a free-kick.

5mins

Abou Diaby shoots straight at Jonny Evans and Wayne Rooney tries to release Carlos Tevez who is flagged offside.

4mins

It's been an all action start from United with Wayne Rooney looking on top form.

2mins

Cesc Fabregas shoots from over 30 yards out and the ball flies wide of the target.

1mins

United are immediately on the attack through Cristiano Ronaldo but Arsenal manage to clear.

1mins

The game gets underway in front of an expectant Old Trafford crowd.

0mins

Can Arsenal postpone the title celebrations for Manchester United, who only require a point to retain their crown?

0mins

Andrey Ashavin starts for Arsenal, who are without Manuel Almunia and Emmanuel Adebayor.

0mins

Carlos Tevez is in for Dimitar Berbatov for Manchester United while Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs replace Anderson and Paul Scholes.

Match Preview

Manchester United need only a draw at home to Arsenal to retain their Premier League crown and complete an uninterrupted hat-trick of titles.

A hard-fought 2-1 victory at Wigan Athletic in midweek left the Red Devils on the verge of more silverware, with Michael Carrick having grabbed a crucial winning goal just four minutes from time at the JJB Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson said after that victory: "We just had to be patient.

"We were against a very determined, tough Wigan side, but I thought we were the better team. It was a real gutsy performance."

The veteran Scot added of the clash with the Gunners: "I think we'll approach the game we always do and we'll try and win.

"We know we're up against a very good Arsenal side and we'll need to perform. Hopefully we will do."

Ferguson also admitted after the midweek action that centre-half Rio Ferdinand was almost certain to miss out due to a calf problem.

Jonny Evans recovered from a hamstring problem to feature against the Latics and lasted the full 90 minutes. Wes Brown's season is over due to an ankle injury.

Arsenal and boss Arsene Wenger will relish the chance to ruin the expected celebrations at Old Trafford and prove their doubters wrong.

The knives have been out for Wenger in some quarters following another trophyless season, but the Frenchman insisted: "I still believe that when you have responsibilities, you have to make decisions and stand up for that.

"Until now we have not done too badly. I do not think that the team need major investments."

Wenger's task will be made even harder by the recent Champions League semi-final defeat at the hands of United, while his defensive options continue to be restricted by the absences of William Gallas and Gael Clichy.


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Match Report

Manchester United clinched their 11th Premier League crown and equalled Liverpool's record of 18 titles following a tense goalless draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils virtually crawled over the finishing line in a game where the Gunners had the best chances to win.

This was the 11th title under manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the 11th for veteran midfield star Ryan Giggs, but this was a performance more akin to cheap pink than vintage champagne.

United, who needed only one point to clinch the championship, made hard work of their task.

But it would be churlish to be too critical of a team which has now added the Premier League title to the World Club Championship and Carling Cup.

This was United's 64th game of the season, with the Champions League Final against Barcelona coming up in Rome a week on Wednesday.

United began brightly with the surge of the red army behind them, but nerves and the effort of a gruelling 2-1 win at Wigan on Wednesday seemed to take it toll.

Such was United's lack of attacking prowess that Arsenal reserve goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski did not have a shot to save.

Wayne Rooney's 12th minute drive after Cristano Ronaldo supplied the cross from the right was deflected just over the bar off Arsenal defender Kolo Toure.

At the other end, Robin van Persie should have done better than put his looping header from Andriy Arshavin's right-wing cross high over the bar from ten yards.

Samir Nasri's deflected shot from just outside the United box went into the arms of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar on the half hour.

United's Dutch goalkeeper was also forced to keep out another van Persie header and then held on to a fierce close-range effort from his compatriot.

But it was van Persie who got in the way of a goalbound shot from Cesc Fabregas in the closing seconds of the first half.

United's best chance of the first period fell for Giggs but he blasted his shot well wide following good work by Rooney.

After the interval, United were pushed further and further back as Arsenal sensed they could spoil the party.

Giggs missed a good chance on the hour and Ronaldo went close with a teasing 79th minute free-kick from the left corner of the penalty area which crawled narrowly wide of the far post.

But the most poignant incident came in the 67th minute when Carlos Tevez was given a rapturous ovation by United fans after being replaced by Ji-Sung Park.

As he left the pitch, the Argentinian seemed to waving a fond farewell to his adoring fans.

United's nerves were almost shredded six minutes from time when Alexandre Song stormed forward before delivering the ball to Fabregas on the left side of the box.

Arsenal's captain hit a fierce shot from 12 yards which was tipped onto the post by van der Sar.

But United survived and, as they say, the rest is history.

Manchester United

Arsenal

Corners

26

Fouls

1314

Goal attempts

1115

Shots off target

63

Offsides

40

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