- 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
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 Team
Arsenal Team
Manchester United | Arsenal |
Corners
| 2 | 6 |
Fouls
| 13 | 14 |
Goal attempts
| 11 | 15 |
Shots off target
| 6 | 3 |
Offsides
| 4 | 0 |



90mins
Anderson comes on for Wayne Rooney, who receives a standing ovation.