10 Great Moments From Today

Barclays Premier League Champion 2011

1. As you would expect, the Stretford End were showering Edwin Van der Sar with attention in the first half. On one particularly occasion, with his name being sung louder and louder as he went to collect the ball for a goal kick, he looked up to the crowd and grabbed his badge. We love you too, big guy!

2. In the second half, the fans showed off our large and varied song book again, singing for players past and present. One chorus of “Ooh ahh Cantona” was the loudest I can remember hearing it for years. He started it all off for us, the catalyst for our success in 92-93 when we claimed our first title in 26 years, so it was spine tingling to hear him remembered so passionately today.

3. Towards the end of the game, Van der Sar made a great save. In response, Patrice Evra got down on his knees and bowed down to the keeper, in a ‘we are not worthy’ gesture. Edwin grabbed him and pulled him back up on to his feet, embarrassed, before telling him to get on his post for the corner.

 

4. Who would have thought back in 1997, when Michael Owen was a teenager making a name for himself at Liverpool, that a few years later we’d be overtaking their title record and Owen would be scoring for us on the day the league was won? As if it wasn’t funny enough that their one time hero got to win the league with us anyway, after going 21 years without it themselves, but for Owen to actually score was the icing on the cake.

5. I don’t think there were many inside Old Trafford who actually wanted to see Blackpool relegated. Of course you want to win the last game of the season, whether you’ve won the title or not, but I know I wasn’t alone in hope results elsewhere helped them out. After our players had been given the guard of honour by Blackpool’s ahead of kick-off, I was proud to see our fans applaud the Blackpool players off the pitch. They responded by clapping our fans. Ian Holloway made his way off a minute or so later and even got a song from the Stretford End, whilst he turned and applauded all four stands. Classy stuff from both sides.

6. Whilst waiting for the players to come out, one of the streamer cannons randomly exploded, leaving the organisers running around like blue arsed flies to try and clear up the mess. After the trophy was awarded and the rest of the streamers went off, it took the players’ kids all of two seconds to be running around in and trying to collect the ball of shiney stuff. Mini Fletch #1 and #2 were particularly cute.

7. Evra was handed a French flag with a picture of Cantona on it. He proudly waved this around and posed for photos, before wrapping his son up in it. He then spent about ten minutes chasing him around on the pitch.

8. Rafael and Fabio lifting the trophy together was a lovely moment. The pair of them will be pleased with their contribution this season and it was nice getting to see them celebrating today together. Definitely one for the Da Silva mantelpiece.

9. Van der Sar’s goodbye speech was nice, with him admitting he wishes he had joined the club earlier. It ended with a rousing claim that we were going to get that trophy on Saturday.

10. Nineteen. We did it. Now for twenty…

Rio out to set record straight :Ferdinand desperate to beat Barca and end pain of 2009

Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United VS Barcelona

Two years ago in Rome, United were soundly beaten by Barcelona in a game the Catalan giants dominated to win 2-0, with the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel messi   imperious throughout.

On Saturday, the teams will do battle at the same stage again, this time on English soil at Wembley as both teams look to claim their fourth European Cup.

Messi scored a header that night in Rome and the World Player of the Year is sure to be the biggest threat on the pitch once again, but Ferdinand is eager to banish the bad memories and emerge victorious.

"Revenge is not the right word, but I do have regrets about that 2009 final defeat to Barcelona," Ferdinand told the News Of The World.

"I was gutted, devastated by the end of that game. Nobody likes to lose a cup final but it was one of the worst feelings I have ever had in my career.

"We just didn't perform as we should have done last time. This time we have to give a better account of ourselves.

"We started well in the game and if we had put away one of the chances we had in first 10 minutes, it could have been a different story.

"We mustn't let the same thing happen this time. We can't leave the Wembley turf with any ifs or buts this time."

The England international acknowledges the threat of Messi, but feels that there is quality all over the field and that his own team had the ability to cause what would be considered an upset.

"How do you stop Messi? You can't shoot him but it's about stopping him getting the ball," he said.

"They have world-class players everywhere but then so do we."

No advantage

When asked whether playing on home soil will give his team an advantage, Ferdinand did not feel it would be the case, but remarked that beating Barcelona would be up there with the club's greatest achievements.

"I don't think playing at Wembley gives us any advantage at all," he added.

"The only advantage for us would have been if it was being played at Old Trafford. However this is our third Champions League final in four years and that in itself is a tremendous achievement.

"We have been very consistent and to win two out of those three finals would be superb, especially against this Barcelona side."

Alex Ferguson confirms Owen Hargreaves Manchester United exit

ShareManchester United have called time on Owen Hargreaves' career at Old Trafford and will not offer him a new contract. The decision almost certainly brings an end to the midfielder's playing days after a terrible time with knee problems. All over: Owen Hargreaves will not be offered a new deal by Sir Alex Ferguson The 30-year-old managed only 39 appearances during nearly four seasons at United and his tendinitis injuries were a source of frustration for Sir Alex Ferguson as well as the Canadian-born former England international. But the United manager has refused to write off the rest of his career. Pain game: Hargreaves hobbled off after just five minutes against Wolves 'This has been a difficult decision knowing how hard the lad has worked to win back his fitness,' said Ferguson. 'But we have made it in the hope he will be able to resurrect his career elsewhere.' The news will come as a bitter blow to Hargreaves, who burst on to the international stage in the build-up to the 2006 World Cup and was a one of England's best players in Germany. His performances encouraged Ferguson to fork out ?17million in the summer of 2007 to sign him from Bayern Munich, where he won four German titles as well as a European Cup medal in 2001. Tough decision: Hargreaves must now decide whether to prolong his career But his football nightmare began at the start of his second season with United when tendinitis, which first struck at Munich, deteriorated badly. Not even the skills of famed Colorado knee specialist Richard Steadman could find a cure.  Manchester City coach Kidd will return to the Reds for a nightGary Neville: Champions League final is United's biggest match since that glorious Wembley night 43 years agoAll the latest Man United news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Owen Hargreaves Places: Munich, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany

Roo u-turn was pivotal - Rio

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Wayne Rooney's decision to stay at the club has been key to their Barclays Premier League success.

England striker Rooney said he wanted to leave Old Trafford last October, but then performed a U-turn and signed a new five-year contract.

The 32-year-old said in The Sun: "Rooney staying was a big part of what we achieved this season. There was a sense of relief from the players, the fans, everybody. Wayne is one of the best three players in the world, so to have him on our team-sheet is a bonus."

United will pick up the English league trophy for a record 19th time on Sunday, after their game against relegation-threatened Blackpool, before taking on Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley next weekend.

And Ferdinand reckons Rooney's decision seven months ago was a crucial factor in their achievements this term.

He added: "I spoke to him that week when he was thinking of going. You do it with a Manchester United hat on and explain what you think is best for the club and how you want him to stay. If he had left it would have been a very big hole to fill.

"I'm not saying it was unfillable because the manager always comes up with something and you trust in his judgement. But, more than anything, Wayne staying sent a signal out to every one of our rivals in the Premier League that the glimmer of hope they had of us falling away had gone."

Ferdinand also claimed Javier Hernandez, who has scored 20 goals in all competitions so far in his debut season with Sir Alex Ferguson's side, should have been named player of the year.

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale was named Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year with West Ham midfielder Scott Parker handed the Football Writers' Association accolade.

"Gareth Bale and Scott Parker both had good seasons but for me 'Chicharito' has been the main man," Ferdinand said. "This season it seems a couple of big performances in a couple of games has seen you get championed as player of the year but Chicharito has done the business all season."

Gary Neville five-year plan for eco-friendly football

ShareGary Neville will use his Old Trafford testimonial on Tuesday to encourage supporters to consider environmental issues. Proceeds will be shared between a project to build a supporters' club centre near Old Trafford and Sustainability in Sport, an organisation the former Manchester United and England right-back has set up to encourage sports clubs to use alternative forms of energy. Go-ahead: Gary Neville has won a 17-month planning permission battle Neville, who is building a home on moorland near Bury fuelled entirely by wind and solar power, follows in the footsteps of former England team-mate David James, who hugged a tree to raise awareness of environmental issues. 'Over the past five years a series of events have made me recognise that I need to make a personal change in my lifestyle,' said Neville, who retired earlier this year. 'I've changed my car, I'm more aware of locally produced foods and I'm building a zero-carbon home. I still have a lot of changes to make and I'm sure if you followed me you could pick a lot of holes in my life. But it's a journey I want to make and one I feel we'll all have to make. 'I recognised that we had to change our energy consumption and knew that I couldn't make the difference in one day, so I decided it was going to be a five-year plan and that I would try to be someone who could promote the message, make it more accessible and encourage people to join in.' Underground bunker: The house will be on the edge of the West Pennine Moors Neville's partner in Sustainability in Sport is green entrepreneur Dale Vince, a former New Age traveller and founder and managing director of the green energy company Ecotricity, a sponsorship partner for Tuesday's match against Juventus. For tickets to Gary Neville's testimonial versus Juventus on Tuesday night call 0161 868 8000.  Gary Neville: Champions League final is United's biggest match since that glorious Wembley night 43 years agoVeteran Van der Sar admits he is dreading Old Trafford farewell  Explore more:People: Gary Neville, David James Places: United Kingdom

Alex Ferguson has no time for sentiment

ShareSir Alex Ferguson, of all people, knows what victory in Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley would mean to Manchester United. It is 43 years since his illustrious predecessor as United manager, the late Sir Matt Busby, celebrated the crowning moment of his career on the turf of the old Wembley Stadium. But much as that glorious night in 1968 - when, 10 years after the Munich air disaster, United became the first English club to be crowned champions of Europe - is etched into Old Trafford history, Sir Alex appreciates that when it comes to taming the Barcelona of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta on Saturday, sentiment and nostalgia can play no part in his preparations. 'It was so long ago,' said Ferguson. 'The great feat of that victory was Sir Matt Busby's rebuilding of the team after Munich. I think everybody wanted them to win it. The whole country was behind United and I'm not so sure the whole country is behind us now! 'So 1968 won't be part of our team talk on Saturday. We have our own history to make.' Legends: Man United's European Cup -winning squad of 1968 Having knocked Liverpool off their perch with a record 19th League title, Ferguson will collect another winner's medal at Old Trafford today after United's last game of the season, against Blackpool. On Saturday he can equal former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley's record of three European Cup successes. But anyone anticipating Sir Alex, 70 on New Year's Eve, to mark a season of triumphs by kicking back and contemplating a less stressful lifestyle should think again. For a fighting fit Ferguson has set his sights on winning every big prize football can offer him for at least the next five years, starting with the satisfaction of grinding Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal into the ground again next term. Having had to backtrack on plans to retire once before, Ferguson refuses to consider such an option now, particularly with City, United's rivals and 'noisy neighbours', snapping at their heels. 'I have always said my health will dictate when I retire and I feel absolutely fine,' said Sir Alex. 'I'm not even thinking of the day when I will stop. I'm enjoying what I do, at a great club, working with terrific players. I enjoy coming into work every day. I'm as enthusiastic as ever about what I do. The class of 2011: Ferguson's side celebrate winning the title 'Beating Liverpool's record of 18 titles was important but so, too, was regaining the title from Chelsea and finishing above Arsenal and Manchester City. It will not be easy to do that again next season. 'Chelsea will be formidable opposition. They have vast financial resources to supplement a squad filled with excellent, world-class players. I expect Arsenal to bounce back from what has been, by their standards, a disappointing season. 'And then there's Manchester City. I've been hearing from anybody who wants to tell me that their owners will move heaven and earth to win the championship next season, so you would have to take the possibility of that happening very seriously. 'But we won't run away from that kind of challenge at United. Indeed, I feel stimulated by the prospect of meeting it head on.' So stimulated, in fact, that Ferguson is relishing the prospect of celebrating not just his 70th but his 75th birthday by still standing firm against those clubs who would usurp United's predominant position. Wembley legacy: United won their first title at the national stadium In nearly 25 years in charge at United, Ferguson has guided the club to 12 League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two European Cups, a European Cupwinners' Cup, a European Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA World Club title. Ferguson's energy and drive have been important factors in his club's success and, by the way Ryan Giggs is playing in his 38th year and the effectiveness, at 36, of Paul Scholes, it rubs off on the United squad. 'He's there every day at training,' said Giggs of his manager. 'But he comes alive on match days. The preparation is second to none, going through the team we are playing and what he expects from us.' Giggs, himself, insists he wants to stave off retirement for as long as possible. 'You never know when the body is going to pack in or if you stop having an influence on the game or scoring,' he said. Still going strong: Ryan Giggs praised his mentor But he believes Ferguson will outlast him and admitted the manager still provides extra motivation if he or any other player doubts their ability during games. 'The hairdryer is still there,' said Giggs. 'You just keep your head down and hope it's not coming towards you. It's nothing like it used to be, but he's still fiery.' The hairdryer, the hunger, the fight all remain, so it is little wonder that the energised Ferguson wants it all. He has already started looking towards next season - at trying to persuade Scholes not to retire, at bringing in a replacement for retiring goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, at developing what he calls the 'healthy nucleus' of young players in his squad of Javier Hernandez, Nani, Chris Smalling and the Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio, and at enhancing their contributions with new signings. And there is no question that United will be ready for the Champions League final. The next generation: Fabio Da Silva leads a young contingent 'Barcelona are the favourites and you pay attention to the abilities of their players,' said Ferguson, who admitted that drawing level with former Liverpool manager Paisley in guiding his club to three European titles 'would be a fantastic achievement'. The Scot last week took his team through footage of United's 2-0 defeat by Barcelona in the 2009 final in Rome and is wary of their threats - but not obsessed by them. Ferguson said: 'They have that passing routine in the middle of the pitch and keep the ball away from you, that carousel, so you have to press real high. 'We have to deal with that but our training has been terrific. There is a danger of thinking about them too much, that is why I make the point of making an impact ourselves. 'If you see the kind of players we have, you expect us to make an impact; Nani, Antonio Valencia, Hernandez and Wayne Rooney, these are players who can create and score goals.' Saturday's game may revive many fans' memories of 1968, when Bobby Charlton, George Best and Brian Kidd were the scorers in the side that beat the Benfica of Eusebio, Torres and Simoes 4-1 in extra-time. But for Ferguson it is time to create a new legend.  Manchester City coach Kidd will return to the Reds for a nightGary Neville: Champions League final is United's biggest match since that glorious Wembley night 43 years agoGerard Pique: 'Manchester United had me in tears, but I thank them for it'All the latest Man United news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Brian Kidd, Ryan Giggs, Xavi, Antonio Valencia, Edwin Van Der Sar, Matt Busby, George Best, Wayne Rooney, Nani Places: Barcelona, Muni

ch, Liverpool, Rome, Europe.