Manchester United regained the Premier League title on Saturday after drawing with Blackburn. Here we look back at five key moments that helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s side secure a record 19th English league title:
Park guns down Arsenal
December 13
United put a significant dent in Arsenal’s title challenge as Park Ji-Sung’s first half strike sealed a 1-0 win at Old Trafford that moved Sir Alex Ferguson’s side above the Gunners into first place.
The South Korean midfielder scored with a looping header from Nani’s deflected cross in the 41st minute and United could even afford to laugh off Wayne Rooney’s penalty miss in the second half as Arsene Wenger’s team paid the price for a timid display.
Blackpool rocked by brilliant Berbatov
January 25
Trailing to first half goals from Craig Cathcart and DJ Campbell, United’s trip to the seaside was in danger of becoming a damp squib until Dimitar Berbatov sparked a stunning fightback that rocked Blackpool in the final 18 minutes. Berbatov has blown hot and cold this season but he found his form just in time at Bloomfield Road as he struck in the 72nd minute and, after Javier Hernandez equalised two minutes later, the Bulgarian forward then hit the winner with two minutes remaining to extend United’s unbeaten league run to 23 matches.
Rooney’s acrobatics shatter City
February 12
After spending much of the season lost in a fog of poor form and personal problems, Wayne Rooney produced a moment of sheer genius to banish the ill-feeling that lingered after his attempt to engineer a move away from Old Trafford. With United still reeling from the previous week’s surprise defeat at Wolves and frustrated by David Silva’s second half equaliser for Manchester City, Rooney found the perfect way to get the fans back onside with a stunning bicycle kick that settled a hard-fought derby in the 78th minute.
Rooney’s late surge nails Hammers
April 2
A pair of penalties from Mark Noble had left United on the brink of a shock defeat against struggling West Ham at Upton Park, but Wayne Rooney saved the day as he stole the headlines with a hat-trick followed by an infamous F-word rant. Rooney staged a one-man rescue act as the striker curled in a superb free-kick in the 65th minute then equalised with a perfectly-placed shot eight minutes later. His 79th minute penalty put United in front and prompted a verbal blast to a television camera – eventually punished with a two-match ban – before Javier Hernandez’s late strike sealed the points.
Quick-fire Hernandez stuns Chelsea
May 8
Javier Hernandez took just 36 seconds to deliver a hammer blow to Chelsea’s late charge as the Mexican’s dream debut season reached a new high. The title was on the line when second placed Chelsea came to Old Trafford trailing United by just three points, but Hernandez shattered the Blues when he surged onto Park Ji-Sung’s pass and slotted home moments after kick-off. Nemanja Vidic’s 23rd minute header put United in total control and Frank Lampard’s goal wasn’t enough to deny United as Sir Alex Ferguson bowed extravagantly towards the Stretford End in celebration of what was effectively a title-winning result.
