United clinch world title

Rooney strike hands 10-man Red Devils win over LDU Quito

By James Dall   Last updated: 21st December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

United clinch world title

Rooney: Match-winner

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A second-half strike from Wayne Rooney handed 10-man Manchester United a deserved 1-0 victory over LDU Quito in the Fifa Club World Cup Final at the Yokohama Stadium.

The UEFA Champions League holders dominated the first half but were unable to break the deadlock as opposition goalkeeper Jose Cevallos was called into action on several occasions.

The Red Devils were dealt a setback four minutes after the interval when centre-back Nemanja Vidic was handed a straight red card by referee Ravshan Irmatov for catching Claudio Bieler with his elbow.

South American club champions LDU Quito began to make their numerical advantage pay, but they were undone on 73 minutes as Rooney smashed home the winner after he was teed up by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Danger

It is the first time an English club have won the tournament in its expanded form and the second time United have been crowned best on the planet following their victory over Palmeiras in 1999.

Any doubt over the tactics Quito would use against the Champions League winners were dispelled inside the opening five minutes.

First Claudio Bieler waded into Ronaldo with a dangerous tackle that brought a yellow card, then the Ecuador outfit camped in their own half, content to let United come to the edge of their box but no further, using whatever means they could to achieve it.

Quito's defence was by no means watertight but, not for the first time this season, United failed to make their superiority tell.

Rooney powered two thunderous efforts towards goal that Jose Cevallos managed to deal with, the first time convincingly, the second far less so.

From then on, Rooney was the link man as chances began to pile up.

Culprit

Park Ji-Sung was one culprit, driving an angled shot straight at Cevallos before lifting a close-range shot over the bar after Rafael had picked him out with a superb crossfield pass.

It was the type of opportunity Ferguson has been imploring the South Korean to take as he gets into similar positions so many times but for a poor net return. The same could also be said of Carlos Tevez.

Three times Tevez found himself in sight of goal but on each occasion he was denied, Cevallos particularly impressive in pushing away a header the South American guided towards the corner from Ronaldo's cross.

The prospective World Footballer of the Year was a muted force in attack. He did bring a few appreciative howls from a capacity crowd as he danced through the Quito midfield but the physical nature of the opposition ensured he never really got a clear sight of goal.

As Ferguson delivered his interval team-talk, he must have warned his team of the danger that lurked if chances continued to be spurned.

If so, his words had even more resonance four minutes after the restart as Vidic was sent off.

The flashpoint came as Vidic and Bieler wrestled on the floor as they tried to get to their feet.

Suddenly Bieler was rolling around clutching his face and referee Irmatov was brandishing a red card.

Elbow

TV replays showed Vidic had used an elbow, although as Bieler looked in no trouble as he re-entered the fray, it did not appear the damage was too serious.

Yet Quito failed to press home the advantage of an extra man, Van der Sar denying Damian Manso and William Araujo during sporadic attacks.

In contrast, even with 10 men, United kept pushing and 17 minutes from time duly received their reward.

Carrick supplied a superb pass for Ronaldo, who instead of going for goal himself, fed Rooney to his left and his shot was precise and out of the reach of Cevallos.

Van der Sar needed to make a flying save to deny Damian Manso in the final minutes and even Tevez was off the bench as the celebrations began.

LDU QuitoTeam StatisticsManchester United
0Goals1
01st Half Goals0
3Shots on Target8
5Shots off Target8
1Blocked Shots0
5Corners3
26Fouls17
3Offsides1
5Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards1
80.8Passing Success85.2
25Tackles25
88Tackles Success72
42.8Possession57.2
46.1Territorial Advantage53.9
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Comments (20)

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David Lopan (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done to manchester United. They now need concentrate and retain the premiership and european titles. It's now in thier hands. COME ON YOU CAN DO IT!

Posted 20:32 21st December 2008

Clive Wood (Manchester United fan) says...

World Champions again, in years to come when the great football achievements of this country are talked about, MANCHESTER UNITED will be the name on everybodies lips. Well done lads and Sir Alex, have a GREAT Christmas 'cos you've certainly made mine.

Posted 20:27 21st December 2008

Rick Maynard (Manchester United fan) says...

Can Sir Alex be knighted again? Absolutely Royal! "The Reds Keep Marching On!! Rick M. Toronto/Canada

Posted 20:15 21st December 2008

Ian Edney (Manchester United fan) says...

Congratulations to all associated with the club and to English football as a whole, Our most famous sporting club side doing the job for all the world to see, and some sublime football in the process, A word for the Boss , SAF is now way out in a league of his own as the best manager on the planet prabably in the history of the game!

Posted 20:02 21st December 2008

Anthony Ferrante (Manchester United fan) says...

United did merit their crowning. Although the pressure brought to bear on the Quito team was incessant in the first half, United again failed to maker their supoeriority count due to good goalkeeping by the opponent and some failures on the United side. Vidic's send off was justified. He did elbow Bieler, who as expected in such cases, overdid the acting! Well done Champs. And Sir Ferguson, keep tight a the helm. We do want to go further....

Posted 19:55 21st December 2008

Andrew Walker (Manchester United fan) says...

Now for the rest...Come on you Reds..........WELL DONE

Posted 19:45 21st December 2008

Rod Holbrook (Bristol City fan) says...

United are rightfully, "Champions of the World" & the second best club on earth after Bristol City F C.

Posted 19:45 21st December 2008

Mobeen Nawaz (Manchester United fan) says...

Man Utd...Champions of England, Champions of Europe and now Champions of the World!! Well done lads! Bring on the premiership and bring on Inter!!

Posted 19:33 21st December 2008

Lincoln Cherera (Manchester United fan) says...

well done lads, its time we showed we the best in the world, keep it up

Posted 19:19 21st December 2008

Eddie Lo (Manchester United fan) says...

The numerous pleasures you have brought me throughout the years just keep adding up. Well done ManU!!

Posted 18:43 21st December 2008

Wayne Taylor (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done lads! You played brilliantly over the two games. Now come on home and show the rest how it's done in England. As for Vidic, it was a yellow at best. Rooney might have been awarded the Player Of The Tournament but a couple of the LDU players were going for Oscars. One even rolled around the penalty box as if he'd broken his leg only to chase after the ball when the ref waved play on.

Posted 17:08 21st December 2008

Stephen Ball (Manchester United fan) says...

Well Done Man U. One worrying factor though is the numerous chances United are having but not putting the game to bed earlier. United need to be more clinical. We do not want to be classed as the new Arsenal !!!!

Posted 17:03 21st December 2008

Joseph Flood (Manchester United fan) says...

well done lads, now after a little holiday in Japan, bring on the premiership

Posted 13:02 21st December 2008

Kristen Holmes (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done Manchester United wathed all tha game..... well done u are now trha world chamz good on ya... big it up 2 ronney

Posted 13:00 21st December 2008

Ross Fletcher (Manchester United fan) says...

Great win, but for all you disillusioned people out there, the red card was clearly deserved. YOU CANNOT ELBOW SOMEBODY! and before anyone says anything, i support manchester united!

Posted 12:58 21st December 2008

Jag A (Manchester United fan) says...

Well Done!! 1st English team to win this trophy. New history is written in English football.

Posted 12:58 21st December 2008

Clive Hobbs (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done lads. Something else for the other premier club supporters to be jealous of. Come on you reds.

Posted 12:56 21st December 2008

Chris Simpson (Manchester United fan) says...

Well Done United!!! They deserve to be World Champs again!! Once again United set the bench mark for the other English pretenders.

Posted 12:51 21st December 2008

Homzie D (Manchester United fan) says...

Well done lads, keep it up!!! We are the world champions!!! Well deserved and well played. Now, we rule the world!!! But, lads, please don't get carried away and hope we continue the good work!!! I'm proud of the way we played and truely deserved the win which may be a bit sour due to Vida's harsh sending off. Bring on Inter and bring on the Premiership!!!

Posted 12:44 21st December 2008

David Jones (Manchester United fan) says...

Fact...Best team in the world

Posted 12:40 21st December 2008
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