Carrick & Rooney Bag Three More Points

Great Strike
By Chris O'Brien
April 18 2007

The Red Devils opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Premiership with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United. Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney were on target for Fergie's men as they secured yet another crucial victory.

There was an air of expectation around Old Trafford following the superb results over the past week; and Sir Alex Ferguson's didn't fail to impress with a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United to open up a six-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the Premiership table.

The main surprise before kick-off was Tomasz Kuszczak's inclusion in goal with Edwin Van Der Sar dropped to bench. Sir Alex Ferguson opted for Darren Fletcher to play at right-back, with Patrice Evra in his favoured left-back role.

With Rio Ferdinand absent, Gabriel Heinze and Wesley Brown started at the heart of the defence with John O'Shea and youngster Craig Cathcart amongst the substitutes. Meanwhile, Alan Smith partnered Wayne Rooney up front with Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo making up the midfield quartet.

United got off to the perfect start as they opened up the scoring after only four minutes; lifting Cristiano Ronaldo's pass over Paddy Kenny to send the home fans into delight. A rampant United them came close to doubling their advantage as Rooney spurned a one-on-one opportunity; but the Blades soon settled and kept out the Red Devils until the half-time break.

However, Neil Warnock's resilient men were put to the sword on fifty minutes as Rooney doubled the home side's advantage. The England star controlled an excellent Ryan Giggs pass and fired a superb effort into the back of the net.

To their credit Sheffield United, in the middle of a tense relegation scrap, battled back well and can be deemed very unlucky not to have had a chance to get themselves into the game. Referee Rob Styles denied the Blades a penalty after Gabriel Heinze clearly brought down Luton Shelton as he bared down on goal. Michael Tonge then went close for the Yorkshiremen as he smashed a 20-yard effort onto the woodwork.

They were two moments that could have unleashed new life into the game - but United escaped and held on for a crucial victory that takes them one step closer to Premiership glory.

Full Time - Manchester United 2-0 Sheffield United
Attendance - 75,540

Manchester United: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Brown, Heinze, Evra (Richardson 21), Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Rooney, Giggs (Solskjaer 80), Smith.
Substitutes Not Used: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Cathcart.

Sheffield United: Kenny, Geary, Morgan, Kozluk (Armstrong 77), Kilgallon, Jagielka, Webber, Montgomery, Tonge, Kazim-Richards (Gillespie 75), Shelton (Nade 89).
Substitutes Not Used: Alan Quinn, Fathi.