No Ruud in United’s Cup joy

Man Utd 4 Wigan 0

But it was the omission of Ruud Van Nistelrooy that caused eyebrows to be raised.

United’s star striker cut a disconsolate figure as he trudged off the Millennium Stadium pitch alone, while his team-mates were celebrating their victory.

Still in his tracksuit, as he had been for 90 frustrating minutes on the substitutes’ bench while United ripped Wigan apart, Van Nistelrooy left the celebrations long before his team-mates, who had all donned t-shirts bearing tributes to the injured Alan Smith.

In the Dutchman’s absence, Wayne Rooney took centre stage, opening and closing the scoring either side of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha.

Ferguson claimed he played Saha ahead of Van Nistelrooy as the French forward had been selected in previous rounds: “I chose Saha because he is our top scorer in this competition and I thought he deserved to be part of it today. You can overlook players too much.”

With Van Nistelrooy sidelined, it was Rooney’s show as the young England striker picked up his first senior medal and the official Man of the Match award.

With Wigan attempting to take the game to United from the start, it was only a matter of time before the Red tide would turn against the Latics.

“The score-line is a little bit unfair on Wigan because they had a go at us and did not stop having a go at us - that made it a very open final,” said Ferguson.

Paul Jewell must have known this was not going to be his day when goalkeeper Mike Pollitt pulled his hamstring in the opening minutes and had to be replaced by the veteran Australian John Filan.

Jewell said: “I am very disappointed for the lad because he had to come off in what was the biggest game of his life.

“Make no mistake about it, we were beaten by a much better team. I don’t like losing but this year we have been beaten 4-0 in the final by Manchester United - last year we lost to Grimsby. If you look at the bigger picture, then Wigan Football Club are nothing but winners this season.”

Rooney opened the scoring, taking advantage after Stephane Henchoz and Arjan de Zeeuw collided on the edge of the box in the 33rd minute. It allowed him a clear run at goal and he coolly slotted the ball past Filan.

Wigan had few chances, with Jason Roberts and Henri Camara relying on scraps and missing those chances that fell their way.

United, by contrast, simply stepped up a gear after the break, scoring three goals in six minutes.

In the 55th minute, Saha was picked out by Gary Neville’s cross in the six-yard box. Although Filan saved his initial shot, the Frenchman bundled the rebound over the line.

Saha turned provider for the third, four minutes later, when he picked up a loose clearance 25 yards from goal and fed a pass through to Ronaldo, who drilled the ball home.

The Portuguese winger had a hand in the fourth goal when Wigan failed to clear his inswinging free-kick and Rooney thumped home from close range in the 61st minute.

That was effectively that, and all that remained were the presentations, with United’s players paying tribute to Smith. Ferguson approved, adding: “I though it was appropriate because he was at home watching us on TV.”

Which is where Van Nistelrooy might as well have been.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Brown (Vidic 83), Ferdinand, Silvestre (Evra 83), Ronaldo (Richardson 73), O’Shea, Giggs, Park, Saha, Rooney.

Wigan: Pollitt (Filan 14), Chimbonda, De Zeeuw, Henchoz (McCulloch 62), Baines, Bullard, Kavanagh (Ziegler 72), Scharner, Teale, Camara, Roberts.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).