Raider Rooney raises roof
Rooney’s header in the 92nd minute, perfectly placed from a Ryan Giggs cross, completed an incredible semi-final tie for a 4-3 aggregate victory and underlined why Robert Mancini’s side still have a fight on their hands to overtake their neighbours no matter how much money is now rolling around at Eastlands.
And Rooney admitted afterwards that his 21st goal of the season was a relief after he missed a sitter in front of the posts with the score at 2-0.
“I was not that worried although I should have done better.
“I know with our deliveries I will get chances and thankfully I took that one in injury time.
“We started well but it went a bit slow in the middle. But we have players like Fletch (Darren Fletcher), (Michael) Carrick, (Paul) Scholes and (Ryan) Giggs to call on.”
Scotland midfielder Fletcher, who gave an all-action display, felt United were good value for their win.
“Everyone was up for it,” he said. “Even after Carlos scored we were not that worried.
“We dominated the second half after a tight first half and Wayne popped up with an unbelievable winner. He has been doing that all season. We had been expecting the game to go to extra-time but overall I think we deserved the victory.”
City certainly put up a fight, however, and looked capable of re-writing history when Tevez, who produced another excellent performance, had made it 2-1 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate. But years of experience have proved United are the kings of injury-time drama and when Rooney was left unmarked, they weaved their magic again to set off incredible celebrations.
The night was not without controversy after Craig Bellamy was hit by a missile thrown from the home stands – which could yet see United punished – but bristling with tension and passion, it was a joy to watch.
The underlying aggression and thunderous noise around Old Trafford was less about another piece of silverware in an already overcrowded trophy room and more about an inner fear that decades of football history was in the process of being overturned by a club far too close to home.
There has always been an inner belief in English football, despite evidence to the contrary, that money can’t buy success; that history and tradition are the bedrock of the game and that, in the end, a club is defined primarily by its fanbase and its past.
For that reason more than any other, United’s dismissal of their derby rivals has been far from convincing – so no wonder the atmosphere was so tasty at Old Trafford.
And City manager Roberto Mancini could not hide his disappointment.
He said: “I am very sorry for the players and the supporters because we played very well and at the same level as United.
“We had a big possibility to go to the final. We were only under pressure for 10 minutes. We were very unlucky. But that is football.
“I can only compliment my players. We have another trophy to aim for and maybe we can win the FA Cup.”
Almost as if to up the ante, arch villain Tevez had a half-shout for a penalty when brought down by a sliding Rio Ferdinand and when he was subsequently felled by the same defender’s outstretched arm after 20 minutes the noise levels rose again.
United started the calmer but Tevez’s energy was always a threat and his diving header had to be well saved by Edwin van der Sar in the game’s first real chance after 30 minutes.
In truth it wasn’t the end-to-end thriller many had predicted but when van der Sar spectacularly tipped a Micah Richards piledriver over the bar after 47 minutes and Tevez was booked for a late challenge on Da Silva, the fuse was lit.
Bellamy, who moments earlier had squared up to Giggs, was struck on the head by a coin thrown from the crowd and then, to a deafening roar, Paul Scholes drilled home from the edge of the area to level the tie in the 62nd minute.
United have been in this situation so many times before and they know how to finish off a semi-final, so there was no surprise when it became 2-1 just nine minutes later, Carrick’s calm slide-rule finish putting them ahead in the tie, set up by Fletcher.
But, remarkably, and almost instantly, City replied with Tevez’s clever back-heeled finish from a Bellamy cross – a goal greeted with ironic chants of ‘Fergie, Fergie sign him up’ from the visiting fans.
United’s response, though, was pure quality. First the excellent Fletcher was denied right at the death and then Rooney’s heroics ensured the status quo remained intact.
Manchester United are at Wembley yet again. But it meant so much more than that.
Man Utd substitutes: Brown (72; 6), Valencia (90; 6).
Man City substitutes: Ireland (64; 6), Adebayor (70; 6).
Man of the match: Ryan Giggs – No-one has won more trophies in England than Giggs and he proved the value of experience with a skilful and hard-working display that included an assist for Rooney’s winner.
REFEREE: Howard Webb 7 – Handled a hot-headed game well, diffused the situation whenever possible and used his cards wisely.
MATCH RATING: **** – It may have started slowly but the most hyped game of the year lived up to its billing in the end with goals, drama and an incredible atmosphere
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