United we stand — on top

NO TITLE-WINNING Manchester United team in history has been so starved of praise as Alex Ferguson’s current vintage, but when they lift the trophy at Blackburn on Saturday, as they surely will, Nemanja Vidic believes the team’s army of critics will finally be stripped of ammunition.

United, who will clinch the championship if they gain at least a draw at Ewood Park, looked every inch natural champions during Sunday’s demolition of second-placed Chelsea, but that performance has been a long time coming.

Earlier in the campaign, despite an unbeaten start that lasted until February, Ferguson’s side found praise as difficult to come by as an away victory, being described at various stages of the season as boring, stuttering and fortunate.