No trip-up for wily United

The debate about Ashley Young’s willingness to go to ground in the penalty area — and the supposedly favourable treatment enjoyed by Manchester United from Premier League officials — will continue unabated after the defending champions moved a step closer retaining their title at Old Trafford last night.

But when the dust has settled on the issue, the simple fact remains that Alex Ferguson’s side dealt comfortably with the latest challenge set down by Manchester City following the challenger’s emphatic 6-1 victory at Norwich some 27 hours earlier.

United reopened a five-point gap over City and left the title race with the intriguing possibility of Ferguson taking his team to the Etihad Stadium for the Manchester derby on the final day of April, with victory for the visitors meaning they will be mathematically certain of winning a 20th league title.