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United sinks Wigan by four (go back to the homepage) CARDIFF, WALES -- Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 yesterday to post the biggest Carling Cup final victory in the competition's 45-year history. After Rooney had given United a halftime lead, Alex Ferguson's team scored three more in six minutes with Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo also hitting the target at the Millennium Stadium. It was United's first triumph in the competition since 1992 and first trophy since the takeover of American businessperson Malcolm Glazer last June. His sons were at the game and some United fans held up a banner saying "Glazer -- forever in your debt," referring to United's buyout being based largely on borrowed money. "They enjoyed their day, they got soaked in champagne," Ferguson said of the Glazer sons. "We put up a great attacking performance. Wigan had a few attacking moments and we had a few great blocks, but I thought some of our attacking play was very threatening and that was the decisive factor." Ferguson dropped Ruud van Nistelrooy to the bench and said he started Saha because he had scored five goals in four Carling Cup games. "I really think he deserved to play in the final," Ferguson said. "Ruud only came into the competition in the second leg of the semifinal." In its first major final, Wigan was outplayed for the second time this season by United, having lost 4-0 at Old Trafford on Dec. 14 in their only other meeting. The two teams meet again at Wigan's JJB Stadium on March 6 as Paul Jewell's team, in the top flight of English soccer for the first time, chases a first-ever appearance in a European competition. Rooney almost gave United a seventh-minute lead when Gary Neville floated in a cross from the right and the England striker was unchallenged as he aimed a firm header, but it bounced back off the crossbar. Wigan changed goalkeepers in the 15th minute when Mike Pollitt had to go off with a hamstring injury. John Filan took over. After Arjen de Zeeuw had escaped a penalty claim for handball, United went ahead in the 33rd minute. Saha flicked on a long through ball and there seemed little danger with Wigan defenders Pascal Chimbonda and de Zeeuw well placed to stop Rooney getting clear. But they got in each other's way and Rooney was left with a clear run to goal before firing the ball home from 15 yards. Henri Camara came close to equalizing five minutes into the second half when he got clear of United's defenders only to shoot straight at goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. |
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