Man Utd Win The Carling Cup
Manchester United hit Wigan with a second-half salvo to win 4-0 and claim the League Cup for the second time.
Wayne Rooney cashed in on confusion between Arjan De Zeeuw and Pascal Chimbonda to fire United ahead.
Gary Neville crossed for Louis Saha to score United’s second before Stephane Henchoz gifted the ball to Saha to set Christiano Ronaldo up for their third.
Rooney rounded off a blitz of three goals in seven minutes to ensure United ended the season with a trophy.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that the game was won by his side’s quick goals in the second half.
“We went for the second goal, which would hopefully win the game, but they had a chance straight after that and Edwin van de Sar made a great save from Henri Camara,” he said.
“The two quick goals won the game for us.”
“Credit goes to Wigan because they had a go, they attacked us and had good opportunities in the last third of the field.”
Wigan boss Paul Jewell admitted his side were outclassed: “We gave away bad goals and United were absolutely clinical - it was like a David against Goliath match.”
“We were playing a world class side with world class players and we were beaten by a better side.”
“It’s tough to take, but we’ve lost against one of the most decorated sides in the world and there’s no shame in that.”
After the match Ferguson played down his decision to drop Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
He said striker Louis Saha was picked for the final because of his form in the competition and denied that Van Nistelrooy had objected to the move.
“He seemed OK in the dressing room before the game and was OK with the players,” he said.
“He’s disappointed but he had to be disappointed, that’s the nature of it.”
Saha scored the second goal taking his tally in this seasons competition to six.
“Since he has been fit he has scored 10 in 13 games,” said Ferguson. “There’s a danger of overlooking it and not giving him his credit.”
