Manchester United 4 - 0 Charlton
Sunday 7th May 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester
This was not how it was supposed to end for Ruud van Nistelrooy. The media were already touting the fact that this would almost definitley be his last game at the club, but even that didn't happen. After being left-out of the side, Ruud took a taxi to Old Trafford (from their pre-match meal restaurant) and drove home. It looks like another case of Fergie clashing with a top-star, like Jip Jaap, and the player coming off worse. Fergie can go now for me.
As the news hit the terraces the mood changed a little, and strains of "Ruud, Ruud, Ruud" could be heard. The news clearly didn't affect Cristiano Ronaldo, who was on top form.
It was a young united side that took to the field, with a few players being tested ahead of the world cup, but unfortunatley no sign of Heinze until the end celebrations.
Rossi was gifted his first start, at Ruud's expense, alongside Saha. They were backed up by Richardson and Ronaldo, Giggs and O'Shea, with Silvestre, Neville, Rio and Brown taking their places in defence.
It wasn't long before the breakthrough came, and from the moment that Richardson's screaming shot from 40 yards hit the crossbar, you could tell that United were up for it today.
The goal came from a corner, an unusual source for United, with Saha guiding the ball between the back-ppost and the guy who was supposed to be marking it!
Ronaldo's goal was no better for Charlton - another corner saw the ball bounce round the box and land at the talented youngsters feet. He made no mistake with a cool finish just out of the keeper's reach, before turning to celebrate with his peers.
Ronaldo was all in place for a second goal, a tap-in at that, when a Charlton defender decided to save him the bother, putting the ball into his own net instead!
Three-nil, game won.
Scholes and Solskjaer entered the frey in the second half, but couldn't seem to be bothered, with United instead preferring to pass the ball round at the back.
Richardson sealed a fine display with another shot from distance that crept in at the back-post.
The final whistle took United to second in the table, a guaranteed Champions League spot, and a lap of honour.
Next season will be better, but it'll be without Ruud.
Manchester Utd: Van der Sar, Neville (Vidic 62), Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Ronaldo, O'Shea (Scholes 45), Giggs, Richardson, Saha (Solskjaer 61), Rossi.
Subs Not Used: Howard, Fletcher. Booked: Richardson.
Booked: Richardson.
Goals: Saha 19, Ronaldo 23, Euell 35 og, Richardson 58.
Charlton: Andersen, Sankofa (Fortune 45), Sorondo, Perry, Powell, Holland, Kishishev, Euell (Ambrose 61), Hughes, Bartlett, Darren Bent (Sam 45).
