Ben Foster, so unlucky with injury at Old Trafford after giving up his culinary career, did enough at the Carling Cup final to be pencilled in by Sir Alex Ferguson as Edwin van der Sar successor and the England's keeper in waiting.
He’d impressed the demanding United boss before his penalty shoot-out heroics when he piled on pressure on wilting Spurs by saving Jamie O’Hara’s opener.
Man-of-the-match Foster had during open play pulled off brilliant saves from Aaron Lennon and Darren Bent to send the game to penalties.
Jet-heeled Tottenham winger Lennon gave Evra perhaps the toughest game of his Reds career while his opposite no. 7 Ronaldo looked to be the most likely for long periods to end the stalemate.
Here M.E.N. Sports Editor Peter Spencer assesses the form of the kids and of course the older heads who eventually made it two trophies with three to go as potentially United’s greatest ever team aim for the history books.
Foster: The hero of the hour who was out to impress... and he certainly did with a commanding performance. Was seen taking advice from Edwin van der Sar before the shoot-out and at 25 is ready to start as first choice next season. Wonderful to see how sporting he was with the naturally disappointed Spurs keeper Gomes who himself had done so much to answer his critics ... 9.
O’Shea: Won his starting berth as a reward for his great loyalty to the cause. Did little wrong but in truth had so little to do as United totally dominated the first half. Was replaced by Vidic to allow a defensive reshuffle ... 6.
Ferdinand: Got his public wish to start and was in cruise control before the interval with Tottenham offering few threats. Stepped up his game when he had to and had Darren Bent in his pocket. Was furious with Evra after Lennon again showed his pace and trickery to get the better of the Premier League’s top left back. Midway through the first half he found the time to support the attack and was close with a spectacular 30-yard effort ... 8.
Evans: This new kid on the block can be proud of his performance under the additional pressure of a final. On the hour he had perhaps United’s best chance but his shot was off target and Tevez on the post couldn’t turn it in. Looked even more comfortable when he switched to full back ... 7.
Evra: For such an accomplished player well used to taking on the best in the world, he toiled all afternoon against Lennon. Time and again Lennon turned the Frenchman who has been in such brilliant form inside out ... 5.
Ronaldo: A surprise choice to start but proved to all that United were determined to lift their second trophy of the season. Played deeper at first but still was a constant threat and in one delightful moment managed a chested cross. His free kicks around the box did not trouble Gomes in the Tottenham goal. Treated harshly but for what the ref thought was a dive was more of a desperate lunge having lost the ball. It was almost Ronaldo’s afternoon when he hit the post after a brilliant run in the last minute of normal time ... 8.
Gibson: The Ulster-born but Republic international was promised a starting berth and Fergie was true to his word. He was solid enough and showed boldness to try to make the 13th minute lucky when he shot just wide from 35 yards. But he will need in this superstar company to add more to his game if he is to pin down a regular first team place. Was replaced for extra time by Giggs and that instilled more guile into United’s midfield ...6.
Scholes: Masterful performance from the Saddleworth based superstar. His passes both in choice and direction were exquisite. Totally dominated the midfield. One through ball set up Welbeck as early as the seventh minute but the youngster fluffed the chance. Was the last man back after a lung-busting run by Spurs sub Bale to clear the danger showing he has the engine to keep on accelerating as late as the 104th minute ...8.
Nani: Still suffering second season syndrome and failed to grab the opportunity to write himself into United folklore with an under par Wembley performance. Had his chances but was overshadowed. Fergie tried to get him to use his pace to target Tottenham’s weakened defence after the Londoners had gone down to ten men but to no avail ... 6.
Welbeck: What a great shame the Longsight-born 18-year-old striker who was the first British striker to come through the ranks at Old Trafford since Hughes and Whiteside could not make this a dream come true with a performance that matches his great potential. He will for sure have learnt from this high-pressure game. Was withdrawn soon after the interval with Brazilian Anderson introduced to add flair to midfield allowing Ronaldo to get more forward ... 6.
Tevez: The eager beaver was everywhere desperate to make an impact. His work rate was magnificent and he was so unlucky not to be on the score-sheet. It was almost as if he was trying too hard as he almost single-handedly harassed Spurs’ back line. He was tenacious in his tackling in midfield too, consistently racing back to win possession ... 8.
Subs: United: Anderson for Welbeck 56; O’Shea for Vidic 74; Giggs for Gibson 90. Subs not used: Kuskczak, Eckersley, Park, Possebon.
Tottenham: Gomes 7, Borluka 7, King 7, Dawson 6, Assou-Ekotto 5, Lennon 8, Jenas 6, Zokora 6, Modric 7, Bent 5, Pavlyuchenko 4. Subs: O’Hara for Pavlyuchenko 64, Bale for Jenas 98, Bentley for Lennon 101.
Bookings: United: O’Shea, Scholes. Tottenham: None.
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Well done <United
now its back to the league and CL and FAcup !!!
Good on ya boys
Foster was superb today - his save against Lennon was just outstanding. Evra and Tevez were so out of sorts. The last - only - time Evra was this poor was his debut, while Tevez looked so laboured. That said, you would bet your house on his penalty taking.
SAF took a gamble today and it paid off. Now on Wednesday he can bring in six fresh players - seven if Rooney is fit. And they were all saved from potential injury.
I hope Tevez and Nani are palying for other teams next season.
No hope of a goal from either of them in this match. £32 million for Tevez? My grandmother could do better!!! Woeful!
i WILL SAY THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN
2 in the bag 3 to go. Any wiseman who still thinks Nani is worthy of a UTD shirt, should be shot.
Scholes, Rio and Watson best players on the pitch.
Nani, most of us could have contributed more than he!
Up the Reds!
2 down
3 to go
Can't agree with a lot of these ratings Tevez and Nani I'd rate 5. Gibson is limited and Scholes was average. We all know he can do a lot better but possibly people were not running into space for him. Wellbeck also a 5. Fergie really gambled with his bench squad as Rooney and Berbie up front would have been unstopable. Ronny was our only real threat all day and Anderson when he came on showed us what terrific talent this kid has. Ronny's card was a disgrace but then JOS should have been dismissed. I'm glad this one is out of the way. I'm not a fan and I think if you are in Europe you should not be included in this one.
Lennon and Assou-Ekotto was the best player on the park and United were very lucky to win it. Evra and Ronaldo, 2 of united's best player usually were completely outplayed. It's a joke to say Foster was man of the match.
Foster - On that form he could replace VDS sooner than we thought. Dominated the 6 yard box which is something I haven't seen for ages in a United keeper - 7.5
O'Shea - never that confident -6
Rio - Just about in control of a rather shakey defence that didn't gel at all today. -8
Evans - Not quite so sure today but did OK - 7
Pat - given the run around by Lennon - 5
Gibson - Averagebut did his bit -6
Ginge - MOM for me just as he was against Chelsea. Very accomplished throughout 120 minute stint. Back in cotton wool please - 8.25
Ron - a bit of a mixture as usual but always looked dangerous. Unlucky with great post shaker and I say yes, it was a penalty -7
Nani - A little better today I thought..... just a little, but I'll stick with him! - 6
Danny Wellgood - Bad today and looked lost and out of his depth - 3
Apachie - Never looked likely to be the one to win it. excellent team effort but lacks that something special? - 6
Anderson - impressive run out & effective - 6
Vidic - solid as usual - 6
Giggs - didn't see much of the ball but great first penalty - 5
Not a vintage performance overall - passing left a lot to be desired at times. Welbeck & Gibson a bit out of their depth, Evra given the runaround by Lennon. Tevez a bit isolated and obviously haunted by his ridiculous price-tag. On the upside, thought Rio held it all together for us today - a great performance. Also delighted for Ben Foster and hope he can kick on from here to ease VdS out of the team by next season. Thought Anderson made a big difference when he came on, as did Vidic. We seem to be getting quite good at these penalty shoot-outs - not that this makes it any easier to watch them!
Huh, which gane was Peter Spencer watching. Obviously a different one than I was. Foster's marks, yes. Scholes and Ronaldo 8's? Scholes was abysmal after the firtst 15 minutes or so. Tevez 8 for no end product? Nope, Nani no more than a 4. This was a very poor performance,even though we had some 2nd stringers in.Let's hope we get it together and play our strongest XI for the Toon game.
We cant really say we have had the youngster side out today, Wellbeck, Gibson and Foster. Evans is pretty much already a first team player, and rightly so.
I was extremely disappointed with Nani, when Lennon was the main threat and Evra wasnt upto his best. Nani went missing too many times when tracking back.
Gibson I think is nowhere near good enough, yes he has scored, but how many times does he try? His on the ball play is poor, his receiving the ball is poor, his passing is poor. In sum: not good enough.
Wellbeck was also disappointing and his attitude at the end of play left a lot to be desired..
The bright points were, considering this game was uninspiring from start to finish, our confidence in penalty shoot-outs, Foster´s saves and on occaision Scholes and Ronnie looked sharp.
I would love to see Tevez stay, but I cannot understand how he is worth 32 million..he is great quality, but does not guarantee goals. He lacks pace too. But his work rate is on par with Rooneys and he does not moan at the ref. He never gives up and that is a rare quality in todays egotistical game - and he loves the club and the supporters. We need, however, another striker who can lead the line, who does not tend to drop deep, but who can be the fox in the box. I do hope we buy Tevez, at a lower price, but also that we buy someone with pace and presence..
also: buy someone who can pass the ball and replace john o´shea, or cultivate someone to replace him, or teach him how to pass, intensive training
Ok stating the obvious our defence was great. Foster showed he's ready so bye bye Kitekat. Rio was immense & his anticipation of play was superb as was Evans who was my MOTM such discipline + fitness + versitility what a player seriously no wonder Wes may move on. Anderson was great when he appeared he just needs a goal. Gibson may have lost the ball occasionally but IMO at his age he shows more potential than Carrick & the lad shoots mercy! Ronaldo was superb IMO the ref could be excused for not giving a pen but to book him was dismal. Ronaldo is showing his teamwork ethic & I hope he get's his new contract. Tevez again another star for me ok generally ineffective but he'll strive til the final whistle & will eventually strike the killer blow. To steal a phrase from some dodgy dude 'happy days'
Foster 10, Ferdinand 8, Ronaldo 7, Scholes 6.5, O'Shea 6, Evra 6, Nani 6, Evans 6, Gibson 5.5, Tevez 5, Wellbeck 5
"At the end of the day you look back at trophies and not performances" - well said that man (whoever said it). This is a classic case of just that.
Not too many above avarage displays today but the silverware is in the bag. More Trophies to Manchester in the last 18 years than any other City and only one team contributing!
Lets wrap up the league by winning the next 5 games and have the open top bus serviced for one hell of an end of year parade!
You Beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!
WELL DONE UNITED!!! GREAT TEAM EFFORT.
Foster had an outstanding game as did Anderson when he came on, disappointed to not win it with a goal in regular time, Tevez again a non factor, what do people see in this guy? No end product what so ever.
Facts confirmed: Nani is lack of concentration, passion and brain. Must get rid of him end of the season.
Foster, Rio, Ronny, Scholes, 8
Evans 7
Gibson, Pat, Oshea 5
Tevez, Nani, Danny, 3
Evra had probably his worst ever game for us barring his debut,rio looked a bit accident prone but I dont think the pitch allowed for silky touches, nani did nothing which is scary when he cost 16million more than lennon who tormented us everytime he got the ball,upfront was the biggest worry we where totally toothless, I love tevez but he showed today why 32million is too much he is a striker who doesn't score, wingers cant cross the ball too and he has no pace to get behind, the same with wellbeck he looks a good finisher but he has no physical presence and I thought he had pace but can never seem to go past anyone.
A poor display but a trophy so cant complain, just worried this season about the lack of goal scoring.
foster 8 great game
opie 7
rio 9** a pleasure to watch
evans 7
evra 5 was given a bit of a going over
ronaldo 7
scholes6 6
gibson 5
nonny 3
tevez 4
wellbeck 3
It's hard to criticise anybody, especially after yet another trophy and call yourself a fan, but I don't want to see United spend £30m on a player, Tevez; who was totally dominated by a half-fit Ledley King.It was a good stage to show his worth on yesterday. I'd have given him the same vote as JOS.
It's hard to criticise anybody, especially after yet another trophy and call yourself a fan, but I don't want to see United spend £30m on a player, Tevez; who was totally dominated by a half-fit Ledley King.It was a good stage to show his worth on yesterday. I'd have given him the same vote as JOS.
It's hard to criticise anybody, especially after yet another trophy and call yourself a fan, but I don't want to see United spend £30m on a player, Tevez; who was totally dominated by a half-fit Ledley King.It was a good stage to show his worth on yesterday. I'd have given him the same vote as JOS.
evrybody seems to be slaggin of nani and tevez but what about john oshakey for the second game running, if he had stayed on the pitch much longer he might of got a red card,
well done united for the 3rd piece of silver this season,i think the charity shield does count as you have to win the leage or fa cup to play for it eh..