United Turn on the Style

A pulsating display from Manchester United in their last game at Old Trafford clinched 2nd spot in the Premiership and ensured that there would be no happy ending for departing Charlton manager Alan Curbishley.

United won 4-0 with goals from Louis Saha, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson, and an own goal from Charlton’s Jason Euell. And a fizzing display from United’s 19 year old front man Guiseppi Rossi, who was denied a goal only by the brilliance of Charlton keeper Stephan Andersen, ensured that Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had stormed off in a terminal sulk after learning that he had not made the starting line-up, was not missed.

It was a spectacular end to the season and manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s delight was completed by the fact that he was able to name Paul Scholes, a long-term absentee through injury, on the substitute’s bench.