Wow... I can't believe it took me this long to post this match update...
In what seemed to be the climax of the season, this was the match to decide it all! A United win would bring them closer to the title which means Arsenal will be out of the title race until next season. However if Arsenal won this, United would be hanging on a life line, hoping Chelsea lose all their next matches.
Anyway, United was pretty pumped from the encounter with AS Roma during the mid week Champions League match. Arsenal however was in a state of unbalance. After losing to Liverpool in the Champions League, this was going to be the only source of title success.
As the match begin, both managers shuffled their sides once again, with Fergie opting to play a 4-5-1 formation and Wenger a 4-4-2.
Back in the squad for United was Christiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, who played a small part in the Champion's League victory and they looked towards crushing Arsenal. However it was not to be a repeat of the 4-0 victory in the FA Cup match as Arsenal took the game to United and showed some good attacking football.
United however was in confusion as they missed chances and the passing was terrible.
Arsenal came close to scoring a number of times in the first half, but thanks to Edwin Van Der Sar and the solid backline, the scoreline stayed 0-0 at the interval.
The second half started, with Arsenal again showing their attacking prowness and tested the United goal a few more times.
Finally the chance came for Arsenal when Adebayor seemed to knock the ball into the net with his hand! Of course the ref didn't see it and hence the goal stood.
With that goal, the United squad woke up from their dream-state and started turning on the heat against their opposition. Trying to find the equalizer nearly cost United the match as at one point, Ferdinand almost scored a own goal, if not for the alertness of Van Der Sar.
However it was going to be United's day as Carrick's shot was handled away by Gallas and the penalty was given.
Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty, only to have it canceled as Park foolishly ran into the box before the ball left the spot.
2nd try, and Ronaldo hit the target once again! 1-1 to both teams and United continued their search for the winner!
Off came Park and Scholes. In came Anderson and Carlos Tevez.
With the new energy and shifted formation, United attacked and it seemed like it was not going to be Arsenal's day as they conceded a free kick outside the penalty box. Ronaldo, a frequent free kick taker was shut out by Owen Hargreaves as he took the ball, placed it, and fired it straight into the net. Leaving Jens Lehman grounded.
It was applause all around the stadium as fan celebrated! But it wasn't over just yet as Arsenal pressed on.
Arsenal did come close into equalizing the score a few times, but it wasn't to be! It was the day, United showed the world that although you play second-best football during a match, you're still able to win it through set pieces!
With only 4games to go... It looks to be Game! Set! and Match!
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