If United do go on to win the league this season, many will look to this game as the one that announced them as the champions elect. Ronaldo's last minute winner had echoes of Bruce's winner against Sheffield Wednesday, a pivotal part of delivering the title to Old Trafford after 26 years. The length of time since United's last title may be much smaller but you get the feeling that this would be just as important to Ferguson as his first.
This was one of United's poorer performances of the season and Fulham took full advantage after 17 minutes. A ball lifted over the United defence saw a mix up between Van der Sar and Vidic. The ball deflected into the path of McBride, running into the area from the right, hitting it first time, his shot striking the inside of the far post and rebounding into the net.
Fulham attempted to capitalise on United's hesitant start and would have rued not taking their chances when United equalised after half an hour. Giggs found Rooney on the left and continued his run towards the back post. Meeting the cross with the top of his boot, the Welshman volleyed the ball past Lastuvka and curled it into the net from a tight angle.
Depsite the setback Fulham continued to dominate the match, only Van der Sar and the cross bar denying Davies and Radzinski early in the second half. United refused to settle for the draw though and battled until the end. With only minutes left to go, Ronaldo received the ball on the left wing, just inside the United half. Charging forward, he beat both Volz and Dempsey before cutting inside and shooting. The shot may have took a slight deflection but nothing was going to sour United's celebrations.
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