United silence Millwall roar to win FA Cup

Manchester United fought off a brave but ultimately toothless challenge from the lions of Millwall to win the FA Cup final 3-0 and lift the ...

Manchester United fought off a brave but ultimately toothless challenge from the lions of Millwall to win the FA Cup final 3-0 and lift the trophy for a record-extending 11th time on Saturday.

A first-half header from Portuguese teenager Cristiano Ronaldo and two second half goals from Dutchman Ruud Van Nistelrooy — the first a penalty — gave United a deserved win over a Millwall side attempting to become the first team from outside the top division to win the cup for 24 years.

But they were outclassed in every position in their first FA Cup final appearance as United dominated the match to win the cup for the first time since 1999.

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Millwall’s consolation from an afternoon when the first division side were never able to bridge the Gulf in class, is a place in next season’s UEFA Cup as United are in the Champions League qualifying round.

Although Millwall settled first and kept possession for the opening few minutes, they were almost continually forced to defend and there was no way back after Ronaldo headed United ahead after 44 minutes to become the fourth youngest scorer in FA Cup final history. The match effectively ended as a contest after 65 minutes when Ryan Giggs was sent tumbling by Millwall’s David Livermore with referee Jeff Winter, officiating for the last time before retiring, immediately pointing to the penalty spot.

Van Nistelrooy lashed the ball into the roof of Andy Marshall’s net as he took the first Cup final penalty since Eric Cantona scored twice from the spot against Chelsea 10 years ago.

(Reuters)