Manchester United Goalscorers and Assisters 10/11 [R]

Manchester United Goalscorers and Assisters 10/11


Goals


League

Anderson

(1): vs: Blackpool(H)

Berbatov

(21): vs: Newcastle United(H); West Ham United(H); Everton(A); Liverpool(H) *3; Blackburn Rovers(H)*5; Sunderland(H)*2; Birmingham City(A); Birmingham City(H) *3; Blackpool(A)*2; Bolton Wanderers; Fulham(H)

Evra

(1): vs: Wigan Athletic(H)

Fabio

(1): vs: Wigan Athletic(A)

Fletcher

(2): vs: Newcastle United(H); Everton(A)

Giggs

(2): vs: Newcastle United(H); Birmingham City(H)

Hernandez

(13): vs: West Bromwich Albion(H); Stoke City(A)*2; Wigan Athletic(H); West Bromwich Albion(A); Stoke City(H); Blackpool(A); Wigan Athletic(A)*2; Liverpool(A); West Ham United(A); Everton(H); Chelsea(H)

Macheda

(1): vs: Aston Villa(A)

Nani

(9): vs: West Ham United(H); Bolton Wanderers(A); West Bromwich Albion(H); Tottenham Hotspur(H); Blackburn Rovers(H); Stoke City(H); Birmingham City(H); Wolverhampton Wanderers(A); Manchester City(H)

Owen

(2): vs: Bolton Wanderers(A); Blackpool(H)

Own Goal

(2): vs: Fulham(A); Blackpool(H)

Park

(5): vs: Wolverhampton Wanderers(H)*2; Blackburn Rovers(H); Arsenal(H); Blackpool(H)

Rooney

(11): vs: West Ham United(H)[pk]; West Bromwich Albion(A); Aston Villa(H)*2; Manchester City(H); Wigan Athletic(A); Chelsea(A); West Ham United(A)[fk][pk]*3; Blackburn Rovers[pk](A)

Scholes

(1): vs: Fulham(A)

Valencia

(1): vs: Fulham(H)

Vidic

(5): vs: Everton(A); Tottenham Hotspur(H); Aston Villa(A); Aston Villa(H); Chelsea(H)


FA Cup

Brown

(1): vs: Crawley Town(H)[rd5]

Fabio

(1): vs: Arsenal(H)[rd6/QF]

Giggs

(1): vs: Liverpool(H)[rd3][pk]

Hernandez

(1): vs: Southampton(A)[rd4]

Owen

(1): vs: Southampton(A)[rd4]

Rooney

(1): vs: Arsenal(H)[rd6/QF]

League Cup


Bebe

(1): vs: Wolverhampton Wanderers(H)[rd4]

Gibson

(1): vs: Scunthorpe(A)[rd3]

Hernandez

(1): vs: Wolverhampton Wanderers(H)[rd4]

Owen

(2): vs: Scunthorpe(A)*2[rd3]

Park

(2): vs: Scunthorpe(A)[rd3]; Wolverhampton Wanderers(H)[rd4]

Smalling

(1): vs: Scunthorpe(A)[rd3]


Champions League

Key:

Stage - Gr, rd16, QF, SF, F
Game (at group stage) - G

Anderson

(1): vs: Valencia(H)[Gr:G6]

Bebe

(1): vs: Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]

Fletcher

(1): vs: Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]

Hernandez

(4): vs: Valencia(A)[Gr:G2]; Olympique de Marseille(H)[CL rd16 2nd leg]*2; Chelsea(H)[CL QF 2nd leg]

Nani

(1): vs: Bursaspor(H)[Gr:G3]

Obertan

(1): vs: Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]

Park

(1): vs: Chelsea(H)[CL QF 2nd leg]

Rooney

(3): vs: Rangers(A)[Gr:G5]; Chelsea(A)[QF 1st leg]; Barcelona(N)Final


Total


21 - Berbatov

19 - Hernandez

15 - Rooney

10 - Nani

8 - Park

5 - Owen

5 - Vidic

3 - Fletcher

3 - Giggs

2 - Anderson

2 - Bebe

2 - Fabio

2 - Own Goal

1 - Brown

1 - Evra

1 - Gibson

1 - Macheda

1 - Obertan

1 - Scholes

1 - Smalling

1 - Valencia

Direct Assists (last direct pass before conversion)


League


Anderson

(3): Blackburn Rovers(H); Sunderland(H); Blackpool(H)

Berbatov

(4): vs: Fulham(A); West Bromwich Albion(H); Wigan Athletic(A); Blackpool(H)

Evra

(2): vs: Stoke City(A); West Bromwich Albion(A)

Fletcher

(3): vs: Wolverhampton Wanderers(H); Aston Villa(A); Blackpool(A)

Gibson

(1): vs: Birmingham City(A)

Giggs

(6): vs : Birmingham City(H); Blackpool(A); Manchester City(H); Liverpool(A); West Ham United(A); Chelsea(H)

Hernandez

(1): vs: Stoke City(H)

Nani

(16): vs: Fulham(A)[ck]; West Ham United(H); Everton(A)*2; Liverpool(H)*2[1ck]; Bolton Wanderers[fk]; Tottenham Hotspur(H)[fk]; Aston Villa(A); Blackburn Rovers(H); Stoke City(H); Aston Villa(H); Manchester City(H); Wigan Athletic(A); Chelsea(A); Fulham(H)

O'Shea

(3): vs: Liverpool(H); Birmingham City(H); Wigan Athletic(A)

Park

(3): vs: Wigan Athletic(H); Chelsea(H); Blackpool(H)

Rafael

(1): vs: Wigan Athletic(H)

Rooney

(8): vs: Newcastle United(H); Blackburn Rovers(H)*2; Sunderland; West Bromwich Albion(A)[ck]; Birmingham City(H); Aston Villa(H); Wigan Athletic(A)

Scholes

(3): vs: Newcastle United(H)*2; Everton(A)

Valencia

(2): vs: West Ham United(A); Everton(H)

Smalling

(1): vs: Blackpool(H)

Van der Sar

(1): vs: Aston Villa(H)

Vidic

(1): vs: Stoke City(A)


FA Cup

Gibson

(1): vs: Crawley Town(H)

Giggs

(1): vs: Southampton(A)[rd4]


League Cup


Gibson

(1): vs: Wolverhampton Wanderers(H)[rd4]

Macheda

(1): vs: Scunthorpe(A)[rd3]

Park

(1): vs: Scunthorpe(A)[rd3]

Smalling

(1): vs: Scunthorpe(A)[rd3]


Champions League

Key:

Stage - Gr, rd16, QF, SF, F
Game (at group stage) - G

Carrick

(1): vs: Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]

Giggs

(5): vs: Olympique de Marseille(H)[CL rd16 2nd leg]; Chelsea(A)[QF 1st leg] ; Chelsea(H)[CL QF 2nd leg]*2; Barcelona(N)Final

Macheda

(1): vs: Valencia(A)[Gr:G2]

Park

(1): vs: Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]

Rooney

(1): vs: Olympique de Marseille(H)[CL rd16 2nd leg]

Scholes

(1): vs: Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]


Total

16 - Nani

12 – Giggs

9 - Rooney

5 - Park

4 - Berbatov

4 - Scholes

3 - Anderson

3 - Gibson

3 - Fletcher

3 - O'Shea

2 - Evra

2 - Macheda

2 - Smalling

2 - Valencia

1 - Carrick

1 - Hernandez

1 - Rafael

1 - Van der Sar

1 - Vidic

Last edited after: Blackpool(H)Schalke SF games pending

Anderson

Left Foot

vs. Valencia(H)[Gr:G6]: The ball is played into Park from the right attacking third. He receives it in the inside-left channel, takes a touch before unleashing a fantastic shot, which the keeper manages to parry. Anderson rushes in on the ball and converts on the half-volley with his left foot for only the second goal of his Manchester United career.

vs. Blackpool(H): Evans drives forward through central midfield before attempting a one-two with Fletcher to his right. The defender's path is blocked and the deflected ball drops like a lofted pass into Anderson's path, who is just off-centre left in the supporting striker position. Anderson progresses the play with one touch from the outside of his left boot to the attacking left, where Park is lurking. Ji-Sung picks out the advancing Anderson with a squared ball and the Brazilian converts with a quality, one-touch finish with his left foot, which redirects the pace of the pass into a deft wedged putt into the right side of the goal.

Bebe

Right Foot

vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers(H)[LC:R4]: The play breaks to Obertan through the middle of the pitch. Obertan passes the ball on to Bebe on the diagonal to the right side of the penalty area. Bebe carries the ball outward whilst remaining in the penalty area. By now Bebe isn't far from the edge of the six-yard box and from there he tries to cross. The youngster's attempted right-footed centre takes a deflection and diverts enough to find its way over the goal line and be legitimately claimed, thus marking Bebe's debut start with a debut goal... of sorts.

vs. Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]: Bursaspor lose the ball just outside their d by way of Scholes going shoulder to shoulder with one of their players. Scholes takes a touch and then plays a through ball into Bebe to the right side of the d. Bebe takes a touch and then, whilst being challenged by a Bursaspur defender, finishes low with the outside of his right boot to the right side of the keeper.

Berbatov

Header

vs. Liverpool(H): Nani plays a cross from the left side of the pitch to the nearer post (just off centre) where Berbatov, who should've been marked by Torres, finds himself free enough to stoop about ten inches down from head height to tuck the ball home at the near post with a deft header.

vs. Liverpool(H): O'Shea plays a deep cross to the far post from just inside the attacking third on the right side of the pitch. The cross is too high for the jumping Macheda, and invariably finds its way into Berbatov's vicinity for him to meet it perfectly with a jumping header downward into the bottom left corner of the goal to not only win the game but seal the first hat-trick against Liverpool in the derby in over sixty years.

vs. Sunderland(H): Sunderland carry the ball deep into United's half only to be promptly dispossessed and hit on the counter. Carrick wins the ball on the left side of the d and passes up-field to Anderson in line with him five yards behind the half-way line. Anderson plays a short-ball in-field to Giggs, who then carries it a full thirty yards on a slight diagonal to find himself in the inside-right position before sliding Rooney in on the same diagonal and out toward the edge of Sunderland's box. Rooney takes a touch and then plays a looping cross to the back stick for Berbatov to deftly downward head home inside the/his near post, thus completing a deadly counter-attack.

vs. Birmingham City(H): Giggs' corner from the right side is flicked on by O'Shea at the near post to Berbatov who heads home at the back stick about a yard from goal.

Right Foot

vs. Newcastle United(H): O'Shea plays the ball infield to Scholes from just inside the halfway line off-centre right. Scholes then plays the ball through the Newcastle defence on a slight diagonal to Berbatov just off the inside right channel. The through-ball takes a slight deflection off a Newcastle defender, but not enough to knock it off its intended course. Berbatov controls the ball and then drives it across the keeper into the bottom left corner of the goal with his right foot.

vs. West Ham United(H): Another sublime build-up leads to United camping in West Ham's half whilst having their way with them. From the right attacking third, O'Shea[!] plays a clever reverse ball to the right side of the penalty area for Nani to take in his stride. The ball played into Nani's path gives him ample time to look up and assess his options. From there, Nani plays a delicious lofted-pass-cum-cross to Berbatov at the far post that leaves Berbatov in enough space to perform an acrobatic, jumping-scissor-kick-volley that nestles in the middle of West Ham's goal easily beating the bewildered Green.

vs. Everton(A): Scholes drops a beautiful, long-ranged pass from just right of the centre circle to outside-right of the attacking flank in such a perfectly weighted way that the Everton centre-back is completely disorientated as he tries to follow the flight of the ball - that drops just over his head - which Berbatov intelligently latches on to with a first touch that takes him infield and diagonally in line with Everton's goal, whilst leaving the already bamboozled and bemused Distin completely out of proceedings. Once faced with Howard, Berbatov easily beats him with a second touch as good as the first. The shot is take early with the outside of the right boot, leaving Howard stranded with no time to adjust his feet to spring for the shot.

vs. Liverpool(H): A Liverpool play is broken down off-centre left of the centre circle by Fletcher who then looks up and plays a cross-field ball out to the right-attacking third that could fairly be called Scholes-esque. Nani collects the ball a few meters away from the corner flag and then turns back on to his left foot before playing a decent, looping cross into the middle of the penalty area. Berbatov, who is the intended recipient, manages to find enough initial space to knee the lofted ball up in the air in a similar manner to a volley baller's 'set' before a smashed serve. Within the parried first touch, Berbatov immediately swivels and turns his back to goal before overhead-kicking it - with the same right foot that parried it - into the top right corner of the goal. Berbatov leaves everyone in the stadium dumbfounded and awestruck as his shot nestles comfortably in the net with Pepe Reina not even moving for it and the crowd responding in a delayed manner before erupting in recognition of a goal of the season contending finish.

vs. Blackburn Rovers(H): Manchester United burst out of the traps and look to get amongst the visitors as soon as possible. The scoring is opened in the first ninety seconds of the match via Anderson’s driving pass from the inside-left channel being over-hit, only for the Brazilian to chase it down and go into a somewhat dubious 50-50 with the Blackburn keeper. The ball ricochets out to the left attacking third where Nani awaits, he tries a quick pass back into the left area of the penalty box, which is blocked but has the fortune of the ball being back at his feet. This time around, the Portuguese plays a right-footed cross into the box just left of the penalty spot where Rooney lurks and nods it further in-field to Berbatov who has cleverly positioned himself in front of his marker to the point where he can both shield the ball and finish with the outside of his right boot in the same action.

vs. Blackburn Rovers(H): Chimbonda at right-back plays a completely blind pass back towards his goal. Apparently unbeknownst to him, Berbatov was right in line with said attempt. The Bulgarian, seemingly with all the time in the world, has time to see the whites of the keeper’s eyes before rocketing in a right-footed drive into top-end of the net.

vs. Blackburn Rovers(H): Carrick wins a defensive header just off-centre right of United’s penalty area and knocks the ball across the defensive line out to the left. Berbatov uncharacteristically hares off after it and takes it down into his stride whilst continuing to run to the left. By now, Berbatov is out by the touchline in the left defensive third, confronted by a Blackburn player.

From his position out by the touchline, the Bulgarian plays the ball a few yards infield to the nominally positioned Evra whilst running infield and off the flank. Evra passes the ball to Berbatov’s new position whilst sprinting out towards the touchline himself. Berbatov back heels the ball into Evra’s path so deftly that the left-back could latch on to it in stride whilst continuing his run to a transitional phase from defence to attack.

Berbatov again continues his run, and by now, he is in the left defensive midfield area of the pitch receiving the ball back from Evra. The full-back and forward broke with such fluency that the entire Blackburn team is in disarray and give Berbatov ample time to jog into the path of Evra’s ball whilst surveying the field. From such a vantage point, Berbatov caresses the ball with the outside of his right boot and plays an inch-perfect cross-field pass out to the right flank and into Nani’s path in the right attacking third – the Bulgarian, now in the left, attacking midfield area of the pitch, continues his run at a sauntering pace in a straight line towards the box whilst Nani bamboozles the few players who dare to engage him to finally turn in-field and play Berbatov in with a low pass about eight yards from the goal line.

Berbatov completes his hat-trick with a delicate and controlled loft of the ball into the roof of the net with his right foot. For the entirety of play, Berbatov seemed to be imbued with the spirit of the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano, as that was a goal for the ages and the like of which is rarely seen in modern football, not only for its cohesive transitioning, but also for the fact the forward made the goal in his defensive third, and finished it in the opponents penalty box. Very probably the team goal of the season and without doubt the longest write-up for a goal I’ve done.

vs. Blackburn Rovers(H): Another United assault on Blackburn’s goal leads to an effort by Park falling into the blessed path of Berbatov who happily blasts home with his right foot from 3 yards out.

vs. Blackburn Rovers(H): Yeah… another United attack… Carrick breaks with the ball from inside his own half and plays it square to Anderson – also deep in United’s half – Anderson sets off on a gallivanting run deep into Blackburn’s half (to the inside right position) and then plays the ball in to Berbatov on the right inside the box. Berbatov attempts to cross to Rooney but his attempt is blocked. As today is Berbaday, the ball simply falls back into his path for him to finish from an acute angle with his right foot and be duly anointed ‘Dimitar Pentatov’.

vs. Sunderland(H): United's stranglehold on this game continued to tighten to the point the match had become something of an exhibition. After numerous attacks, hit posts and near misses, the second goal finally arrives after a multiple attacking sequence sees the ball back at Anderson's feet due to his first penetrative pass failing. The Brazilian stands off-centre right of the d and plays Berbatov into the box on the right side of the pitch. The in-form Bulgarian takes a couple of touches before shooting with the outside of his right boot only for his attempted shot, which was on target, to be deflected into the goal high and to the near side, rather than his intended far side.

vs. Birmingham City(A): In a tight, stale, staid game with tired players and poor ball retention, one genuine moment of class sees United open the scoring. Berbatov's back-heel in the right attacking midfield position, sends Gibson on his way down the right flank with the Bulgarian [amazingly] following his own pass in and thundering(!) towards goal in the hope Gibson can play him in for a chance at goal. The Northern Irishman duly obliges with a simple, short pass infield which Berbatov gobbles up with a sumptuous touch and low, driving, early finish to the inside post with his right foot.

vs. Birmingham City(H): City are swarmed on the counter and the ball is quickly transitioned up the middle of the pitch by Anderson to Rooney. Rooney plays the ball into Berbatov on the left side of the penalty area and the Bulgarian, after three touches that help him earn an opening for the shot, finishes to the bottom left corner with his right foot.

vs. Birmingham City(H): Van der Sar spots an opportunity to play a long pass out to the left flank via his punt inside thirty yards outside his goal, which Rooney takes down with ease before playing Giggs through on the inside channel. Giggs steadies himself before crossing low to Berbatov who finishes with an outstretched right boot for yet another splendid team goal.

vs. Blackpool(A): United set the ball rolling on a night where they are 2-0 down and away from home coming into the second half with a classic team goal that went as follows:

The play develops in a seemingly unthreatening fashion as the ball eventually works its way up the right flank via Rafael's carriage. The Brazilian firebrand passes it on to Nani, by which time the ball and player are just on the precipice of the final third. Nani cuts infield and then hits a delightful slide-rule pass from just off-centre right of offensive midfield to the right side of the six yard box and into the smart off-the-ball run of Fletcher, who, to Blackpool's bemusement, is not offside. With Blackpool's defensive line so comprehensively breached, Fletcher has time to play a cushioned, low pass across their keeper's line and into the path of United's in-form Bulgarian and his right foot for his 18th league goal of the season.

vs. Bolton Wanderers(H): Berbatov follows in on Nani’s last-gasp drive (and their keeper’s terrible parry back into play) to tap home with his right foot from a couple of yards out and win the game for United in the dying embers of the game.

vs. Fulham(H): Nani goes on a mazy run from left attacking midfield to the heart of Fulham’s defensive midfield area before playing a short one-two with Anderson inside the d. By now, the Portuguese has almost broken Fulham’s last line of defence, which causes the inevitable draw of Fulham’s CB’s, leaving the unattended Berbatov in space to Nani’s left. Our crafty winger makes the right choice and plays the correct ball before being felled by his pursuers leaving United’s top-scorer with an open avenue for a side foot placement into the bottom right corner with his right foot to set United on their way in this crucial game.


Left Foot

vs. Blackpool(A): Blackpool send a long punt up-field to United's right-back position where Fletcher deputises. He heads the ball diagonally down into Scholes' path in the right central midfield area of the field. As quick as you like, Scholes has sent the ball back up the pitch into the attacking inside-left position for Berbatov with a lofted pass, which is calmly brought down. Our laid back Bulgarian takes a few touches whilst progressing the play into Blackpool's box before nonchalantly blasting the ball into the middle of the net with his left foot to win the game for United and put the icing on one of the best comeback cakes seen during Fergie's entire tenure.

Brown

Header

vs. Crawley Town(H)[FAC] : Gibson plays a whipped in-swinging cross from the left flank with his right foot where Big, Bad Wesley Brown meets it with a faint, back-of-the-head, flick-on header into the bottom right corner of the net.

Evra

Header

vs. Wigan Athletic(H): United have a throw-in on the right side of midfield, which Rafael takes. Park receives the ball infield and then hits a deep cross to the far (left) post where the completely unmarked Evra swoops in with a diving header back across goal to score his second ever goal for United.

Fabio

Right Foot

vs. Wigan(A): With Wigan dejected and clearly deflated, United slip into passing mode and start to casually play the ball around in Wigan's half probing repeatedly for openings. On one such occasion, a build up down the right ends up with Fletcher out by the touchline dropping a deep cross into the centre of the box. The ball misses the players in the middle by a few inches, and fortunately for Fabio, ends up at the back stick for him to take a shot on goal. The youngster makes no mistake in finishing low with his right foot to score his first goal for United's first team.

vs. Arsenal(H)[FAC]: United break on Arsenal via Fabio on the left flank. The youngster uses the outside of his right boot to play a daisy-cutting diagonal pass across the pitch to the right flank for his twin brother to pick up whilst continuing his own run into the centre of the pitch. Rafael plays the ball square to the offensive midfield position where Rooney picks up the baton and drops a delicate, lofted ball forward to the outside shoulder of Arsenal's right-sided centre-back for Hernandez to attempt a powerful header. The young Mexican gets enough power on his header to force the keeper to parry it outward and into the path of a gleeful Fabio, who is left with a sliding finish from a few yards out, which he blasts into the roof of the net with his right foot.

Fletcher

Right Foot

vs. Newcastle United(H): Nani carries the ball towards the left corner flag and with seemingly nowhere to go lays a short ball into the path of the on-rushing Evra, who, by now, is deep inside Newcastle's penalty area and in line with the 6 yard box. Evra squares the ball into the middle of the box where Rooney mis-controls it and accidentally lays it on to Fletcher. Fletcher takes a touch and then swivel-shoots the ball low into the net with his right foot.

vs. Everton(A): Nani plays a cross into the box from deep in the final third on the right flank that Beckham in his prime would be proud of. Fletcher has the smarts to make, and continue, his run into a goal-scoring position. Because Nani's cross is so sublime, Fletcher seems to have only popped up for a simply tap-in from a couple of yards out, but the run was just as good as the cross it met.

vs. Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]: A delightful lobbed pass from Carrick, who is standing in the middle of the pitch, 10 yards away from the d, is played out to the right side of the penalty area for Fletcher. The midfielder takes a touch to bring the pass down and then hits a low cross-shot with his right foot into the bottom left side of the goal.

Gibson

Right Foot

vs. Scunthorpe(A)[LC:R3]: Smalling plays a nice, lofted ball down the inside-right offensive channel from the inside right defensive one. Gibson finds himself in a decent amount of space to run onto the ball down the right of Scunthorpe's box. The angle looks acute, and the onrushing keeper seems to hasten this, but by coming out in the way he did, a skilful enough finisher could easily lob him. So it is that Gibson brought Manchester United level at 1-1 with a delightful lobbed shot with his right foot that nestled inside the left upright in a fashion that could suggest it was carried by hand and placed there.

Giggs

Left Foot

vs. Newcastle United(H): Scholes plays a perfectly weighted diagonal ball from the centre of the pitch just outside the "d" out to the inside-left channel where the appreciative Giggs has enough time to set himself and bury a half-volley into the bottom right corner of the goal with his left foot.

vs. Liverpool(H)[FAC:rd3][pk]: Giggs drives a powerful shot to the bottom right corner with his left foot.

vs. Birmingham City(H): Berbatov wins a tackle just inside the right attacking third and in-one plays Rooney in, Rooney takes the ball in stride and then back heels it to Berbatov who then plays Rooney in down the right touchline a few yards off the penalty box. Rooney continues the play with a dangerously driven squared ball across the box that the deflated Foster can but watch as it rolls into Giggs' path for the Welshman to blast into the middle of the goal with his left foot to complete one of the best United team goals of the season thus far.


Hernandez

Header

vs. Stoke City(A): Stoke's penalty area is packed with bodies due to United winning a corner from the right side of the pitch. Nani takes it before playing it short to receive it back a few yards up the pitch. Nani puts a high, looping cross to the back post which Vidic latches on to and lobs on to Hernandez. In this instance, with Hernandez facing away from goal in an almost full one-hundred and eighty degree protestation, the ball is played in front of the apparently stranded Mexican who seemingly has no time re-adjust his position to head the ball conventionally. No problem. Hernandez, processing this in mid leap, hits the ball with full intention with the back of his head whilst using a fair amount of power and displaying superb agility and dexterity from about six yards out. The header shocks Stoke's keeper and beats him on his left (our right) side to ensure not only a goal of the season contender, but a goal for the ages, which will find its way across the world as the tremendous oddity that it was.

you know what? There won't be another goal of this calibre all season, so have a look fer yer selves:

vs. Wigan Athletic(H): The exhausted and demoralised 9-man Wigan barricade start to leave gaping holes for United to exploit. On this occasion, the initial United attack breaks down only to have the ball drop to Rafael in the right attacking third. The young Brazilian drops a useful cross into the box that dips at the last moment to leave the lurking Hernandez with a clear run on it. With the dip being so extreme, the best thing for the Mexican to do is dive to meet the ball, which he does. A very good cross is met by a very good diving header to the near post.

vs. West Bromwich Albion(A): Rooney hits a decent corner into the centre of the 6-yard box where Hernandez, who is completely unmarked, is given all the time in the world to leap and meet the ball before heading home in the middle of the goal.

vs. Liverpool(A): Giggs plays a lofted ball into the six yard box from the right side of the pitch. Hernandez jumps and meets the ball with a tidy, skimming header off his brow, which beats Reina at the bottom of the left upright.

vs. Everton(H): Deep into the second half with the score tied at 0-0, Anderson picks up the ball in midfield and plays it out to Valencia on the right. Valencia attacks his man at pace, getting half a yard on him before crossing the ball. The cross takes a slight deflection and loops up in the air to the far post where it is met by Hernandez who nods it home with a close-range header to secure a big win for United.


Left Foot

vs. Valencia(A)[Gr:G2]: Valencia’s attack breaks down at the[ir] inside left position. Nani bursts up-field at full speed from our inside right position all the way up to the outside right area of the attacking third. From this point, whilst being chased by a man and having a defender coming over to cut his run off, Nani plays an early, square ball inside to Macheda who manages to bring it into his stride despite it being a little behind him upon release. Macheda runs into the opposition box and assesses his options before astutely picking out Hernandez at the edge of the d almost dead-centre of the pitch. Hernandez takes the ball out of his feet with his first touch and nails it perfectly into the bottom right corner with his left, in his second. It goes without saying that Valencia's defenders were flailing around like fish washed ashore to no avail. A superb and classical Manchester United counter-attacking goal.

vs. West Bromwich Albion(H): Nani takes a free kick from a few yards off the d. His shot is driven towards the keeper in a C.Ronaldo-esque, corkscrew fashion. The ball, which veered slightly to the left, bounces off the keeper. Hernandez follows in and snatches a poacher's goal for himself with his left foot.

vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers(H)[LC:R4]: With the clock at 85 minutes and the score tied at 2-2, United's urgency and intent intensifies three-fold as the newly introduced sub, Hernandez, starts to make threatening, darting runs into Wolves' final third and at the heart of their defence, in particular. During one such run, which was initiated by the centre-circle, Hernandez's intention to double-back into the space prised via the decoy move was read perfectly by Gibson. The young Irish international plays the young Mexican international in on goal with a perfectly weighted through ball from out to in. From there, it was all Hernandez, as he seemingly intended to shoot to the right on his right side, only to dummy to the left and completely bamboozle Wolverhampton's keeper and covering centre-back. Suffice it to say that from this point, a calm and collected finish would see United 3-2 up with only minutes to play. Hernandez, having already stranding the keeper and leaving a Wolves defender sliding off in to no-man's land, deftly side-foots the ball towards goal with his left foot. The keeper can only manage a faint touch on it as it nestles in the middle of the net behind him.

vs. Wigan(A): Nani breaks from the left, central midfield position and passes the ball out to Rooney on the left flank whilst sprinting forward. Rooney plays the onrushing Nani in down the inside-left channel with a nicely weighted and angled pass and the Portuguese responds in kind for Hernandez by squaring the ball low (duly 'megging his man) and to the near post. The Mexican reads the intent and immediately cuts across his marker to finish niftily with a low, cushioned effort with his left foot.

Right Foot

vs. Stoke City(A): With the score freshly tied via Stoke's equaliser at 1-1 and only six minutes of regulation remaining, United's attack intensifies in both quality and quantity. During one such attack, a very considered build-up off a throw-in leads to the winner. The passage of play involved six United players in total and was initiated from a throw-in out on the right, attacking third of the pitch. The play went as follows: Fletcher's throw-in-Evra to Carrick(centre of pitch)- Carrick to Berbatov (left side of pitch) - Berbatov plays the ball in to Nani and veers back infield. From there, he plays in to Fletcher at the edge of the d and receives the ball back as he continues his lateral run across the pitch. Berbatov lifts the ball into the centre of the penalty area where Scholes flicks it out to Evra on the left side of the six-yard box. Evra attempts an acrobatic shot, which unsurprisingly gets nowhere near goal and instead finds its way into the path of Hernandez. The eager Mexican completes a fantastic performance by opening up his body and side-footing home with his right foot in an instant to win United all 3pts in a difficult game after one of the most eventful weeks in the clubs' history.

vs. Stoke City(H): Vidic breaks up a Stoke attack high up the pitch in a left-sided, defensive midfield position. The Serbian plays the ball on the inside diagonal towards Berbatov who is in the centre of the pitch in an offensive midfield position. Berbatov plays the ball out to the right flank for Nani and drives on a left diagonal run towards the far post thus splitting the Stoke defenders who have to decide whether to track him or stand resolute marking zonally. Meanwhile, the Portuguese gets himself into the attacking third and drives a ball towards the then vacant near post only for Javier Hernandez to dart square across the six-yard box and meet the play with the ball being a few inches behind him. As ever, the Mexican displays superb and immediate improvisation as he uses the inside heel of his right foot to divert the ball into the bottom right corner of the near post leaving his marker forlorn and the need for video replay to be sure of correct assertation of what he did.

vs. Blackpool(A): Van der Sar repeats his secondary assisting long pass manoeuvre from the Birmingham game with a ball out to the left flank for the wily, Welsh wizard; Giggs, who with a superb, instantaneous takedown into a head-up and pass sequence, sends Hernandez though on goal with a delicious weighted lob-cum-cross. Hernandez displays a touch of class equal to that of his supplier by trapping the ball dead and then driving it low and home to the bottom left corner using his right foot with the assertion of a proper #9-type finisher.

vs. Southampton(A)[FAC:rd4]: Giggs plays a quality through-ball from the inside-right position through to Hernandez who is in line with the penalty spot on the left side of goal. The ball falls slightly behind Hernandez rather than directly into his path. Hernandez, as adroit as ever, ceases this opportunity to stop the ball with the outside his right boot with his weight still distributed to the left side of his body, which in turn puts the keeper at a disadvantage immediately as he realises just what the Mexican is up to and tries to shut down the space that has emerged at this newly created and totally unexpected angle. As the keeper is about to pounce, Hernandez gets his quick shot off on his right foot and slips the ball underneath the keeper's collapsing body. Although he manages to smother some of the ball, there is enough purchase on it for Hernandez's shot to sneak through and win the game for United.

vs. Wigan(A): The ball is punted upfield by way of Van der Sar's goal kick. Hernandez backs into his man and deftly flicks the ball in field to Rooney from his right attacking midfield position. Rooney takes a touch and sets off on his way upfield at a jogger's pace. Meanwhile, Hernandez has raced past the ball and into the pocket of space off the [their] left-sided, centre-back. Rooney spots the run and plays a through-ball into the newfound space. Hernandez cuts across his man with his first touch to set himself up for his second and a one-on-one with the keeper that he easily finishes low and to his right side with his right foot.

vs. Olympique de Marseille(H)[CL rd16 2nd leg] United win an aerial tussle in the centre circle and the ball is nodded on to Rooney who is a few yards upfield. Rooney plays a splendid, first-time half-volley wide to Giggs on the left and sprints forward toward the inside left position. Giggs carries the ball a few yards and notes that Rooney has broken from inside left and is now on the edge of the six yard box and plays him in with a low ball. Rooney progresses the play with a sharp, low ball across Marseille's box, which Hernandez converts with a right-footed tap-in.

vs. Olympique de Marseille(H)[CL rd16 2nd leg] A United build-up comes to a crescendo as Valencia cuts in field, stands his opposing man up at the edge of the penalty box prior to a swift drag-and-turn to tee up a slide-rule pass through for Giggs' overlapping on his [Valencia's] outside shoulder. Giggs swiftly plays a low ball across the box for Hernandez to convert low and to the keeper's right with his right foot.

vs. West Ham United(A): As the attacking threat intensifies, United’s swarm comes into its own. On this occasion, Rooney drives down the right flank and plays the ball square to the middle of the d for Berbatov who holds the ball up and waits for the 37-year-old Welsh man to continue the play. Giggs – arriving from deep via left-back – is played in on the left edge of the penalty box by Berbatov and attempts a low driven cross-shot that is clipped slightly off course courtesy of the achilles of a West Ham defender. The newfound trajectory falls favourably for Hernandez arriving at the back post for a simple tap-in with his right foot.

vs. Chelsea(H)[CL QF 2nd leg]: A tight first half is brought to life via the best interplay of the opening 45 minutes as United’s free kick from the right offensive midfield area is played [high] into Chelsea’s box. Vidic contests for the header just left of the penalty spot and manages to get a slight touch that causes Malouda to clear Chelsea’s lines in a hurried fashion with a header of his own which lands at Carrick’s feet to the left of Chelsea’s box. Carrick plays the ball backward eight or so yards and into Rooney’s path. United’s number ten plays an accurate cross-field ball to the right wing forward position where Giggs meets it with a cushioned, low volleyed instep pass to O’Shea. Giggs combines with O’Shea out on Chelsea’s defensive left to bamboozle Anelka with a simple one-two that results in a slotted through-ball down the right flank for Giggs to run on to. Giggs cuts infield against a back-peddling defence in complete disarray. Our mercurial Welshman darts into Chelsea’s box before driving a low ball right across the goalmouth to the back post for the seemingly omnipresent Hernandez to convert. The quicksilver forwards’ finish is driven high into left side of the goal with his right foot.

vs. Chelsea(H): Straight from kick off Giggs plays a short ball from LCM up to Park in ALCM. The inspired Koren attempts a swift through-ball into Hernandez' path, which takes a slight clip that doesn't really offset the trajectory of the ball enough to say that Park wouldn't have played Hernandez in anyway. As it happens, the ball, which would've been played through onto Hernandez' left side was now on his right with him able to square up to the keeper and beat him low and to the left upright with the aid of a slight parry to send United on their way with less than 42 seconds on the clock.

Macheda

Right Foot

vs. Aston Villa(A): A Pressurized build-up leads to an intricate back-heel from Darren Fletcher to the right side of the d, which Macheda absolutely pile drives into the top right of the net to bring hope to United's cause (getting us back to 2-1) with less than ten minutes to play.

Nani

Left Foot

vs. West Ham(H): A brilliant counter-attack makes serious, penetrative ground once Rooney receives a pass up-field from Scholes -- who is standing in a nominal RCM position -- to the inside-right channel. Rooney's ingenious touch plays Nani straight through into space to get at West Ham's back four. From just outside the right edge of the penalty area, Nani carries the ball across field and straight at West Ham's centre-backs. The chance to shoot looks to have gone as Nani strides diagonally across the box to just off-centre left, but Nani maintains both his balance and composure and deftly side foots the ball into the middle of the goal with his left foot to complete a classic Manchester United goal out of seemingly nothing.

vs. West Bromwich Albion(H): Nani carries the ball towards WBA's goal from the inside-right channel. He has options to his left and right as well as defence standing square on anticipating his next move. He plays the ball on the diagonal right to Berbatov and sprints past his marker into space to receive the ball back. Nani's marker does not process events fast enough and Berbatov's deft pass finds its way to Nani to drive a high shot home with his left foot.

vs. Bursaspor(H)[Gr:G3]: The ball is played into Nani on the precipice of the attacking third in the right attacking midfield area of the pitch. The Portuguese is surrounded by opposing players seemingly with nowhere to go and the only option being to pass the ball off to a freed up team-mate. Not so. Nani takes two men out with a deft drag-and-hold turn infield and then dashes off into the space he created for himself. The first past of the run is on a diagonal toward the d and the second part of the run sees him run horizontal with d until the appropriate amount of space for the shot opened up. As soon as the opportunity arose, Nani drives the ball into the left corner of the net with his left foot shot.

vs. Blackburn Rovers(H): Blackburn’s attack breaks down and the ball is played out to Evra on the left, defensive flank. Evra carries the ball a few yards and then plays it into Berbatov, who is in the left, offensive midfield position. Berbatov quickly(!) takes a touch and then plays the ball square to the encroaching Anderson who hits an awesome in-to-out ball through the full-back and out to Nani on the right edge of the penalty box. Nani takes a couple of touches and then turns his man and squares up on goal before curling the ball into the left siding of the net with his left foot, to complete yet another sublime team goal.

vs. Stoke City(H): Rafael performs a full sombrero out on the right flank (see Pele's goal '58 WC final) and then moves the ball on to Nani who is 10 yards off the right flank. Nani runs diagonally in-field a few yards and then plays the ball into Hernandez who is dead-centre of the pitch a few yards off the d. Nani receives the ball from Hernandez on the right edge of the penalty box and does his usual befuddling jostle before deciding to turn in-field and quickly fire off a snap-shot with his left foot that leaves Stoke's keeper stranded and wins the game for United.

vs. Birmingham City(H): Nani scores what is becoming his trademark goal -- cutting inside off the right flank and burying the ball from 18-25 yards (this time 20 or so) with his left. This strike nestles low into the bottom left corner and brings closure to Ben Foster's 5-0 nightmare return to OT.

vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers(A): Nani beats two Wolves defenders on the right side of the six-yard box before rifling another left-footed drive into the net.

vs. Manchester City(H): Giggs plays a sumptuous lobbed through-ball down the heart of City's backline and into Nani's vicinity. The skilful Portuguese brings the ball under the control with a right-footed, over-the-shoulder-takedown before taking another touch to shape up for his low, left-footed finish.

Right Foot

vs. Bolton Wanderers(A): A Bolton attack breaks down with a header out of defence taken down by Rooney and then played onto Nani, who is standing five yards or so inside his own half. Nani takes the ball on a left diagonal whilst encountering two Bolton men. Carrying the ball with a smooth casual ease, both men are nonchalantly bested before Nani - now about 35 yards away from goal - cuts from the inside left position to a diagonal towards the right side of Bolton's d. As the Portuguese encroaches on the heart of Bolton's defence, the panic increases and he is met with a flurry of tackles by two men who go to ground. He beats them and is met with the last man. By this time, Nani has worked space for his shot and chooses to take it. The low-driven shot on his right foot nestles inside the left upright giving Nani his own contender for GoTS.

vs. Tottenham Hotspur(H): Wait for it. Nani drives into the box from the right side of the pitch and is brought down for what is arguably a penalty. The referee waves play on, thus, there's no halt in play. Gomez picks up the loose ball, jogs a few yards forward, and then rolls the ball along the ground to launch what he thinks is a dead ball... as the ref hadn't given a foul call, the ball that he placed on the ball was live. Nani, still remonstrating over the non-call behind the advanced keeper, picks himself up and jogs to the 'dead' ball. He taps it into the goal with his right foot. Cue the ensuing discussions about legitimacy and what not. (Nani did handle the ball expectant of the penno being called.)

Obertan

Right Foot

vs. Bursaspor(A)[Gr:G4]: Park runs into the attacking third from the inside-right position. From there, he plays the ball on the diagonal to Obertan, who is a few yards off the d to the left side. Obertan takes a touch and beats a defender, he takes another to set himself up for a shot... from that point, he blasts a high shot into the middle of the goal with his right foot.

Owen

Header

vs. Bolton Wanderers(A): Nani takes a free kick from about 40 yards out just off-centre right. He plays a good, bending high ball towards the penalty spot, just as instructed by Owen's subtle point to where he wants it played. Owen, following his cue, gets a slight touch with his head to skilfully direct the ball to the top corner of the left upright whilst easily beating the Bolton keeper and earning United a point.

vs. Southampton(A)[FAC:rd4]: The ball is played into Owen inside the centre-circle from Nani who is out on the left side of the pitch. Owen plays a long pass out to the right flank for Obertan and proceeds into the box at a leisurely pace. Obertan dribbles forward and then takes two Southampton men to task whilst creating space for a rather feeble centred cross, which hits a Southampton defender on the hand and deflects into Owen's path at head height. Owen readily converts nodding the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Right Foot

vs. Scunthorpe(A)[LC:R3]: Macheda - standing on the defensive side of the centre circle - plays Owen into acres of space on a counter attack. Scunthorpe are so high up the pitch and out of sorts that Owen has time enough to take two touches that play him into a one-on-one with the keeper. From that position, Owen comfortably finishes early and to the right side of the keeper with his right foot.

vs. Scunthorpe(A)[LC:R3]: Owen completes the rout with a nicely taken goal from a frantic United counter-attack. Park breaks through the middle with runners to the left (Macheda) and right (Owen) of him with another on his inside (Obertan) backing up the play in a V formation and yet another (Anderson) following in behind like Dam Busters. Macheda's sprint is used as a decoy and occupies two Scunthorpe defenders to the outside of Park. Owen's clever positioning leaves the rest of the Scunthorpe defenders in a no-win position, which makes it easy for Park to jink a final right turn and take a shot at goal, which is straight at the keeper. Owen follows through and greedily gobbles up the rebound with a stumble-cum-shot with the outside of his right boot.

vs. Blackpool(H): United's build-up is comfortable and orderly as the ball is brought up from the back and into Fletcher in the right-sided central midfield position. Fletcher works wide and takes a few Blackpool players with him before playing a short ball infield to Anderson. Our unpredictable number eight drops an unexpected slide-rule pass through to the blackpool backline to meet Owen's typically devious run. The first-time league winner buries the game with an emphatic, right-footed finish that befuddles Blackpool's keeper and certainly seals Blackpool's doomed fate.


Own Goal

Left Foot

vs. Fulham(A): Nani plays a swerving corner into the penalty area that the unfortunate Hangeland manages to shin into his own goal.

Right Foot

vs. Blackpool(H): The Legendary Own goal returns as the harbinger of relegation with a sublime effort off Evatt from a Chris Smalling low-driven cross after a ball out wide from the centre via Fletcher. Evatt converted with a sliding, right-footed finish the like of which the greatest poachers in the game would be proud of.


Park


Right Foot

vs. Arsenal(H): Nani does well on the right side of the box before sending a deflected cross towards Park a couple of yards off-centre left of the penalty spot. Park is anticipating a different kind of pass, and due to the deflection has to adjust his body in the midst of moving towards the anticipated area. The ball loops over Park and leaves him with little option but to attempt a ridiculous 'up-and-over' type of header, which he manages with an audacious part forehead/part face header that beats their keeper and nestles in the back of the net after bouncing off the right upright at knee height.

vs. Scunthorpe(A)[LC:R3]: A corner played in from the right is duelled for in a one-on-one between a Scunthorpe and United player at the far post. The tussle leads to the ball being teed up perfectly for any onrushing United player as it trickles invitingly across the box on the diagonal. Park dutifully obliges the foot-teasing ball and hits it with a venomous, low, right-footed drive into the bottom right corner of the goal with what was, without a doubt, his hardest [shot] ever shot-to-conversion in Manchester United's colours.

vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers(H): Fletcher drives forward from the left central midfield spot right into the attacking third just a few yards on the diagonal outside the d. The Scotsman plays Park in with a sublime through ball into the middle of the pitch in line with the penalty box's line and almost dead-centre alignment with the penalty spot. Park takes the ball to the left and then shoots low and to the near side with his right foot. The shot takes a minor deflection, but nothing to deviate it from its intended course.

vs. Blackburn Rovers(H): After a very extensive (and too lengthy to mention) build-up, the ball is played into the left, attacking, central midfield area for Anderson, who then accelerates forward Park – having dragged two Blackburn players out of the middle with his run - and passes the ball infield to Park in the inside-left channel. Park now has the space provided by Anderson’s run to make two key decisions on the hop. The first of which is to play the ball further in-field to Rooney in a traditional #10 area of the pitch, and the second, is to continue his run after playing said ball in the hop Rooney would thread him through on the left diagonal. It all works to perfection and Rooney’s pass enables Park to steady himself with a touch, and then deftly dink the ball over the forlorn Robinson in the Blackburn goal with his right foot.


Left Foot

vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers(H)[LC:R4]: Park bursts toward goal from the centre of midfield and takes his run just right of the d. He plays Macheda in on his inside, but the striker mis-controls the ball, which falls loose. Park never stopped moving after playing the ball in to Macheda. This was to his benefit as he was then in a perfect position to latch on to the loose ball, take a touch to the left, and finish with his left foot to the right post, amidst the confusion.

vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers(H): With the game in its dying embers, tied at 1-1 with United's attacks at their most vociferous, Fletcher, who is in the central midfield area, plays a flighted pass out to the right flank for Ji-Sung Park. Park carries the ball infield toward the penalty box (whilst almost in line with the penalty spot) and then cuts diagonally outward whilst still in the box i.e. using his left foot to create space for himself. With the newly created space, Park continues across the penalty area until lined up with the inside of the near post and turns himself into a match-winner with a decisive, low, left-footed shot that beats the Wolves keeper and nestles comfortably in the goal to the rapturous delight of all associated with Manchester United.

vs. Chelsea(H)[CL QF 2nd leg]: Chelsea score… United are awoken from slumber taking the proverbial jab and responded with a booming right hand of their own as they go straight back up the field and settle the tie. United break down the right with Valencia carrying the ball into the final third before squaring a short ball to Rooney, who in turn plays a short, almost square ball, into the path of the onrushing Giggs at the edge of the d. Giggs completes a hattrick of assists in this two-legged Champions League affair with a sublime top-lob to the left diagonal of Chelsea’s backline who have been caught completely cold and confused via the euphoria of just scoring themselves. Park’s clever movement and reading of the pass has him in enough space to chest trap and bring down the ball before beating Cech with a well hit low cross-shot from left to right with his left foot which effectively cements Manchester United’s progress into the semi final of this season’s incarnation of the Champions League.

vs. Blackpool(H): Scholes plays a quality ball from the centre-circle out to the left attacking third for Berbatov. In his usual fashion, the Bulgarian brings the pass down with consummate ease before playing a through-ball on the diagonal for the on-rushing Park. For all intents and purposes, the play looks like it has failed, but inexplicably, the Blackpool CB hesitates in clearing the ball, which gives Park an opportunity to dart between the CB and the keeper and deftly dink the ball over the stranded keeper with the outside of his left foot.

Rooney

Header

vs. West Bromwich Albion(H): Evra(!) hits a good(!) cross into the middle of the box which completely misses Fletcher and the WBA CB marking him. Rooney caught almost unawares stoops and meets the ball with his head whilst re-directing the power in the cross into a downward header which bounces off the turf and drops delicately into the bottom left corner of the goal.

vs. Arsenal(H)[FAC]: United break on Arsenal via Valencia up the right flank. The Ecuadorian returnee plays the ball into the right-sided central midfield area for Rafael. The young Brazilian carries the ball forward into Arsenal's box with all vitality and zeal of youth before beating one Arsenal player whilst going to his outside and lining himself up for a well earned cross. The ball is driven low to the near post as Hernandez and an Arsenal centre-back contest for it. The resulting skirmish leads to ball being parried high and back into the action. As luck would have it, the deflected ball drops plum out of the air on the right side of the 6 yard box for the waiting Rooney to skim his head across and put in the bottom left corner of the goal.

Right Foot

vs. West Ham United(H)[pk]: Giggs turns Spector inside out to win the penalty; Rooney sends the keeper the wrong way via his conversion with a low drive off his right foot.

vs. Rangers(A)[Gr:G5][pk]: Fabio receives a neck-high boot assault to win the penalty; Rooney sends the keeper the wrong way via his left-sided, arched run-up and low drive into the bottom-right corner with his right foot.

vs. Aston Villa(H): Van der Sar takes a free kick from the left side of the d before playing yet another long-range pass (his third in as many games) to an attacking area of the pitch. This time, Rooney is the recipient, finding the ball dropping in his vicinity with enough pace on it for him to take it under his spell with a world-class first touch, which sets him up for a first-time right footed scorcher into the roof of the net.

vs. Aston Villa(H): Nani plays one of the crosses of the season (anywhere) and his career to date to the back stick from the right side of the pitch for Rooney to cushion-volley home from three yards out with his right foot.

vs. Manchester City(H):

vs. Wigan(A): Wigan attempt to play a ridiculously high offside line that promptly came unstuck as United hit Wigan with a swift counter initiated by Darron Gibson's controlled, long pass from right-back into the space down the right channel for Berbatov to run on to. The Bulgarian makes his way down the flank and latches on to the ball before cutting infield and swiftly finding himself in Wigan's box with Rooney and Wigan's keeper for company. United's top-scorer unselfishly squares for Rooney to tap a simple right-footed finish home.

vs. Chelsea(A): Evra out on the left wing, plays the ball into the inside-left channel for Nani. The Portuguese works his man with a feint to the left before laying the ball off for Rooney on his inside. As Rooney and Nani are literally a few yards apart, the Chelsea midfield and backline are left with a 50-50 decision as to whether to close down one man or the other with the wrong option leaving certain to leave a United player in acres of space. As it turned out, they chose to go with Nani's run after his lay off, which immediately left Wayne with a relatively enormous space after his initial touch to get his shot off.

What Chelsea did not expect, however, was for Rooney to send an unerring, near-post, low-driven rocket to Cech's right with his right foot. The ball nestled so cleanly and was driven so powerfully that the metal stanchions could be heard rattling above the din of a hotly contested match before the cacophony of rapturous celebration drowned it out.

vs. West Ham United(A): Carrick is felled to win a free kick for Manchester United to the right side of the d and Rooney steps up to take it. The put upon Scouser beats the keeper at the right post with a surprisingly delicate right-footed curler to give United a chance – altering the score line from two nil down to two to one.

vs. West Ham United(A): One from a myriad of United attacks is broken up with the ball being headed out to the right flank and into the path of Fabio. The youngster quickly plays a give and go with Valencia - who is just on the precipice of the right attacking third – and forages to the edge of West Ham’s penalty box before playing the ball back out to Valencia and thus creating both time and space for the Ecuadorian to pick out a specific target. He chooses Rooney who is standing just inside the box. The pass played to Rooney was low-driven with quite a bit of pace, which the United number 10 uses to his advantage as he meets the ball slightly off the ground with a hopping, cushioned collection that wrong foots his marker and earns him enough space to get a clear, untroubled shot at the goal. Rooney beats the keeper with a low cross-shot from right to left with his right foot to tie up the game with his brace of goals.

vs. West Ham United(A): Rooney steps up to complete his hattrick and put United three two up from two nil down with a low right-footed to the right post which sends the keeper the wrong way.

vs. Chelsea(A)[QF 1st leg]: As usual in these games, United spring Chelsea with swathes of first half attacks. On this occasion, Rafael carries the ball up the right flank before laying it off to Valencia in the final third. Valencia works some space before squaring a short ball to Carrick in the right offensive midfield position. Carrick jogs infield on a slight diagonal before playing a delicate, lofted pass over the poorly positioned Boswinga out on Chelsea’s right flank, which Giggs, as if rolling back the years to 199x, zooms in on with a classic first touch across his man that not only sets him up inside Chelsea’s box with their men facing toward goal, but provides yards of space for any United attackers joining this attack. Giggs looks up and plays a low cut-back about six yards out almost in line with [their] right post, which Rooney latches onto as quick as a flash whilst opening his body up for a precise side foot finish with his right foot that goes in off the inside of [their] left post to give United a vital away goal to take back to Old Trafford.

vs. Blackburn Rovers(A)[pk]: Rooney takes and converts the penalty that seals Manchester United's 19th league title. United's #10 sends Robinson the wrong way whilst blasting the ball at mid-height with his right foot to the left.


Scholes

Right Foot

vs. Fulham(A): After a multitude of attacks, United finally break the deadlock and open the scoring, via a ball infield from Evra, who is stood out on the left attacking third; to Berbatov, who is just off-centre right of the penalty spot. The ball is laid off and out to the onrushing Scholes, who is breaking deep from midfield - off-centre right - to meet it with a thunderous low drive into the bottom right corner of Fulham's goal.


Smalling

Right Foot

vs. Scunthorpe(A)[LC]: A set piece from the right attacking flank is knocked out of the penalty area to a United player. Wes Brown, standing a few yards off the d and to the right, plays Park in down the right channel. Ji Sung plays a dangerous, low drive into the centre of the penalty area where Smalling, of all people, is prowling. Smalling converts the cross with an agile and cunning finish fully reminiscent of a top-class striker. Contorting his 6'5" frame into a shape where he could stretch and bend his right leg fully enough to get a good wrap and purchase on the ball, he goes about putting it in the net in a fashion reserved for those who are familiar with such opportunities and not that of a player scoring his debut goal for the club.


Valencia

Header

vs. Fulham(H): Evra plays a long pass down the left flank that causes consternation for Fulham’s keeper who misjudges the pace and trajectory on the ball and comes out to contest it with an onrushing Nani. The crafty wing-man easily beats the keeper and quickly makes inroads on Fulham’s goalmouth. He attempts a lobbed cross for Valencia, which he miscues enough for a Fulham centre-back to be caught underneath whilst managing an unfortunate enough touch to deflect the ball perfectly into the Ecuadorian's path for him to nod home from a yard out.


Vidic

Header

vs. Everton(A): Nani plays a nice, flighted cross from the right corner flag area. Vidic meets it with a header for his first league goal in a long time.

vs. Tottenham Hotspur(H): Nani free-kick cross from the right attacking third; met perfectly by Vidic's head.

vs. Aston Villa(A): Nani bamboozles his men out on the left flank and plays a long, looping cross to the back stick where Vidic prowls and greedily gobbles up with a fantastic diving-header back across goal.

vs. Chelsea(H): Giggs takes a short corner from the left side and plays to receive the ball from Park. He then beats his defender and cuts to the outside (his left foot) before playing a good cross into the packed Chelsea defence for Nemanja to convert with a stooping header which effectively wins Manchester United the PL title.

Right Foot

vs. Aston Villa(H): United win a corner on the right side of the pitch. The ball is played back along the line to Giggs, who is just inside the attacking third. Giggs plays a deep cross eight yards out from the back post. which Vidic challenges for. The Serbian wins the aerial contest and nods the ball on a slight diagonal into Rooney's path. Rooney, who is about three yards from goal, has nowhere to turn as a mass of Villa bodies’ crowd him out and prevent him from going infield. With that avenue closed off to him, United's number ten plays the ball backward and thusly tees Vidic up for a shot.... the Serbian captain scores the goal of his United career (at least) as he blasts a curling howitzer into the top right corner with his right foot.

As usual, guys, please keep me abreast of my myriad of mistakes etc.

Ta.

Definitely an assist - it doesn't matter how it came off Rooney as long as it did come off him last before the strike from Fletcher.

My description needs amending; I only saw the goal once in real time whilst distracted (i was typing on here, d'oh!) - didn't realise Rooney had mis-controlled.

See above.