Wayne Rooney's 74th minute header gave United a 2-1 win at Wembley as the Reds pipped Aston Villa to the season’s first silv…

Wayne Rooney's 74th minute header gave United a 2-1 win at Wembley as the Reds pipped Aston Villa to the season’s first silverware.

United recovered from James Milner's early penalty for the Villans to win 2-1 courtesy of an equaliser from Michael Owen and then Rooney’s late winner. Patrice Evra, skipper on the day, lifted the Carling Cup in front of 30,000 delighted Reds fans.

And the United players were understandably elated, too.

"It's a great feeling, we're delighted," said Wazza after the entertaining match. "I think we created the better chances in the game, but full credit to Villa, they played well today. It was a good final."

The striker has now scored 28 goals this season and is getting ever closer to matching Cristiano Ronaldo's best yield for a season of 42. But Rooney insisted: "The goal tally isn't in my mind. If the goals come then that's great but I’m focused more on winning medals."


The Reds' other goalscorer Michael Owen was delighted at earning a first medal with United, but admitted that it was a bittersweet experience, given his withdrawal just before half-time due to a hamstring injury.

"It's a bitter end to have limped off but it's great that I played a big part in the win," said Owen. "Winning the cup is fantastic."

Darren Fletcher was, as ever, a driving force in the Reds’ engine room. He said the players always kept their belief despite going behind early on. "After going a goal down early we had to get the ball down and keep believing in ourselves Villa are a great team on the counter attack but we showed great courage to go and get the equaliser.


"We feel sorry for Michael Owen because he went off injured but he's scored a goal that helped us win the cup. He's played his part and went up to get his medal with everyone else. He’s played his part in the earlier rounds too."

Sunday's success now means that the Reds are officially the most successful team in English football with 33 trophies (18 league titles, 11 FA Cups and 4 League Cups) compared to Liverpool's 32 (18 titles, 7 FA Cups and 7 League Cups). Next Saturday evening the Reds will resume the quest for a record 19th league championship.

Heads we win

1ST MAR 2010

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