Wayne Rooney’s superb 73rd-minute strike gave 10-man Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Ecuador’s LDU in the Club World Cup final on Sunday.
United became the first British winners of the Fifa tournament following Liverpool’s failure in 2005 when they were ambushed by Brazil’s São Paulo.
The European champions overcame a moment of madness from defender Nemanja Vidic, sent off four minutes into the second half in Yokohama for elbowing LDU striker Claudio Bieler in the face.
”The sending off made it difficult for us,” United manager Alex Ferguson told reporters. ”Half an hour to go is a long road with 10 men, but Wayne scored a magnificent goal.
”In 30 years you’ll look back and see Manchester United’s name on the trophy — although I won’t be around to enjoy it.”
Vidic’s red card is a major blow to United as he will miss United’s next European Champions League game, away to Inter Milan in February in the first leg of the last 16.
”It’s a soft sending off but he swung an elbow,” said Ferguson. ”When you do that in front of the referee you’ve got no chance. He gave the referee no option.”
The Serb’s dismissal sparked Ferguson’s side into life and Rooney fired the winner with a clinical right-foot shot after a magical flick from Cristiano Ronaldo.
World’s best
”We’re the best team in the world,” said Rooney, who was named player of the tournament after scoring twice in United’s 5-3 semifinal win over Japan’s Gamba Osaka.
”It’s a great achievement for the team and something we’re all really proud of. It’s been a long road. To score the winning goal is a great feeling.”
Ronaldo, the victim of persistent rough treatment from Libertadores Cup holders LDU, was a constant threat as United dominated a match watched by almost 69 000 fans.
Rooney, Park Ji-sung and Carlos Tevez, who was immediately sacrificed for defender Jonny Evans after Vidic’s red card, all went close in a one-sided first half.
United still had to survive late LDU pressure, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar being forced into an excellent fingertip save from Alejandro Manso’s fierce drive in the 89th minute.
Ferguson’s side won the tournament’s forerunner, a one-off match between the champions of Europe and South America, with a 1-0 win over Brazilian side Palmeiras in 1999.
”When Vidic was sent off we thought we could win,” LDU’s Argentine coach Edgardo Bauza said. ”We’re sad we lost but happy to have come this far.” — Reuters