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No stopping Manchester United
11/05/2008 18:28 - (SA)
Wigan, England - Manchester United won their 10th Premier League title in 16 years on Sunday, getting a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo and another goal from Ryan Giggs to beat Wigan 2-0 on the final day of the season.
Ronaldo put United ahead in the 33rd minute after Emmerson Boyce pulled down Wayne Rooney in the 32nd, and Giggs scored in the 80th off a pass from Rooney to ensure that the defending champions retained their league title.
Giggs, who has played in every Premier League-winning campaign, came off the bench in the second half to match Bobby Charlton's club-record 758 games.
The former United great celebrated Giggs' goal in the directors box at the JJB Stadium.
United finished the 38-game season with 87 points, two points more than Chelsea, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Bolton.
Alex Ferguson sprang a surprise by starting with Rooney despite suggesting he wouldn't be fit until the Champions League final against Chelsea on May 21.
Despite being managed by former United captain Steve Bruce, Wigan were tenacious, ensuring the title chasers struggled to get sight of goal in the early exchanges.
Ball went wide
When the first shot came in the eighth, Ronaldo's effort lacked direction. Eight minutes later, the target evaded the hesitant Rooney, and that was quickly followed by Paul Scholes shooting wide from 25m.
Ferguson was patrolling the technical area anxiously amid Wigan pressure as Titus Bramble, Marcus Bent and Emile Heskey came close.
Rio Ferdinand then escaped being penalised for seemingly blocking Jason Koumas with his hand.
After Ronaldo scored from the spot, United struggled to extend their advantage against a stubborn side with nothing to play for, but playing in front of a record 25 133 fans.
Ferguson was lucky not to lose Scholes in the 35th. The veteran midfielder had already been booked for a rash challenge on Wilson Palacios but escaped a second yellow after snuffing out Palacios' run.
The Red Devils survived another scare soon after when Bent swept into the side netting, but emerged after the break looking more like extending their lead.
Ronaldo's dipping free kick was thwarted by Kirkland's fingertip-save early in the second half, and Rooney yelled when Scholes appeared to be denied a penalty from Boyce's challenge in the 53rd.
Rooney's fury was reawakened in the 57th when he felt his clash with Boyce should have resulted in a penalty. The England striker's petulance resulted in a yellow card.
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