United 1 - 1 Chelsea (1-1AET) (6-5 on penalties)

VDS
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Hargreaves Carrick Scholes Ronaldo
Rooney Tevez

Finally the day had arrived. All United fans had been waiting for this date for 9 years. Fergie decided to go for the 4-4-2 which really made me believe that we could win this match.

Ronaldo, inevitably, scored the first goal for United after some fine work by Brown. United should have been up and away over the horizon by half-time. They could have scored at least two other goals. I thought we were going to dread those missed chances and boy I was right! Seconds to go for half time and Lampard, surely with a little help from above, scored the equalizer completely against the run of play.

The second half was all about Chelsea they huffed and puffed but couldn't score that killer goal. Nutcase Drogba and Lampard both hit the woodwork, it could well have been Chelsea’s name on the cup but United didn’t give up and defended well.

The extra time had little to offer except for a great chance for Ryan Giggs which was superbly saved by the then hero Terry. Later Drogba was sent off for slapping Vidic.

The penalty shoot out saw United winning this game after a great save by Van Der Sar on Anelka’s penalty. As Edwin van der Sar beat away Nicolas Anelka’s spot-kick, the United team raced from the halfway line to bury him under a mound of bodies. All apart from one player. Back in the centre-circle, Ronaldo lay face down with his head in the turf. Breathing the greatest sigh of relief of his career.

Ratings :

VDS – 9 – Our hero in the penalty shoot out and made a great save during the match when Ferdinand nearly did a ‘John Arne Rise’
Brown – 8 – Excellent defending.
Ferdinand – 8 – Excellent once again, should be made captain of England.
Vidic – 9 – Man Of The Match. Excellent performance by the Serbian.
Evra – 7 – Great link up play with Ronaldo, was a threat all night long.
Ronaldo – 8 – Scored a great goal and showed why he’s considered the best player in the world by making a fool of Essien.
Carrick – 7 – Did his job in the midfield and scored the penalty although he could have ended the match in the first half had he placed the ball well.
Scholes – 7 – Did everything for the United cause. United legend.
Hargreaves – 8 – Great game by the Englishman. Stole important balls in the middle of the pitch and pushed forward. Well taken penalty too.
Tevez – 7 – Could have scored twice in the first half. In the end he took his penalty well.
Rooney – 7 – One thing you can always guarantee with Roo is that if he is not getting much joy in front of goal his work rate will always help the team.

Anderson - 6 - Player for like 1 minute but took his penalty cooly.

Nani - 6 - Didn't really have an impact but scored the penalty.

Giggs - 7 - He could have scored during extra time it is wasn't for Terry but ended up scoring the vital penalty.