Manchester United produced a vintage display to lift some of the gloom around
Old Trafford.
With Arsenal crowned as champions and second place secured, the Red Devils had
little to play for but pride against Leeds.
But they still answered manager Alex Ferguson's rallying call to finish their
home campaign on a high as they dispatched Leeds with consummate ease.
The visitors, who should still qualify for Europe despite the defeat, did
little to aid their cause when Gunnar Halle was sent off for his second bookable
offence in the second half.
This, though, was the Manchester United of old and in the second period they
displayed some of their former swagger.
The club's record signing Jaap Stam watched from the stands and he will
complete his £10.5 million move from PSV Eindhoven tomorrow to further cheer the
Old Trafford faithful.
United scored from their first attack after just five minutes. Gary Neville
did brilliantly on the right wing to keep in Gary Pallister's pass and his cross
was headed home by Ryan Giggs for his ninth goal of the season.
Giggs was at his probing best in the opening minutes and it would have been
interesting to see if Arsenal would have won the title if he had been fit all
season.
The best Leeds could muster in reply were a number of long-range efforts,
which failed to trouble Raimond van der Gouw in the home goal.
United doubled their advantage on the half hour when Ian Harte gave away a
penalty for climbing all over the back of Teddy Sheringham as the England
striker tried to control Denis Irwin's cross.
Irwin slotted home the spot-kick for his fourth goal of the season and third
penalty.
Nigel Martyn prevented a third for the erstwhile champions when he touched
David Beckham's dangerous cross away for a corner with Andy Cole lurking and
just before the interval Paul Scholes headed wide from Giggs' cross.
Van der Gouw was finally called into action to save a long-range effort from
Harry Kewell.
But any slim chances of a Leeds' fightback were ended on 58 minutes when
Beckham rammed home goal number three.
Cole's left-wing cross glanced off the head of a Leeds defender and fell
perfectly for Beckham to crack home his 11th strike of the season from 18
yards.
United were now enjoying themselves and with a winning farewell to the home
fans in the bag, manager Alex Ferguson gave a debut to Wes Brown, who is the
latest home-grown talent to emerge from Old Trafford.
The 18-year-old defender, who is being dubbed the new Paul McGrath, was soon
involved in the action when he was brought down by Halle.
The challenge earned the Norwegian his second yellow card of the match from
referee Gary Willard following a late tackle from behind on Irwin in the first
half.
Paul Scholes could have added a fourth in the 79th minute, but he spooned the
ball over the bar from seven yards out.
By now losing their cherished title to Arsenal did not seem that painful for
the home fans, who began to cheer each completed pass from their heroes.
Leeds boss George Graham, though, will not be pleased at seeing his side
concede nine goals in their last three games and their evening was summed up
three minutes from time when Kewell fell on his backside trying to take a
corner.
Teams
Man Utd: Van Der Gouw, G. Neville, Irwin (P. Neville 45),
May (Brown 60), Pallister, Beckham, Butt, Cole,
Sheringham (McClair 60), Giggs, Scholes.
Subs Not Used: Berg, Mulryne.
Booked: P. Neville, Pallister.
Goals: Giggs 6, Irwin 31 pen, Beckham 58.
Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Haaland, Radebe, Wetherall, Hasselbaink,
Bowyer, Halle, Kewell, Harte (Robertson 73), Hiden (Hopkin 60).
Subs Not Used: Beeney, Wallace, Jackson.
Sent Off: Halle (62).
Booked: Halle, Radebe, Hiden, Wetherall.
Att: 55,167
Ref: G Willard (West Sussex).
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