10 Best Man Utd Performances This Decade

10. Man United 5-1 Fulham, 2006

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXUr68gmI7M A routine drubbing of mid-table Premier League fodder wouldn€™t usually rank on a list of this magnitude, but this victory was important for a plethora of reasons. This wasn€™t just about the scoreline, or squeezing three points from the Cottagers - it was about sending a message. It had been an awkward summer for Sir Alex Ferguson - his two most prized assets had been at the centre of a very public spat at the World Cup, with Wayne Rooney having taken issue with Cristiano Ronaldo€™s successful attempts to get him sent off during the quarter-final clash between England and Portugal. The media were already bracing themselves for a season of training ground bust-ups, spats and general malcontent between the two. The frothing tabloid writers were soon left very disappointed, as Rooney and Ronaldo were back in tandem to put Fulham to the sword. There was not even a trace of bad blood, as they hugged, kissed and celebrated each goal, linking up with each other. Louis Saha had headed United in front against his old club after seven minutes, before his cross was diverted into the net via Ian Pearce. Rooney then tapped home before crossing for his Portuguese comrade to make it 4-0 inside the opening 20 minutes. Fulham did grab a consolation through a Rio Ferdinand own goal, but Rooney wrapped it up with the fifth and final goal of the afternoon in the second half. Rooney and Ronaldo back on song, and the message sent to Stamford Bridge: €˜We€™re taking your title back.€™
Contributor
Contributor

Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future. Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.