United title bid locked in ice
07/04/2008 2:08 AM
this time finished expertly with his right foot.
United was well and truly rocked and Alves nearly sealed the perfect hat-trick but his header struck Ferdinand's knee.
Rooney, who had been out of sorts all match, was booked for following through on Australia stopper Mark Schwarzer. Sir Alex Ferguson had seen enough and took off O'Shea, pushed Wes Brown to centre-back and sent on Owen Hargreaves.
Downing then embarked on a penetrating run that saw him outpace two defenders but his drive from a tight angle only found the side-netting.
Rooney, who had looked close to boiling point, finally found an outlet to his frustration when substitute Park Ji-Sung beat Taylor and centred for the England striker to clip home from close range off Pogatetz's leg.
With 10 minutes to go, Alves departed to a standing ovation as Southgate sent on Tuncay to hunt for a winner.
As the clock ran down the tension increased and both sides had chances to seal it in a frantic finish.
First, van der Sar pulled off a diving save to deny Aliadiere then Rooney dragged his effort wide from a threatening position.
Tuncay looked poised to steal it in injury-time after a brilliant turn - but van der Sar once again proved United's saviour.