Done and dusted: Nasri completes £24m switch to join Man City's band of superstars

Samir Nasri has sealed his £24million move to Manchester City from Arsenal.

Despite late interest from rivals United, big-spending City have wrapped up their final major move of the transfer window to complete their world-class attacking line-up.

Nasri, who will wear the No 19 shirt, has signed a four-year deal at the Etihad Stadium worth £185,000-a-week after passing his medical on Tuesday evening.

What a signing: Samir Nasri is happy to please the City fans wanting autographs

Nasri will now go straight into the squad for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

The Frenchman arrived at City's stadium on Wednesday afternoon to be greeted by a crowd of delighted fans.

He will now battle it out with the likes of David Silva, Adam Johnson, Yaya Toure, James Milner, Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong for a place in the starting line-up.

Here he comes: Samir Nasri arrives at the Etihad Stadium

Head down: Nasri was the centre of attention at City

 

Nasri had trained with Arsene Wenger's squad on Tuesday and the Arsenal manager wanted the player with him for Wednesday's crucial Champions League playoff.

Wenger is already working with a severely depleted squad - only 18 players have travelled. He is also concerned by the temperature here in Udine, which rose to 38 degrees yesterday.

Sportsmail understands Wenger was not entirely happy with the decision to sell when the deal coincided with news of Jack Wilshere's latest injury setback, adding to the sense that the relationship between manager and board is becoming strained.

There are those close to the situation who fear defeat tonight and then at Manchester United on Sunday could leave the Frenchman considering his future.

What next? Wenger will now have to plan for life without two of his main stars

Publicly, Wenger showed no sign of such a conflict and said Nasri had been sold for 'psychological and financial reasons'.

'He trained but I knew before training,' he added. 'He didn't know. The decision was made just before.

'Nasri is a situation where the player didn't want to extend his contract with the proposals he had somewhere else.

'What kind of commitment can you have when the player is not there long-term? That is the question you have to answer.'

Exodus: Former Arsenal captain Fabregas has already left the club

He added: 'Football rules are made like that, that the player can be worth a lot of money today and nothing in six months,

'So it doesn't look completely logical but, at the end of the day, of course, we are forced into a decision like that for psychological and financial reasons.'

Mind the age gap! Chelsea and United set the trend as top clubs invest in youth

The transfer market is no country for old men, that much is clear from this year’s trading. Not totally ancient and decrepit, even, but old in an over 26 kind of way.

More than ever in the Barclays  Premier League, this has been the  summer of youth. Potential is highly prized as the new breed of owners apply their big-business logic to football’s peculiar transfer rules.

Young and hungry: Oriel Romeu and Romelu Lukaku are just two examples of clubs splashing the cash on players in the formative stage of their career

During this window, only three  players over the age of 26 have been signed by Premier League clubs for fees of more than £4.5milion. They are Ashley Young (26), Stewart Downing (27) and Roger Johnson (28).

At the same time, tens of millions have been lavished on teenagers as clubs try to rake in the best talent from around the world.

Older players are in demand, too, but when they move they move on the cheap, like Brad Friedel, Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate on free transfers. Chelsea’s first four signings of the summer were teenagers Lucas Piazon, Thibaut Courtois, Oriol Romeu and Romelu Lukaku for a total of around £40m.

On the cheap: Experienced players like Jonathan Woodgate and Brad Friedel were snapped up for minimal fee

Manchester United may have Ryan Giggs skipping towards his forties but they have not looked fresher since his generation stormed the first team. That is down to Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and David de Gea, together with the promotion of Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley.

Even for money-no-object Manchester City, age is everything. City have bought four players, the oldest of whom is Gael Clichy at 25 and the most expensive of whom is Sergio Aguero, aged 23. Next could be Samir Nasri, aged 24.

With this trend developing, it is hardly surprising Arsenal’s squad is under attack from other clubs. Youth is  the first requirement but, thanks to Arsene Wenger’s philosophy, youngsters at the Emirates are road-tested at the top level.

What price a senior international like Jack Wilshere when his contemporaries like Jones and Connor Wickham can command such enormous fees?

What price youth AND experience: International regular Jack Wilshere would likely command a record-breaking fee

The flipside is that a glut of established players of undisputed quality are up for sale but stuck on the shelf with the transfer deadline just a week away.

Collateral damage is most striking at City, where an urgent team building programme has produced a bloated squad of overpaid players, many no longer needed by Roberto Mancini.

Managers still value experience. Plenty would like Emmanuel Adebayor, Shaun Wright-Phillips or Craig Bellamy but financial sense is winning the  argument and fewer clubs are ready  to stump up the asking price for  players the wrong side of 26 with  minimal resale value. Fewer still can afford their wages.

Scott Parker is 30, paid £80,000 a week and valued by West Ham at £7m. These figures have no appeal in today’s  market — even for a club of Chelsea’s financial clout — so a first-choice  England midfielder plays in the Championship.

Value for money: Arsenal are reluctant to go the extra financial mile to secure 29-year-old Phil Jagielka

Arsenal are flush with cash and want Phil Jagielka from Everton, a club who could use the money, but Wenger  steadfastly refuses to pay over the odds for a 29-year-old defender.

Within the riddle there are young players like Nedum Onuoha and Nicklas Bendtner who have been told they can leave their clubs but who earn wages which are obstructing any transfer.

As the deadline of Wednesday, 31 August, 11pm looms, teams will clamour to cut deals, dropping the asking price or negotiating loans for those they would prefer to shift.

Spurs swallowed a massive loss to move Robbie Keane to Los Angeles Galaxy earlier this month because they wanted elbow room on the payroll and within the squad limits.

The Premier League’s 25-man squad rules, introduced last year to encourage more home-grown players, have reinforced this vibrant market for youth.

If bigger, wealthier clubs want to take advantage of their financial muscle and carry extra players they can do so, but this excess must come from a group of players under the age of 21.

For a player of that age to play a  significant role in the first team, they must be top quality, which usually means they cost a small fortune. If they are English, the premium is greater still.

Last season, the Premier League reported an increase of 28 per cent in the number of on-pitch appearances by English  players aged under 21 (59 players made 616 appearances compared with 55 making 483 in the previous campaign).

He's off! Arsenal agree £24m Nasri fee with Man City... but United stand by to hijack deal

Samir Nasri was in the North West on Tuesday night having a medical after Arsenal finally accepted a £24million bid from Manchester City.

But Sportsmail understands Manchester United were closely monitoring the situation in the hope they might yet be able to hijack the deal, which is also expected to see around £2m going to the France midfielder's agent.

City now look like Nasri's next club and United would struggle to match the £185,000-a-week wages being offered to the player for the next five years.

Arsenal exit: Nasri's time with the Gunners looks to have come to an end

But Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge admirer and might just be able to lure Nasri to Old Trafford with the promise of a central role he had in mind for Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder.

Yesterday Arsenal seemed to consider City the more likely destination, confirming a deal had been struck shortly before boarding their plane for Italy.

A statement read: 'Arsenal can confirm that they have agreed terms for Samir Nasri to move to Manchester City. The 24-year-old midfielder has been omitted from Arsenal's squad which flies to Italy to face Udinese.'

Gunned down: Nasri has been one of Arsenal best performers in recent seasons

 

Nasri had trained with Arsene Wenger's squad yesterday and the Arsenal manager wanted the player with him for tonight's crucial Champions League playoff.

Wenger is already working with a severely depleted squad - only 18 players have travelled. He is also concerned by the temperature here in Udine, which rose to 38 degrees yesterday.

Sportsmail understands Wenger was not entirely happy with the decision to sell when the deal coincided with news of Jack Wilshere's latest injury setback, adding to the sense that the relationship between manager and board is becoming strained.

There are those close to the situation who fear defeat tonight and then at Manchester United on Sunday could leave the Frenchman considering his future.

What next? Wenger will now have to plan for life without two of his main stars

Publicly, Wenger showed no sign of such a conflict and said Nasri had been sold for 'psychological and financial reasons'.

'He trained but I knew before training,' he added. 'He didn't know. The decision was made just before.

'Nasri is a situation where the player didn't want to extend his contract with the proposals he had somewhere else.

'What kind of commitment can you have when the player is not there long-term? That is the question you have to answer.'

Exodus: Former Arsenal captain Fabregas has already left the club

He added: 'Football rules are made like that, that the player can be worth a lot of money today and nothing in six months,

'So it doesn't look completely logical but, at the end of the day, of course, we are forced into a decision like that for psychological and financial reasons.'

Arsenal welcome back Johan Djourou and Tomas Rosicky, while Laurent Koscielny could be fit for the weekend.

Fabio goes Beck to the future: Danny primed for competitive England start

Danny Welbeck has forced his way into contention for a first competitive start for England against Bulgaria next week.

Andy Carroll has become Fabio Capello’s preferred choice to partner Wayne Rooney in the England attack, with Darren Bent also an option.

But Welbeck impressed the England manager in training in the absence of Carroll and Bent earlier this month and his form alongside Rooney at Manchester United — not least against  Tottenham on Monday night — has strengthened his case.

Danny boy: Welbeck primed for England spot

Choose England@ Welbeck opted to pledge his allegiance to the Three Lions and not Ghana 

Capello can see the obvious advantage in keeping Rooney and Welbeck together, particularly when Ashley Young could also perform the wide role he is now making his own at Old Trafford.

Welbeck was capped for the first time by Capello in the friendly against Ghana in March, coming on in the 81st minute. His selection was controversial in Ghana, whose FA wanted the striker to represent them because his parents are Ghanaian.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has long considered  Welbeck a player with international potential and now he is seen by Capello as a serious  challenger to Carroll and Bent.

The 20-year old from the tough south Manchester area of  Longsight says he is already  living the dream after starting in the FA Community Shield and keeping his place.

‘There is no better feeling for a Manc kid than scoring for United,’ said Welbeck, who had to cope with the debilitating Osgood-Schlatter disease in his mid-teens.

‘I want more of it. Tom Cleverley and I were both at the academy for more than 10 years, so to come through and start in the first team is a massive achievement. We are so grateful to all the coaches we have had throughout the youth system. We will never forget them.’

United defender Chris Smalling described United’s potential as ‘endless’, while Patrice Evra, the skipper and senior figure at 30 against Tottenham, is just  as impressed.

‘A lot of people talk about the academy here, and the young players showed what they can do,’ said Evra. ‘They have such composure, it is amazing. They want to prove to the manager they are ready to play in the  first team.

First choice: Capello's preferred strike partnership is Rooney and Carroll

‘We have lost a lot of experience in Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, but you can see how the team is fresh and full of energy.

‘The football we are playing is quick. It is up to the likes of myself, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic to make sure these boys keep developing.’

Smalling said: ‘There is an excitement in terms of the  endless potential here. We have nowhere near reached it and are just looking forward to how far we can go.
‘If the manager keeps on giving us chances, hopefully the lads will keep on taking them.

‘Wayne Rooney is young in terms of his age but is actually one of the more experienced players, and the young players try to learn from them and take that experience on board.’

Evra backs De Gea to overcome wobbly start and become Man United legend

Patrice Evra has used the memory of his own tortured Manchester United debut to assure David de Gea not to worry about his transition to the Premier League.

After a couple of shaky performances following his £18million arrival from Atletico Madrid this summer, the 20-year-old was far more composed in Monday night's 3-0 win over Tottenham.

Even a rather risky attempt to nip past Rafael van der Vaart, which drew a foul out of the Tottenham man, was cited as showing a welcome degree of confidence.

Shaky start: David De Gea struggled against Man City and West Brom

There were a couple of minor mistakes near the end, enough to interest Bolton and Stoke, places United must visit in September, but overall, De Gea's first Old Trafford experience was positive, exactly as Evra felt it would be.

'The goalkeeper's performance was very good,' said Evra.

'He did well with his feet and everything. The crowd were behind him too, so he should say a big thank you to them.

'I have been telling him not to worry because English football is not easy.

'I made my debut against Manchester City. It was really difficult. After the first 45 minutes, the manager took me off, told me to sit down, watch English football, and learn.

Confident display: De Gea was much-improved as Man United won 3-0

'Sometimes you have good days. Sometimes you have bad. I am confident because he has a big talent and we are going to help him.'

Although he passed his 30th birthday in May, Evra could not have been expecting to take on the role of elder statesman quite so quickly.

Yet that is exactly what he was on Monday night - the oldest player in the second youngest Premier League team Ferguson has ever sent out onto the pitch.

That Phil Jones and Jonny Evans were responsible for keeping a clean sheet at one end, whilst Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck were combining to open Tottenham up at the other just made the whole evening even more remarkable.

'Don't say I am old,' he grimaced. 'It is just amazing.

Elder statesman: Patrice Evra was the only player above the age of 26 in United's starting XI

'But the young players deserve what they get. You have to give them a lot of credit.

'A lot of people talk about the academies at other clubs but you can see the youngsters we have got and the boss is not afraid to put them in.

'We know we have a big responsibility. We want to win everything. That is the Manchester United way.

'We have lost a lot of experienced players. But now you can see the team is fresh, with a lot of energy. The football is quick.

'They have to keep going and the more experienced players have to help.'

Ferguson states simply that he has been left with no alternative other than to pick his youngsters because of the performances they have produced so far.

New kids on the block: Danny Welbeck celebrates his goal on Monday with Tom Cleverley

There has to be some doubt whether Welbeck, Cleverley and Jonny Evans for instance can sustain a title drive far into the season, whilst De Gea will continue to be questioned until he strings a series of reliable performances together.

However, already it is obvious talent exists.

And with Phil Jones looking every inch a captain of the future for both club and country, it is tempting to wonder whether Rio Ferdinand's 10th season at United may turn out to be his last.

With each passing game there seems less reason to break the bank for Wesley Sneijder, as fine a player as the Dutch midfielder so obviously is.

And after losing Gerard Pique and Giuseppe Rossi in recent years, Ferguson is already wary about closing the door of opportunity to his younger players.

Duck to water: Phil Jones has looked solid at the back

However, in the aftermath of a victory that nestled United in behind Manchester City as the Premier League's early pacesetters, the Red Devils chief admitted a problem may be looming in trying to give his seven-strong striking roster, bolstered by the unexpected return of Javier Hernandez last night, enough chances.

It has raised the possibility of departures before the transfer deadline, with Federico Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf amongst the most obvious contenders given Michael Owen has signed a new one-year contract and Ferguson has apparently rejected the idea of selling record signing Dimitar Berbatov.

This problem does appear trifling to those staring Arsene Wenger in the face though and the fact Arsenal head to Old Trafford on Sunday merely adds another twist to the Londoners` desperate summer.

'It is always a special game,' smiled Evra, who has previously lambasted the Gunners for being a football training centre that does not win trophies.

'I don't need to comment more.'

Villa chase United midfielder Gibson after collapse of Sunderland move and emergence of Cleverley

Aston Villa are making a £3.5million move for Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson.

The Republic of Ireland international saw a move to Sunderland fall through last month despite initial discussions.

The 23-year-old is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford following the emergence of players such as Tom Cleverley and is keen to get his career back on track.

Better days: Darron Gibson was tipped for the club when he broke through at United

I'm here to stay! Welbeck not prepared to step aside for Hernandez and co

Danny Welbeck has vowed to fight for his place after inspiring Manchester United to victory over Tottenham.

The striker, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland, scored the opening goal and set up the second for Anderson with a delightful backheel before Wayne Rooney sealed a 3-0 win.

High hopes: Danny Welbeck (left) heads home Man United's opener against Spurs

And he has warned Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen that he will not be easily dislodged from the starting line-up at Old Trafford.

Welbeck said: ‘The gaffer has built a great squad with youth and experience in abundance.

‘You know that once you’re in that starting eleven, you’ve got to work hard to keep your place. So I think everyone’s working hard in training and doing their best to get in the starting eleven.

Here to stay: Welbeck has vowed to fight for his place in the starting XI

‘Whoever’s chosen is going to give it their best shot. I think Tom and I have shown we’ll work hard for the team when picked.’

Both Welbeck and Tom Cleverley were part of the line-up that was the second youngest United XI - with an average age of 23 years and one month - in Premier League history.

He added: ‘We’ve both been at the academy for years and years – about 10 years – so to both come into the Manchester United first team is a massive achievement.

Boxing Clever: Welbeck has come through Man United's academy with Tom Cleverley (right)

‘We’re so grateful to all the coaches we’ve had throughout the youth system and we’ll never forget them. We’ll always be grateful to them.’

Sir Alex Ferguson was quick to praise Welbeck, particularly after the youngster overcame knee problems during his emergence.

The United boss said: ‘Danny made slow progress because when he was growing he had Osgood-Schlatter’s, that knee-growth condition, and it was always a case of we’re going to have to wait for him.

Boy to man: Welbeck enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Sunderland last term

‘When we put him on loan to Sunderland, I think that’s when he became a man. He’s still only 20 years of age and he’s got a great future, the lad.

‘He’s a big rangy, long-legged boy who can gallop really quickly. Once he gets his legs going, he’s quick. He’s a good footballer, he’s got a great attitude when he loses the ball, a tremendous attitude to win it back.’

Ferguson admits he will struggle to keep all of Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck, Berbatov and Owen happy as the transfer window approaches.

Selection headache: Javier Hernandez (right) was Wayne Rooney's regular partner up front last season

He said: ‘If you look at Berbatov, Owen, Hernandez and Rooney, they all have different qualities.

‘You have to utilise all that and make changes as best you can. The horrible part for me now is with having Javier back, what do we do? It is going to be a big problem for me.’

Patrice Evra - captain against Spurs in the absence of Nemanja Vidic - was quick to praise the latest batch of United kids.

Captain for the night: Patrice Evra was the oldest player in Man United's starting line-up on Monday

The left-back, who was the oldest in the starting line-up at 30, joked: ‘Don’t say that, don’t say that!’

He then added: ‘I’m really happy with the performance. The young players deserve this and you have to give them a lot of credit. A lot of people talk about the academy and they showed what they can do.

‘It’s amazing. In the Community Shield, against West Brom... the boss is not afraid to play young players.

No fear: Ferguson (left) fielded his youngest ever Premier League side against Spurs

‘They have such composure. They want to prove to the manager that they are ready to play on the team. It’s good for us because we need some energy and they have that. I’m not surprised because they played well during pre-season and they are all confident.

‘We have lost a lot of experienced players like Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, but you can see now that the team is very fresh, it has a lot of energy and the football is quick.

'The young players just have to keep going and it’s up to players like myself, Rio and Vidic to make sure they keep developing.’

Didn't he do Wel! Danny keeps United youngsters on City's trail

Sir Alex Ferguson beamed with pride after seeing his Manchester United youngsters - inspired by Danny Welbeck - rip Tottenham apart with three second-half goals at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic forced Ferguson to field the second-youngest United side in Barclays Premier League history, with an average age of 23 years and one month.

Plenty to shout about: Danny Welbeck celebrates opening the scoring

It was still enough to maintain United's record of home supremacy over Spurs, though, as Welbeck and Anderson put them in command and Wayne Rooney claimed the 149th goal of his Old Trafford career.

'We really took off in the second half and turned it into a fantastic performance, and I am pleased we did it with such a young side,' said Ferguson.

'That tells you how much we believe in young players. I think the fans appreciate that and realise it's what this club is all about. It's especially relevant when you see the ability they have. We've always had confidence to play young players but this group has fantastic ability.

Happy days: Sir Alex Ferguson is all smiles after United's victory

'Welbeck has always had great ability, but his progress was slow because, when he was growing, he had a knee condition that held him back.

'Then we sent him to Sunderland on loan, and that's when he became a man. He has a great future.

'We've got Hernandez back as well now, so what do we do? It's going to be a right problem for me.'

Harry Redknapp still hopes to hang on to Luka Modric but finally admitted Chelsea were serious about trying to sign him.

Heads you win: Rooney leaps high to score United's third

Asked whether it was time for Chelsea to 'put up or shut up', Redknapp, who admitted the growing uncertainty had left Modric in no state to face United, said: 'To be fair, they have put up. The offer is no longer derisory.

'Luka is a great lad but is just a bit confused about where he is at the moment in his football career.

'I don't think he's played his last game for us. I want him to play for us against Manchester City on Sunday. He's a good player and we need him out there for us.'

Old Trafford match zone: Savage reaction riles Robbie as United reap £40m train fare

Savage reaction riles Robbie

Robbie Savage has always stirred controversy but he didn’t deserve the disgusting treatment he received in Manchester. The Welsh midfielder-turned-BBC pundit tweeted: ‘Right on the way to old Trafford to watch utd v spurs as a fan of football think it will be a great game !!’ — only then to find himself telling the world: ‘Its great when you take your 8 year old boy to watch utd and a random fan punches you from behind !! W&@”;/ !! Brave as !’

Poor treatment: Savage

Friedel’s record run goes on

Brad Friedel got the nod over Heurelho Gomes in the Tottenham goal and so extended a remarkable, record-breaking sequence of Barclays Premier League appearances for Blackburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham to 276. Remarkable, that is, until you see the reflexes combined with agility to deny Tom Cleverley in breathtaking style in only the eighth minute. Suddenly it all makes sense. How could any manager possibly leave out the 40-year-old? Even Fergie thought it was in. Absolutely brilliant.

Training gear deal nets £40m

Is there no end to football’s propensity for striking clothes-related sponsorship deals? Fortunes are already made from using kit suppliers, wearing certain boots and having names on shirts. Now it’s training gear. United would be the pioneers, of course. The champions are not exactly renowned for throwing open the gates at Carrington to the media, but that hasn’t stopped DHL from parting with £40million to have their names on United’s training kit for the next four years.

New deal: Ashley Young sports the new training kit

Young gun goes for it

After an error-strewn start to his United career, you would think David de Gea might be wary of inviting further embarrassment. But, instead of clearing his lines from a back pass, he tried to wrong-foot the onrushing Rafael van der Vaart with a drag-back. Van der Vaart saw it coming but fouled De Gea, much to the keeper’s relief.

Hair-raising from Rooney

An inch-perfect chip from Wayne Rooney that fell invitingly for Ashley Young to loop a 28th-minute header narrowly wide was the sort of inspired brilliance that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Or in Rooney’s case, on the top of your head. The famous hair transplant may have cost a bob or two, but it’s coming along nicely, Wayne. Give it a couple more weeks and it may even be worth investing in a comb.

Growth spurt: Rooney

Manchester United 3 Tottenham 0: Danny heads for the top! Fantastic Welbeck is too hot for Spurs

After securing £40million in sponsor ship from a certain logistics company, this was probably a night when Manchester United needed to deliver.

And it was the timing of the delivery that would have pleased Sir Alex Ferguson most.

Heads I win: Welbeck opens the scoring for United on the hour

The fact that on an evening when United's manager urged supporters to once again put their trust in a fresh crop of young players, those players proved their worth.

A relatively meaningless end-of-season game at Hull aside, two-and-a-half years ago, this was the youngest United team to have appeared in a Barclays Premier League encounter.

But Ferguson anticipated that there might be some concern among the Old Trafford masses and tackled the issue in his programme notes.

Conscious, clearly, that he might not land his principal transfer target of the summer in Wesley Sneijder, Ferguson urged supporters not to 'fret'.

He said he had confidence in this new generation of United players and by the end of this thoroughly entertaining encounter there was more than enough evidence to suggest that, as ever, the man knows what he is talking about.

Double your money: Anderson makes it two for the hosts

Even if there were still periods of the first half when United could have used someone of Sneijder's considerable quality and experience.

Ferguson sent out Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and David de Gea at Old Trafford and Welbeck, in particular, repaid that trust, scoring the first goal and creating the second for Anderson before Ryan Giggs replied for the old guard by inviting Wayne Rooney to score the third.

Flying high: Rooney's late header completed a great night for the Champions

Heated: Nani and Younes Kaboul clashed in the first-half

That the cross for that opening goal came from Cleverley would have also pleased Ferguson, although nothing seemed to excite him more than the backheel Welbeck directed into the path of Anderson.

How fitting that on a night when United chose to mark that 19th league title with special scarves for every United supporter it was their No 19, Welbeck, who did most of the damage. Also of some encouragement was a clean sheet for De Gea.

Best of friends? Fergie and Redknapp share a joke while Roberto Mancini and David Platt look on

 

Twice he spilled a shot and twice Jermain Defoe nearly punished him, sending one effort against a post before just failing to beat the Spaniard to the loose ball on the second occasion. For Harry Redknapp, it was all rather more disappointing.

His players gave a pretty good account of themselves for the opening 45 minutes but lost momentum as United grew in stature after the break.

Crucially, they lacked something in midfield, a central partnership of Jake Livermore and Niko Kranjcar failing to impose itself in a way Luka Modric might have done had he not been holding out for that move to Chelsea.

United were able to carve through Tottenham's midfield, with Nani planting a cross on the head of Rooney only to see his colleague direct a soft header into the hands of Brad Friedel. Friedel's selection was an interesting one.

Heurelho Gomes did little wrong at Hearts but he was on the bench, pointing to the possibility that the Brazilian has always made his manager nervous.

It was developing into an entertaining game.

Some classy football as well as some crunching challenges, with Jones - while proving himself an able understudy to the injured Rio Ferdinand - lucky not to concede a dangerous free-kick for a foul on Gareth Bale.

But the breakthrough came just after the hour, Cleverley delivering a perfect ball that Welbeck rose above Michael Dawson to meet with a terrific header.

That Welbeck then provided the final ball for Anderson to score United's second in the 76th minute thrilled Ferguson.

We thought he was having us on when he first said Welbeck could soon be in the England squad.
But the one-two he executed with Anderson was exquisite, as was the cross Giggs then provided for Rooney to score the third.

Oh what a night! Welbeck celebrates on the night United fans celebrated their record 19th top-flight title