Ferguson's boys ready to rule the next era

THEY were far from home but the location seemed appropriate. A new ground for a new era. Manchester United, average age 24 and not a man over 30, sealed their third championship in five seasons at Middlesbrough's Riverside stadium yesterday. Victory over Liverpool, in Saturday's FA Cup final, will earn them their second Double in three years and they are still just hinting at their full potential.

Their goals illustrated one of their great strengths: the ability to score throughout the team. No player has scored 20 goals for them this season, but 16 different players have scored, four of them reaching double figures.

Their first, after 14 minutes, came from David May, a 66-1 bet to do so. The second was from almost as unlikely a source - Andy Cole. Raving been dropped for his inability to score, he struck with his first touch after coming on as substitute after 53 minutes. The third, with 10 minutes left, was a brilliant solo effort from Ryan Giggs, a player who has emerged from a personal trough to remind us all of his potential.

When the final whistle went they were hugged, one and all, by the architect, Alex Ferguson. Then the manager went to the United fans, their delight already multiplied by news of Manchester City's relegation and punched the air.

I'm absolutely delighted," he said. I am proud of my players they deserve it. They have shown a great spirit. The young players have been great, they could be the nucleus of the side for years to come.

I feel for Newcastle. You do feel sad for them because they have such a passion for the game.

There could be no faulting Middlesbrough's desire. Their players tackled fiercely and attacked keenly. Their supporters were no less committed, angrily confronting those United fans who were revealed, by their reaction to May's goal, to be in Boro areas.

That goal came early, but Middlesbrough might already have been ahead. After just 80 seconds Juninho skipped past Denis Irwin on the left, his cross came back to him and, off balance, he swung over another. It picked out Neil Cox less than six yards from goal but, somehow, he managed to put the ball wide.

United's support gasped in relief, their players, shaken, looked equally nervy. They were still struggling to settle when, after 14 minutes, May eased the tension. It was a simple goal - and a surprising one against a team stuffed with big central defenders. Giggs took a corner from the right and May rose, at the far post, to head it down and over the despairing Branco on the line.

For a while Boro were on top. Juninho was bubbling, pulling the strings for a Middlesbrough team whose approach belied their poor recent form.

It was Giggs, now with three championship medals at 22, who lifted the side, shooting into the side netting after a penetrating run just before the break, then playing the key pass in the lead up to the crucial second goal which came from a corner.

While Giggs waited to take it, Ferguson brought on Cole for Scholes. Over came the corner, it was flicked on by Pallister and there was Cole, with his back to goal, hooked the ball over his shoulder.

With 10 minutes to go Giggs, given time and space 20 yards from goal, drilled the ball past Walsh.