United minds on the party

CORONATIONS are always less compelling than accessions, but yesterday's crowning of Manchester United as English Premiership champions for the fourth time in five years felt as routinely anticlimactic as the reading of the lottery numbers.

They won the title last week, with two matches to spare, when other results went in their favour, and yesterday the appearance of Den is Law and Ken Doherty, the world's new snooker champion and an ardent United fan, inspired louder cheers than anything that went on in this game.

Shortly before the kickoff Eric Cantona had been presented with the Sir Matt Bushy Player of the Year Award. This was for the 1995-96 season. The trophy was not ready 12 months ago. He would not have won it this year.

United manager Alex Ferguson did not need his visit to the opticians on Friday to know that changes must be made to this side. This season both Cantona and Gary Pallister have shown worrying signs of decline.

But there is still little hope for United's rivals next season. This essentially young side will be even stronger next year and there will also be one or two big money buys before next season. As if they did not have enough reserve strength as it is.

They have won the Championship despite not playing the same team twice. Clearly that single month, when they lost 5-0 at Newcastle and 6-3 at Southampton, and were beaten at home by Chelsea in addition to defeats in Europe, represented nothing more permanent than an autumn mist.

Their performance yesterday cannot be criticised too strongly in the circumstances. They went ahead after 12 minutes. The shot from Paul Scholes appeared to have crossed the line, but the referee gave the goal to Ole Solskjaer who followed up with a close range header.

West Ham had their chances to equalise, particularly in the 44th minute when Hugo Porfirio headed over the bar.

West Ham had even more opportunities in the second half. Both lain Dowie and Steve Lomas had chances in the 55th minute and four minutes later, Lomas drew a particularly athletic save from Peter Schmeichel.

But the substitute Jordi Cruyff made sure for United after 83 minutes when he converted Cantona's cross. All the King Cantona flags were unfurled. Perhaps for the last time.