TEENAGE DEBUTANT James Wilson scored twice as Manchester United rang out the old and ushered in the new in a 3-1 win at home to Hull City tonight.
While the 18-year-old Wilson introduced himself to Old Trafford, captain Nemanja Vidic made his last home appearance, and there was also a late cameo from United great Ryan Giggs that may have been a farewell.
Vidic will join Inter Milan on a free transfer after United’s last game at Southampton on Sunday, while 40-year-old Giggs, currently the interim manager, will shortly be out of contract.
For the last home game of his interim role, ahead of the anticipated appointment of Louis van Gaal, Giggs gave a nod to the club’s traditions by picking both Wilson and 20-year-old Tom Lawrence.
Wilson scored once in each half, with substitute Robin van Persie adding a late third after Matty Fryatt had replied for FA Cup finalists Hull as United signed off with a positive home result following a wretched season.
Giggs chose to name himself and Vidic among the United substitutes, but the biggest surprise on the team-sheet was the presence of debutants Wilson and Lawrence in the hosts’ starting XI.
Vidic made his entrance earlier than anticipated in the 22nd minute, but it came after Phil Jones was forced off with a shoulder injury that will be of concern to England coach Roy Hodgson.
The versatile defender was taken to hospital after leaving the field following an aerial collision with Maynor Figueroa, but Wilson’s 31st-minute opener helped to lift the mood around Old Trafford.
Adnan Januzaj’s right-wing free-kick was headed down at the back post by Marouane Fellaini and the teenager displayed the instincts of a striker several years his senior by dispatching a crisp left-foot half-volley.
- Januzaj a source of invention -
Hull failed to muster a single shot in the first half and manager Steve Bruce, the former United captain, reacted by introducing Fryatt and Yannick Sagbo at the interval, but the hosts remained on top.
Wilson hooked an improvised volley wide and Januzaj saw a shot parried by Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic before Wilson claimed his second goal in the 61st minute.
Januzaj, United’s one consistent source of invention, was the architect, streaking down the right flank and teeing up Fellaini.
The Belgian’s poked shot was blocked by Jakupovic but Wilson was on hand to tuck the rebound away.
There was to be no hat-trick for the man of the hour, however, as Giggs elected to introduce Van Persie in his place shortly after Fryatt had reduced the arrears with a dipping shot from 25 yards.
Giggs was the next man to enter the fray, earning a standing ovation as he came on in place of Lawrence to make his 963rd appearance for the club.
There were cries from the crowd of “Shoot!” whenever he touched the ball, but although he could not crown the occasion with a goal, he did contribute an assist of sorts.
A typically incisive pass in the 86th minute found Van Persie, who lashed home at the second attempt after his first effort came back off a defender.
An injury-time free-kick presented an opportunity for a perfect ending, but although Giggs got the ball up and over the wall, Jakupovic foiled him with a flying save.
Plays the nice guy card but we can see through him, arrogant man, no time for him after the barney episode….. No need for it
W@anker!!!
Exactly played the I’m so genuinely sorry card after his petulant display after Match V Barney just so crowd wouldn’t be on his back & I might retire Sh*te, conniving piece of shit.
True
Did you have time for him after this?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-42543/Darts-champion-fined-indecent-assaults.html
Had a chuckle at the spectators singin “stand up if you love the darts”. They’re at the world final…I’m pretty sure it’s a given that they love darts! And was one of the Ladbrokes tarts yer wan from Tallafornia?
Say what you like about him but what a player!
Don’t forget that begrudgery is the Irish national pastime ;-)
Very true god forbid i might win the lotto
If Taylor was Irish everyone would be saying it was passion or the heat of the moment or the fighting Irish get over yourselves
Agree, super darts player….
Heard he was lobbying for darts to be an olympic sport….
Some athlete!!!
great player but a rude wnaker … no need for it especially after winning …
This lad is the greatest athlete the world has ever seen. He’s in the gym 7 days a week working harder than everyone else and it showed tonight. Phenomenal physical specimen.
7 hours a day. 7 days a week. He may not be putting those hours in in the gym but it’s still incredible commitment and dedication…
Incredible demonstration of determination – He looked dead and buried at 2-0 and 4-2…
What an amazing match and hats of to phil what a champion and what an athelete to keep performing at the highest level at 52 …….ultimate sports man…….and MVG is some player ………
Ultimate sportsman? I’d hardly call his behaviour the other night with Barney sports manly. Arrogant sack of sh1t would be more fitting.
Gamma I guess rugby players trying to gouge out eyes, footballers diving, tennis players breaking their rackets and throwing their toys out of the pram to name a few are perfect sportsmen. Up there on stage under the lights and the heat there is nowhere to hide so he got a bit hot and bothered under the pressure of a semi final for which he apologised for. I don’t see what you and a lot of people are getting so worked up about you must all run perfect lives and never get annoyed with other people so fair play to you and all the other Taylor detractors
Tony rugby teams provide each other with a guard of honour after the game, tennis players shake hands after a match. Frustration is part of every game but the point I made is that his actions were not the actions of an “ultimate sportsman” while were on it, breaking a tennis racket earns a fine, diving in football earns a yellow card and eye gouging in rugby gets you sin binned. What was Taylor’s punishment?
Gamma in response Taylor’s punishment is everyone jumping on him for one human error, for which he said sorry for. Then if you see the footage he shakes hands then I pulled back while walking away that’s when he aired his annoyance then Barney gave him a sly little shove in the back as he was walking back towards the board. That’s when Taylor got really annoyed he has said sorry however Barney has not done so in public yet so IMO opinion Taylor has done nothing wrong to be punished for so get off your moral high horse and enjoy watching the best darts player you are ever likely to see
I met the bloke once in a hotel in london.One of my mates asked him for a foto. No bother!!…He chatted with us for about twenty mins and then was on his way. He is one sound bloke and He is also the greatest dart player ever.Good luck to him.
About 5 or 6 years ago he was doing autographs in Lifestyle Sports just off of O’Connell St. It was supposed to be a kind of thing where you buy a Taylor-endorsed dartboard and get an autograph. Anyway, I already had the dartboard at home but one of the people working there wouldn’t let me get an autograph. Phil told her it was alright and let me through. I thought he was a great fella, but his antics with Van Barneveld make me question that.
My comment about Taylors past has been deleted despite him being found guilty in court
Why, what was his past? Twitter me if u can
About him beating up females?
Just looked it up, that’s mad, never even heard that b4… The power phil Taylor eh, lol
I won’t post it as it was deleted when I mentioned earlier, check his wiki page and that will lead you to reports from BBC, Daily Mail etc…..
Or maybe he just had a fondle with them!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-42543/Darts-champion-fined-indecent-assaults.html
Not many people do know about it, conveniently glossed over by the sporting media
Grrrrrrr hate Taylor!
Such a boring game in general !
Why wud u read an article about it then u idiot?
He felt Barney pulled him about after taking his time to shake hands. Heat of the moment stuff! But like Cody and Cunningham at the end of the All Ireland.
Hate the man he rewrote the book on dirty tricks from bristow while keeping the crowd on his side. Would never cheer for the man but I tip my hat to his talents
He is the best dart player of his generation .. And still can turn it on at 52 …. Ya the barney thing was wrong, but everyone has slip ups. Tell me 1 world champion that’s not cocky and confident !!!!!
Silly game for drunk men.
I love darts, but this old sketch always reminds me of Taylor (not a nice man):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHnBppccI0o
Still the best darts player ever.
A fitting tribune to Sid Waddell naming the trophy after him. One of the most comical yet genuine commentators ever and one that really brought darts to the mainstream audience.
“The atmosphere is so tense, if Elvis walked in ,with a portion of chips….. you could hear the vinegar sizzle on them”
RIP Sid
Agreed. Sids commentary is what breathed new life in to a dying sport, I tuned in just for him. Now darts are more popular than ever while its snooker that’s on the way out.
Horrible arrogant man. Greats darts player, horrible human being.
Brilliant dart player and so talented. To become the best he did everything that was asked of him including diets gym work and practice, practice and then some more practice. I admire him as we will never see another champion like him. I don’t judge him on his personal life as I don’t know him but not too many sportsmen or women have managed to keep their position over such a long period. Congrats Phil.
Even though he is an arrogant man you have to admire him for his success.
no class
he only goes tere for the vending machine
Great fight by Phil. Hes a genius. but MVG will learn from this and will get better and better. I’ll say he will equal Phil’s records in 15 to 20 years. MVG=Machine
If it wasn’t for Taylor, darts would still be in the dark ages like the bbc. He made darts the sport it is and continues to dominate and because of that others are getting better and better like MVG and Lewis… Fair play phil, still the greatest
Great talent and is cocky but after 16 world champs wins I think your entitled to puff out your chest a little. He is no angel but neither is anyone
he is either a good actor or a good guy. every press conference I’ve seen him in I’ve warned to him. lady night’s victory was his 90th over all title (or something like that) I do agree darts players need a bit of fitness in their routene… but, Taylor is one of the worlds best and most decorated sports personalities ever!
jammy gig was fined 2grand for trying to sort a 3some in his caravan…. stay classy Phil!
His public persona is an act, don’t fall for it buddy
Not denying he is a super dart player
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/1306433.stm
This is the ling to the report of the incident on the BBC news website . He’s not as squeaky clean as he would like us to believe. Personally I think he’s a bit too sweet to be wholesome. But he is some darts player and always great to watch.
I agree with Barry, MVG is one to watch for the future.
* link!