Published: 35 minutes ago
WAYNE ROONEY fired the winner at Sunderland — only for last-gasp Manchester City to break their hearts and snatch the title.
The England's striker's first-half goal was one of the more low-key moments on a roller-coaster final day in the Premier League.
United went into their Stadium of Light clash knowing victory was a must with table-topping rivals Manchester City playing lowly QPR.
The expectation was a simple home win at the Etihad — but the crazy 3-2 that followed shredded nerves for the United fans watching on.
Alex Ferguson's men did their bit and could do nothing as Sergio Aguero's goal gave their bitter rivals the Premier League crown.
Jonny Evans and Ryan Giggs came in for United while the Black Cats gave a start to Titus Bramble — his first since Boxing Day.
David Vaughan and Fraizer Campbell were also included at the expense of Matt Kilgallon, Lee Cattermole and Ji Dong-won.
The home side had two early efforts from distance though James Mcclean and Vaughan, while Antonio Valencia was threatening for United down the right.
Simon Mignolet had a lucky escape as Phil Jones rose highest to meet a Ryan Giggs corner, but his header flew just over.
Jones soon made amends for wasting the gilt-edged chance, though, pumping a weighted ball to the back post for Rooney to nod home unmarked.
Former United striker Fraizer Campbell picked up the afternoon’s first booking shortly after the opener for a fierce challenge on Patrice Evra, which left the Frenchman in need of treatment.
Alex Ferguson’s side were frustrating the home side and attacking with intent, with Ryan Giggs forcing Mignolet into a diving save after latching on to a Young pass.
Rooney came close to his second of the afternoon in the 30th minute, but his cracking 20-yard free-kick clipped the top of the bar.
Another United academy graduate entered Howard Webb’s notebook moments after the free-kick as Bardsley made a late challenge on Young.
Fergie's men were well on top of proceedings and only Rooney will know how he failed to double their advantage in the 34th minute when he failed to hit the target from close range.
The chance seemed to spur Sunderland into life and Campbell almost punished the visitors’ futility in front of goal when Stephane Sessegnon found him with a looping ball — but he snatch his left-footed effort wide.
Jones was booked for barging McClean as Sunderland began to threaten more.
But they were hit by enforced substitution on the stroke of half-time as former United defender John O’Shea limped off and had to be replaced by Ahmed Elmohamady.
United looked rejuvenated after the break and Mignolet had to be on his toes to prevent them extending their lead within two minutes.
Neat interplay saw Young play through Rooney, although he could not find a way past the Black Cats goalkeeper.
United may have missed but their pocket of fans in the north-east broke into celebrations moments later as news filtered through that QPR had levelled things at City.
Ferguson’s side seemingly lost concentration after the news as Sunderland threatened a revival.
Elmohamady claimed a penalty following a challenge by Young and, as play continued, Bardsley - who scored a superb effort against Fulham last week — saw a goalbound effort blocked.
Sessegnon was the next to threaten as Evra put in a last-ditch block, before McClean saw an effort thwarted by a late challenge.
Michael Carrick saw a shot accidentally deflect wide by team-mate Jones at the other end as the visitors once again began to take control.
Gardner did excellently to block a Young shot, before Bardsley was replaced by Manchester City loanee Bridge in the 62nd minute. News of a second goal for QPR at the Etihad put United firmly in the driving seat for the title.
Paul Scholes fired a fierce drive that rebounded back off the post to Giggs, whose goalbound effort was spectacularly palmed over by the impressive Mignolet.
Nani replaced Young for the final 10 minutes in which United spent most of the time camped in the Sunderland half.
Rooney hit the post with a 20-yard free-kick in the 90th minute as United secured three points.
But it was not enough as City did the unthinkable, equalising through Edin Dzeko before Sergio Aguero netted the winner in stoppage time.
Sunderland: Mignolet, O’Shea (Elmohamady 43), Turner, Bramble, Bardsley (Bridge 62), Gardner, Vaughan (Wickham 74), Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Campbell. Subs Not Used: Westwood, Ji, Meyler, Kyrgiakos.
Booked: Campbell, Bardsley, Turner.
Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Valencia, Giggs, Young (Nani 82), Rooney. Subs Not Used: Amos, Owen, Berbatov, Park, Hernandez, Rafael Da Silva.
Booked: Jones, Giggs, Scholes.
Goals: Rooney 20.
Att: 46,452
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
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