2011/12 Season Review: May 2012

Before United had even kicked off against Swansea, news that Manchester City had successfully negotiated a tricky trip to Newcastle dampened the mood.

Nevertheless, the Reds played with professionalism and pride and won comfortably against the Swans with Paul Scholes scoring his fourth goal since coming out of retirement thanks to a clever flick. Ashley Young doubled the lead before the interval with a typically classy finish but any hopes of chiselling away at City's superior goal difference proved misplaced as a scoreless second half unfolded.

So the mood was largely one of resignation rather than expectation ahead of the journey to Sunderland, with City facing relegation candidates QPR at home, but Wayne Rooney's close-range effort at least put pressure on Roberto Mancini's side.

Remarkably, Mark Hughes' Rangers overturned a Pablo Zabaleta goal to lead at the Etihad but their task had been made even more difficult by Joey Barton's sending off. With the woodwork thwarting Rooney's attempts to make the points safe at the Stadium of Light, the tension became unbearable.

Eden Dzeko finally broke through in stoppage time at the Etihad Stadium and QPR wilted with Sergio Aguero's winner a dagger through the heart of all United fans. There was despair in the away end on Wearside as the home fans lapped up the cruel late twist to the title race but the work to wrestle the trophy back will have started seconds after the final whistle.

Goal of the month - Young v Swansea
There were obviously only three contenders but this was probably the pick of them. Showing his usual eye for goal with a curling finish beyond Michel Vorm, this was a top-class strike from the winger and we expect more to come next season.

Player of the month - Ashley Young
The England international ended the campaign on a high and is settling nicely into life as a United player. The fact that he was preferred to Nani in the starting line-up at Sunderland spoke volumes about his form.

Quote of the month
"It was a cruel way [to lose it] but we’ve experienced many ups and downs in the 25 years that I’ve been here and most of them have been great moments." - Sir Alex Ferguson

May 2012 Results

PL: United 2 Swansea 0
PL: Sunderland 0 United 1

Rooney celebrates scoring against Sunderland