Cristiano Ronaldo's 33rd minute penalty set United on their way, before substitute Ryan Giggs - equalling Sir Bobby Charlton's club appearance record - ran through to net the second 10 minutes from time.

A packed house of 25,133 watched an enthralling contest played in parts to a backdrop of a spectacular thunder storm.

Latics gave their best, making life tough for United, especially in the first-half.

But in the end Sir Alex Ferguson's men had too much for them and claimed glory

While the first-half had been an even affair despite United's interval lead, the visitors appeared to step up a levl after the break.

Kirkland tipped a free-kick from Ronaldo over the bar in the 49th minute, then Latics survived another penalty appeal when Titus Bramble challenged Paul Scholes for a loose ball close to the by-line.

In the 56th minute Kirkland came to Latics' aid again, reacting superbly to Wayne Rooney's ow shot which he managed to turn behind.

He then saved from Carlos Tevez after a rare Paul Scharner error gave the Argentinian a sight of goal in the box.]

Latics went close to an equaliser in the 69th minute, Jason Koumas' floated free-kick met by Emile Heskey, his towering header going just too high.
But 11 minutes later United put the game – and the title – to bed with their second goal of the afternoon.

Rooney was the provider, sliding a fine pass between the Latics central defenders for Giggs to run through and slot a low shot past Kirkland.

United had taken the lead from the spot after a challenge from Emmerson Boyce on Rooney during a scramble in the box.

Ronaldo stepped up to send Kirkland the wrong way from the spot with a low right-foot shot for his 41st goal of the campaign in all competitions – 31 of them in the league.

Until then Latics were well in the contest, dispelling the conspiracy stories that they were simply going to roll over for United due to Steve Bruce's Old Trafford links.

They had the early chances, Michael Brown shooting straight at Edwin Va Der Sar in the fourth minute while Jason Koumas fired over the bar after a run took him from the half-way line to the edge of the United box.

Ronaldo threatened at the other end after cutting in from the right wing but pulled his shot well wide of the near post.

Paul Scholes saw a shot flash wide of the post, the midfielder lucky to stay on the pitch later in the half after a challenge to block Wilson Palacios – he'd already been booked for a foul on Antonio Valencia.

Latics twice went close to taking the lead, Marcus Bent's flicked header from Maynor Figueroa's long throw-in looking to be creeping under the bar until Van Der Sar tipped it over.

Then Boyce shot over, Emile Heskey having headed an overhit Koumas corner back into the middle.

Kirkland dived to parry away Ronaldo's 30-yard free-kick after half an hour, but a couple of minutes later he was powerless to deny the Portugal international from the spot.



Latics: Kirkland, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Koumas, Bent, Heskey. Subs: Taylor, King, Sibierski, Skoko, Pollitt.

United: : Van Der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Tevez, Rooney. Subs: Saha, Giggs, Hargreaves, Silvestre, Kuszczak.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)

For ful match report and pictures, see the Wigan Evening Post tomorrow and the Wigan Observer, on sale Tuesday.