United become champions of the world
Manchester United were last crowned World Club champions in 1999
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Sunday, 21, Dec 2008 10:02
Ten-man Manchester United have been crowned World Club champions after beating Liga de Quito 1-0 in Japan.
Wayne Rooney struck the winner 17 minutes from time while Nemanja Vidic was shown a straight red at the start of the second half for elbowing Claudio Bieler.
United clinch their third trophy of 2008, adding to their Premier League and Champions League triumphs.
And they deserved victory against the Ecuadorian side after dominating possession from the outset.
Quito goalkeeper Jose Cevallos denied Rooney twice with fine saves, before keeping out Carlos Tevez's diving header.
The Copa Libertadores champions' best chance of the half fell to Jairo Campos, who fired his shot wide from six yards out following a free-kick.
Cevallos continued to foil United after beating away shots by Park Ji-Sung and Tevez as the South American side held on at the break.
United's hopes of victory were dented on 49 minutes when Vidic elbowed Bieler, meaning he is suspended for the first leg of the Champions League clash with Inter Milan on February 25th.
That gave Quito some space to exploit and Edvin van der Sar tipped over Argentine Manso's long-range effort.
But Sir Alex Ferguson's side broke the deadlock on 73 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo teed-up Ronney to lash a low shot into the corner, for his ninth goal of the season.
Manso had another long-range pile-driver tipped over by Van der Sar in the closing stages, as ten-man United held on to lift the trophy in Yokohama.