PICTURES

WEBMASTER'S COMMENT

"Three double in 5 years but this match was more like a pre-match training session before the European Cup Final than being the Fa Cup Final. Manchester United totally controlled the game from start to finish. I feel sorry for Roy Keane. One of the main reasons Manchester United were there in the first place and already suspended again Bayern Munich in the Euro Final he was substituted within 10 minutes due to a damaged ankle. 2 down, 1 to go!"

MATCH REPORT

By David Anderson, PA Sport

Manchester United proved that it will take far more than even the absence of the influential Roy Keane to come between them and the Treble as they contemptuously swept aside Newcastle in the FA Cup final.

As Keane limped off injured after just eight minutes at Wembley, United were left to stare into the void which they must confront in the Nou Camp next week against Bayern Munich due to suspension - life without their captain.

But within 96 seconds of Teddy Sheringham's arrival as Keane's replacement, the former Tottenham striker had given his side a lead which they never once looked in danger of surrendering.

While Sheringham was simply magnificent in attack throughout, David Beckham filled in almost seamlessly for Keane in central midfield while Ronny Johnsen was pushed forward into the role towards the end.

Even though United will also have to cope in Barcelona without Paul Scholes, who scored their second goal against Newcastle after 51 minutes, manager Alex Ferguson can rest assured that he has a whole range of convincing midfield options to choose from.

For the incredible strength of United's squad was proved not only by their ability to cope without Keane but by their ability to leave £26million of summer signings - Dwight Yorke, Jaap Stam and Jesper Blomqvist - on the bench at the start.

Their night of destiny now awaits them in the Nou Camp but for the time being they can celebrate their third Double of the 1990s.

And as a warm-up for that encounter in Barcelona, this was perfect for Ferguson's side as they hardly had to break sweat to overcome a Newcastle side who were outclassed for the second time at Wembley in 12 months.

Indeed the only depressing note was that this game reinforced the huge chasm which exists between United and the rest of the Premiership bar Arsenal, possibly Chelsea and otherwise only Leeds at their peak.

For while Newcastle have not won a major trophy since the Fairs Cup in 1969, United's barren spell had lasted all of six days since securing the Premiership title against Tottenham.

Newcastle's most recent victory was also against Spurs but that came all of six weeks ago in their FA Cup semi-final.

The loss of Keane did appear to have given Newcastle an early edge as the Irishman, who had produced two shuddering early tackles himself, fell victim to a perfectly fair challenge by Gary Speed.

But Sheringham came on, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer moving out wide and Beckham drafted into central midfield - and it proved to be inspired.

Within two minutes of his arrival Sheringham played a textbook one-two with Andy Cole before guiding his shot past the stranded Steve Harper in the Newcastle goal.

The Toon Army were depressed into silence, not only by the goal but also by the way their side seemed stunned as if caught in the glare of the headlights of the United juggernaut.

There was no shortage of effort but precious little movement, few attacking ideas and almost no guile or creativity, with Alan Shearer virtually anonymous.

Nolberto Solano did strike a free-kick just over the bar but Peter Schmeichel, on his final appearance at Wembley before leaving the club this summer, was not even perturbed and it was still Manchester United who were more likely to score.

Sheringham and Solskjaer just failed to meet crosses, Beckham - fiercely competitive in his new role - drove wide and then Cole lobbed Harper only for Nikos Dabizas to recover and hook clear off the goal-line.

The only glimmer of hope for Ruud Gullit's side came towards the end of the first half as United took their foot off the pedal and Dietmar Hamann strode forward to let fly with a shot that Schmeichel did superbly to push around the post.

It was the German's final meaningful contribution of the game as he was the surprise fall-guy at the break as Newcastle threw on Duncan Ferguson even though the giant centre-forward is supposedly only half fit.

David May and Ronny Johnsen suddenly looked to have a battle on their hands, or rather heads, but Newcastle's renewed hopes lasted all of eight minutes before they committed defensive suicide.

Dabizas was the culprit when instead of finding row Z in the stands when he was pressured by Ryan Giggs near the corner flag, he was hurried into a weak clearance which allowed Solskjaer to intercept.

The Norwegian immediately found Sheringham, who laid the ball into the path of Scholes and the England midfielder, who scored a hat-trick against Poland on his last visit to Wembley, struck a firm left-footed shot into the net.

Schmeichel almost returned the favour soon afterwards as he flapped at a cross and found himself stranded in no-man's land as he chased the ball but Ketsbaia's shot struck the outside of the post.

That was effectively game over and the two-goal advantage allowed Ferguson to replace Cole with Yorke, who was just unable to keep his header down when he met a cross from Giggs shortly afterwards.

From then it turned into a master-class of attacking football as Manchester United surged forward at every opportunity to decimate a stretched Newcastle defence.

A sublime flowing move of first-touch passes led to Scholes having a shot deflected just wide, while Giggs came just as close with a fiercely-struck volley.

Newcastle were reduced to hopeful long-range efforts from Andy Griffin and Ketsbaia which sailed harmlessly wide and their fans pleaded simply for a goal.

Sheringham almost took them at their word with an inspired chip which bounced off the crossbar, Johnsen headed over the bar when unchallenged at a corner and Beckham also came close from all of 30 yards out.

Substitute Silvio Maric did waste a glorious chance with seven minutes left as he shot wide when clean through, but to be fair Manchester United had by then settled into the comfort zone.

After all, they have a far tougher test ahead of them next week when history awaits in the Nou Camp. Two down - one to go.

POST MATCH REACTIONS

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson paid tribute to his Double winners after their 2-0 FA Cup Final victory over Newcastle United at Wembley.

He said: "That's fantastic - three Doubles in five years. The boys were marvellous.

"This has been a tremendous season and once again the players produced it when it mattered."

A flu bug in the United camp threatened to disrupt Ferguson's plans and there was a further blow when skipper Roy Keane went off with an ankle injury after eight minutes.

Ferguson said: "We tried to reorganise the team after Keane went off but Teddy Sheringham was marvellous, great movement and a terrific finish.

"We had big a decision to make about whether to risk some players but you have to trust them to tell you if they are okay. Now we can start thinking about Europe."

Dwight Yorke said: "It has been a tremendous season - the lads were fantastic again. We've got two trophies now so we can go all out for the third."

Scorer Sheringham said: "It's amazing how this game changes around. One minute you are down, the next you are up.

"We had problems with viruses but we got on with it and made the most of what we've got."

Andy Cole claimed: "It's a great feeling. We've worked hard this season, first the championship and now this.

"I can't say it was easy. Newcastle played their part. The hunger is still there for Wednesday and the Champions' Cup Final. It's another big game but this final hasn't taken anything out of the lads.

"Roll on Wednesday. I have sympathy for Newcastle. It's two years on the trot at Wembley with nothing to show for it."

Ryan Giggs said: "It helped getting the early goal then the second. It was hard for Newcastle to get back into the game with the weather like that.

"After the quick goal we could relax and hit Newcastle on the break."

Skipper Keane, who went up to collect the FA Cup, said: "I was struggling with my right ankle and then twisted my left ankle. I knew then I couldn't play on.

"The team needed someone who was 100% fit. The substitution made it for us, but the squad is what it is all about. The whole squad deserve the credit. I just pray we can win on Wednesday.

Paul Scholes, who scored the second goals, said: "It wasn't the best of goals, I didn't hit it too well but it went in thankfully.

"We have all had a bit of flu this week but I felt okay to play. David Beckham, Gary Neville and one or two others were struggling."

Yorke revealed that Ferguson had told him he was starting on the bench to guarantee his place against Bayern Munich in Wednesday's Champions' Cup final.

"It was nice to get on. The gaffer said to me earlier on that he was going to rest me for Wednesday," Yorke said.

"I understand that. It was all about the result and we're all delighted about that.

"You can't describe the feeling - it is just wonderful."

David Beckham said: "I've just enjoyed the season. This tops it all off for me. You play hoping to finish up with something and we've got two trophies now.

"We are all still fresh, I am at least. I don't think the game has taken anything out of us. I am looking forward to Wednesday and another big game."

Sheringham admitted he was "devastated" at not being selected for the starting line-up and said: "I'm 33 now and you don't think you're going to get another chance.

"I know it would've been harsh on the other lads if they'd been left out after the way they've played this season. You just hope you're going to get the nod."

United keeper Peter Schmeichel admitted he couldn't let himself get carried away by the Wembley victory with the Champions' Cup final now looming on the horizon.

"I have got to be professional about this," he said. "The game on Wednesday is so very important that I can't let this go to my head.

"It was a pretty hard game, the sun was out and the pitch was firm and Newcastle put so much pressure on us at times. It was hard work but a fantastic result."

Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed insisted that the manner of the Magpies' defeat could inspire the team to greater heights next season.

"We can't dwell on it though obviously it is disappointing," said Speed.

"We really thought we could win it which makes it all the more disappointing.

"It is the story of our season - we've been letting in early goals all season.

"If you make mistakes against Manchester United, they punish you for it but hopefully this will make us stronger and make us a better team next season.

"United are the benchmark and we've got to be as good as them. I hope they do the treble now."

A disappointed Ruud Gullit blamed defeat on mistakes which led to United's goals.

"We were punished for our mistakes," groaned Gullit.

"We were pushing, pushing, pushing but you can't afford to make mistakes. It is not just today, it is the whole season.

"We will try to look at these mistakes for next season.

"The effort was right. The players worked hard and I can't ask for more, but every time we were on top we made a mistake and that cost us two goals.

"In the end we had to be thankful they did not get three, four or five."

Gary Neville, one of several Manchester United players who played with a heavy cold, admitted that the Champions' Cup final was "the big one".

He said: "A couple of us, myself Scholesy and Becks, were feeling a little bit rough this morning but I don't think you could have kept us out of this.

"All along we have said the other games are important but Wednesday really is the big one for us.

"We couldn't go into the game with any more confidence after winning the championship and the FA Cup."

Gullit added: "We will get over it. We know where our weaknesses are and we will do our best to strengthen and get new players in. Then we will start from scratch.

"United have so much quality in their side that they can almost decide when they are going to score a goal.

"I think the whole team had to be at its best but they weren't today. You could see that - sometimes they were nervous and couldn't hold the ball.

"They had the quality and movement which was better than ours but that's why they are playing for the Champions' Cup."

A despondent Newcastle captain Alan Shearer demanded that the team improved for next season - for the fans' sake.

"We have to progress, we have no choice," Shearer said.

"This isn't good enough what we have served up this season - least of all for our fans who deserve better.

"The players are disappointed and we have to improve and I'm sure we will.

"It is hard to take. I said last year that it was a bad feeling watching Tony Adams pick up the trophy. And it is a bad feeling again. But we have no complaints, we were beaten by a better side.

"I hope United do the Treble on Wednesday because they deserve it. They were a better side on the day and have been a better side than us all season.

"We didn't really create anything - we only created something when we were two down and it was too late then."

TEAMS

Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Johnsen, May, P Neville, Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Cole, Solskjaer
Subs: Sheringham for Keane, Yorke for Cole, Stam for Scholes
Scorers: Sheringham (10), Scholes (52)

Newcastle United: Harper, Griffin, Charvet, Dabizas, Domi, Lee, Hamann, Speed, Solano, Shearer, Ketsbaia.
Subs: Ferguson for Hamann

Referee: P Jones

Attendance: 79,101