United check Millwall challenge

Manchester United FC have become the first team to win the FA Cup eleven times in the competition's 132-year history after a comfortable 3-0 win against first division Millwall FC.

Van Nistelrooij double
Millwall, in the final for the first time having not had previously to meet a Premiership team in this year's competition, held out for 44 minutes before the impressive Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring and Ruud van Nistelrooij added two more after the break to underline United's superiority as they lifted the trophy after a five-year wait. However, Millwall have the consolation of their first European campaign as United's UEFA Champions League berth opens up a UEFA Cup slot for the south London team.

Early chances
Having eliminated holders and eventual Premiership champions Arsenal FC in the semi-finals, United were overwhelming favourites, and within four minutes Van Nistelrooij had headed a Paul Scholes cross wide. Ronaldo went close with a free-kick, while Millwall goalkeeper Andy Marshall did well to tip over a volley from Roy Keane, the first player since the 1880s to play in six finals.

Opening goal
United were continuing to be frustrated though, not least when Ronaldo was denied by a combination of Marshall and defender Darren Ward. But soon afterwards Gary Neville sent in a cross and Ronaldo ghosted into the centre and headed in.

Lead increases
There was little change in the pattern of play after the break, with the Millwall fans in fine voice even as their side continued to struggle. On the hour Milwall player-manager Dennis Wise cleared a Mikaël Silvestre effort off the line, but four minutes later David Livermore tripped Ryan Giggs in the area and Van Nistelrooij converted the penalty.

Weston landmark
With nine minutes to go the Dutch striker - elected man of the match by England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson - turned in a Giggs cross to increase the lead. But in the 88th minute Millwall did create a piece of history as Curtis Weston came on to become the youngest player to appear in any of the 123 FA Cup finals at 17 years and 119 days.

Davis tribute
Before receiving the trophy the whole United squad changed into shirts bearing the name and number of Jimmy Davis, a young team-mate that died in a car crash in August while on loan at Watford FC.