Roy Evans was proved right with his choice as Cole was no threat2 Rob Jones26 passes, 1 tackleChances to go forward were limited by David Beckham always coming towards him. Pity about the crosses12 John Scales28 passes, 8 tacklesCoped with what little United threatened until the later stages. Never did more or less than his underestimated reputation demanded5 Mark Wright33 passes, 6 tacklesCalm and showed all his experience. Missed out when Cantona struck, but he saw off Cole in spite of playing off-centre6 Phil Babb24 passes, 4 tacklesPreferred to Ruddock in case Cole caused problems. That name, to become what the French call "le recordman", fatalistically and fittingly, was Eric Cantona.Player-by-player assessments By Norman FoxLiverpool1 David James3 savesThe question was could he hold ground shots. He did, but an aerial error let in Cantona whose blast would have beaten anyone4 Jason McAteer38 passes, 3 tacklesPlenty of spirit and Liverpool's most positive player until McManaman began operating in the second half. When he did not, Schmeichel clutched to his chest the 25-yard drive.United brought on Scholes for Cole and Liverpool threw in Rush for the fading Collymore - pounds 15.5m worth consigned to the bench - to see if he could on his swansong, extend his FA Cup record to 44 goals The script demanded another name for its last line, however.

But they failed to build on it as Liverpool finally struck a tempo more to their own liking by passing the ball patiently along their backline. McManaman now enjoyed some galloping runs but still the finishing was poor. A sad Robbie Fowler was a shadow of his 36 goal-self and Redknapp consistently missed the target. McManaman got to the byline and found Mark Wright, who laid the ball back to Redknapp. His shot from 15 yards was, however, too high.United had their best moment - until the decisive one - early in the second half when Cantona outjumped Jason McAteer to Beckham's deep cross and pounced as the ball dropped to send in a shot which James did well to turn aside one-handed. Suddenly Liverpool became aware of the task in front of them.

Stan Collymore began to demand the ball up front, and to get it. Though his shooting was mostly off, at least he was taking the risk.Although United should have had reward for a first half of holding a better shape and showing stronger resolve it was Liverpool who came the closer just before half time. Roy Keane and Nicky Butt in their midfield were swift into the tackle, denying Steve McManaman a chance to get going, and Ryan Giggs often moved infield from the left to help break up the passing of Jamie Redknapp and John Barnes and pose problems of positioning for Liverpool's three defenders. Pulling wide on the right, Cantona did the same.With Liverpool looking a little bemused, an excellent chance quickly materialised for United.

Philip Neville sent Giggs away on the left and when he rolled the ball to the edge of the area, Beckham hit a powerful shot which James did well to turn aside. When Cantona headed on David May's ball forward, for example, to provide Cole with an early chance, he volleyed well wide.It was an indication, however, of how much the better United established their rhythm. A contest of imprecise passing and wasteful shooting let it down, however, Liverpool in their green and white quarters the more off colour.Andy Cole, preferred to Paul Scholes, was the first culprit. Wembley was aflame with the red and white favours of the contestants and its passion aroused by a confrontation between the two biggest clubs the English game has to offer, the two with the fiercest rivalry. "Even if it is only for 15 seconds, I want to give the supporters the pleasure they deserve," he had said prophetically in a pre-match interview with the BBC.Captain Cantona - with the 35-year-old stalwart Steve Bruce omitted in a poignant decision that illustrates the other side of the manager's job - completed his rehabilitation by enduring with disdain but without response the disgraceful spitting at him by a few Liverpool supporters as he made his way to receive the trophy.That aside, a wonderful memory but an unmemorable match "A grinding- out result," as Ferguson noted. The only one to have done a Double in Scotland too, he now has 17 major trophies associated with him.