In a game which ultimately saw the Red Devils claim the result which they needed to be officially crowned champions, Emerton opened the scoring on 20 minutes.

The Australia international put Rovers ahead with a superb first-time left-foot volley from Martin Olsson's far-post cross.

Emerton was proving dangerous in the first-half as Rovers threatened to delay United's title party.

The Socceroo provided a cross which Olsson nodded against the post, before another Emerton delivery almost caused Rio Ferdinand to head the ball into his own net.

But Rovers didn't find a second goal and United got their crucial goal on 73 minutes thanks to a Wayne Rooney penalty.

Elsewhere, Tim Cahill was not in the Everton matchday squad as they lost 1-0 at West Bromwich, while David Carney's struggling Blackpool scored a valuable 4-3 win over Bolton.

In Turkey's Super Lig, Harry Kewell scored while Mile Jedinak was sent off as Galatasaray defeated Genclerbirligi 3-2.

Kewell, starting his first game since April 4, equalised on 43 minutes after Gencler went ahead early on.

The game was evenly poised at 2-2 until Jedinak picked up his second yellow card to be dismissed on 84 minutes and two minutes later Galatasaray claimed the winner.

In Italy's Serie A, Mark Bresciano was an unused substitute as Lazio defeated Genoa 4-2 to move back into the fourth and final UEFA Champions League spot.

In Italy's Serie B, Adrian Madaschi started and played 45 minutes as Portogruaro moved closer to the drop after losing their third consecutive game, 1-0 at home to Empoli.

Elsewhere, Carl Valeri put in a full shift as struggling Sassuolo lost 1-0 at home to Padova.