Manchester United Fans Blog

2012-03-13T05:52:00.001-07:00

Trophies

Manager Profile

Sir Alex Ferguson

Premier League	1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
FA Cup	1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup	1992, 2006, 2009, 2010
UEFA Champions League	1999, 2008
FIFA Club World Cup	2008
UEFA Super Cup	1992
UEFA Cup Winners Cup	1991
Inter-Continental Cup	1999
FA Charity / Community Shield	1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010

Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in British football history – winning more than 30 trophies during his time in charge of the Reds. Yet despite more than two decades at the United helm he remains focused on increasing that tally, bringing yet more silverware to Old Trafford.
The Reds boss enjoyed a playing career north of the border that saw him take in spells with Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Glasgow Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United. But it is not for his playing of the game that Sir Alex was to become a success.
Following a spell out of the game he moved into coaching, taking up the role

of manager of East Stirlingshire, St Mirren then Aberdeen. It was his time at Pittodrie where he earned his reputation as a top coach. He broke the Glasgow dominance of Scottish football to lead Aberdeen to three Scottish titles, four Scottish cups, one League Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Following the sacking of Ron Atkinson as manager of Manchester United, the Old Trafford hierarchy moved quickly for his services. They got their man on 6 November 1986.
Ferguson inherited a dispirited team of underachievers who had consistently, to their supporters’ discontent, failed to break Liverpool’s domination.

2012-03-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

Wayne Rooney games/goals in 2011/2012:
Premier League: 22 (2) / 20
FA Cup: 1 / 2
Champions League: 4 / 2
Europa League: 2 / 2
Other: 1 / 0
Total: 30 (2) / 26

12/03/2012 10:06, Report by Adam Marshall

Rooney focused on team

Wayne Rooney wants to keep scoring more for Manchester United's sake, rather than the pursuit of any personal milestones or awards.
His manager Sir Alex Ferguson has cheekily set the in-form marksman a target of 40 goals for the current campaign after a match-winning double against West Brom took his tally to 26 so far. Rooney has nine goals in his last six matches in all competitions, while in the Barclays Premier League alone, only Arsenal's Robin van Persie has scored more - 25 to Wayne's 20.
The England striker admits his best-ever haul for a season - 34 goals in 2009/2010 - is in the back of his mind but insist his first thoughts are for the team and the pursuit of a record 20th title.
When told by MUTV that Sir Alex wants 40 goals out of him, Rooney replied: "I'm sure we all would! I'm playing well and scoring goals so I hope that continues to help the team.
"To be honest, I obviously know what my [previous best] tally is and how many goals I still need to score to reach it. But I'm not focusing on that at the minute. I'm focused on the 10 games left and hopefully getting those points to help us be successful. If it happens, then great but the most important thing is for us to be winning trophies."
Ashley Young added on the club's official TV channel: "He [Wayne] has done brilliantly this season and hopefully he goes on adding to his tally and we keep getting the three points."

2012-03-13T05:43:00.000-07:00

Papers: Advantage United

12/03/2012 09:30

Jamie Jackson writes in The Guardian...
Rooney lifts United to top of the leagueThe title race swung dramatically back towards the red half of Manchester yesterday after Wayne Rooney fired United top of the Premier League, as cross-town rivals City slipped up. While Rooney claimed his side "deserve" to be top by a point following their 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, Roberto Mancini stated that City's 1-0 defeat to Swansea City "was not critical". Luke Moore's winner ensured Sir Alex Ferguson's side head the division for the first time since 15 October — apart from 24 hours in mid-February. Rooney, who now has 26 goals for United, said: "This is where we want to be at the finish, I don't think we've had the credit we deserve these last few months. Europe has been disappointing," he said of United losing their last two Europa League games. "But we have played well against the big teams recently, we haven't always been at our best but we have got the wins and we fully deserve to be at the top."
A lot of the papers run Sir Alex's MUTV quotes on challenging Rooney to hit 40 goals this season. “If he gets to 40 I’ll be absolutely delighted because we’re at the business end of the season. He’s on a hot streak.” The striker’s best-ever haul of 34 for United came in the 2009/10 campaign.

United 5 Birmingham 0

2011-02-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

United 5 Birmingham 0

‘We’re Man United, we do what we want’, United fans have taken to singing this season, and that was the team's mantra as the Reds, led by hat-trick hero Dimitar Berbatov, brilliantly and ruthlessly took Birmingham City apart with unopposed ease.
Berbatov sealed a hat-trick of hat-tricks in 2010/11 – the first Red to achieve that since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002/03 – while Ryan Giggs and Nani completed a comprehensive 5-0 win. The gap should have been much wider in a display on a par with an equally chilly day in November when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side brutally beat Blackburn Rovers 7-1.
Birmingham, already missing influential defender Scott Dann, perhaps had one eye on their midweek Carling Cup semi-final second-leg tie with West Ham, as Craig Gardner, Sebastian Larsson and Cameron Jerome were all among their substitutes. For United, Rafael’s suspension meant John O’Shea got his first appearance since the 4-0 cup loss at West Ham in November. Rio Ferdinand was also missing with a groin injury, but Chris Smalling confidently stepped in to partner Nemanja Vidic.
Otherwise, it was the team that claimed a 0-0 draw last week at Tottenham Hotspur. And while those battling qualities might have been expected of Sir Alex’s men, it was goals the Reds boss was after. This fixture hasn’t had a habit of producing them of late; in fact, neither team had scored more than once in the previous five meetings. Determined to buck that trend – and continue the Reds' fine home form – United were ahead within two minutes as Nani won a corner off Liam Ridgewell, and Ryan
Giggs whipped in a cross which was flicked on by John O’Shea at the front post and turned home by Berbatov from close range at the back post.
The Reds were rampant, swarming forward and pinning a beleaguered Birmingham powerlessly into their own half with a series of rapid attacks and corners. United are not famed for being dangerous from corner kicks, but Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling, John O’Shea and Dimitar Berbatov all pose a threat. But it was United's quick-fire passing and speed of movement that McLeish’s side could not contain.
Michael Carrick was forced off after 25 minutes, the midfielder unable to recover from an earlier tackle in which Alexander Hleb followed through with his studs up and caught him on the ankle. Darron Gibson replaced him, but not even a change in personnel disrupted United’s flow. A breakaway attack after the half-hour mark involving Anderson, Rooney and then Berbatov ended with the Bulgarian firing a shot through Roger Johnson’s legs and past a helpless Ben Foster. A minute later Berbatov could have had a hat-trick, but his toe-poked effort nestled the wrong side of the post.
Gibson fizzed a shot in from 20 yards that Foster struggled to hold on 39 minutes and a minute later Giggs’ goal-bound effort deflected wide via a touch from Jordan Mutch. But the Welshman soon got his name on the scoresheet with the pick of the first-half goals. In the second minute of added time, Berbatov won possession with a sliding tackle and exchanged passes with Rooney, who crossed brilliantly for Giggs to steer a
shot into the roof of the net, capping an exceptional first 45 minutes.
Within two minutes of the restart, the excellent Rooney should have made it four. Nani twisted and turned to create space for a left-footed cross, but Rooney directed his header just wide of the post. United’s fourth arrived on 53 minutes with the same triumvirate that produced the third; Rooney expertly controlled Edwin van der Sar's sky-high clearance and slipped a pass to Giggs; he squared the ball to Berbatov, who sealed his hat-trick by stabbing a shot in off the bar.
Nani, at times, proved frustrating – purely because he so frequently beat his man (often more than once), but couldn’t deliver the killer final ball. But his persistence – he never gave up – paid off on 76 minutes when he shifted the ball inside and sent a low drive flying into the bottom corner past Foster.
United could easily have scored more, but a 5-0 win is not to be sniffed at. More important was the quality of the performance. The Reds may not have hit top form for every single minute of this season, but with defensive fortitude ensuring valuable points in tight games and flourishes of brilliance like today, it is difficult to argue United are undeserving of this position at the top of the table.

United 3 Aston Villa 1

2011-02-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

United 3 Aston Villa 1

Wayne Rooney scored twice as the Reds beat Aston Villa 3-1 and extended United’s unbeaten league run to 29 games, equalling a club record set in 1999.
Last season’s top scorer hasn’t had much joy in front of goal this season, but Rooney netted twice before the interval to set Sir Alex’s men on the road to victory once again.
The only surprise, given recent events, was that United didn’t come from behind and neither Javier Hernandez nor Dimitar Berbatov got on the scoresheet.
In fact, despite goals in United’s last two fixtures, the Mexican striker again had to settle for a spot on the bench as Sir Alex kept faith with his first-choice (if not always firing) strike partnership.
The decision paid immediate dividends, as Rooney rattled the back of the net inside a minute with a volley from just inside the penalty area. The goal owed as much to Edwin van der Sar’s quick thinking, though, as it did to Rooney’s deft first touch and subsequent piledriver finish.
Van der Sar may be 40 and retiring at the end of the season, but his mind remains sharp. When the Reds won a free-kick 20 yards from Edwin’s goal, there appeared no danger to Aston Villa. But the Dutchman spotted Rooney loitering on the shoulder of Richard Dunne and sent a 70-yard pass over the visitors’ defence. From there, Rooney brought the ball down
with feather-like touch before hammering the bouncing ball past Brad Friedel.
The goal rocked Villa and, for the next 10 minutes, it looked as though United may go further ahead. Rooney, in particular, looked well and truly in the mood, dropping deep to claim plenty of touches on the ball and, as much as he could, influence the match.
Nani had a vehement penalty appeal turned down after Dunne blocked his run inside the area before the Portuguese drew a fine save from Friedel, diving to his left, when he unleashed a rocket from the edge of the box. A save down low to his right from Ryan Giggs proved slightly easier, while Patrice Evra also tested the big American and Berbatov headed a difficult chance over the bar from close range.
United were knocking on the door and a second duly arrived in first-half stoppage time. Rooney again applied the finish – a tap-in from five yards – but, as with the opener, the pass deserved just as much recognition. This time Nani was provider, curling in a sumptuous cross from the right wing that reduced both James Collins and Friedel to spectators as Rooney nipped in behind the big centre-back to sweep home on the half-volley.
At the other end, Villa’s big-money signing Darren Bent miscued a shot on 10 minutes that rolled through tamely to van der Sar. That chance aside, Villa didn’t fashion anything of note for the first 45 minutes
Gerard Houllier’s men were certainly a shadow of the side that played so well (for 80 minutes, at least) against the Reds back in November. On that day, Villa’s energy and enthusiasm, which stemmed largely from the youthful Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannan, caused United problem after problem. Here at Old Trafford, the Midlanders looked pedestrian at best for long periods.
Stewart Downing and Ashley Young provided the odd creative spark in the final third, but there was little sweat for United’s back four to wipe from their brows as the teams trotted down the tunnel at half-time.
Neither manager made changes at the break, although at least Villa emerged for the second period with a more positive approach. In fact, within two minutes of the restart Bent was appealing for a penalty after tangling with Evra inside the area. Ashley Young then blasted a free-kick over the bar from a promising position after John O’Shea had felled Albrighton.
Meanwhile, there was more of the same from United. Nani, Rooney and Berbatov bamboozled Villa’s defence with intricate passing exchanges, while behind them Michael Carrick adopted the sort of “quarterback” role he played to such thrilling effect in 2006/07 and 2007/08.
Villa’s increased ambition was rewarded on 58 minutes when Young sucked in three Reds before releasing Downing down the right. He surged towards goal, drew Vidic and crossed for Bent to sidefoot home, unmarked, in
the centre.
Was there a comeback on the cards? Not on Nemanja Vidic’s watch.
The Reds skipper thumped home United’s third just six minutes later. Sent forward for a corner, Vidic won the initial header deep beyond the back post. The ball dropped to Rooney who, with his back to goal, took one touch before laying the ball back to the Serbian to blast through the crowded penalty area and past Friedel. It was a finish any forward would have been proud of and Old Trafford reverberated to the sound of the skipper’s name.
Ashley Young smacked a shot off the bar, Dunne denied Rooney a hat-trick with an outstanding last-ditch tackle and Nani tried his luck from distance before Berbatov wasted a glorious chance to add further gloss to the score.
It hardly mattered. United had already done more than enough to wrap up yet another victory and maintain the charge for a 19th league title.

U18s: WBA 3 United 2

2011-02-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

U18s: WBA 3 United 2

Paul McGuinness' side suffered their second defeat in two games despite a spirited second half comeback at West Brom.
Goals from Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba provided hope for the Reds who found themselves 3-0 down after 52 minutes. But it was too little too late in the end as the Baggies held out for a 3-2 win.
The blustery conditions ensured a somewhat scrappy first period with few clear-cut chances for either side for the most part. The breakthrough arrived on 40 minutes when Michael Keane was penalised for hand-ball on the line. Baggies striker Saido Berahino stepped up to convert the penalty. Four minutes later Berahino turned provider, crossing in for strike partner Adil Nabi to poke home.
West Brom continued where they left off after the break and further increased their advantage on 52 minutes. Berahino was hacked down by United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone just inside the area and it was left to George Thorne to steer home the spot-kick.
United gave themselves a lifeline three minutes later when Jesse Lingard's shot from the edge of the area was deflected in at the near post. The Baggies stood firm until stoppage time when Paul Pogba curled home a screamer from 20 yards to reduce the deficit to just one, before time eventually ran out for the Reds.

Vidic vs Adebayor: Mutual respect

2009-04-28T09:26:00.002-07:00

28/04/2009 09:55, Report by Adam Bostock

Vidic vs Adebayor: Mutual respect

Nemanja Vidic and direct opponent Emmanuel Adebayor have been trading praise ahead of United’s tantalising Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

Serbian defender Vidic believes the Gunners will provide a stern test in the first leg at Old Trafford, especially now the likes of striker Adebayor are approaching top gear.

"Arsenal have always been a good team with quality players. We know and respect that, and now they're on good form - they have started scoring goals (again),” said Vidic.

“Adebayor and van Persie are very difficult forwards to play against. They are great players, they have speed and an eye for a goal.

"We need to concentrate fully for 90 minutes if we are to stop them.”

Adebayor has scored four goals in his last six games for Arsenal, including one in each leg of the Champions League quarter-final victory over Villarreal.

The Togo international also netted in his last appearance at Old Trafford – but the fact Vidic missed that game, an eventual 2-1 win for United, will not have been lost on him.

“Vidic is a very good player, he knows how to play against strikers,” said Adebayor. "He's very strong and he's ready to give his life away for United.

"For me, he's one of the toughest defenders - he prevents a lot of goals. He scores important goals for his club too.”

Emmanuel Adebayor was quoted on FIFA.com.

Betting: Arsenal

2009-04-28T09:26:00.001-07:00

28/04/2009 13:44, Report by Jon Wilde, Betfred

Betting: Arsenal

United go into their Champions League semi-final against Arsenal as 9/4 second favourites to retain the trophy, with Barcelona 7/4 ahead of their clash with Chelsea.

The Gunners are the 7/2 outsiders to triumph in Rome on May 27, with Chelsea 10/3 to atone for their disappointment in Moscow last year.

Firstly, there's the small matter of Arsenal's visit to Old Trafford, and it’s 5/6 that the Reds win at Old Trafford and take an advantage to the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday, with Arsenal priced at 10/3 and the draw at 5/2. Overall, United are 8/13 favourites to reach the final and Arsene Wenger’s side 6/5 to qualify from the tie.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, who both scored two goals against Tottenham on Saturday, are 4/1 joint favourites to score first. Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez are both 5/1.

A special offer is available via www.manutd.com/bet. If you back a player to score the first goal and he scores the goal rather than the first, your stake will be refunded as a free bet.

Arsenal semi

2009-04-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Arsenal semi

The ManUtd.com team documents the build-up to the Champions League semi-final with Arsenal, from Carrington and Old Trafford. Post your comments on the Talking Reds thread...

Tuesday 28 April

16:13 Sir Alex was asked in his press conference: 'Do you expect these to be good games? Or don’t you care?' to which the journalist earned a riled riposte: "Of course I care! I hope they're really good games; I hope we play fantastic football and win. I respect Arsenal’s ability to play football – and it could be a cracker." Let’s hope so. Adam Bostock will be reporting from Arsene Wenger's media briefing at 17:00, which is followed by Arsenal training on the OT pitch. (BH)

14:58 It seems Sir Alex is debating whether to go all out in attack - as suggested earlier (see 11:50), with Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo and Berba - or making sure we don't concede (boo). He says: "The second-half performance against Tottenham and the way Carlos Tevez changed the game is not not lost on me. But we need to win without conceding. I’d be delighted to win 1-0 and take that to the Emirates." (BH)

14:52 The Gaffer was in good spirits, as you would expect for a man with virtually no injury worries ahead of one of the biggest games of the season. Edwin van der Sar, meanwhile, looked in danger of nodding off as Sir Alex fielded most of the questions. (SB)

13:43 We're heading over to the press conference now, where Sir Alex and Edwin van der Sar will be grilled by the world's media. It'll be interesting to see what they've got to say ahead of such a massive game. (Nick Coppack)

12:45 Does anybody else miss the slanging matches between Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger? The longest-serving managers in the league have served up some of the best verbal sparring in living memory, but it's all gone friendly recently. Check out this quote from the Arsenal manager this week: "[Earning Sir Alex's respect] is one of the privileges of getting older! Our respect will survive the two games." We'll see... (Steve Bartram)

11:50 I'd like to see United go for the kill tomorrow - Arsenal's defence looks shaky. None of this keep it tight business. On the back of Saturday's second-half, my starting XI would be: Edwin; Rafael, Rio, Vida, Evra; Ronny, Carrick, Fletch, Rooney; Tevez, Berbatov. Post your comments and your XI's on Talking Reds. (BH)

11:43 We'll bring you all the latest from United's press conference at 14:00 BST, then we'll bring you any news from Arsenal's press conference and their training session on the pitch.

10.30 Ben Hibbs via phone - I've been at Carrington watching the lads train. Everyone's in good spirits and, apart from the obvious absentees - Neville and Hargreaves - Sir Alex has a full squad to pick from which is a big bonus. Anderson's always the jester of the group, and Fletch was getting stick for being nutmegged by Welbeck in the warm-up.

Training squad (24 players): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak; Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael, O'Shea, Evans, Brown; Ronaldo, Park, Giggs, Nani, Anderson, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Carrick; Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Welbeck, Macheda

Cheers!

Scouted: Wesley Sneijder

2008-06-16T00:50:00.000-07:00

10/06/2008 13:28, Report by Caroline Hunt

Scouted: Wesley Sneijder

After an impressive first season at Real Madrid, former Ajax star Wesley Sneijder wasted little time impressing at Euro 2008, running the show against Italy in the Netherlands' opening 3-0 win.

Here, Reds fan James Ahern assesses Sneijder's talents in a fantasy scouting report for Fanzone...

Scouting Report

Player name: Wesley Sneijder.
Position: Attacking central midfielder.
Match scouted: Netherlands v Italy.
Key moment: Burst into the box and lashed home from close range to finish off a dazzling Dutch counter-attack.
Strengths: A genuine box-to-box midfielder with a real eye for goal and the ability to pick a pass with the best of them.
Weaknesses: The €27million Real paid for his services suggest there aren’t too many and we tend to agree…
Suitability: With the clock ticking on Paul Scholes, Sneijder could be a ready-made replacement – the prospect of his slide-rule passes releasing the likes of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez is a mouth-watering one. And he’d be one more Red queuing up to take free-kicks.
Estimated value: Around £20m.

So, what do you think? Have your say on this Scouting Report at www.manutd.com/talkingreds (Transfer Speculation conference).

You can also post your own report there on any Euro 2008 player.

* The views expressed in our Scouting Report articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United.

First summer signing

2008-06-16T00:39:00.000-07:00

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

The extracts on this page are taken from selected national newspapers. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United.

Papers: First summer signing

13/06/2008 07:58

Petrucci signing angers Roma
Manchester United last night came under fire after signing one of Italy's most promising young strikers. Just days after they were pipped by Arsenal to the signature of 17-year-old Cardiff midfielder Aaron Ramsey, United snapped up Davide Petrucci, 16, who scored 14 goals in 19 matches last season and was the top scorer in Roma's youth team. He has also starred for Italy's under-17 team. United will pay Petrucci £95,000 a year and will cover the cost of regular flights home to Italy. The deal is the maximum permissible offer for a youth-team player. Roma will receive around £200,000 in compensation but the move has caused fury. Petrucci, who comes from the San Basilio suburb of Rome, has been compared to a young Francesco Totti and could have made the first-team squad next year.
Malcolm Moore, Daily Telegraph

All the daily newspapers run with the story ManUtd.com announced on Thursday that Patrice Evra has signed a new four-year contract.

The Daily Mirror believes Sir Alex Ferguson and Luiz Felipe Scolari to be "at war". Sir Alex, the paper claims, thinks there was a conflict of interests when the newly-announced Chelsea boss reportedly advised Cristiano Ronaldo to swap Manchester for Madrid.

The Sun says Portugal are after Carlos Queiroz as the next national team manager when Luiz Felipe Scolari leaves his post for Chelsea after the Euro 2008 championships.

And finally... Wayne Rooney and childhood sweetheart Coleen McLoughlin tied the knot on Thursday. Unfortunately for the Rooneys, the heavens opened on the big day on the Italian Riviera - a wedding which cost a reported £5million. Childish giggle of the day: the Daily Mail's headline "Bride spells with outbreaks of Wayne".

Round up by Ben Hibbs

Park injury concern for Reds

2008-06-16T00:37:00.000-07:00

“I don’t feel any pain and walking is fine, but there is some water in my knee. This is the first time I have felt it since the operation.”

– Ji-sung Park

13/06/2008 14:38, Report by Jason Kim

Park injury concern for Reds

Ji-sung Park will undergo tests in Korea next week after complaining of “discomfort” in his knee while on international duty.

The 27-year-old winger has played two 90-minute World Cup qualifiers for South Korea since United’s season ended, scoring in a 2-2 draw against Jordan on May 31.

But the knee injury which required surgery and sidelined him for nine months last year has since flared up, ruling him out of Saturday’s qualifier in Turkmenistan.

However, both Park and Korea’s medical staff are hopeful the setback is not serious and that he will return for the game against North Korea next Sunday.

“I don’t feel any pain and walking is fine, but there is some water in my knee,” Park said. “This is the first time I have felt it since the operation.”

South Korea national team doctor Dong-eun Shin added: “He is not feeling pain, but he is experiencing discomfort, so we are putting his knee under light treatment.”

United are awaiting further news from Korea’s medical staff, who will assess Park further when he returns to Korea from Turkmenistan next week.

Park made his United comeback at Christmas and played an important role in the Reds’ Double triumph, declaring that he felt fitter than ever.

FA drop appeal plans

2008-06-16T00:19:00.000-07:00

13/06/2008 15:35, Report by Ben Hibbs

FA drop appeal plans

The English Football Association has decided not to appeal the decision to acquit Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz of misconduct charges, but has said it will review its powers to deal with media comments it deems "inappropriate".

An independent Regulatory Commission hearing found on 28 May that charges against the United pair were not proved.

The charges related to comments made about referee Martin Atkinson's performance in United's 1-0 FA Cup sixth round defeat to Portsmouth at Old trafford, and referees chief Keith Hackett.

The FA considered an appeal against the original ruling, but has decided against it. A statement on the FA website confirmed: "After careful consideration, including external legal advice, we have decided that an appeal would be unlikely to succeed given the limited basis on which appeals are allowed. An appeal would therefore not be the right course of action."

However, the FA remains disappointed that Sir Alex and Carlos were not found guilty of misconduct, adding: "We remain surprised and disappointed at the original decision and we want to reiterate our support for Keith Hackett, Martin Atkinson and referees collectively."

The FA also says that the outcome of the case has sparked cause for a review of the processes for dealing with such cases in the future.

"In light of the Commission's decision, we will review the process by which we address inappropriate media comments made about match officials by participants in the game," the statement continued.

Cristiano Ronaldo All 42 Goals - Season 2007/2008

2008-06-04T19:49:00.001-07:00

This Chap is just 2 much!!!

Manchester United - The Great Story Of 2008

2008-06-04T19:14:00.001-07:00

I love great stories!!!

Cristiano Ronaldo Skills and Goals 2006-2007

2008-06-04T19:06:00.001-07:00

I just love this guy...

manchester united great goals

2008-06-04T19:04:00.001-07:00

The Great days...

Manchester United - Champions League Final 2008

2008-06-04T19:02:00.001-07:00

MANCHESTER CHAMPIONS!!!

Manchester United players after European Chamipons final

2008-06-04T18:59:00.001-07:00

Just watch this video

Ronaldo saga growing tiresome for Portugal

2008-06-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is not enough to monopolise the limelight throughout the season. The two-and-a-half weeks between the Champions League final and the start of Euro 2008 could have provided some rare respite from Cristiano Ronaldo. Instead, like his predecessor in Manchester United's No. 7 shirt, (a certain Mr Beckham) there is no escaping 'the boy Ronaldo', as he is still known in the stands.

GettyImages

The speculation doesn't seem to bother the winger.

Certainly not when Real Madrid are embarking on perhaps their most undignified pursuit of a player to date. That is not to exonerate Manchester United in some of their transfer dealings, but the combination of Real's marketing machine and Ronaldo's latest trick - telling people in different countries different things - has continued to fuel the engine of publicity in particularly unsavoury fashion.

Ronaldo's status is unquestioned: even Kaka and Lionel Messi can't attract quite as many headlines. His seeming quest for world domination could result in a world record fee, though Portugal would settle for supremacy in one continent. Real's high-profile pursuit of one right winger named after another (Ronald Reagan) drew a rare mention, in a footballing context anyway, of a third (General Franco) from a disgruntled Govan trade unionist, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Opinions abound: Luiz Felipe Scolari recommends Real Madrid but, as a potential Chelsea manager, he would. Even the normally muted Glazers broke their silence to voice their opposition to the covetous Castilians. Equipped with his pocketbook of long-forgotten Iberian conflicts, Carlos Queiroz preferred to concentrate on disputed towns on Spain's border with Portugal.

And Portugal, as much as anyone, could benefit from the conclusion of this tiresome saga. As Steven Gerrard, below par in Euro 2004, can testify, an uncertain future is scarcely the ideal backdrop to a pivotal three weeks in even a career as glorious as Ronaldo's.

To say Portugal's hopes rest on Ronaldo alone would be a slur to players of the calibre of Deco, Ricardo Quaresma and Ricardo Carvalho and would ignore the promise of the emerging generation of Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho. Nonetheless, it is inconceivable that Scolari will add the European Championships to the World Cup on his CV, or that Portugal will capture a first major trophy without a starring role from Ronaldo.

Much like his pace in full flight, the speed of his progress continues to startle. Eusebio has already been asked if he will be displaced as Portugal's greatest player - some fellow called Figo seems to have been banished from the top two by a 23-year-old - and he could be anointed as such with victory in Vienna on June 29.

Where once his stepovers were counted, now it is his goals. Five would bring up a half-century over the season for club and country. They would, too, provide a further illustration of his voracious appetite. Three seasons with Ruud van Nistelrooy, with whom he could be reunited in Madrid, evidently served as an education in the goalscorer's thought process.

Penalties and free kicks have been absorbed into his on-field empire but it is still more significant that, despite his supposed posting on the flanks, Ronaldo mustered more attempts on goal that any other Premier League player. Perhaps his most iconic celebration came against the worst team, the release of pent-up frustration after being denied by Derby was presumably accompanied by a sense of a natural entitlement to score against them.

There is, though, the paradox that Ronaldo's final act as a United player may have been to miss his spot kick in Moscow, the trademark stuttering approach indicating, rather than nerves, a man who possessed a dangerous surfeit of confidence. Nonetheless, the previous 120 minutes helped shed one unwanted tag. The supposed small-game player served as the Champions League final's most potent attacking weapon. This was Ronaldo as something approaching an orthodox left winger, but deploying his aerial power to head United into the lead.

GettyImages

Ronaldo celebrates the Champions League win.

Despite a comparative shortage of goals against Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, the notion of Ronaldo as a man who struggled on the biggest stage has always involved ignoring his form for his country; his two previous international competitions have both been excellent. But the greats - Diego Maradona in 1986, Michel Platini two years earlier and, er, Theo Zagorakis four years ago - have left an indelible impression on a tournament.

That is the challenge for him now. He has elevated expectations to the extent that many believe that, like Marco van Basten and Zinedine Zidane before him, Ronaldo can both illuminate and determine the competition.

To do so, however, he must merge the roles of creator, scorer and all-round entertainer with still more success. Portugal's deficiency is the lack of an accomplished striker. This solution to Scolari's selection dilemma would be to dispense with Nuno Gomes, Helder Postiga and Hugo Almeida and copy Manchester United's fluid and interchangeable system.

If a full-back for the Czech Republic, Switzerland or Turkey has the most thankless task in Euro 2008, those problems could be shared with the central defenders if Portugal were to field, say, the sorcerer and his apprentice, Nani, plus one of the talented duo of Quaresma and Simao Sabrosa. It would involve Ronaldo being the nominal centre forward, but then Cristiano Ronaldo appears central to everything, particularly Portugal's chances, right now.

By Richard Jolly
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=542651&root=euro2008&cc=3888

Abramovich homecoming wrecked by Utd

2008-06-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

Quests for world domination tend to fail in and around Moscow and, despite the inside knowledge of a Muscovite owner, so did Chelsea's.

GettyImages

John Terry takes the long walk back after missing his spot kick.

Ambitions have been much vaunted and much mocked, but the biggest prize has eluded them. Neither the Champions League nor the global quest for hearts and minds has been won. In the former respect, Chelsea are so near and yet so far. In the latter, seemingly borrowing Millwall's ethos may reduce the sympathy afforded them, but they merit it nonetheless.

The heightened drama of penalty shootouts provide individual narratives in abundance, yet the most compelling may be those of the observers: Avram Grant, on the touchline, perhaps destined to be remembered as the nearly man; and Roman Abramovich, his homecoming ruined by the width of the Luzhniki Stadium woodwork twice in open play and, most crucially, when a sliding John Terry's penalty rebounded off the post.

As Premier League champions in back-to-back seasons, Manchester United's is the greater claim to be Europe's foremost team. Unbeaten on the continent, top scorers domestically, and boasting the most extravagant talent on the planet, their case will be endorsed outside Old Trafford. And given their history and the litany of anniversaries 2008 has provided, it was appropriate that they were the winners.

Indeed, on his record-breaking 759th appearance, it was fitting that Ryan Giggs converted what proved United's decisive spot kick. Tradition triumphed as, in a country overflowing with new money, the nouveau riche came off second best.

Perhaps Chelsea's snarl cost them. A lack of respect for authority can alienate neutrals and a reluctance to accept decisions resulted in the wrong sort of history being made. A dispute over a throw-in turned into a contretemps, and Didier Drogba's stupid slap saw his departure. It may have marked his final contribution to Chelsea. If so, it was a featherweight ending to a heavyweight contribution to Chelsea's greatest team. The man who uses physical force to destroy teams exited for something so childish, and with him went a recognised penalty taker.

Had he remained, would John Terry have been presented with the opportunity to win the trophy? Rather than the scripted ending, this was the cruel denouement for the man who had executed a magnificent goal-line clearance in extra time. Terry polarises opinion but, while the 'Mr Chelsea' image can irritate and the Braveheart status conferred upon him can jar, this was utterly undeserved. In any event, Nicolas Anelka, usually reliable from 12 yards, shuffled up seventh with the air of a man who wished he were anywhere else. Edwin van der Sar duly saved.

He had been unimpressive beforehand, but penalty shootouts have the capacity to distort earlier events. United's sole man to miss was their most devastating attacker. Cristiano Ronaldo's 42nd goal of the season gave his side a deserved lead. It provided a blend of statistics and style for the show-off with substance, displaying a willingness to monopolise the ball in the sort of display that suggests he is destined for the Ballon D'Or. For all the stepovers, his two most meaningful Champions League goals have been booming headers and the most recent marked a tactical triumph.

There are occasions when Sir Alex Ferguson suppresses his own cavalier instincts in tightly-fought games. This was not one of them. Resisting the temptation to go like-for-like and field three central midfielders enabled United to stretch the first half. Deploying Ronaldo against the auxiliary right-back Michael Essien was justified as the Ghanaian was - for once - found fallible by United's trump card. Chelsea's attempt to crowbar in all his big beasts came at a price, with Essien exposed.

GettyImages

Ronaldo leaps to celebrate his 42nd of the season.

Chelsea's subsequent revival is attributable to their defensive weak link, Essien marauding with intent to prompt the thought of what might have happened if he had been unleashed in midfield. Whereas the first 45 minutes, the passing of Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes was the dominant feature; thereafter it was the control exerted by Lampard and Michael Ballack.

After Lampard levelled, collective willpower, as much as tactics, appeared to change the game. Respect for Chelsea has mounted, not through moments of inspiration, but matches of perspiration. Until van der Sar intervened, they had elongated their duel with United further than long appeared possible.

They remain football's greatest enigmas, the experts at the attritional who persuade themselves they are entertainers. Caviar football is wanted, but they gorge themselves on stodgier fare. So this marked perhaps the final outing for a side so full of paradoxes. It is rare that redoubtable battlers are rarely rewarded so richly. They were signed with the salarys of superstars, they have the work ethic of Russians of past achievements with a rather greater belief in communal effort than Abramovich.

Under the socialist from Govan, United's ethos is clearer and unchanging. They and Chelsea were so evenly matched and yet so different, separated by fine margins and radically different management. But attacking football and a faith in youth were rewarded, albeit paradoxically by only conceding once in the final six Champions League games and courtesy of their two elder statesmen, Giggs and van der Sar.

But, unlike in many previous years, the finest side in Europe are its champions. To repeat the words of Ferguson in Barcelona: 'Football, bloody hell.
By Richard Jolly
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=537601&root=uefachampionsleague&&cc=3888

SIR ALEX FERGUSON

2008-05-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson

Nationality:	Glasgow, Scotland
Manager From:	06 Nov 1986
Years as Manager:	23

Premier League Title	1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007
FA Cup	1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup	1992, 2006
UEFA Champions League	1999
UEFA Super Cup	1992
UEFA Cup Winners Cup	1991
Inter-Continental Cup	1999
FA Charity / Community Shield	1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007
Joint holders	1990

Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in British football history – winning 18 major trophies during his time in charge of the Reds. Yet despite almost two decades at the Old Trafford helm he remains focused on increasing that tally, bringing yet more silverware to Manchester United.

The Reds boss enjoyed a playing career north of the border that saw him take in spells with Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Glasgow Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United. But it is not for his playing of the game that Sir Alex was to become a success.

Following a spell out of the game he moved into

coaching, taking up the role of manager of East Stirlingshire, St Mirren then Aberdeen. It was his time at Pittodrie where he earned his reputation as a top coach. He broke the Glasgow dominance of Scottish football to lead Aberdeen to three Scottish titles, four Scottish cups, one League Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Following the sacking of Ron Atkinson as manager of Manchester United, the Old Trafford hierarchy moved quickly for his services. They got their man on 6 November 1986.

Ferguson inherited a dispirited team of underachievers who had consistently, to their supporters’

COURTESY OF WWW.MANUTD.COM

ABOUT THE CLUB DECADE HISTORY

2008-05-27T05:18:00.001-07:00

2000-2007

United started the new decade, century and millennium in typical pioneering fashion. They entered a brand new competition – the FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil – but at the expense of their participation in the FA Cup, of which they were the holders.

The January jaunt to South America didn't result in any silverware but it gave the Reds valuable relaxation time in the sun. Rejuvenated by this, they raced ahead of their rivals in the title race when they returned to England. They achieved their sixth Premiership title early, in April, and still without a convincing replacement for Peter Schmeichel.

Several goalkeepers including Mark Bosnich tried and failed to establish themselves during the 1999/2000 season. So it was hardly surprising when World Cup and European Championship winner Fabien Barthez joined United in July 2000.

The eccentric but brilliant French goalkeeper helped United to win their third successive title in 2000/01, a feat that had previously been achieved by only a handful of clubs in England. Liverpool had been the last team to do it, in 1982, 1983 and 1984, but this was under the supervision of two different managers - Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan.

Sir Alex Ferguson had been at the helm for all three of United's back-to-back titles, and was the first manager in English football to achieve the hat-trick. On the back of this latest trophy, he announced his impending retirement, only to backtrack and decide to stay.

Ferguson's major signing in the summer of 2002 was Rio Ferdinand, one of England's best performers at the World Cup Finals in Japan and Korea. The £30m acquisition from Leeds added the steel that had arguably been missing from United's defence since the departure of Jaap Stam to Lazio.

Ferdinand helped the Reds to recapture their Premiership title in May 2003 but the calendar year ended on a low note for the defender - he was punished by the FA for failing to attend a mandatory drugs test at Carrington and was suspended for eight months.

In the period without Rio, the Reds lost their title - to Arsenal again - but won the FA Cup for a record eleventh time, beating Millwall 3-0 in the 2004 final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. A year later United were back in Wales to face Arsenal for the trophy. Chelsea had taken the Premiership and Carling Cup, and it was the Gunners who triumphed on penalties despite a dominant display from United - for whom Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were outstanding. The following season brought maiden silverware for the pair as the Reds beat Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup final.

For Sir Alex and his players, the main aim remained Premiership glory, which was duly snared the following season as United notched a 16th league title, finishing six points clear of former incumbents Chelsea. While the whole squad performed admirably to snatch the title back from Stamford Bridge, the man who took most of the plaudits was Ronaldo, who collected 13 personal honours during the campaign - including the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year award

Courtesy of www.manutd.com

Manchester United Fans Blog

Trophies

Manager Profile

Sir Alex Ferguson

Rooney focused on team

Papers: Advantage United

United 5 Birmingham 0

United 5 Birmingham 0

United 3 Aston Villa 1

United 3 Aston Villa 1

U18s: WBA 3 United 2

U18s: WBA 3 United 2

Vidic vs Adebayor: Mutual respect

Vidic vs Adebayor: Mutual respect

Betting: Arsenal

Betting: Arsenal

Arsenal semi

Arsenal semi

Scouted: Wesley Sneijder

Scouted: Wesley Sneijder

First summer signing

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Papers: First summer signing

Park injury concern for Reds

Park injury concern for Reds

FA drop appeal plans

FA drop appeal plans

Cristiano Ronaldo *All 42 Goals* - Season 2007/2008

Manchester United - The Great Story Of 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo Skills and Goals 2006-2007

manchester united great goals

Manchester United - Champions League Final 2008

Manchester United players after European Chamipons final

Ronaldo saga growing tiresome for Portugal

Abramovich homecoming wrecked by Utd

SIR ALEX FERGUSON

ABOUT THE CLUB DECADE HISTORY

2000-2007

Cristiano Ronaldo All 42 Goals - Season 2007/2008