The King of Stretford End

Giggs: 'This can be the best United ever'

2007-05-12T23:45:00.000+00:00

United's favourite old son is revelling in a new central role - and is convinced Ferguson's latest creation could surpass previous generations

Spring is in the air and in everyone's step around Old Trafford, most notably in that of the oldest of the old boys. Once Chelsea's new money took over from Arsenal's aristocrats, Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs must privately have wondered whether their handsome medal collection was complete; but after today's home game with West Ham the Premiership trophy will be handed back to Manchester United, and on Saturday the chance exists to complete a fourth Double. Giggs, like Ferguson, appears to have been given a new lease of life by the emergence of this young United side and there is something touching about his obvious excitement at the prospect of walking out at Wembley again.

Winning the Cup would be Giggs's 17th major honour, eclipsing Liverpool's Phil Neal as the English game's most decorated player, and at 33 he is entitled to adopt an air of having seen it all before. Instead, a boyish enthusiasm shines through, undiminished by life as an elder statesman and father of two in his £5 million Victorian pile: "For me personally it was great to play in Cardiff, but as far as I'm concerned the FA Cup final should be played at Wembley. It looks very good on the television and we're just excited to be back. It gave us an extra incentive, because you want to be at the first Cup final at Wembley, you don't want to miss out and be sat at home watching on TV thinking, 'We could be there'. That's where it belongs, and you want to be part of it."

In Giggs's case it will be a seventh Cup final, the previous half-dozen having produced four wins and two defeats. And in the beginning, at Wembley 1994, there was Chelsea, albeit a very different outfit under Glenn Hoddle to the force United will face this week: "Winning the first one [4-0] was obviously a good memory, it was a Double-winning season, one of the few occasions it rained, which I was quite happy with because I didn't particularly like playing at Wembley.

"It was sticky and dry and for someone who likes to dribble it was always tough, the grass was so lush. Actually I think Chelsea beat us twice in the League that season. They hit the crossbar and they were the better team in the first half, but then we got the first goal and deserved to win in the end. I hope it's 4-0 again but I don't think it will be! In '95 we got beat by Everton, which was disappointing, but one of the most memorable FA Cups was probably Liverpool the next year, beating our biggest rivals, great memories of that game."

If neutrals were less enamoured by that desperately dour encounter, Giggs provided them with a genuinely iconic Cup moment en route to his next final in 1999. In a thrilling semi-final replay against Arsenal at Villa Park, he scored one of the great individual goals with that slalom through the defence, rounded off by a slashing shot and hairy-chested, shirt-waving celebration. Victory over Newcastle at Wembley completed another Double but Cardiff, while home from home, provided mixed memories, with a routine win over Millwall and an undeserved defeat on penalties after dominating Arsenal the following year.

For a while he could not be sure of a starting place, and on one occasion was even jeered by United supporters when substituted against Blackburn. Yet the kids who threatened his place have now helped his rejuvenation and reinvention as a central midfielder. "Certain players give you a new lease of life," he says. "You get a buzz from watching them play, and in the last couple of days I've got a real buzz out of seeing the faces of the lads who've won their first championship.

"I remember when I won my first championship, it's the best feeling in the world, and to get that buzz and see their faces, how they're so happy to have done it, that's definitely been a factor in enjoying my football a little bit more this season. Seeing the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo and the performances of Fletcher and Sheasy [O'Shea] gives you a lift, because there's real quality in the team and it's great to see."

With Ronaldo and often Rooney out wide, Giggs and Paul Scholes have brought their experience to bear in a more central role that he feels could help prolong his career further; perhaps even beyond the contract that expires at the end of next season. He needs 46 more appearances to overhaul Sir Bobby Charlton's club record of 759 and Ferguson believes he can play for at least two more years.

"I've enjoyed playing in a central role, you're involved a lot more than on the wing, where you're reliant on people giving you the ball. Even when I play on the wing I'm not playing like I did 10 years ago anyway. You use your experience and positional sense and just try to be clever. You aren't going to be as quick at 33 as you were at 17 but you are maybe a bit quicker in the brain and have that experience as well."

As to Saturday's task, and in particular the contrast in the two teams' styles: "I've got to be careful what I say! We're a bit more cavalier whereas Chelsea are a bit more patient, European in a way, how they pack the midfield, try to get possession of the ball. They've got that defensive base and platform but also players who can go out and win games. We probably play a little bit differently, with wide men and players who can score from anywhere, that's the way United have always played."

He is clearly proud to have been a part of that tradition ever since his 14th birthday, the day on which Ferguson arrived in person on his doorstep to secure a coveted signature. Now he goes as far as to say that the manager's latest creation could become his best: "Potentially this team can be the best definitely, because of the quality and age of the team. So many players are at the start of their career or are starting to hit their peak and we genuinely have world-class players. There's real quality in the squad, and depth. Obviously, you need things to go right for you injury-wise, but potentially this side can be consistently good over the next five or six years."

He does acknowledge, however, that to be universally acclaimed as the best United side of modern times would necessitate securing another European crown at least: "It's always something you want to achieve. You always want to win the Premiership, then after that it's the Champions' League. You can't really prioritise, but this season the target was to win the Premiership, then the next step is the Champions' League. We deserved the Premiership this year, we played great football but have been consistent and had that bit of steel as well. Now can we go on and win it again? I'm sure we can, because we've got the ability and the hunger."

Although Giggs is not big on personal milestones, a 10th championship would assuredly have a certain ring - as well as almost certainly never being beaten. In the meantime, he has regained a place in both the team and supporters' hearts that was briefly - and inexplicably - lost.

The Record-Breaker: The public life of Private Ryan

Long-Service Awards

In addition to his record haul of nine League titles, eclipsing the eight won by Alan Hansen and Phil Neal, Giggs holds the record for trophies won by a player; he has earned four FA Cup and two League Cup medals and a Champions' League medal to sit alongside those League souvenirs, plus has finished runner-up in the Premiership four times, the FA Cup twice and League Cup twice.

Brothers United In Triumph

Ryan isn't the only Giggs to play on the wing for United and win a title this season; his younger brother Rhodri turns out on the right (and sometimes as a striker) for FC United of Man-chester, the club set up by fans opposed to the Glazers' takeover at Old Trafford. This season they are First Division champions of the North West Counties League, having won the Second Division last year.

Major Disappointment

Giggs won his 62nd cap for Wales in the 3-0 win against San Marino in March, but has yet to play in a major championship. The enduring myth that he could have elected to play for England stems from his appearances for England Schoolboys, but that was open to anyone being educated in the country. Giggs was born in Wales to Welsh parents (though his father, the rugby league player Danny Wilson, was originally from Sierra Leone) and would not have qualified to play for England.

Fistful Of Firsts

Giggs was the first to win the PFA Young Player of the Year Award twice (1992-93), a feat since emulated by Robbie Fowler and Wayne Rooney. He is the scorer of United's fastest goal, after 15 seconds against Southampton in November 1995, is the first player in Champions' League history to score in 12 successive seasons, and is one of only two players (the other is Gary Speed) to score in every Premiership season.

Classic Remark From Homer

Giggs is the only Premiership player to be mentioned in The Simpsons, in November 2003 when Homer, visiting England, says to Marge: "Can you believe they gave Giggs a yellow card?"

Reference: independent.co.uk

EPL 2006 - 2007: Fergie has one hand on the trophy

2007-05-06T02:35:00.000+00:00

Does it really matter where, when and how the medals are secured? Does it matter that Manchester United's players could be enjoying a siesta on a welcome day off and Sir Alex Ferguson will be patrolling the golf course if weather permits?

All that matters is, the finish line is in sight. United secured the required win in the den of their neighbours and if Chelsea do not win at Arsenal this afternoon, they will be over the line.

Even if Chelsea can delay the passing of the baton back to the Old Trafford team after three seasons of London champions, United will need only a point from their two remaining league matches, at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and at home to West Ham on Sunday. Deliverance here came courtesy of two penalties that went in their favour - Cristiano Ronaldo scored and Edwin van der Sar blocked - and the United contingent celebrated with the conviction of a team who know that their work is all but done, the players hurling shirts and clenching fists in front of their supporters, with Ferguson on the pitch grinning wildly behind them. This was the perfect antidote to the deflation inflicted by Kaka and company in the Champions League last week. It has been an emotionally charged few days.

Ferguson summed up his team's efforts with the phrase 'pure courage'. It certainly took bravery for Ronaldo to withstand the full force of Michael Ball, especially on the back of a stinker at the San Siro last week.

In the frenetic opening moments, Ball took the opportunity to aim a sly and ugly stamp into Ronaldo's midriff while the double player of the year was grounded. The thought occurred that it was just as well Joey Barton was not in the vicinity. Ferguson railed on the touchline. The City fans wailed back. The temperature soared. What must Jose Mourinho have thought watching on television? A symbol of game on?

Hardly. It was more of a clue as to what would decide this crucial instalment of the Premiership quest. Ball was on a mission to stop Ronaldo more by foul means than fair. Unfortunately for City, they had no other means of squaring up to United.

This particular duel aside, it was too cagey a spectacle to set the pulses racing. United were comfortable, if tired. City were toothless. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand struck the bar from set pieces in the opening 25 minutes. United's breakthrough arrived shortly after and it was no surprise to see the joint catalysts were Ronaldo and his gritty shadow. When Smith's crossfield pass found Ronaldo, the overture to his dribble consisted of two stepovers - evidently a red rag to Ball's bull. The City left-back crowned a malicious performance when he dived in and naively kicked at Ronaldo's foot. Rob Styles pointed for a penalty without hesitation and the boy himself relished the chance to put United in front.

Ronaldo, hardly one to keep things simple if there is some showmanship to be had, used the old Robbie Fowler routine. He stepped forward, stopped, then whacked his spot-kick low into the corner. It was his seventeenth Premiership goal of a campaign Ferguson described as 'a fantastic season for the boy'.

There was little evidence that City could respond to peg United back, considering the closest they came to troubling Van der Sar until their 80th-minute penalty was a volley from Emile Mpenza aimed nicely at the goalkeeper's chest. Stuart Pearce tried to inject a fraction more energy when he replaced the creaking Dietmar Hamann with Sun Jihai at the interval. But the second half served up more of the same as United stroked the ball around without exerting too much of what was left of their mental and physical power after arriving home deflated from Milan at 5am on Thursday.

Ten minutes from time, United's title advantage hung in the balance as Ball jinked into the area and crashed into Wes Brown. Styles awarded the second penalty of the match. Thousands of Chelsea fans willed Darius Vassell to do the honours, but the former England striker shot straight down the middle of the goal, enabling Van der Sar to pull off a theatrical save with his legs. And the Dutchman knew it, roaring to the heavens before the ball had even been cleared.

And so the chance for City to end their uneasy run without a goal at home was dashed. They have not scored at the City of Manchester Stadium since New Year's Day. On this evidence they may not until 2008. 'Putting the ball in the back of the net is our Achilles' heel,' lamented Pearce afterwards. 'It is what we have to address going into next season.'

Unsurprisingly, the stadium was half empty by the time the City players reemerged for a sheepish lap of honour. Their fans may feel like hibernating over the next few days. Apart from the handful who left the ground in the free City scarves that had been handed out singing 'We're all going to Wembley'.

Man of the Match - Nemanja Vidic

There is only one contender if the criteria are the game's most influential player and talking point - Michael Ball wins that hands down. But seeing how the City left-back undermined his case through the ugliness of his performance, the honours go to the cool and composed Vidic.

Reference: guardian.co.uk

EPL 2006 - 2007: Fergie happy to give Sam a smooch

2007-04-29T00:12:00.000+00:00

'I'll be giving him a hug and a kiss. In fact, he can have a hug and two kisses.'

Manchester United showed patience as well as poise in coming back from two goals down to put one hand on the Premiership trophy. Sir Alex Ferguson was relaxed enough to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench even when Everton scored their scintillating second in the 50th minute, because he felt he had enough quality on the pitch both to create and convert chances.

So it proved, and a combination of four goals in the last half-hour and the scoreline from Stamford Bridge had Ferguson dancing on the touchline at the end. With Chelsea failing to win again, the title could be decided next weekend, if United win the Manchester derby and Chelsea cannot beat Arsenal at The Emirates. 'Obviously, a five-point lead is significant with three games to play,' Ferguson said. 'The momentum is back with us now, though you can never count your chickens in football. Look at the way the game went today. I can't explain that, but it's football.'

Everton supporters had a few explanations for the way the game went, ranging from criminally poor defending to the £500,000 bonus the club will receive by virtue of Wayne Rooney's transfer negotiation, should United win the title. United are famous for comebacks, although when the team in front are as generous as Everton this one cannot rank with Turin or Barcelona, no matter how significant the result.

The game was full of ironies. The best goal of the afternoon was scored by a Portuguese winger who has no chance of being footballer of the year. United equalised through an own goal by the Everton captain, playing against his old club. A mistake by rookie goalkeeper Iain Turner, playing only because United held Everton to the strict terms of Tim Howard's original loan deal, cost the home side dear. But the greatest irony of all was Rooney scoring and creating the last two goals on the day Goodison mourned Alan Ball.

Ball's memory was cheered for minutes on end, and Rooney was booed for just as long. Ball was Everton's last international icon, Rooney was supposed to be their latest, but the club's status has diminished in the intervening years. It would be harsh to say they now know how Blackpool must have felt in the 1960s - not when Everton are challenging for a Uefa Cup place - although tours of the two club's trophy rooms would show certain similarities.

There was nothing wrong with the way Everton started. Joleon Lescott headed against the bar after three minutes and Alan Stubbs put them ahead 10 minutes later, his somewhat ambitious drive from a free-kick 30 yards out being lifted over Edwin van der Sar by a crucial deflection off Michael Carrick. Rooney went close a couple of times before the interval, but otherwise Everton's policy of retreating into defence and leaving James Vaughan on his own up front looked capable of smothering United's disjointed attacking efforts.

If there was surprise when Ronaldo failed to appear after the interval, there was amazement when United's only response to going two down was to send on Kieran Richardson. Manuel Fernandes, on loan from Benfica but with his value rising with each impressive display, collected Mikel Arteta's pass and completely ignored Wes Brown's attempt to block him as he lashed a shot past Van der Sar from the edge of the area before saluting the Gwladys Street End in a manner reminiscent of Ball.

Everton fans need a little more than a two-goal lead to start to party, however, and a match-turning incident on the hour showed why. Turner claimed a Giggs corner then dropped it under no pressure, allowing John O'Shea to score. Almost without trying, United were back in the game. Now Ronaldo came on, in time to meet a Carrick corner after 68 minutes with a header that caused such consternation on the Everton line that Phil Neville beat his own goalkeeper.

There was only going to be one conclusion to the game now, and sure enough Rooney provided it. He had already missed a decent chance from a Giggs pass, taking the ball too far round the goalkeeper, but when Tony Hibbert passed straight to Ronaldo 11 minutes from the end Rooney was on the end of O'Shea's cross to score at the far post. Ronaldo surprisingly wasted a glorious chance of a fourth just before the end when with all the time and space in the world he too could not find a way round Turner, but in stoppage time substitute Chris Eagles applied the coup de grace by running on to Rooney's delicately timed pass to finish confidently for his first United goal.

It will be a surprise if what is left of the title race produces anything as dramatic, although David Moyes correctly pointed out United scored their goals far too easily. 'We gave United an opportunity to get back in the game,' Moyes said. 'Their first goal was a big turning point and it was all our fault. So were the other three. It was poor all round really. We made it easy for them. If they had opened us up in the way they can do, I'd be the first to congratulate them, but today we gave them the goals.'

And with them, surely, the title. The showdown at Stamford Bridge next month could be a lap of honour for United unless both Chelsea and Manchester City can win their derbies next weekend. Bolton are fairly popular at Old Trafford at the moment, too. Would Fergie be giving Big Sam a call? 'I'll be giving him a hug and a kiss,' the United manager said. 'In fact, he can have a hug and two kisses.'

Reference: guardian.co.uk

Champions League 2006-2007: "No other team scores as many late goals as us"

2007-04-26T08:13:00.000+00:00

With Manchester United it is never over until the fat lady has collapsed in a wheezing heap. "No other team scores as many late goals as us," Sir Alex Ferguson likes to boast, and whatever happens in the remainder of this season's Champions League there can be no doubting their current status as the most exciting team in Europe. "Fantastique Manchester United" was one headline in France yesterday as the world's press salivated over another exhilarating demonstration of attacking, one-touch, stylishly penetrative football.

The accolades are richly deserved given the way Ferguson's players seem intent on obliterating the reputation of Italian defending but, amid the euphoria of Wayne Rooney's late and dramatic winner in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Milan, it should not be overlooked that the Rossoneri's players were also claiming a victory as they left Old Trafford. With two away goals, nothing can be taken for granted in the second leg.

"I believe we are favourites," Kaka, Milan's sweetly gifted Brazilian, said in the bowels of the stadium, and the six-times winners will glean hope when they analyse United's record in this competition over the past few seasons, with only two wins in their past 13 away games. A draw would suffice for the Premiership leaders but Ferguson's team have lost at FC Copenhagen, Celtic and Roma this season and Milan have not dropped a point in a home game in Serie A since a scoreless draw against Torino on December 10.

The news from Milan's training ground last night was good for Carlo Ancelotti and bad for Ferguson, namely that Paolo Maldini should be fit for the second leg, having lasted only 45 minutes on Tuesday, and that Gennaro Gattuso is fine despite his rather hammy departure on a stretcher. Rooney, it should be noted, did not peak until Maldini's withdrawal and even though Gattuso failed to exert his usual influence he is such an important player for Milan that the visitors suffered without him. Cristian Brocchi, his 52nd-minute replacement, was responsible for losing the ball to Ryan Giggs in the build-up to Rooney's second goal.

Ferguson was again invigorated by his team's performance and sufficiently emboldened to talk of his players being in a "fantastic position". They will begin at San Siro as favourites but the word "marginal" should be applied and if that sounds pessimistic then refer to what Ferguson himself said after United lost the first leg of their quarter-final against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. On that occasion he said the 2-1 deficit represented a "good result" because "the away goals are invaluable in these two-legged fixtures".

The trick will be to prevent Milan from scoring and Ferguson will be without the injured Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic plus the suspended Patrice Evra, although he clings to hope that Rio Ferdinand will have recovered from a groin strain even though the defender was originally ruled out until the visit to Chelsea on May 9.

Gabriel Heinze is a feisty left-back but has not been the same player since rupturing knee ligaments 19 months ago and was partly culpable for both of Kaka's goals, outpaced for one and outmanoeuvred for the other. Those lapses may make it imperative for United's attacking players to take the game to Milan, searching for an away goal of their own, rather than being cagey. Despite United's reputation for going "goal crazy", as Kaka put it, Ferguson frequently tries a more defensive 4-5-1 formation on the club's European excursions.

"We wanted to keep a clean sheet because away goals are key in this competition," observed the seasoned Giggs. "We didn't want to give away one goal, let alone two, so that has knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit.

"We'll probably have to defend better in the away leg but we're capable of doing that. It's going to be difficult, as it always is in the San Siro, but we saw enough in the second half to show we can get a good result if we keep our character and nerve. At the moment we feel that we're going to create chances every time we go out."

Reference: guardian.co.uk

FA Cup 2006-2007: "Que sera sera... we're going to Wembley!"

2007-04-14T19:16:00.000+00:00

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo combined with devastating effect to sink Watford 4-1 and book Manchester United a place in the FA Cup final.

In a week when Ronaldo has been hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson as a possible equal to Pele and Maradona - and signed a new £31million contract - Rooney proved the Portugal winger is not the only brilliant youngster at Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old lashed United into an early lead against Watford, then teed up Ronaldo to put them back in front following Hameur Bouazza's leveller.

With a booking for a feisty challenge on Tommy Smith as well, it was vintage Rooney and his tap-in put United on easy street long before Kieran Richardson finished off the scoring with a neat effort.

Yet amid the celebrations of an eighth final appearance under Ferguson, and the prospect of a mouth-watering clash with Chelsea, the concerns in the United camp were obvious following the loss of Rio Ferdinand to a groin injury.

With John O'Shea missing, Nemanja Vidic and Mikael Silvestre sidelined with long-term problems and Gary Neville at least a week away from a return to action from his ankle problem, Ferguson's defensive options have been ravaged to the extent Darren Fletcher was forced into the right-back role, with rookie Youth Cup star Craig Cathcart the only alternative.

At such a crucial stage of their Treble bid, and with so many opponents to face of far superior quality than Championship-bound Watford, United are facing the biggest test of their season.

Sheffield United, fresh from their hammering of West Ham, meet United on Tuesday, although Ferguson will at least allow his players the luxury of some celebration before addressing the Blades' visit.

For, while never hitting the heights of their seven-goal rout of Roma, the Red Devils still managed a thrill or two, and in Rooney had a stand-out star who looks set to be a major influence on United's bid for honours over the coming weeks.

Having witnessed United's awesome strength first hand on Tuesday, the last thing Aidy Boothroyd would have wanted was for his side to concede as early as the seventh minute.

The spellbinding movement of Rooney, Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs had already caused Watford a few headaches before they were opened up in startlingly simple fashion.

Gabriel Heinze started the move with an inside pass to Michael Carrick. The former Tottenham man quickly fed Rooney, who stepped inside Adrian Mariappa and promptly smashed the ball into the roof of Richard Lee's net.

Fists raised in triumph, Ferguson emerged from his dug-out to celebrate, the Red Devils fans roared and Villa Park awaited a slaughter.

The intense pressure duly came but Watford gamely clung on and received an unexpected reward when Bouazza levelled.

United's defence appeared to lose concentration during a lengthy stoppage while Edwin van der Sar had treatment for a bang on his nose.

Jay DeMerit helped back a long Gavin Mahon throw back into the box and Bouazza got a firm strike on a volley which bounced in off the crossbar after flicking off Heinze.

Had Watford remained on terms for any length of time, particularly given Ferdinand's early departure, they would have scented a shock.

Instead, their equaliser merely ignited their opponents - and Rooney in particular - to greater effort.

The England striker has had his critics this season but his determination to shove United in front again was immense.

Charging to the touchline, Rooney first won possession with a robust aerial challenge on Jordan Stewart. He then totally outpaced the Watford full-back as he strode onto Smith's return pass before delaying his cross long enough for Ronaldo to steal between two defenders and tap home one of the easier goals of the 21 he has scored this term.

Yet again, United were dominant, some of their play mesmerising.

But their enthusiasm was cut short by Ferdinand's glum trudge to the touchline, accepting the futility of carrying on in such pain.

His exit triggered a defensive reshuffle which saw Fletcher fill in at right-back, with Heinze alongside Wes Brown in the centre.

The uncertainty within United's defence was obvious immediately after the re-start as Bouazza volleyed a good chance wide after another Mahon through created mayhem.

Van der Sar was then required to palm a Bouazza cross-shot away from his own bar and the sight of Ferguson exchanging angry words with Giggs was a sure sign of tension in the United camp.

Thankfully for Ferguson, his attack remains in tact and after providing Rooney with a tap-in, Smith fed Richardson, who completed a win which looked much more comfortable than it was.

Reference: teamtalk.com

Ronaldo decides to stay at United

2007-04-14T07:49:00.000+00:00

'It emphasises the point that Cristiano is happy here and that he is at the right club'

A spectacularly good week for Manchester United fans got even better today when Cristiano Ronaldo signed a new five-year deal that should keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.

Over the past few months, Ronaldo has been repeatedly linked with a £54m move to Real Madrid, but today he insisted he never entertained serious thoughts of leaving United. "I am delighted," he said. "I spoke with Sir Alex and [chief executive] David Gill about my future and everyone knew that I wanted to stay. I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was equally ebullient after the deal was announced. "It is fantastic news, it emphasises the point that Cristiano is happy here and that he is at the right club," he said. "He has a great relationship with the team, staff and the fans and he will go on to be one of Manchester United's great players."

Fellow United winger Ryan Giggs believes the Old Trafford club have secured the services of the best player in the world. "I don't believe there is anyone who could rival him as being the best player in the world," Giggs said. "For someone in his position, and of his age, to be as consistent as he has been, is remarkable. To secure his future for the next five years is great news for everyone."

Ronaldo has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 20 goals in 50 games, and was also instrumental in United's 7-1 destruction of Roma on Tuesday. La Repubblica described him after the game as "the best in the world. Or at least the most entertaining." Right now, few people would disagree.

Fans Reaction

"Great news to see Ronaldo has signed. The notion of him leaving for Madrid seemed ludicrous anyway. United are look good for trophies this season and has a solid and youthful foundation for continued sucess. Real are in a period of contracted transition from the gallactico era. They will come good again but are not the best place for the world young talent to ply their trade. They risk becoming embroilled in a period of relative decline. At this moment in time, therefore, I can see little purely sporting reason to elave United. 54 million is a lot of money but when you have a player playing this well at 22 you make damn sure you keep him for at least the foreseeable future. Money might run football these days but clubs still neceitate sucess on the field. There is no better economic stragergy than young brilliant players to provide a long period of quality football. Selling is never an option in this case for clubs with big ambitions." - tasd2, Manchester United fan.

"Awesome news on Cristiano Ronaldo signing a new five year deal that puts any speculation regarding his future to bed, so it goes to show that Real madrid dont always get there way or was a lot of the original speculation the press assuming that they would be going for him in the summer?" - 16_itachi, Manchester United fan.

"haha ronaldo signs new deal to keep him at ot till 2012 that shoul shut real and barca up and also their idiotic papers.great day for us today hope he celebrates new deal with a hattrick against watford wembly here we come" - RED_DEVIL23, Manchester United fan.

"Great news that Ronaldo is staying, this shows a clear intention to the prem and to europe that United are going to be a serious force for the foreseeable future. 2 or 3 additions in the summer and we could well be on the dawn of another golden era." - mikeyt43, Manchester United fan.

Reference: guardian.co.uk, teamtalk.com

Champions League 2006-2007: Seventh Heaven - Ferguson: 'It was my greatest night at Old Trafford'

2007-04-11T08:14:00.000+00:00

Some nights in football are golden. "In European terms that has to be my greatest moment at Old Trafford," said Sir Alex Ferguson, casting his mind back over the way Manchester United had blown a gaping hole in Italy's reputation of having the world's most accomplished defences. "The quality of our game was so high that once we scored the second and third goals I was in the dugout thinking 'this could be something really big here'. But even so, I wasn't expecting that."

Ferguson used the word "uncanny" and he shook his head with disbelief as he pored over the most exhilarating display of fast, penetrative, adventurous football this stadium has witnessed since the Champions League's inception. "Hopefully it's not a one-off but the quality of goals was so high it is difficult to think we could ever get that again," he said. "It was a fantastic performance; the speed of our play, the penetration, the confidence we showed, the clinical nature of our finishing. It was a special night and we can't wait for the semi-finals now because it will give the club a real lift.

"We've had a couple of bad results in the last weeks and it isn't easy for a club like ours to lose two successive matches. But all the great teams have to get over these mishaps. Every team has disappointments but it's how you recover that's important. We have shown a new level of maturity and performance here.

"We played Milan a couple of years ago and back then Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were young lads and not ready for those nights. They found it difficult against experienced opponents but tonight they looked like men."

On a night when Ferguson felt Ronaldo and Rooney came of age, and Michael Carrick bewitched Old Trafford with his range of passing, he also made sure to identify Alan Smith for special acclaim.

"He deserves it more than anyone," he said the United manager of a player making only his fourth start of the season, but who is finally showing signs that he has fully recovered from the broken leg and dislocated ankle he suffered against Liverpool 14 months ago. "His attitude is absolutely wonderful but the greatest qualities he has shown are his patience and his perseverance," said Ferguson. "You have Ryan Giggs who sees these European nights as such a challenge and Michael Carrick, who I believe is getting better and better and is now playing with an excellent authority. But the one individual we have to pay attention to is Smith because his enthusiasm spread through the team."

There was praise, too, for unsung heroes such as Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea on a night when it was easy sometimes to forget that United were missing the considerable talents of, among others, Paul Scholes, Louis Saha and Nemanja Vidic.

"What we have done really well is that all the players who have come into the team have responded to the challenge," said Ferguson. "I'm particularly pleased because all these players are responding. I said a while ago that the players who could bring us success would be the ones who are often sitting on the bench and I hope that is the case. We have to win something to be seen as a great team and hopefully we will do that now. The way they are playing and enjoying their football, they deserve it."

With United and Chelsea already through, Liverpool all but assured of joining them tonight, Ferguson went on to say the presence of three English teams in the semi-finals signified that the Premiership could now be considered as the strongest league in Europe.

"A few years ago I would have said that Spanish football was the best but the evidence this season is that Barcelona and Real Madrid are nowhere near as strong as they have been in previous years," he said.

"The quality of the English game has improved and everyone can see that now because it is very probable there will be three of us in the semis and, hopefully, an all-English final. I think English football has to be recognised as the best in Europe now."

United's magnificent seven

1-0 Carrick 11min The midfielder collects Ronaldo's infield pass and takes one touch before beautifully curling the ball around Doni 2-0 Smith 17min His first goal since November 2006, a composed volley from the edge of the area after Chivu misjudges Giggs' through-ball 3-0 Rooney 19min Giggs picks up Smith's pass, runs unchallenged down the right and crosses low for Rooney to steer the ball home 4-0 Ronaldo 40min Roma are unable to deal with the winger's speed down the right and he cuts inside to beat Doni at the near post 5-0 Ronaldo 49min Giggs is again the provider, powering past Panucci to send in a cross which avoids Smith but is slotted home by Ronaldo 6-0 Carrick 49min Ronaldo's cross from the right is overhit but Heinze picks the ball up and finds Carrick, who curls the ball around Doni 7-1 Evra 81min The substitute collects a pass from Solskjaer, advances to the edge of the area and squeezes his shot between two defenders

Champions League thrashings in the competition's later stages

Milan 4 Barcelona 0 Final, 1994

Ajax 5 Bayern Munich 2

agg 5-2, semi-final, 1995

Manchester United 4 Porto 0

agg 4-0, quarter-final, 1997

Kaiserslautern 0 Bayern Munich 4

agg 0-6, quarter-final, 1999

Barcelona 5 Chelsea 1,

agg 6-4, quarter-final, 2000

Valencia 5 Lazio 2

agg 5-4, quarter-final, 2004

Deportivo La Coruña 4 Milan 0

agg 5-4, quarter-final, 2004

Lyon 7 Werder Bremen 2

agg 10-2, R16, 2005

Lyon 4 PSV Eindhoven 0

agg 5-0, R16, 2006

Reference: guardian.co.uk

1968 European Cup Final: Manchester United 4 -1 SL Benfica

2007-04-09T13:54:00.000+00:00

Champions of Europe at last!

Wednesday May 29, 1968

At last the European Cup comes to England from Manchester United's triumph at Wembley last night. They won just as they promised they would, not so much for themselves as for their manager Matt Busby. Thus 11 years of trial and tragedy, effort and frustration fulminated in this great victory when it seemed, as in the semi-final in Madrid, that the deck was stacked against them.

They won 4-1. And what a victory it was. They were taken to extra time by Benfica but in seven minutes the Portuguese were crushed by three goals. Those three goals came at a time when all the power and grace of Benfica's forwards - each one an international - had put them back in the game with a goal ten minutes from time by Graca that nullified Bobby Charlton's scored 27 minutes earlier.

What finer player could there be to score United's first goal than Bobby Charlton. This was his first goal in European Cup football since the previous, and up to now greatest, triumph of United - against Benfica in the Stadium of Light two years ago. It also fell to him to score the last. And in between was a goal taken as coolly as on the practice pitch by Best and one from Kidd to celebrate fittingly this his nineteenth birthday.

But goals apart this again was a great triumph of teamwork and team spirit. Every player gave his all from Stepney, who three times was United's saviour against the powerful shooting of Eusebio, to Foulkes, who has missed only three of United's matches in their 11 years of waiting for this supreme moment. And there was too the covering of the backs, the prompting of Crerand and the sight of Aston enjoying himself on the wing, and Best so often cruelly hacked down in full flight.

This indeed was a match to remember, though it started slowly, for tension was so acute and the reward so great. But once the first nervous tension had been relieved the match blossomed. The fuse was lit by Charlton's first goal. And it could so easily have been lost by United between the eightieth and the ninetieth minutes. For then one saw the greatness of Eusebio and the rest of this national Portuguese forward line. It was then United's defence creaked and Eusebio was able to exploit it. But three goals between the third and ninth minutes of extra time put out the spark. In ten minutes Benfica went from a team in command to a team in defeat - and they knew it.

Do United carry on where Celtic left off last season after bringing the Cup to Britain for the first time. One further honour can come United's way. They will meet Estudiantes of La Plata, a side from Argentina, who are the South American champions, for the World Club Championship. One can only hope it will not be as ill fated as Celtic's escapades in Argentina and Montevideo last year.

Stakes were so high, and the tension so great, that the first half was one of attack in every sense of the word. Some of the tackles were harsh in the extreme. The worst to suffer was Best, as was to be expected, Coluna, who was brought down by Sadler, and Crerand, who was felled by, of all people, Eusebio, who went into him with all the power of his body after 35 minutes.

United in the first half certainly took the attack to Benfica. It is there that United have their flair. And it was, as Otto Gloria, Benfica's manager said it would be - the speed of United which could upset his side. "They all go forward and they all come back," he said, "and the speed could upset my team." So it seemed. Crerand fed the attack astutely, and Aston, in particular, capitalised on it, for Adolfo did not seem to know quite how to take him.

One thing Benfica knew was that they had to stop Best. Cruz was detailed as the chief hatchet man. At least half a dozen times in the first half Best was hurled to the turf. It was crude, perhaps; it certainly was effective. And for another foul on Best, Humberto had his name taken. But for all the free kicks which were conceded by Benfica just outside the penalty area from these infringements, United could not capitalise. The rear four men of Benfica combine so well and their power is shown by the fact that until the final, they had conceded only two goals.

United went close on several occasions. As early as the third minute Crerand's free kick floated over, but Sadler could only claw down the ball with his boot and push it straight to Henrique. Aston and Charlton combined again, and for a second time Sandler was the culprit. The move developed with return passes with Kidd, but Sadler, in a good position, shot wide.

Benfica like to build up their moves slowly, with care and precision. And, as Benfica had to watch Best, so United had to watch Torres, the tall centre-forward with a great gift, not only of scoring goals but making them with his head. And, of course, there was Eusebio policed, as is now customary, by Stiles. United knew full well the power of Eusebio's shooting. And in the eleventh minute he demonstrated it admirably. One of the best of Benfica's moves developed between Graca and Torres, and the ball was swept out to Eusebio, lurking on the right wing . Eusebio took the ball into his stride and hammered in a shot which made Stepney's cross-bar twang like a bow string.

Foulkes was detailed to watch Torres, and in his handling of him he was penalised several times. From one free kick, just outside the penalty area, one of Eusebio's especially fierce shots was deflected off the wall of United's defenders, and Stepney did well to gather it.

For so long it had seemed that this match would be a stalemate. Each side knew so much about the other from previous encounters. United had , last night, six of the side who plucked the feathers from the tail of the Eagles of Lisbon in that 5-1 triumph two years ago. But the second half blossomed into an exciting encounter. And who could be neutral on a night like this.

Aston was enjoying himself on the left wing. As the second half opened he sent in one shot which Henrique failed to hold with his hands but smothered with his body. Moments later, Aston crashed in another shot. But the real drama was reserved for Bobby Charlton. His goal in the 53rd minute set the game aflame and the crowd almost hysterical with delight.

A move developed down the left. Over came Sadler's crossfield pass: up went Bobby Charlton to glide the ball with his head, into the far corner of the net. It was the first goal Bobby Charlton had scored in a European Cup tie since that memorable night in Lisbon two years ago. Last night's goal was just as brilliantly taken, but this time it was more crucial.

Having conceded this goal, meant, of course that Benfica had to attack with all the power at their command, and that is considerable. Every member of this forward line played against England in the World Cup semi-final at Wembley two years ago. But, in concentrating on attack, they left a defence thinly stretched, and once Best was right through only for Henrique to race from his goal and slide the ball away. yards outside his penalty area.

Now it was Eusebio's turn, and back came Aston to thwart him. Benfica seemed just a little jaded as their attempts to neutralise United's goal were swept away. It was understandable, perhaps, for the best they had produced was not good enough. United had one anxious moment midway through the second half when the wily Simoes turned on all his grace to send over a looping centre to Torres, but the ball again was prodded away from him by Dunne, who was having a splendid match in United's defence.

But this was United's night. They would not be denied. Back they stormed, and Kidd, on this his 19th birthday, might well have had a chance to celebrate it with a goal, but he was brought down by Humberto.

Best, with a shrug of the hips and a twinkle of the toes, made a mockery of any preconceived plans to mark him. In the last ten minutes he burst through and shot,. Henrique blocked that shot, which went to Sadler, and this time Henrique's body was in the way.

But this Benfica side are vastly experienced in European Cup football. And in finals, too. This was their fifth final, and, nine minutes from the end all their experience showed. They drew level with a goal by Graca. Augusto sent over the ball Torres nodded it down and Eusebio, full of guile, deceived the defence with him. It opened up the gap for Graca, who, with only a narrow angle of the goal to aim at, shot and scored.

United's defence, which had held the twin threat of Eusebio and Torres so well, began to creak. And Eusebio, one of the finest forwards in Europe, was just the man to exploit it. Twice he burst through in the closing minutes, and twice Stepney saved his shots, the last a fierce one from close range. And, though Best once again wriggled through, the match was destined for extra time.

No more dramatic opening to extra time could be imagined. United swept forward and twice in two minutes they scored. I the third minute, Stepney's clearance was headed on by Kidd to Best. And here was Best seen at his most brilliant. He took the ball round the defenders, and round the goalkeeper too, before popping it in the net.

Then it was Kidd's turn. This came in the fifth minute. Sadler had a part in that goal. The first attempt at a header was beaten out by Henrique, but back it came for Kidd to head in. And United were not finished. One shot bounced on the bar before, in the tenth minute, Bobby Charlton scored again, and the creator of this goal was Kidd. It was Kidd's pass which Charlton turned into the net to complete the discomfiture of Benfica, who surely did not know quite what had hit them in this sudden burst of attacking play.

Manchester United: Stepney, Brennan, Dunne, Crerand, Foulkes, Stiles, Best, Kidd, Charlton, Sadler, Aston.
Benfica: Henrique, Adolfo, Humberto, Jacinto, Cruz, Graca, Coluna, Augusto, Torres, Eusebio, Simoes.
Referee: C. La Bello (Italy)

Reference: guardian.co.uk

EPL 2006 - 2007: Don't Panic Yet, We Still Lead By 3 Points

2007-04-07T18:25:00.000+00:00

Hello and Good Day.

I have to admit that my mood is really down right now...But as a real fans, we just need to get behind the team, no matter how bad the team was. And it is not the time to panic yet. We have built a gap to compensate for games like this. Man Utd as usual need a loss to keep them focused.

Sometimes, its not wrong to commit a mistake...but the team have to admit and learn something from this losing. The good news is, we still lead the table by three points. End of Story. Bring on Roma.

Fact: DO NOT refer our club as Man U

2007-04-05T16:09:00.000+00:00

We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. But Not 'Man U'

Have you noticed that quite a number of United fans refer Manchester United as Man U. Do you know that calling United as Man U is like calling an African American nigger. (just an example, no offence to the African American). This is the information taken from official United forum under the legend thread.

Right Folks here we go once again and for all....... Man U is not a term real/ true United fans refer themselves to... Why??? This term is mostly only used by other supporters as a complete and utter insult. In case anyone on this board is not aware rival supporters used to sing a song about Munich and it goes Man U Man U went on a plane Man U Man U never came back again... Now if thats not getting your blood boiling nothing will..I started this thread way last year because after being on the board for some time I found more and more people refering to us as THAT name. We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. We do not have any songs with THAT name in them nor will you be able to buy any official merchandice using that term, it is not printed on any scarves or badges, also I was at the Reading game and there is no way did that song ring out around the ground. Now I have been a "United" supporter all my life I am 44 and have never used that phrase to describe the name of my team. It even has annoyed me to write about the song with the name in it, but thought I had to just to get my point over to people who have never heard it (real United fans forgive me please ) You don’t use the phrase Man C Leeds U Aston V etc etc So dont use M** *. Like the song goes Theres Only One United so people will know who you support when using this term..All said whenever someone calls us M** * I simply correct them.. And I think this should be implimented on this board..So come on lads lets educate the ones that need it and keep That name away form our club and this board..The term Utd is the proper abbreviation for the word United and nothing else..Why can some people not just accept this and getover themselves....and if anyone can remember the Scousers chanting and it pains me even to type this but for educations sake.

Man U Never Intended Coming Home (notice the first letter of each word from the phrase means MUNICH)

Hope true United fans will stop refering United as Man U

Remember: We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. But Not 'Man U'

Champions League 2006-2007: We were playing against 12 men

2007-04-05T04:09:00.001+00:00

Sir Alex Ferguson last night claimed Manchester United were playing "against 12 men" in an outburst against the German referee Herbert Fandel, which could result in further recriminations from Uefa. Ferguson was incensed by Fandel's performance at the Stadio Olimpico and may have talked himself into trouble after claiming that "a good referee" would not have sent off Paul Scholes. "Considering we played with ten men - mostly against 12 men - for over an hour, this is a good result for us," he said. "I don't think we got a decision all night but that is European football, I'm afraid."

Fandel has been one of Ferguson's least favourite referees since he officiated their Champions League tie against Porto in 2003 and, in the eyes of the United manager, allowed Jose Mourinho's players to get away with some of the worst gamesmanship he has ever seen in a European tie. Ferguson remonstrated with the fourth official, Peter Sippel, on several occasions during the 2-1 defeat and later complained that Fandel was not equipped to take control of such a big match.

"I can't have any complaints about [Scholes's] first booking but I do have complaints about the second one. In a big game like that, a good referee would not have sent him off, " said Ferguson, before turning his attention to the Roma defender Cristian Chivu, who appeared to give Fandel the thumbs up when Scholes was shown a second yellow card. "In my opinion Chivu got Scholes sent off because of his reaction to the referee. The referee told us before the game that if anyone attempted to get another player booked they would be sent off themselves. But that wasn't the case at all and it left us in a very difficult position."

Down but not out, Ferguson believes it would be wrong for Roma to consider themselves favourites to progress to the semi-finals. "I think 2-1 is a good result," he said. "We're experienced enough to know that playing at home is a big advantage when you are in Europe. Over the years there have been some great games back at Old Trafford and we are in for another one now. We have come out with a good result here and if we score at Old Trafford we will go through. The away goal is invaluable in these two-legged fixtures and at Old Trafford I think we can get a team out, providing we get no more injuries [against Portsmouth] on Saturday, that will be capable of winning this game.

"We have been impressed by Roma from what we have seen of them this season. We knew it would be tough, and it was tough. They made it difficult for us because they had an extra player but in the end it's a good result for us."

Ferguson identified Wayne Rooney for special acclaim after the striker had scored his first Champions League goal in 18 matches. "The great thing is that Wayne is only 21 yet he showed fantastic composure in front of goal. It would have been easy for him to rush his shot but he took it down and took his team before picking out his spot."

Rooney later described it as "one of the hardest games" he had ever been involved in but he, like Ferguson, believes 2-1 is a result that can stand in United's favour. "It was a tough job but we're happy with the result," he said. "We knew once we got the away goal that it would be very tough for Roma to come to Old Trafford. We have the home advantage next week and it's not a bad position to be in."

Reference: guardian.co.uk

Champions League: Roll of Honour

2007-04-03T13:41:00.000+00:00

Finals from 44 years of European competition.

1956 REAL MADRID 4 - 3 Reims
1957 REAL MADRID 2 - 0 Fiorentina
1958 REAL MADRID 3 - 2 AC Milan (aet)
1959 REAL MADRID 2 - 0 Reims
1960 REAL MADRID 7 - 3 Eintracht Frankfurt
1961 BENFICA 3 - 2 Barcelona
1962 BENFICA 5 - 3 Real Madrid
1963 AC MILAN 2 - 1 Benfica
1964 INTERNAZIONALE 3 - 1 Real Madrid
1965 INTERNAZIONALE 1 - 0 Benfica
1966 REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Partizan Belgrade
1967 CELTIC 2 - 1 Internazionale
1968 MANCHESTER UNITED 4 - 1 Benfica (aet)
1969 AC MILAN 4 - 1 Ajax
1970 FEYENOORD 2 - 1 Celtic (aet)
1971 AJAX 2 - 0 Panathinaikos
1972 AJAX 2 - 0 Internazionale
1973 AJAX 1 - 0 Juventus
1974 BAYERN MUNICH 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid (replay, after 1-1 draw)
1975 BAYERN MUNICH 2 - 0 Leeds United
1976 BAYERN MUNICH 1 - 0 St Etienne
1977 LIVERPOOL 3 - 1 Borussia Moenchengladbach
1978 LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 Brugge
1979 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 - 0 Malmo
1980 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 - 0 Hamburg
1981 LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 Real Madrid
1982 ASTON VILLA 1 - 0 Bayern Munich
1983 HAMBURG 1 - 0 Juventus
1984 LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 Roma (aet, Liverpool won 4 - 2 on penalties)
1985 JUVENTUS 1 - 0 Liverpool
1986 STEAUA BUCHAREST 0 - 0 Barcelona (aet, Steaua won 2 - 0 on penalties)
1987 PORTO 2 - 1 Bayern Munich
1988 PSV EINDHOVEN 0 - 0 Benfica (aet, PSV won 6 - 5 on penalties)
1989 AC MILAN 4 - 0 Steaua Bucharest
1990 AC MILAN 1 - 0 Benfica
1991 RED STAR BELGRADE 0 - 0 Marseille (aet, Red Star won 5 - 3 on penalties)
1992 BARCELONA 1 - 0 Sampdoria (aet)
1993 MARSEILLE 1 - 0 AC Milan (Marseille subsequently stripped of title)
1994 AC MILAN 4 - 0 Barcelona
1995 AJAX 1 - 0 AC Milan
1996 JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Ajax (Juventus won 4 - 2 on penalites)
1997 BORUSSIA DORTMUND 3 - 1 Juventus
1998 REAL MADRID 1 - 0 Juventus
1999 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 1 Bayern Munich
2000 REAL MADRID 3 - 0 Valencia
2001 BAYERN MUNICH 1 - 1 Valencia (aet, Bayern won 5-4 on penalties)
2002 REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen
2003 AC MILAN 0 - 0 Juventus (AC Milan won 3-2 on penalties)
2004 AS Monaco FC 0 - 3 FC PORTO
2005 AC Milan 3 - 3 LIVERPOOL (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties)
2006 Arsenal 1 - 2 BARCELONA

Reference: guardian.co.uk

Scholes keeps United hurtling on title tracks - Is He Human? Hes So Damn Good

2007-04-02T04:35:00.000+00:00

Ferguson described it as a "performance of champions" and the Stretford End sang: "We want our trophy back."

Manchester United's ninth championship in 15 seasons is now so close that Chelsea's habit of scoring late winners has become no more irritating than a bothersome fly. Sir Alex Ferguson's players are so exuberant, their football so thrilling, it seems inconceivable that the Premiership trophy will not be prised, finger by finger, from Jose Mourinho's grasp.

Chelsea's durability prolongs the intrigue but United answered some important questions on Saturday and all that can shipwreck their season now is what Ferguson knows as a "Devon Loch moment". Strange things can happen in football but such a collapse is scarcely conceivable. This is not a team that shows any vulnerability to losing nerve or direction, even when the pressure is close to intolerable.

If there was going to be a moment when United might crack, it arrived after that jolting two-minute spell when Nemanja Vidic departed with a dislocated shoulder, which could keep him out for the remainder of the season, and Matt Derbyshire stabbed Blackburn into the lead. This, before an increasingly alarmist crowd, was the point when United could either fold like a house of cards or reach their point of maximum expression. They took the route of champions, always assured, totally at ease with their vision of themselves at the top of the hierarchy. Not once did United send forward hopeful balls or try to score from improbable angles. Never did they rush or force the play when they could rely on their ability to pass and move.

Ferguson later described it as the most accomplished performance of the season, although it would have been more accurate if he had focused simply on the second 45 minutes because it has been a long time since Old Trafford was bewitched by such an exhilarating period of slick, attacking football or, indeed, that the stadium's acoustics have sounded so good. This was the Premiership at its most thrilling and, after the drudgery of England's internationals, an antidote for those who have come to see the beautiful game through tired and jaded eyes.

Of Ferguson's side the only player not at his optimum was Wayne Rooney. Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, to name but three, played with such verve and vigour the visitors from Roma will have returned to Italy with a dossier that presumably has a skull and crossbones on the front. United have shown themselves to be intrepid travellers and, if Scholes in particular can sustain this level of excellence in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg, United have an outstanding chance to prolong their hopes of emulating the 1999 treble.

Scholes it was who instigated United's comeback, his splendid goal breaking Blackburn's resolve after 61 minutes, and it is easy to imagine Steve McClaren watching Match of the Day from behind his sofa. How McClaren must regret Scholes's decision that he wants no part in the pantomime of the England national team.

Blackburn are robust opponents - entitled to be irritated by the assumption they will provide no more than walk-on parts in their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea - but Mark Hughes was wrong when he said the score flattered their hosts. United could have amassed a record Premiership score to go with another record crowd had Brad Friedel not been in such outstanding form and Rooney been less generous.

Rooney's performance could be summed up by the moment, in first-half stoppage time, when he was offside, having run clear, but decided he wanted to reacquaint himself with the art of finishing anyway, if only to see the ball caress the back of the net. His first effort hit Friedel's legs. His second struck the goalkeeper's shins and bounced away again. Friedel barely bothered to move for either shot.

In mitigation Rooney's head never went down and he made a significant contribution in the second half. Yet compare and contrast with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scoring United's fourth goal barely five minutes after entering the field as a substitute. Solskjaer accepted his solitary chance with the look of a man for whom nothing could be more natural. Rooney still conjured a couple of moments of brilliance but there is evidence, too, that he is not as immune to insecurity and self-doubt as was once perceived and it is a legitimate cause for concern.

Others in red radiated confidence. If points were awarded for pass completion, Michael Carrick might be runaway favourite for player of the season. Rio Ferdinand snuffed out the threat of Derbyshire and Benni McCarthy and Wes Brown's form means the news of Vidic's injury may not be so debilitating.

Giggs's name will also be circled in red in the Roma scouting report while Ronaldo was the usual blur of pyrotechnics, crossing for Carrick to make it 2-1 and setting up Park Ji-sung for the third with a free-kick that rebounded off Friedel. Ferguson described it as a "performance of champions" and the Stretford End sang: "We want our trophy back."

Man of the moment: Paul Scholes

For his demonstration of midfield expertise, passing the ball beautifully and scoring the equaliser in United's resurgent second half just as the crowd was growing restless, if not anxious

Best moment

The way he wriggled away from two attempted challenges, remaining composed and controlled, and picked out his spot before firing in the goal that began United's comeback.

Title run-in

Manchester Utd

Apr 7 Portsmouth (a)

Apr 17 Sheffield United (h)

Apr 21 Middlesbrough (h) Apr 28 Everton (a)

May 5 Manchester City (a)

May 9 Chelsea (a)

May 13 West Ham United (h) Chelsea

Apr 7 Tottenham (h) Apr 18 West Ham United (a) Apr 22 Newcastle United (a) Apr 28 Bolton Wanderers (h) May 6 Arsenal (a) May 9 Manchester United (h) May 13 Everton (h)

Mind the gap - coming from behind to win

No team has ever surrendered a lead of six points at this stage of the Premiership season. Only two teams - Arsenal and Manchester United - have led the league at the end of March and been caught.

End of 2002-03 season

Pld Pts

Man United 38 83

Arsenal 38 78

On April 5 of 2002-03 season

P Points

Arsenal 31 66

Man United 31 64

Sir Alex Ferguson's side picked up six wins and one draw in their final seven fixtures. Arsenal won three, drew three and lost one. April 5 proved a turning point: two Ruud van Nistelrooy penalties paved the way for a 4-0 win over Liverpool, while an own goal from Arsenal's Kolo Touré resulted in a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

End of 1997-98 season

Pld Points

Arsenal 38 78

Man United 38 77

On March 31 of 1997-98 season

Man United 31 60

Arsenal 29 57

Manchester United entered March leading Arsenal by 11 points but had played three games more than their rivals. By April Arsène Wenger's team, on 60 points, trailed United by three points but had two games in hand. United stumbled in mid-April, drawing 1-1 with both Liverpool and Newcastle United. Arsenal extended a winning streak to 10 games, culminating in a 4-0 victory over Everton on May 3 - captain Tony Adams scored a late fourth - when they are crowned Premiership champions. The north London side became only the second team to record a second league and FA Cup double.

Reference: guardian.co.uk

EPL 2006 - 2007: Manchester United 30 - 7 Blackburn...Shots On Goal, Btw

2007-03-31T16:43:00.000+00:00

Manchester United 4 - 1 Blackburn
(United: Scholes 61, Carrick 73, Park 83, Solskjaer 90 - Blackburn: Derbyshire 29)

Premiership leaders Manchester United came from behind to beat Blackburn 4-1. United overcame a first-half scare to keep their title challenge on course with an impressive victory at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils went a goal down when Morten Gamst Pedersen's low cross from the left caused confusion in the 29th minute. It took a fine save from Edwin van der Sar and the base of the post to prevent a Michael Carrick own goal, but England Under-21 striker Matt Derbyshire followed up to finish the job.

United drew level after an hour's play when Paul Scholes evaded the challenge of two Blackburn defenders and drilled a low shot past Brad Friedel.

And they forged ahead in the 73rd minute when Cristiano Ronaldo cut the ball back into the path of Carrick who passed it low into the net before Park Ji-Sung made the result safe by scoring on the rebound after Friedel could only parry a Ronaldo free-kick. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, back in the fold after injury, added a late fourth.

Man of the match Paul Scholes

Scholes's goal was all United needed to go on to a comfortable victory. Sir Alex Ferguson believes Paul Scholes will be the key factor behind what, if any, silverware United win this season and this match proved why. After an uninspiring first-half performance by his team, the midfielder got hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and claimed the crucial equaliser. Thats Our Scholes!!!.

Reference: guardian.co.uk, teamtalk.com, soccernet.com,

Mark Hughes, The Next Gaffer?

2007-03-30T17:30:00.000+00:00

Mark Hughes has let it be known he would relish the opportunity to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United's manager. The one-time United centre-forward takes his Blackburn Rovers side to Old Trafford tomorrow amid speculation that he may be the man to step into the breach when Ferguson finally retires.

Although at pains to stress how happy he is at Ewood Park, Hughes did little to discourage such a suggestion yesterday. Asked if taking over from Ferguson would appeal, he replied: "I want to go as far as my ability will allow me. If I do a good job here, which I think at the moment I'm doing, we'll have to see what happens in the future. A big job is something all managers aspire to." Asked whether the prospect of the United job might scare him, the 43-year-old former Wales manager said: "I've got to be careful what I say here . . . but I wouldn't be fazed by it, by any job.

"I think you have to have confidence in your own ability, in your own philosophy of how the game should be played and how you approach getting the best out of a group of players. And you have to back yourself in that respect. I've seen it work in my previous job with Wales, I've seen it work here and I know that if I was at a different club it would work."

Not that Hughes - who kept prefixing answers to questions about his future with "I've got to be careful here" - believes he would have an automatic right to the United job. "When Sir Alex makes his decision to leave there'll be lots of applications from all over the world," he said. But John Williams, Blackburn's chairman, has previously admitted that, when Ferguson steps down, he anticipates a strong mutual "attraction" between Hughes and United. It is understood that, should United offer adequate compensation, Williams would not stand in Hughes's way.

For now the Welshman's concentration is on Blackburn, their FA Cup semi-final and their hopes of finishing sixth and qualifying for the Uefa Cup . "I'm very, very happy here," insisted Hughes, who only last May signed a new contract which will keep him at Ewood until 2009 - coincidentally the year when Ferguson has talked about possibly retiring. "There's a big challenge here and it excites me."

Although his relationship with Ferguson as a United player was often awkward, the pair respect each other and Blackburn's manager is unstinting in his praise for the Scot. "I wouldn't say I'm in constant contact with Sir Alex but there are occasions when I pick up the phone and discuss things with him," he said.

Hughes, who has every available coaching qualification, particularly admires Ferguson's appetite for innovation. "Since I left in 1995 United have certainly progressed and moved on in their thinking," he said. "That's the great strength of Sir Alex Ferguson: he's never stood still, never just banked on doing what got him results in the past. He's always looked to the future. The way the club is run and the players are prepared is certainly different from when I was there.

"Sir Alex has always taken great pride in building and dismantling teams and another great strength of his has always been getting the right players for the right time, the right decade."

Hughes - who would expect to face competition from Sunderland's Roy Keane - believes Ferguson still has unfinished managerial business. "For a club like United the Champions League is something they have to do well in. It's a prerequisite," he said. "Sir Alex would love to win another Champions League and I suspect he'll keep going until he no longer has the energy to challenge for it."

Odds on the succession

6-1 Mark Hughes, Martin O'Neill

7-1 Roy Keane

8-1 Carlos Queiroz

16-1 Jose Mourinho, Marcello Lippi

20-1 Guus Hiddink, Sam Allardyce, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Sven-Goran Eriksson

25-1 David Moyes

33-1 Fabio Capello, Steve McClaren, Gordon Strachan

66-1 Bryan Robson, Paul Ince, Steve Bruce

100-1 Darren Ferguson

· Courtesy of William Hill

Reference: guardian.co.uk

Manchester United richest team, worth US$1.453 billion.

2007-03-30T17:11:00.000+00:00

Despite having only the fourth-highest annual revenue at US$310 million ($233 million), United is reported by the American business magazine to be worth US$1.453 billion.

Real Madrid is ranked second at US$1.036 billion ($779 million), but has the highest revenue of US$374 million ($281 million).

Arsenal is the third most valuable at US$915 million ($687.5 million), but its revenue of US$246 million ($185 million) is only ninth overall. Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, FC Barcelona and Schalke round out the top 10.

Man United was one of 10 English teams in the top 25, with four each from Italy and Germany, two from Spain, France and Scotland, and one from the Netherlands.

Barcelona star Ronaldinho moved to the top of the richest soccer player list, relegating David Beckham to second. The Brazilian is worth US$29.5 million ($23.5 million), according to Forbes, with Beckham at US$29.1 million ($25.2 million).

Beckham is likely to go back to the top spot when he moves to the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer this summer.

The top 10 is rounded out by Ronaldo (AC Milan), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Zinedine Zidane (retired), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), John Terry (Chelsea), and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).

Forbes used revenues and operating income for the 2005-06 season and converted the figure into U.S. dollars based on June 30, 2006, exchange rates.

Reference: eitb24.com

Paul Scholes Is Back.

2007-03-28T18:40:00.000+00:00

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Paul Scholes' return from suspension can give Manchester United the final push in their hunt for silverware.

Scholes will be fresh and hungry for Saturday's Old Trafford encounter with Blackburn after an extended break that began with a three-match suspension following his red card at Liverpool at the beginning of the month and has continued throughout the international break.

The 32-year-old turned his back on the England scene after Euro 2004 and despite concerted attempts by coach Steve McClaren to get him to reverse his decision, Scholes has refused.

And Ferguson is confident his side will gain the benefit as the Red Devils chase the first of six wins from their remaining eight games that will clinch the Premiership title.

"Paul regards family life as very important," Ferguson told Sky Sports News.

"He knows the travelling with the international team is tremendous and coming to his age, I think he felt it was time to give more time to his family. That is the reason he gave up international football.

"His form this season has been absolutely fantastic and now we are getting him back fresh after a little break."

Ferguson could also have Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back this weekend after recent injury problems.

Such news would be particularly welcome ahead of next week's Champions League quarter-final with AS Roma.

The Italian job represents another step on the road to a repeat of United's unprecedented 1999 Treble-winning campaign, with an FA Cup semi-final against Watford to be negotiated at Villa Park on April 14.

Ferguson and his team have refused to discuss the possibility of another treble in any depth.

And the Scot still believes the odds are against it happening again.

"No-one talks about that," he said.

"It is a possibility but more of an impossibility given the number of games we have.

"The competition in the Premier Division has got harder in the last few years and the standard is better in Europe as well.

"In 1999 we had no injuries to contend with either, while this year we are having to deal with one or two.

"We are coping very well with them at the moment and if we do that we will have a go at everything because the players are playing with great confidence.

"We have had a great season and I just hope it continues."

No matter how many trophies United end up winning, Ferguson will remain at the helm next season to try and collect some more.

Already the most decorated British manager of all-time, the Scot's hunger for success shows no sign of abating.

And, while he accepts there are many potential candidates who would like the chance to replace him, Ferguson has made it clear the Old Trafford hot-seat will not become vacant for a while yet.

"There are many people who would love this job but I have got a few more years yet," he said.

Reference: teamtalk.com

Rumour Mill: Deco & Micah Richards, The Next Devils?

2007-03-26T05:14:00.000+00:00

United line up £15m Deco deal

Manchester United reportedly want to pair Barcelona star Deco with Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford so are lining up a £15million summer bid.

Catalan giants Barca are planning to overhaul their squad at the end of this season and according to reports, Sir Alex Ferguson is planning to sign the unsettled Portuguese playmaker.

Deco has already hinted he wants a fresh challenge after three years at the Nou Camp and it is thought that bringing him to Old Trafford would help ensure Ronaldo pens a new contract with the Red Devils.

Although Ronaldo's new deal is expected to be five years, there are still disputes over the pay with the player holding out for more than £100,000 per week.

Fergie fancies a move for Micah

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly planning an ambitious bid to lure Manchester City defender Micah Richards to Old Trafford.

The United boss is hoping the England international becomes only the third City player in the past 70 years to make the switch to their Manchester rivals.

Although the Eastlands club have insisted all season that Richards is not for sale, the Sunday Mirror believe this will not prevent Ferguson from joining Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool in the race to sign him this summer.

Chelsea will pose the main threat to capturing Richards but United and Liverpool will be boosted by the knowledge that the 18-year-old's family are keen for him to remain in the North-West.

Ferguson is planning to spend big this summer even if his current squad win the Treble and Richards - alongside Owen Hargreaves, Gareth Bale, Deco and Nani - is at the top of a wish-list he will present to United's American owners.

A source close to Richards said: "There is interest from United, but whether anything happens is another thing given the rivalry in Manchester."

Only Welsh striker Wyn Davies in 1972 and goalkeeper Tony Coton 11 years ago have moved from City to United since the 1930s.

Reference: teamtalk.com

Rumour Mill: Bayern Munich are "talking tough" with Manchester United over Owen Hargreaves

2007-03-24T15:49:00.000+00:00

Bayern Munich have warned Manchester United they will not be bullied into selling Owen Hargreaves this summer. The England midfielder has been at the centre of a £20million tug-of-war between the two clubs since his performances at the World Cup last summer.

So far the German champions have managed to resist United's advances despite repeated pleas from the 26-year-old to be allowed a move to the Premiership.

Sir Alex Ferguson offered £20million for Hargreaves in the January transfer window but now Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed his club have no need to sell.

"We have had a large offer for Hargreaves from United and it remains valid until this summer," he said.

"But he has a contract until 2010 and we are in the fortunate position that our finances are in top-class shape.

"We'll be presenting another first-class balance sheet this year, so we can still say 'no' if a club like United come in with a large offer for one of our players.

"There aren't many players of Owen Hargreaves' quality in the holding midfielder position and our aim is to build a team capable of great things."

Nani gloat from Sporting Lisbon

Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon have warned Premiership clubs that it will cost £13.5million to sign winger Nani.

The 20-year-old has been attracting interest this season following his displays in the Champions League, with Tottenham the latest club linked with a move for the Portugal international.

The youngster is believed to have a clause which would see him leave for £13.5million, with his club appearing reluctant to let him go for less.

A Sporting spokesman told Skysports: "The club that wants the kid have a price. Only by this money would we be disposed to let Nani leave.

"We know of the interest of several English clubs for Nani, and that is normal because of his quality - but until this moment we have received no offer in writing."

Nani has been compared with Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed from Sporting in 2003.

United have been linked with a move for the Portuguese prospect following their previous business with the club. French side Lyon have also been suggested as a possible destination.

Nani is represented by Jorge Mendes, who is also the agent of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

"The decision depends on Sporting because the player has a deal," said Mendes. "But Nani is a player of enormous potential and other big clubs have asked about his situation."

Highlights From 3 Previous Matches

50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and half a century of United's participation in Europe:
Manchester United (plus Andy Cole) 4 - 3 European All-Star XI

EPL 2006 - 2007:
Manchester United 4 - 1 Bolton Wanderers

FA Cup 2006 - 2007:
Manchester United 1 - 0 Middlesbrough

Reference: teamtalk.com, youtube.com

Hero's welcome - Beckham back at Old Trafford

2007-03-14T04:55:00.000+00:00

Man Utd 4 - 3 European All-Star XI

The intention of last night's match between Manchester United and a European All-Star XI was to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and half a century of United's participation in Europe, but it will be remembered for the return of David Beckham and the deafening ovation he received from the supporters who worshipped him for over a decade in United colours.

The 31-year-old's previous visits to Old Trafford since his departure for Real Madrid in 2003 had been as an England player and, though injury prevented him from captaining the European team here, his appearance as a guest of honour was spectacular. Once it was announced that the former England captain would be introduced at half-time, the football - a 4-3 victory to United over a team predictably stripped of the stars on the eve of the match - was always going to be a subsidiary thought for the 74,343 in attendance.

"I've waited for four years for this," said Beckham before turning his attentions to Sir Alex Ferguson, with whom an infamous falling-out led to the end of his United career. "You've got the best manager in the world at this club. It was the best time of my football career. I want to say thank you to the fans and the people of this club. Especially in 1998 [when he was sent off at the World Cup] I wouldn't have got through the things I did without the people of this stadium."

Fifty years ago, under Sir Matt Busby, United became the first English side to compete in the European Cup and yesterday, though the players on display reflected the continent's present abundance of talent, Beckham's homecoming turned the evening into a celebration of the past.

"I'd expect he'd get a great reception," Ferguson said. "He had great years here ... He was a great player."

References: football.guardian

FA Cup 2006 - 2007: Dramatic Final Is Set at New Wembley

2007-03-13T05:19:00.000+00:00

Watford will face Manchester United or Middlesbrough in the FA Cup semi-finals, while Blackburn will take on Chelsea or Tottenham.

Monday's draw means the Premiership's top two sides could be set for a dramatic FA Cup final meeting at the new Wembley Stadium.

Both teams must overcome tricky replays before confirming their place in the last four, with Chelsea meeting Tottenham at White Hart Lane and United facing Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

Blackburn will play the winner of Chelsea against Spurs and the top flight's bottom club Watford face a tricky tie against United or Boro.

The ties will be played on the weekend of April 14 and 15. Venues are to be announced.

First Match at New Wembley: Manchester United vs Chelsea? Btw, enjoy the New Wembley images below :)

Aerial photograph of the stadium

The arch by night

Every seat at the stadium is close to the action with each having more legroom than in the royal box of the old stadium

A great view of the entire stadium from the roof

View from the west of the stadium just before sunrise

View of stadium from the south

View of the bowl from spectator seating on level 5

View of the pitch from the west end of the Stadium

View of the pitch looking towards the north side of the stadium, the player’s tunnel and Corinthian seating.

One of the wheelchair platforms on Level 5. There will be 310 places for wheelchair users and 310 for companions. These seats are located throughout the bowl on each of the five levels.

"’I never played anywhere where I felt so comfortable and happy as Wembley." - Sir Bobby Charlton

References: wembleystadium.com, teamtalk.com

Leeds, Liverpool and Man United Fan

2007-03-11T16:32:00.000+00:00

Waste=Liverpool, Manchester City, Leeds United...Erk Leeds, do they play in the EPL?

A Leeds Fan, a Liverpool fan and a Man u fan were all in Saudi Arabia, sharing a smuggled crate of booze. All of a sudden the Saudi police rushed in and arrested them. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offence in Saudi Arabia, so for the terrible crime of actually being caught consuming the booze, they were sentenced to death!

However, after many months and with the help of very good lawyers, they were able to successfully appeal their sentence down to life imprisonment. By a stroke of luck, it was a Saudi national holiday the day their trial finished, and the extremely benevolent Sheikh decided they could be released after receiving just 20 lashes each of the whip. As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheikh suddenly said: "It's my first wife's birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping."

The Leeds fan was first in line (he had drunk the least), so he thought about this for a while and then said: "Please tie a pillow to my back." This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes before the whip went through. The Leeds fan had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain when the punishment was done. The scouser was next up and after watching the scene, said:" Please fix two pillows on my back, under my dress" But even two pillows & 1 dress could only take 15 lashes before the whip went through again.

The Manc was the last one up (he had finished off the crate), but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: "You are from a most beautiful part of the world, your city has some of the best bars, nightclubs and restaurants in Europe, your city and football team is known throughout the world. For this, you may have two wishes!"

"Cheers mate, your Most Royal and Merciful Highness", The manc replies. "In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes."

"Not only are you an honourable, handsome and powerful man, you are also very brave." The Sheik says with an admiring look on his face. "If 100
lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second wish? What is it to be?" the Sheikh asks.

"Please tie the Scouser to my back."
_________________________________________

Finally, Leeds United manage to get new sponsor. Hmm.

It's written there already :O.

Safe Hands?

Liverpool players after their CL exit in 2006. (with all respect to Buddhists)

To find out when was the last time Manchester City won their trophy: Click Here.

References: jokefile.co.uk

FA Cup 2006 - 2007: Boro 2 - Man United

2007-03-10T19:39:00.000+00:00

Manchester United's treble dream survived an FA Cup rollercoaster at the Riverside as they drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough.

In front and in control following Wayne Rooney's clinical strike midway through the first half, United found themselves behind to a durable Middlesbrough side as Lee Cattermole and George Boateng found the net either side of the interval.

But, just as on their last visit to Teesside, Sir Alex Ferguson's men were in receipt of a debatable penalty decision, referee Rob Styles ruling Boateng had handled Rio Ferdinand's flick-on.

That allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to drill home his 17th goal of the campaign and earn an Old Trafford replay on Monday week.

Middlesbrough were worthy of the result, which may have created some kind of record as Gareth Southgate's men have now required second games in every round of the competition.

United have drawn twice themselves now and will probably not relish the return as much as Boro.

With injuries already starting to bite, United lost Edwin van der Sar before kick-off.

Still technically on loan from West Brom, reserve goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was given an unexpected chance when Van der Sar limped out of the warm up with a calf injury.

The Pole was called into the action early and reacted quickly to race out and block Stewart Downing's early effort after the young winger had darted past Gary Neville into the United box.

For a long time after that, Kuszczak was a mere spectator as United assumed total control.

Branded a cheat by Southgate on his last visit to Teesside after winning his side a controversial penalty, Ronaldo was predictably booed every time he touched the ball.

The winger did not show any sign of the reaction affecting him, although he was upstaged by old-timer Ryan Giggs, who, in a role just behind lone striker Henrik Larsson, created mayhem with his direct running.

It was hardly a surprise Giggs should be heavily involved in the move which saw the visitors seize the initiative, calmly feeding Rooney after Larsson - booked for diving himself on his final United appearance - had turned the ball into his path.

Rooney has hardly been a prolific scorer this season, but the England star happily exploited the room Jonathan Woodgate offered him and belted his 13th goal of the season into the corner of Mark Schwarzer's net.

Middlesbrough were not totally out of it, and Kuszczak needed to make another excellent save to deny Aiyegbeni Yakubu, who rolled Rio Ferdinand and let fly with a volley which the goalkeeper pushed out with a firm arm.

Giggs was agonisingly close to finishing off a sublime chip from Gary Neville with a volley that bounced away off the post and it took a close-range Woodgate block to deny the Welshman, who had skipped past a couple of would-be tacklers.

But the whole game was turned on its head in two minutes either side of the half-time interval.

Cattermole and Boateng had bagged just a single goal between them before this encounter. But what a time for the central midfield duo to explode into life.

First, Cattermole controlled with his chest before smashing home a volley on the turn after Kuszczak had failed to reach a Downing cross nodded back into the danger zone by Arca.

Then, with most supporters still taking their seats for the second half, Boateng was left completely on his own to attack a Downing corner, the Dutchman getting enough force into his header to prevent Giggs being able to hook it off the line.

Yet, in celebrating their lead, Boro made the fatal error of dropping back far too deeply.

The Teessiders had already survived a couple of hairy moments when Ferdinand flicked Giggs' corner straight at Boateng.

To the consternation of the home supporters, referee Rob Styles pointed to the spot, deeming the Boro skipper had deliberately handled.

Ronaldo drove home his first goal outside of league combat this term to earn United another attempt at reaching the last four.

References: soccernet.com

New Wembley: Lots of Toilets

2007-03-10T05:52:00.000+00:00

Finally, the truth emerges. The new improved Wembley is later than John Inman for one reason: the Aussie chancers who have spent the last 34 years building our new national stadium have had to install 2,618 toilets (although the vast swathes set aside for executive suites probably took a bit of time to knock together too). But even the amount of dung flowing through that sphincter-boggling amount of Royal Doulton pales into insignificance compared to today's rubbish.

First up, we have the news that Cristiano Ronaldo is demanding a figure roughly similar to the cost of the new Wembley in return for his continued presence in Salford. He wants £120,000 a week and, possibly, the home phone numbers of the entire female cast of Hollyoaks (the ones over 16, mind) before he'll even consider scrawling his name on some Old Trafford stationery. Once Lord Ferg has settled that deal, he'll turn his attention to snaffling Aldo Duscher, the man who knacked David Beckham's metatarsal before the 2002 World Cup.

Ronaldo does things I have never seen anybody do, says Charlton

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed yesterday that contract negotiations with Cristiano Ronaldo were proceeding according to plan on the day the Portuguese winger received arguably the most glowing tribute yet.

Sir Bobby Charlton, a Manchester United director and ideally qualified to discuss the quality of footballers to have played for the club over the past half-century, described the 22-year-old as possessing abilities he has not seen before, no mean praise from a former player who enjoyed his best years alongside the likes of George Best and Denis Law.

"Ronaldo has just been fantastic," said Charlton. "It takes great players to grab the bull by the horns and lift people and he has been doing that recently. He does things I have never seen anybody else do. And he is as tough as hell. If you clatter him it doesn't bother him too much, he'll carry on. His goal at Fulham was just marvellous and I think he has been a better player than even people here realise."

football.guardian

Champions League 2006 -2007: Man United get Roma

2007-03-09T13:26:00.000+00:00

Liverpool drawn against PSV, Chelsea paired with Valencia, Man United get Roma

The prospect of an all-English Champions League final remains a vibrant possibility after Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United avoided each other in today's quarter-final draw in Athens.

Liverpool were handed what looks the easiest passage of the English teams, against Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, who they beat and drew with during the group stages. But things don't look so easy for Chelsea and Manchester United, who face Valencia and Roma respectively. The final quarter-final, meanwhile, sees a meeting of two of the grand old men of European football, Milan and Bayern Munich.

Certainly Liverpool secretary, Byrce Morrison, was ebullient after his club was paired with PSV. "It's one of the better draws for us and we've looking forward to playing them" he said. "We're beginning to get the feeling this is Liverpool's year. Let's hope we can win it again."

Providing they overcome the Dutch champions, Liverpool will face the winners of Chelsea v Valencia in the semi-finals, with United or Roma taking on the winners of Bayern v Milan.

On paper, Chelsea's tie with Valencia - twice nearly men in the Champions League during the past decade and victors over Internazionale in the last 16 - looks mightily tricky, but the club's chief executive, Peter Kenyon is confident of coming through: "It gives us a good chance," he said. "We'd rather be at home for the second leg, but overall we're happy with the draw. We've never got to the final, but we stand a good chance."

But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was more cautious about facing Roma, second in Serie A and conquerors of Lyon in the last 16. "We respect their last result," he said. "They have some great players like (Daniele) De Rossi and Mancini. Obviously we do not look beyond this game. We must concentrate on this game and we are looking forward to it."

Quarter-finals:

Milan v Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool
Roma v Manchester United
Chelsea v Valencia

(Ties to be played on April 3/4 and April 10/11.)

Semi-finals:

Winners of Chelsea or Valencia v winners of PSV Eindhoven or Liverpool
Winners of Roma or Manchester United v winners of Milan or Bayern Munich

(Semi-final ties to be played on April 24/25 and May 1/2.)

The final of the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League will be played in Olympic Stadium Athens on 23 May 2007. Come on Man United, we could be there.

References: football.guardian, uefa.com