One United

RONALDO TAKES AIM AT TWO TROPHIES

United wing wizard explains why he'd gladly swap personal awards for team glory...

Are you pleased with your form this season?
I try to improve and this season has been even better than the last. People say I need to perform better in big games; I respect that opinion, but I don’t feel I need to prove anything to anyone. I’m pleased with my progress, but I believe this United squad is the best I’ve been involved in. It’s more consistent and more mature.

In recent seasons you bet Sir Alex you’d score 15 goals; now you have 36...
That’s true! I’m happy with the improvement. I’m a better player now than I was a year ago and definitely better than when I first came here. I hope that continues. Why have I scored more goals this season? It’s hard to say, I’ve just had more chances.

Do you have a favourite goal from this season?
I enjoyed my header against Roma away. That was very satisfying. But I like the free kicks against Portsmouth, Bolton and Sunderland. It’s hard to pick one.

Were you proud to beat George Best’s 32 goals in a season from midfield?
I don’t really want to break anybody’s record – I feel bad! I’ve seen tapes of George Best playing and he was absolutely fantastic. It’s a wonderful record to hold.

You’re tipped to win numerous Player of the Year awards again this year…
It’s nice to be recognised, but if I had the choice of winning, say, the Champions League or the Golden Boot, I’d pick the Champions League every time.

United moved powerfully towards retaining the title with this tremendous victory against old rivals Arsenal on an afternoon of high drama at Old Trafford.

Owen Hargreaves scored the winner with a fabulous free-kick after Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener early in the second half. But every man in a red shirt, not just those on the scoresheet, played their part in this priceless triumph.

Hargreaves and Ji-sung Park had retained their places in midfield after impressing in midweek against Roma but Carlos Tevez had to settle for a berth on the bench, with Sir Alex Ferguson selecting Wayne Rooney as a lone striker.
Arsenal’s side showed two significant changes to the defence which conceded four goals at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final. German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made a surprise return, with Almunia presumably injured, while Alexandre Song made a rare start at centre-back after Senderos’ poor show against Liverpool.
The Gunners made a lively start and after Emmanuel Adebayor’s run was halted by Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the area, Cesc Fabregas rifled a venomous shot just over the bar. Wes Brown will not want to see a replay after gifting the ball to Fabregas, one of three men nominated for both the PFA’s senior and young player awards.
Another double nominee is United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, and he had his first crack at goal with a free-kick in the 11th minute. Unfortunately
his shot struck the wall, then a follow up setpiece missed Ferdinand’s head at the far post.
Ferdinand was called upon at the other end to block an Adebayor effort and another attempt from Gilberto when the second of two Arsenal corners in quick succession was punched less than convincingly by Edwin van der Sar. The Dutchman did better on the deck when Adebayor next threatened, diving to his right to hold a low shot.
The frenetic end-to-end pace was stretching the play and Brown fell foul of it when he caught Clichy late and was booked for a foul on the Arsenal left-back. Brown was later on the receiving end when the combative van Persie earned his yellow card.
Park missed with a header from Hargreaves’ left-wing cross and Rooney fired a shot narrowly wide of Lehmann’s right-hand post. The United striker went even closer moments later when Ronaldo beat Song on the byline and pulled the ball back – this time Lehmann had to stick out a leg to divert the shot wide.
No such intervention was required from van der Sar when Adebayor launched his next shot high into the Stretford End, nor when Gilberto sliced wide. It was open season for shooting, with Arsenal’s lack of accuracy perhaps the saving grace for some generous defending on United’s part. And even when Adebayor’s albeit tame shot was on target after being put through by Hleb, van der Sar claimed it.
Arsenal’s best chance to score was immediately followed by another near-miss from Rooney, with
Lehmann again deflecting his shot for a corner.
The Gunners caused the Stretford End to hold its breath once more before the break as Fabregas curled a low ball into the box for Adebayor, only for van der Sar to pounce. The away fans were then relieved to see Lehmann make his latest save from Rooney.

The second half opened like the first had finished – with chances at both ends, only this time, they were converted by the two sides’ top scorers. Firstly Adebayor met van Persie’s left-wing cross to give Arsenal the lead from close range. It appeared at first glance to be a clean header but TV replays suggested the ball may have gone in off the striker's arm.

Fortunately Ronaldo returned fire for United within six minutes, scoring his 38th goal of the season with a retaken penalty after Gallas handled in the area. Howard Webb was unhappy with Lehmann’s antics on the line and booked the German before Ronaldo blasted the ball past him for a second time. The roar around Old Trafford was deafening, as if the reality of what was at stake in this even contest had suddenly grabbed the home fans by their vocal chords.
Sir Alex made a double substitution in the 55th minute as Tevez replaced Park and Anderson came on for Scholes. Arsene Wenger responded swiftly by bringing on Theo Walcott for Emmanuel Eboue.
Anderson and Tevez were quickly in the thick of the action, notably when the Brazilian was scythed down cynically by Adebayor who was booked, just before Tevez sent a tremendous effort screaming past
Lehmann’s right-hand post. Fabregas then reminded the Reds of his threat when he scooped a shot just over the top.
United were also a threat to themselves at the old Scoreboard End – Brown deflected Clichy’s cross onto a post; earlier van der Sar stopped Ferdinand from scoring an own goal. But these anxious moments were all but forgotten 18 minutes from time when Hargreaves produced his glorious party-piece, curling a free-kick over the wall and inside the left-hand post with Lehmann rooted to the spot.
Ecstasty exploded around the stadium as the jubilant United players came together to celebrate a decisive moment in the title race – one can only wonder what curses were being uttered meanwhile in West London. Arsenal were doing Chelsea a favour at 0-1, even 1-1 – but now the Reds were back in control of their title quest.

The Gunners tried in vain to keep their season alive - substitute striker Nicklas Bendtner had one late header saved by van der Sar while another struck the post - but United were not to be denied three precious points after fighting so hard to claim them.

United: Van der Sar; Brown, Pique, Ferdinand, Evra; Park (Tevez, 55), Carrick, Hargreaves (Giggs, 89), Scholes (Anderson, 55), Ronaldo; Rooney. Subs not used: Kuszczak, O'Shea.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure (Hoyte, 85), Gallas, Song, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott, 61), Gilberto, Fabregas, Hleb; Van Persie (Bendtner, 76), Adebayor. Subs: Fabianski, Djourou.



V
Blackburn V UNITED

Saturday, April 19, 2008 10:15:00 PM (BD S T)

Carlos Tevez again scored a vital late goal as United rescued a point at Ewood Park to remain in pole position in the championship race.The Reds were far from fluent on a frustrating afternoon but just as he’s done against Tottenham and Lyon in recent months, United’s Argentinean striker popped up to find the net with time running out.

In the 88th minute, Tevez showed lightning reactions to turn in Paul Scholes’ flick-on from close range and cancel out Roque Santa Cruz’s first-half opener. But more than simply earn a point on an afternoon where it looked for long periods like United would return to Manchester empty-handed, Tevez’s goal dramatically strengthened the Reds’ title challenge with just three games to play.

Sir Alex’s men now travel to Stamford Bridge next Saturday with a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference than rivals Chelsea. And so, while the performance at Ewood Park was hardly vintage United, it may yet turn out to be highly significant.

The manager certainly knew the importance of this fixture and, despite a Champions League semi-final to look forward to on Wednesday, named a strong side. The only notable absence was Edwin van der Sar, who was left out due to a slight groin injury. The Dutchman is expected, however, to be fit to face Barcelona in mid-week.

Nemanja Vidic made his first appearance since injuring his knee in Rome 18 days ago, while Tevez partnered Wayne Rooney up front. That meant Gerard Pique and Ji-sung Park had to be content with places on the bench, while Ben Foster, Carlos Tevez again scored a vital late goal as United rescued a point at Ewood Park to remain in pole position in the championship race.The Reds were far from fluent on a frustrating afternoon but just as he’s done against Tottenham and Lyon in recent months, United’s Argentinean striker popped up to find the net with time running out.

In the 88th minute, Tevez showed lightning reactions to turn in Paul Scholes’ flick-on from close range and cancel out Roque Santa Cruz’s first-half opener. But more than simply earn a point on an afternoon where it looked for long periods like United would return to Manchester empty-handed, Tevez’s goal dramatically strengthened the Reds’ title challenge with just three games to play.

Sir Alex’s men now travel to Stamford Bridge next Saturday with a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference than rivals Chelsea. And so, while the performance at Ewood Park was hardly vintage United, it may yet turn out to be highly significant.

The manager certainly knew the importance of this fixture and, despite a Champions League semi-final to look forward to on Wednesday, named a strong side. The only notable absence was Edwin van der Sar, who was left out due to a slight groin injury. The Dutchman is expected, however, to be fit to face Barcelona in mid-week.

Nemanja Vidic made his first appearance since injuring his knee in Rome 18 days ago, while Tevez partnered Wayne Rooney up front. That meant Gerard Pique and Ji-sung Park had to be content with places on the bench, while Ben Foster, Carlos Tevez again scored a vital late goal as United rescued a point at Ewood Park to remain in pole position in the championship race.The Reds were far from fluent on a frustrating afternoon but just as he’s done against Tottenham and Lyon in recent months, United’s Argentinean striker popped up to find the net with time running out.

In the 88th minute, Tevez showed lightning reactions to turn in Paul Scholes’ flick-on from close range and cancel out Roque Santa Cruz’s first-half opener. But more than simply earn a point on an afternoon where it looked for long periods like United would return to Manchester empty-handed, Tevez’s goal dramatically strengthened the Reds’ title challenge with just three games to play.

Sir Alex’s men now travel to Stamford Bridge next Saturday with a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference than rivals Chelsea. And so, while the performance at Ewood Park was hardly vintage United, it may yet turn out to be highly significant.

The manager certainly knew the importance of this fixture and, despite a Champions League semi-final to look forward to on Wednesday, named a strong side. The only notable absence was Edwin van der Sar, who was left out due to a slight groin injury. The Dutchman is expected, however, to be fit to face Barcelona in mid-week.

Nemanja Vidic made his first appearance since injuring his knee in Rome 18 days ago, while Tevez partnered Wayne Rooney up front. That meant Gerard Pique and Ji-sung Park had to be content with places on the bench, while Ben Foster, Attacking the end containing United’s vocal travelling support, the Reds dominated possession in the early stages of the second half. But time and time again, a Blackburn interception or a misplaced final pass prevented the Reds from carving out clear-cut chances.

When the Reds did finally create an opening – Ronaldo crashed a shot against Friedel’s left-hand upright on 65 minutes – Lady Luck smiled upon the home side.

United’s fortunes, meanwhile, dipped further when Rooney took a blow to his back/hip, which severely hampered the England star’s movement for a significant period.

Rooney did recover well enough to lay on a chance for Ronaldo with 11 minutes to go but the Portuguese winger was narrowly beaten to the ball by Johann Vogel. The crumbs fell to Carlos Tevez, who spun and fired goalwards from close range. Friedel thrust out an arm to take the pace off the ball, but even then it looked like it would spin into the net. Such was United’s luck, the American stopper scrambled back to gather on the line.

The last 10 minutes saw the Reds lay siege to the Blackburn goal. Brett Emerton appeared to handle on the line from Michael Carrick’s header before Friedel again denied United when Rooney was one-on-one with five minutes remaining. There was even better to come from the 36-year-old, saving unbelievably from John O’Shea’s close-range shot.

But there was nothing he could do in the 88th minute when Tevez headed home what could well turn out to be his most important goal in a United shirt. Bring on the Blues next weekend!

United: Kuszczak; Brown (O’Shea 81), Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs (Nani 46); Rooney (Park 90), TevezSubs not used: Foster, Pique

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock; Reid, Bentley, Vogel (Mokoena 86), Pedersen; Roberts, Santa Cruz
Subs not used: Brown, Ooijer, McCarthy, DunnBooked: Rooney (United), Reid (Blackburn)

Next Match:



V

Barcelona V UNITED

Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:45:00 AM BST

I have waited SO LONG for a Match like this. Wait for more than Years to Watch a Match between Barca and Man U.

And Now EPL, nXt match is against Chelsea, Which is quiet like, Winners takes all Kind of Match. man u lost the match again Blackburn and IF they lose Again, its a "Tire eshe Tori Dubano" for Man U.

Ronaldo RM-e move korber jodi decision nei... tahole er che faltu decision r life-e hobe na .. so sad

Whats new boys?

Hope they gonna buy Dimitar berbatov...

I dunno Man, whats gonna happen. Boss said he wants a new Striker several times.