We hope that Rio is OK

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Rio Ferdinand has not suffered a serious injury after the United defender was forced off in the second half at Middlesbrough.
With Nemanja Vidic already on the sidelines and crunch games coming thick and fast, it was worrying to see Ferdinand limping off with 20 minutes left at the Riverside Stadium.
The United manager told MUTV after the game: ”We got a few bumps and bruises, but we'll assess things on Monday.
“Hopefully Rio's injury is not serious. He was limping for quite a while and the danger with carrying on with him was we weren't going to get a full performance level from him.”
Gerard Pique replaced Ferdinand and five minutes later Wayne Rooney salvaged a 2-2 draw which leaves United three points clear of Chelsea at the top with five games left.
Ferguson added: “Pique came on and did brilliantly. He was marvellous. The lad's a terrific player and I think that actually helped us.”
have left the Riverside with a victory, Sir Alex remains upbeat over his side's chances.

"The nature of our football club is we never give in and that's a great quality to have at this time of year," he insisted.

Boss satisfied with point

We have left the Riverside with a victory, Sir Alex remains upbeat over his side's chances.

"The nature of our football club is we never give in and that's a great quality to have at this time of year. It could turn out to be an important point. But we can't take anything granted. I said some weeks ago that the most consistent team will win it and hopefully it turns out to be us."he insisted

"It could turn out to be an important point and our goal difference is very good as well. But we can't take anything granted.

"I said some weeks ago that the most consistent team will win it and hopefully it turns out to be us."

Vidic

During the recent match versus Roma, Nemanja Vidic landed awkwardly after an ariel challenge and immediately went to ground grabbing at his left knee. Vidic was replaced immediately by John O’Shea.

ManUtd.com is reporting that the Serbian international will only have to miss two or three weeks.

“There is no major damage to the left knee, and he will be out for two to three weeks.”, said a club spokesmen.

It was initially thought that Vidic would have to miss the remainder of the season, but a scan has revealed the damage was not as extensive as initially feared.

Roma 0 - Man U 2

Manchester United won 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to goals before and after the break by Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. The Red Devils take a vital 2-goal lead into the 2nd leg, to be played on Wednesday, 9th April 2008 at Old Trafford. The semi-final beckons, and with it another crack at history.

Cristiano Ronaldo scoring an away goal in a crucial game for Manchester United - showing a resolve that seemed missing in seasons gone past.

Wayne Rooney’s all-round performance, easily the man of the match for his work-rate, creativity and commitment. Ronaldo stole the show with his goal but the rest of the game was more about Rooney.

"I should have put Wayne Rooney through the middle quicker. We maybe had some lucky breaks in the second half, they could have scored a couple when they went through on the left hand side against us." Sir Alex Ferguson

"It was a very good team we were playing against," he said. "I think we had to defend really well at times. It was a good disciplined performance, we had good possession of the ball and that's not easy in that atmosphere.

Vidic’s injury - a knee strain as he landed awkwardly after jumping for a header - will be a cause of concern but hopefully it’s not a long-term injury like last season.

Roma’s wastefulness in front of goal - granted, by the end of the game both teams had their fair share of chances but there were periods of time before both goals that Roma had clear-cut chances to score, and they bottled it. For United to grab those crucial away goals in difficult games - at Lyon and now here at Rome - is a good sign of maturity from their players.

Munich

It is always hard to remember the tragedy that occurred 50 years ago. Richard Cavendish explains very well what happen that day. Flying back from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade, the team plane stopped in Germany to refuel. The first two attempts to take off from Munich airport were aborted; following a third attempt, the plane crashed.
Twenty-two of the people on board died instantly, while Duncan Edwards - one of the eight victims from the team - died 15 days later as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Roger Byrne (28), Eddie Colman (21), Mark Jones (24), David Pegg (22), Tommy Taylor (26), Geoff Bent (25), Liam Whelan (22) and Duncan Edwards (21) all died, along with club secretary Walter Crickmer, trainer Tom Curry and coach Bert Whalley.

Eight journalists died - Alf Clarke, Tom Jackson, Don Davies, George Fellows, Archie Ledbrook, Eric Thompson, Henry Rose, and Frank Swift who was a former Manchester City player. Plane captain Ken Rayment perished, as did Sir Matt's friend Willie Sanitof. Travel agent Bela Miklos and passenger Tom Cable also died.

We will never forget.

4-0

Ronaldo gave them an early lead as he controlled a ball with his back towards a goal, and back-heeled it in through his marker's legs and past a surprised Scott Carson.
He then set up Carlos Tevez with a spectacular cross, the Argentine heading in to make it 2-0. The third was also a piece of magic from the winger as he back-heeled a cross into Wayne Rooney's path, the striker calmly rounding Carson and slorring in.
Eventually, United’s play made a fourth inevitable. This side simply look threatening with every attack. Rooney beat Carson from 12 yards at the goalkeeper’s near post after fine link-up play from Giggs, Tevez and Ronaldo, inevitably.
Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney - players sure to feature in Rome and prime for a little rest - were not substituted, while Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra came off instead, the latter two in particular not being usual candidates for substitutions.
Sir Alex explained after the game that they had all picked up minor hamstring strains, caused most probably by the heaviness of the pitch due to the downpour in Manchester which was consistent throughout the game.
They, along with Ryan Giggs and first choice goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, will be doubts for the Red Devils' crucial quarterfinal first leg clash against Roma at Stadio Olimpico this week.
"I had to make the changes because of injuries," explained Sir Alex.
"Carrick, Rio and Patrice Evra all had injuries and then Giggs got injured towards the end. With the rain continually coming down, the pitch was starting to prove very heavy and that can be a problem with hamstrings. Hopefully they'll be all right (for Rome).
"Edwin van der Sar may be a doubt for Tuesday.
"He’s got a groin problem again, it’s happened two or three times in the last few weeks. We'll see how he is over the next few days. Not risking him today gives us a better chance."
United kick-off against Roma on Tuesday night at 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET)

Gary Neville

United fans would be forgiven for getting increasingly frustrated with the Neville injury business. He hasn’t played for our first team in over a year now, but this recent rehabilitation period has proven to be his most successful since the initial injury. He has featured for the Reserves several times in quick succession, managing 90 minutes without any ill effects

"By next week I'd like to be involved with the first team, even if it's just travelling with the side and being part of it again," said the United skipper.

"Hopefully I've seen the back of it now. I just need to concentrate on training hard and playing well. It's been a frustrating period and a very long time - too long.

"No footballer likes to be sidelined but I'm not the first footballer to be out for 12 months. You just have to get on with it.

"Playing with the reserves is really exciting for me. Just being out on the pitch and on the training ground - I love doing that.

"It's great to be playing football again. Wednesday was my second game in a couple of weeks and I seem to have come through it OK.

Neville, however, will miss out on his eighth title medal if United triumph in the race for the crown unless he appears in all the remaining League fixtures.

50 years

In ¨The Munich Air Crash¨, published in the History Today, Richard Cavendish introduces the anniversary of the crash of an aircraft containing the Manchester United soccer team in Munich airport on February 6, 1958.

Cavendish starts by introducing who is Manchester United. After World War Two United became one of the most popular football team in England. Matt Busby their Scottish manager was the first one to lead an English club to enter the European Cup.

He then explains that there was snow and ice in the runways for the plane to land. After two tries to land the plane, the pilot was not getting enough power from the engines but he was determine to land the plane. In the third try the plane crash strait into a wooden fence and caught on fire. ¨Of forty-four on board, twenty-one were killed. They included seven United players and three officials.¨(1)

Richard finally talks about how the news impacted the rest of the world. All the matches and tickets for future matches where suspended. There was a concert in memory of the people who died in the crash. He then concludes by saying that ten years later United was the first English Club to win the European Cup. He finishes by saying that Sir Bobby Charlton said in his autobiography that ¨ he had never got over feeling guilty because by sheer luck he had survived when friends and team-mates hd perish.¨(1)

here is the url to the full text : Munich Air

Liverpool vs United

“The 3-0 scoreline wasn’t flattering,” Sir Alex told MUTV. “Not at all. Wayne Rooney could have had a hat-trick, Cristiano Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick… we certainly had the better chances and the better penetration.

“I was disappointed we didn’t finish them off earlier. When we did get the second goal there was relief right around the ground.” said Ferguson

'I love beating Liverpool' Ryan Giggs told Times online.

Champions Manchester United crushed 10-man Liverpool at Old Trafford in a controversial derby.

United took a firmer grip on top spot in the Premier League, but it was the performance of referee Steve Bennett - and Javier Mascherano's lack of control - which will be the talking point.

Mascherano, already booked, was dismissed just before the break for blatant dissent which earned him a second yellow card - and then the red.

Overall we could have extended the lead but winning three nil is very satisfactory.

United Vs Roma Preview

Roma must be dreading meeting Man Utd again, and that’s the third time in 12 months! and i’m sure they have all the memories of the famous 7-1 thrashing at Old Trafford, but than again this could be a perfect way to get a revenge.

Arsenal will meet Liverpool in an all English match-up while Barcelona will play agaisnt Schalke and Fenerbahce will entertain Chelsea.

"Roma are an improving team and are a better side now than they were when we played them last season and in the group stages. But we know we can beat them and hopefully we can qualify for the semi-finals."

- Carlos Queiroz

QUARTER-FINAL DRAW (1st leg home side in bold)

Arsenal v Liverpool

Roma v Manchester United

Schalke v Barcelona

Fenerbahce v Chelsea

Bolton vs Man U

For the first time in Manchester United history a Portuguese player was handed the captaincy. Cristiano Ronaldo a player that is constantly blowing our mind away every time he touches the ball was our captain versus Bolton.

Saha started playing instead of Rooney and Tevez starting back again. Ferdinand and Giggs both rested and the shift was taken by Fletcher and Anderson. Hargreaves filling up for Evra because he is injured.

The game commenced on United’s hand. We were all dominating them. Long time since it looked perfect where every man had to be. The game between Saha and Tevez was going parallel and it looked more obvious for the goal to come in first quarter.

Just one minute later though United had the lead they had been threatening to snatch. Nani's corner, whipped into the area, was poorly dealt with by the Bolton back four and the ball fell kindly for Ronaldo. The Portugal midfielder did not need a second invitation and fired his volley home from eight yards out.

It took his tally for the season to 33 goals in all competitions beating the legendary George Best's highest total of 32. It was Ronaldo`s 10th brace in United colors, as the defending champions secured a three-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the table, and a further two points clear of Chelsea.

To make the night even better for the Red Devils Chelsea were held by Tottenham in an incredible 4-4 draw at White Hart Lane.

A win is our only choice!

Premier League (Premier League - Derby County v Manchester United)
Location: Derby, England
Round: English Premier League 2007-2008
Venue: Pride Park Stadium (Details)
Start Date: Sat 15 Mar 15:00, (GMT 15:00)
End Date: Sat 15 Mar

Manchester United HAS to win this game so they can beat Arsenal for first place. Currently we are 2 points behind Arsenal in the Premier League.

Bye Bye FA CUP

Between Manchester United and Portsmouth, the Reds are the better team in stats and players. Football is a way of life and life sometimes does not give you what you deserve.
The surprise win took Portsmouth back to Wembley, for the first time since 1942, for the semi-finals and ended United's hopes of repeating their 1999 treble triumph.
Paul Scholes, Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves all returned to United's starting line-up after the Champions League victory over Lyon - and they met with stubborn and well-organised Portsmouth resistance

Six minutes after the game started C.Ronaldo was clearly bundled over by Dustin as he raced in the area, but referee Martin Atkinson ignored the appeals, to the clear disgust of Ferguson.
"Refs don't protect skilful players. I think about the Arsenal player (Eduardo) and I'm scared sometimes to do skills because some players do unbelievable fouls and the ref protects the defender, not the skilled player! It's very disappointing and I'm thinking a lot about changing my game. When referees don't give penalties, yellow cards or reds, it's difficult to play."

Red Devils goal was rarely threaten during the first half of the game. Unluckily Van de Sar ( goalkeeper ) was in some discomfort as he scrambled to save a long range shot from Niko Kranjar. Van de Sar was substituted by kuzszak.
In the second half Portsmouth player Baros had a one-to-one encounter with Kuzszak, as Baros went to right to avoid the keeper, kuzszak commited a foul to Baros and was given a red card.
Ferdinand went in goal as replacement, but he stood no chance as Muntari drilled home the penalty with the minimum of fuss.
The one hope is that the frustration and disappointment of this defeat does not affect United’s pursuit of success in the league and in Europe. On the flipside, however, it may even enhance them.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar (Kuszczak 46); Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Carrick 69), Scholes, Nani; Tevez (Anderson 68), Rooney.
Subs not used: O’Shea, Park (replaced Saha).
Booked: Rooney
Sent off: Kuszczak

Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin (Lauren 74), Hreidarsson; Utaka, Muntari, Diarra, Diop, Kranjcar (Hughes 80); Kanu (Baros 54).
Subs not used: Ashdown, Mvuemba.
Booked: Diop, Diarra

Attendance: 75,463

Man u v Pompey
by footister20

Transfer speculations

Football is business for the clubs and big clubs want big players. The past week papers head lines were: ¨Barcelona line up Cristiano Ronaldo¨.

Barcelona has 80 million pounds to spend on transfers during the summer and they are aiming towards 23 year old C. Ronaldo. The club set to offload the likes of Ronaldinho, Deco and Gud johnsen to fund his purchase.

Although Barcelona has different players in mind to buy during transfer season, they think Ronaldo is on top of its list. Barcelona has to beat arch-rival Real Madrid, who last week talked with the Portugal internationals agent, Jorge Mends, to discuss a potential eight million pounds a year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo has a contract extension until 2012 with Manchester United. In his own words: “I am very grateful to this football club. They have helped me a lot since I came here and hopefully I can become a big part of Manchester United history.”

One step closer to the title

"We should have made more of the chances and the possession we had in the second half," he told ITV Sport.

The Reds won 2-1 on aggregate against Lyon. It was Cristiano Ronaldo goal scoring record, 30 goals in 30 matches, what made the victory better and more pleasant to Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It's a fantastic record," added the boss. "For a wide player to do that is incredible. He drifts into the middle at times, as he did tonight. He took the goal very well. We're very pleased, it's a great contribution."
This was the tenth straight home win in the Champions League.

"It's a marvellous record, and I think it equals a record held by Juventus," said the boss. "The supporters have a lot to do with that. They were fantastic again tonight."

Fulham - Manchester United (PL Gameweek 28) (Highlights)

Fulham - Manchester United (0-3) (Barclays Premier League Gameweek 28) (Highlights) (By MiP-1709)

Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League with a stylish 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage. Manchester United is one point behind the leader Arsenal FC.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Madeira, Portugal, the 5 of February 1985. He joined Manchester United the 12 of August 2003 and his first debut was the 16 of August 2003 versus Bolton.

Sir Alex Ferguson manager of United was persuaded to sign him by his players on the plane home from a pre-season friendly against Sporting during the summer. With the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid, United was searching in the market for a right-side midfielder. Ronaldo signed a contract for 12.24 million pounds.

"After I joined, the manager asked me what number I'd like. I said 28. But Ferguson said 'no, you're going to have No. 7' and the famous shirt was an extra source of motivation. I was forced to live up to such an honour". The number 7 shirt had belonged to some of the greatest Manchester United legends, such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

In his first debut he wanted to show the team and the fans his skills with the ball; he wasted 30 minutes doing this against Bottom at Old Trafford in August 2003, the Red Devils won 4-0 that day. During his first season in Man UD , he had 39 appearances and scored eight goals; he earned the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for the 2003/2004. His second season never lived up to his first. In 2004/2005 season he played 50 times and scored nine goals.

“I am very grateful to this football club. They have helped me a lot since I came here and hopefully I can become a big part of Manchester United history” said Ronaldo.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany, was a truely defining moment for Ronaldo. After the expulsion of fellow team member Wayne Rooney for stamping Carvalho in the Quarter Finals between England and Portugal; there were speculations in the English media that Ronaldo had influence in Rooney´s red card by complaining aggressively to the referee. Not only the media but the English and Man UD fans made an e-mail campaign against him. The campaign affected Renaldo’s reputation and also his nomination to Best Young Player Award for the FIFA World Cup.

This made Ronaldo think of transferring to Real Madrid, he even told the press "I should get out of Manchester as the circumstances are not right to keep playing there."Sir Alex Ferguson sent his assistant manager Carlos Queiroz to speak with Ronaldo in Portugal, hoping to change the young player mind. Rooney pleaded Ronaldo to stay in the team. After a couple of months Ronaldo signed a five-year, £120,000-a-week deal with United, making him the highest-paid player in United's history. He said, "I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season".

His form in the 2006/2007 season brought Ronaldo 14 individual awards. His performance earned him third place in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year. In the 2007/2008 Ronaldo continues to improve himself as a player, the winger scored his first United hat-trick and his 50 league goal for the club in a 6-0 romp over Newcastle United.

Manchester United vs Newcastle United

When you get too experienced and too good at what you do, this is what happens. The Red Devils destroyed Newcastle United (5-1) in the Premier League and at the same time they close the gap to three points from the leader Arsenal.

The Champions

The UEFA Champions League is considered the most prestigious club trophy in the sport. The tournament consists of several stages. In the present format it begins in mid-July with three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds. The 16 surviving teams join 16 seeded teams in a group stage. Eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout rounds, which end with the final match in May. Previously only the champions of their respective national league could participate in the competition, however this was changed in 1992 to allow the runners-up to compete as well.

The current holders of the UEFA Champions League trophy are AC Milan . Moscow will host its first European Cup final for the 2007-2008season.

Currently Manchester United came first in their group and tied in the first leg versus Lyon, in the first knockout round. The next match will be the fourth of March 2008. Manchester United played like warriors but unluckily that was not enough.

Cups Red Devils play durign the entire year

The Football Association Challenge Cup also known as the FA Cup is run by and named after the Football Association. This competition is a knock out (single elimination) basis. The FA Cup began in 1871-1872 and is one of the oldest football competitions in the world. Any club in Great Britain can compete in the FA Cup; when teams play there is the possibility for the ¨underdog¨ a low division club become a ¨giant killers¨ by eliminating top clubs from the tournament, although lower division teams rarely reach the finals.

In 2007-2008 the FA Cup 731 teams where accepted to compete in the cup. The current holder of the FA CUP is Chelsea who beat Manchester United 1-0 in extra time in 2007 final, on 19 May 2007. As well as being presented with the cup the winning team also qualifies by right for the first round of the UEFA Cup, unless they have already qualified for Europe when the spot goes to the runners-up or to the highest placed Premier League side without European qualification

The League Cup is less prestigious than the FA Cup, which also is a knock out (single elimination) basis. The League Cup is seen by some big Clubs as a lower priority compared to other competitions. Clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal in particular, have used the competition to give players valuable game experience.

Since 1982, the League Cup has been named after its sponsor, giving it the
following names:
• Milk Cup (1981–82 to 1985–86), sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board
• Littlewoods Challenge Cup (1986–87 to 1989–90), sponsored by Littlewoods
• Rumbelows Cup (1990–91 and 1991–92), sponsored by Rumbelows
• Coca-Cola Cup (1992–93 to 1997–98), sponsored by Coca-Cola
• Worthington Cup (1998–99 to 2002–03) , sponsored by Worthington Draught bitter
• Carling Cup (2003–04 to present), sponsored by Carling

The Premier League( Officially known as the Barclays Premier League for sponsorship reasons, also known as the Premier League) is an English professional league for football clubs. The Premier League is the country’s (Great Britain) primary football competition. There are 20 teams that compete in the league and operate the system of promotion and relegation with the football league. The Premier League was found the 20 February 1992 and the first games were played the 15 August that year. From that game a decision was made by the clubs in the Football League First Division to break away from the Football League to take advantage of a lucrative television rights deal; the league had served as England and Wales' primary football competition since 1888. Since then, the Premier League has become the world's most watched sporting league and the most lucrative football league, with cumulative club revenues of around £1.4 billion. The league is a corporation with the 20 clubs acting as shareholders.

A total of 40 clubs have competed in the Premier League, but only four have won the title: Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Arsenal, and Chelsea. The current Premier League champions are Manchester United, who won their ninth title in the 2006–07 season, the most of any Premier League team.

Manchester United

If you have no idea why Manchester United is one of the best football teams in the world. Here is your answer.

OLD TRAFFORD.

The Old Trafford located in the Trafford borough of Greater Manchester, England and the home of Manchester United FC.

"The most handsomest, the most spacious and the most remarkable arena I have ever seen. As a football ground it is unrivalled in the world, it is an honour to Manchester and the home of a team who can do wonders when they are so disposed"

Sporting Chronicle: Saturday 19th February 1910

The above words were written on Old Trafford's opening day in 1910. Archibald Leitch is the architect who designed the Old Trafford in 1909. This stadium has the ability of seating 76,212 and is the only UEFA five-star rated facility in England.

The original plan Archibald Leitch had for the stadium was for it to hold 100,000 fans; eventually it narrowed to 77,000. The construction was carried out by Messrs Brameld and Smith of Manchester.

The inaugural game was played on 19 February 1910 against Liverpool F.C. 4-3 was the score of that game, Manchester United lost. That day 76,962 fans went to support the red devils. Unluckily a few days after the game, the main stand was blown down by a storm.

For ten straight years Manchester united could not play in the old Trafford. Bombing during Second World War, on March 1941, destroyed half of the stadium, notably the main stand. It was rebuilt in 1949 and it cost 22,278 pounds the reconstruction of the ground. It could hold up to 67,000 people.

Most of the stadium was rebuilt as it was before the bombing. A roof was later added to the Streford End in the 1950s, however all the stands suffered from obscured views because of old fashioned roof-post design.The West side will always be the legendary Streford End for the veteran’s fans of the red devils. Crammed behind the goal was a heaving mass of 20,000 standing Man Ud fans, which were the loudest of Britain at that time.

From 1960s to 1980s, over 58,000 fans could pack into old Trafford. However after the Hillsbrough disaster, the Taylor Report required all the stadiums of England to be all seaters. In 1960s the old Trafford was redesign to be a perfect bowl and could help up to 44,000 fans.

The demand increased every day to go watch the red devils play, an expansion was made in 1955-1956; the North Stand was now 200 feet tall and the largest single cantilever roof in Europe. The South Stand is rarely seen on TV because it is where the managers bech area,the directors/ television/ police control boxes and luxury restaurants and executive suites.The East Side was home to the diehard K-Stand United fans, as well as the away fans enclosure in the South-East corner and disabled section. It was formerly known as the Scoreboard End.

In January 2000, 30 million pounds where invested in the redevelopment of the East Stand. The East Side was opened crating a 61,000 capacity. The outside has an image of a modern office block, below it is the location of the huge Manchester United Megastore where every conceivable type of club merchandise is available. On top of the Megastore entrance is the Sir Matt Busby statue. Unveiled in May 1996 he gazes proudly over the forecourt adjacent to the road that bears his name, Sir Matt Busby Way. Off to the left side is the Munich Memorial plaque and the famous Munich clock commemorating the air crash on 6th February 1958 is at the South-East corner.

In August 2000 the second tier of seating was added to the Stretford End / West Side bringing a total capacity of 68,217. A statue of 60's striker Denis Law in the upper concourse was placed there in 2002 - Law was known as "The King of The Stretford End".

A total of £114 million has been spent by the club in the last 14 years on stadium redevelopment but the total cost for a new South Stand would almost equal that sum again with estimates in the region of £90-100 million.