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[Tang Master]

Ronaldo back in the groove to nail Hammers

AFP - Thursday, October 30

MANCHESTER (AFP) - - Cristiano Ronaldo was back in the groove as the Manchester United winger inspired a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham on Wednesday.

Ronaldo struck twice in the first half at Old Trafford to take his goal tally to five for the season and finally recapture the form that made him English football's Player of the Year last season.

A sluggish start to the campaign had led to claims that Ronaldo was sulking in the aftermath of his failed attempt to engineer a move to Real Madrid, but this was an encouraging display at last.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes from the side held to a draw at Everton last weekend, the most notable being the omission of Wayne Rooney at the expense of Carlos Tevez, who was given his first start alongside Dimitar Berbatov in a two-pronged attack against his former club.

Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola, who earned lavish praise from Ferguson in his programme notes, was without the suspended Carlton Cole as the visitors embarked on the seemingly thankless task of trying to arrest their recent slide.

United started brightly as expected with Berbatov coming within a whisker of putting his side ahead inside the opening two minutes.

The Bulgarian international swept onto Nani's left wing cross only to see his goal-bound shot somehow deflected over by a fantastic challenge from Matthew Upson.

Nani went close himself moments later and the writing was on the wall for Zola's men, it was just a question of who found the back of the net first in a red shirt.

This honour fell to Ronaldo in the 14th minute and Nani was once again the provider. His pass was meant for Darren Fletcher but avoided him as well as James Collins before finding Ronaldo, who swept home a clinical left-footed shot to reward the home side's enterprising start.

Nani could have doubled United's advantage two minutes later but after twisting Collins inside out with a magical run he saw his angled shot flash agonisingly wide.

Collins was becoming the scapegoat for the Hammers' defensive failings and was left red-faced again on 29 minutes when Ronaldo made it 2-0 with his second goal of the night.

Berbatov took a long pass from Anderson before beating Collins on the byline with a sublime turn and chip and finding Ronaldo for the simplest of finishes.

The Hammers' problems got worse before the interval when Valon Behrami was stretchered off with what looked like being a serious knee injury after falling awkwardly without a United player close to him.

With Luis Boa Morte replacing him but showing little appetite for the fight, it seemed only a matter of time before United emphasised their superiority with more goals.

Only over exuberance from Tevez, Ronaldo and Nani prevented this from happening. The closest Zola's team came to providing Tomasz Kuszczak with something to do was when Craig Bellamy's ambitious free kick drifted over the crossbar with over an hour of the game gone.

Even the arrival of Rooney with 20 minutes remaining failed to see United increase their lead.

The England star tried his best to keep his impressive scoring run going, unleashing a powerful drive that forced Robert Green into a hurried save before curling a delightful shot just wide as the one-way traffic continued right to the death.

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Edited by Tang Master, 30 October 2008 - 11:47 AM.

[ReDDeviLs]

[raydiative]

GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!!! =]

[Tang Master]

PHEW !

Champions League - Giggs rescues point for United

Eurosport - Wed, 05 Nov 22:54:00 2008

Ryan Giggs netted late on to give Manchester United a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Celtic in their Champions League Group E clash at Parkhead.

The reigning champions trailed to Scott McDonald's wonderful 13th minute chip before Giggs swooped to head an equaliser with six minutes remaining after Celtic keeper Artur Boruc had found Cristiano Ronaldo's rasping drive too hot to handle.

The night had promised much for Celtic, for whom a win would have revived hopes of qualifying from the group, but their decision to sit back and allow United to stage a siege in the final quarter of the match became their undoing.

United's late pressure was relentless and despite some at-times heroic defending from the hosts, holding on to all three points ultimately proved too much for Gordon Strachan's side.

Indeed, they could easily - and perhaps should - have ended the evening with none, substitute Dimitar Berbatov missing a guilt-edged chance in injury time that would have seen United steal victory at the death.

The result sees the holders retain top spot in Group E after Villarreal were held to a 2-2 draw in Aalborg - both sides have eight points - while Celtic hold on to third place with two points, ahead of the Danes on goal difference.

Despite having started the game with both Wayne Rooney and Berbatov on the bench, the opening stages of the match mirrored recent form with United starting far the brighter of the two sides.

The visitors enjoyed more possession than their hosts during the opening exchanges, although Boruc in the Celtic goal was barely called into action for the entire first half.

For that, the Pole was grateful to the defence in front of him who made sure United were kept at bay.

Soon after kick-off Boruc was particularly indebted to Andreas Hinkel who - playing out of position at right-back - did well to put Ronaldo off his shot after the ball had fallen kindly to him on the penalty spot.

Ronaldo then went close with a typically well-hit free-kick on 10 minutes, although Boruc appeared to have his angles well covered.

McDonald's goal came against the run of play, but his clever and perfectly executed chip over Ben Foster - who was a spectator for much of the remainder of the game - was worthy of breaking the deadlock.

United responded well to going a goal down and continued to pass the ball around with confidence, yet from open play they still struggled to create any clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.

In fact, for the majority of the match, the visitors looked their most dangerous at corner kicks, from which Celtic's defending left a great deal to be desired.

United could have found the back of the net from corners on at least two occasions before the half-time whistle sounded - and once after the break - as the Celtic back line neglected their marking duties.

The first chance fell to Rio Ferdinand at the far post on 19 minutes, but the England stopper was always leaning back and the ball did not sit for him quickly enough; his eventual effort on goal flew over the bar.

And then Ferdinand's defensive partner Nemanja Vidic headed over just before the break as Celtic's marking from a corner was again non-existent.

Berbatov was brought on as a half-time substitute in a bid to use the Bulgarian's guile to unlock what proved to be an increasingly dogged Celtic rearguard.

On 57 minutes, the decision to bring him on nearly paid off when his flick - reminiscent of the one that found the back of the net a fortnight ago - was cleared off the line.

Celtic's defending became more and more desperate as the second half wore on, with a goalmouth scramble nearly resulting in a goal on 68 minutes before Ronaldo and then Rooney - on as a substitute by that point - forced Boruc into making saves.

As United increased the pressure and Celtic opted to sit on their lead, a goal was never far away.

Giggs did not disappoint the travelling fans, although Berbatov should have sealed all three points with the last kick of the game; one which dragged the ball wide of the post following a bad slip by Darren O'Dea in the Celtic six-yard box.

AaB Aalborg 2-2 Villarreal

A late free-kick from Anders Due gave Aalborg a 2-2 draw with Villarreal to keep alive the Danish champions' slim hopes of advancing from Group E.

With new manager Allan Kuhn at the helm, Aalborg searched feverishly for their first group victory but Villarreal struck first.

Robert Pires released Giuseppe Rossi on the edge of the penalty area in the 41st minute and the Italian international, who had hit the crossbar five minutes before, moved to his left to avoid two Aalborg defenders and finished with a precise low shot.

Jeppe Curth levelled the score after a nifty back heel pass from Caca in the 54th minute, only for substitute Guille Franco to put Villarreal ahead again in the 75th minute after the hosts failed to clear a free kick.

Franco collected Joseba Llorente's chip over the Danish defence and slipped the ball past goalkeeper Karim Zaza.

Villarreal's second lead lasted only six minutes before Due blasted a free kick over the wall and in the top corner from 25 yards, giving Aalborg their second point in the group.

Mike Hytner / Reuters

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[Tang Master]

Rooney leads United in Club World Cup final

By JIM ARMSTRONG,AP Sports Writer AP - Monday, December 22

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Wayne Rooney scored late in the second half Sunday to lead 10-man Manchester United to a 1-0 win over Ecuador's Liga de Quito in the final of the Club World Cup.

Rooney, who was named player of the tournament, took a pass from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 73rd minute and fired an angled right-footed blast into the bottom corner past diving Liga goalkeeper Jose Cevallos.

"It was a very difficult game especially after going down to 10 men," said Rooney. "I'm very happy to have scored and for us to become the best club in the world is something we can be very proud of."

United was reduced to 10 men when defender Nemanja Vidic was given a red card in the 49th minute for elbowing Claudio Bieler in the face.

United becomes the first English club to win the cup in its current format. The Red Devils participated in the first Club World Cup in 2000 without making the final, while Liverpool lost the 2005 decider.

In 1999, United did win the predecessor to the Club World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup which matched the European and South American champions.

United manager Alex Ferguson had high praise for Rooney.

"He played well enough to score two or three goals tonight," said Ferguson. "It was a magnificent game that he played."

Liga didn't have a shot on target until Alejandro Manso rifled a left-foot blast from the top of the area in the 63rd minute only to see United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar make a spectacular diving save.

Manso came dangerously close to equalizing in the 89th minute with a long-range shot that Van Der Sar tipped over the bar.

"Now we can say we are the best team in the world," said United captain Rio Ferdinand. "We knew they could create problems but I think today we kept them down to a minimum of chances."

Looking to add to their Premier League and Champions League titles, United controlled the flow of play from the outset.

Rooney had a superb chance 10 minutes in when he played a long ball from Vidic off his chest and unleashed a powerful volley from the top of the area that Cevallos stopped with a diving save.

Ronaldo set up Carlos Tevez 10 minutes later with a cross but the Argentine's low header was saved by Cevallos, who kept his team in the match in the first half.

Rooney set up Park Ji-sung after a nifty one-two with Tevez but the South Korean fired into the hands of Cevallos late in the first half.

Jairo Campos had Liga's best scoring chance in the opening minutes when he redirected a Manso free kick inches wide of the post.

United qualified for the Club World Cup in May after beating fellow English side Chelsea in a penalty shootout in the Champions League final at Moscow.

Liga qualified for the competition by becoming the first Ecuadorean club to win South America's Copa Libertadores.

Liga defeated Mexico's Pachuca 2-0 on Wednesday to reach Sunday's final, while United advanced after a 5-3 win over Japan's Gamba Osaka.

Gamba secured a third-place finish earlier Sunday with a 1-0 win over Pachuca.

Striker Masato Yamazaki scored the winner in the 30th minute when he volleyed a superb pass from fellow forward Ryuji Bando past goalkeeper Miguel Calero.

[ReDDeviLs]

well done

[raydiative]

Three Goal Manchester United Sweep Chelsea Aside
Manchester United hit three goals at Old Trafford as they coasted to a convincing victory over title rivals Chelsea.

Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea

Manchester United and Chelsea went head-to-head at Old Trafford hoping to take advantage of Liverpool’s draw to Stoke City yesterday and gain some ground on the league leaders.

Yet the reigning champions were without Rio Ferdinand who despite training all week, suffered a recurrence of his back problem meaning Jonny Evans kept his place alongside Nemanja Vidic, although Patrice Evra returned following his ban.

For the visitors, Didier Drogba was preferred up front to Nicolas Anelka whilst John Terry returned from suspension and partnered Ricardo Carvalho at the back.

The first half was an open, free flowing affair devoid of chances yet not without an element of spice as the tackles flew in.

Yet it took almost half an hour for either side to carve out a clear opportunity, Patrice Evra breaking down the left and beating Deco before playing it into Rooney on the edge of the box.

The striker, with his back to goal, laid the back into Berbatov’s path but the Bulgarian’s shot was tame and Petr Cech collected comfortably.

Chelsea, meanwhile were looking strong yet failing to quite find the final ball and it was the reigning champions who finished the half strongly.

Minutes before the break, a flowing move saw involving Giggs and Berbatov finally saw Park play a one-two with Ronaldo before shooting but finding his effort well blocked by John Terry.

The hosts thought they had scored moments later, after Ronaldo headed home a Giggs cross following a short corner routine however referee Howard Webb disallowed his effort after the linesman flagged.

United were enraged but from the resulting kick they were ahead, Berbatov touching the ball onto Vidic at the far post who sneaked past Terry to head home and hand the home side the lead.

Luiz Felipe Scolari changed things at half-time, Deco who picked up a knock in the first time, being replaced by Anelka as the Blues went in search of the equaliser.

Yet it was the home side who stretched their lead, just after the hour mark. Ronaldo out on the left backheeled the ball to the overlapping Evra and the full back swept in a superb cross that was too high for Berbatov but perfectly weighted for Rooney who swept home first time past Cech.

Scolari responded immediately, replacing Bosingwa with Belletti, whilst a hobbling Evra was replaced by O’Shea for the hosts.

Yet Chelsea struggled to work Edwin Van der Sar in the United goal and the chances were few and far between for Scolari’s men.

With less than 20 minutes to go a Lampard free kick found Drogba in acres of space at the far post, yet the Ivorian conspired to completely miss his kick, much to the delight of a jubilant Old Trafford.

The home side, meanwhile, continued to threaten with Park, Rooney and Ronaldo continually threatening the visitors’ defence.

Indeed Ronaldo might have added to the scoreline, his shot from range flying inches wide of Cech’s post

Yet with minutes to go the European champions compounded their visitors’ misery with their third of the afternoon.

A Ronaldo free kick, awarded after the Portuguese had been fouled by Belletti, was driven in and Berbatov poked the ball home from six yards to complete a comprehensive victory for Ferguson’s men.

GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!

[Tang Master]

AIG to pull out of Man U sponsorship deal

Man Utd confident of improved shirt deal as AIG pulls out

AFP - Thursday, January 22

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - - Manchester United have begun looking for a new shirt sponsor and are confident they can improve on the current deal with troubled American insurer AIG, the club said on Wednesday.

The English Premier League giants have had AIG's logo on their shirts since 2006 as part of a partnership which, including the insurer's sponsorship of United's financial products, is worth 19 million pounds a year.

The company is now in dire financial straits, however, following a massive bailout by the US Federal Reserve last year and will not be in a position to renew its sponsorship when the current deal with United expires in 2010.

United executives have begun the process of finding an alternative sponsor and have described early interest as sufficiently promising to encourage cautious optimism that they can improve on the AIG deal despite the global economic downturn.

"We're not complacent by any means," said United spokesman Phil Townsend. "This is the start of the process, not the end but the response has been excellent and we would hope to better the current deal."

Indian corporation Sahara have already said they could be interested in replacing AIG.

Townsend added that United, the current English, European and World club champions and an icon in British sport, would hope to conclude a deal with a new sponsor by the end of this year.

"We are 18 months away from the end of the deal and as a result we have begun to test the market to see what interest there may be.

"This needs to be done this early because, if we want to get the new shirts into the shops in time for the start of the 2010/11 season, we would ideally like to conclude a deal this calendar year.

"It's not a disaster if we don't, but it makes life easier to plan in the production and printing of the shirts."

AIG was expected to officially confirm that it would not be renewing its contract with United later on Wednesday.

[Tang Master]

Premier League - Chelsea sack Scolari

Eurosport - Mon, 09 Feb 23:39:00 2009

Chelsea have sensationally sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari after just seven months in charge.

The 59-year-old Brazilian arrived in West London last July, but the club's poor form and rumours of discontent in the dressing room have seen his position undermined.

Chelsea's results at home have been particularly disappointing, winning just six of 13 games at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Saturday's goalless draw at home to Hull City saw them slip to fourth in the table, seven points behind leaders Manchester United.

Nevertheless the dismissal of Scolari, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and reached the Euro 2004 final with Portugal, comes as a major shock.

Chelsea have reached the last 16 of the Champions League where they face a Juventus side managed by former Stamford Bridge boss Claudio Ranieri, and they are still in the FA Cup.

Scolari started brightly with six wins and two draws from his first eight league games and they led the table most weeks until the middle of November.

However, Liverpool won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on October 26 to end Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home league run and their home form, in particular, began to dip alarmingly with another loss to Arsenal at the end of November and a series of poor draws.

Scolari's substitutions were also questioned by fans, who taunted him on Saturday with cries of "you don't know what you're doing".

The club, who won back-to-back titles under Jose Mourinho in 2005 and 2006 and were beaten on penalties in last season's Champions League final by Manchester United, slipped further back in the title race when they were beaten 3-0 by United and 2-0 by Liverpool recently.

Scolari's assistant Ray Wilkins takes temporary charge of the first-team, but one of the favourites to take over permanently is West Ham manager and former Blues legend Gianfranco Zola, who has been voted the greatest player the club's history.

Russia manager Guus Hiddink and Avram Grant - the man sacked by Chelsea last May after reaching the Champions League final - are also believed to be on the shortlist.

A club statement said: "The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager.

"Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon.

"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season.

"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.

"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible."

Alex Chick + agencies / Eurosport

[Tang Master]

Don't crown us champions yet warns Ferguson

AFP - 54 minutes ago

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - - Sir Alex Ferguson insists it is too soon to crown Manchester United as Premier League champions despite watching his side move five points clear of Liverpool with a 3-0 victory over Fulham.

The league leaders, who can open up an eight-point lead with victory over Blackburn on Saturday prior to Liverpool's Anfield clash with Manchester City on Sunday, cruised past Fulham thanks to goals from Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov and fit-again Wayne Rooney on Wednesday.

The win was United's ninth on the bounce in the league and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar racked up his fourteenth consecutive Premier League clean sheet, taking his shut-out run to 1302 minutes.

But United boss Ferguson admitted that there are still possible pitfalls on the road to an eighteenth league title between now and May.

He said: "You can never be dead sure, but it's safe to say that Chelsea have an uphill fight now to overcome us. Things can happen, though. We were 12 points clear of Arsenal one season, 1997-98, and we lost the league.

"We had a lot of injuries that year, but hopefully, with the squad we have now, we can cope with injuries. That's been the change around at the club, we have such a big squad that we can cope with injuries.

"This was our game in hand, though, so it was important and I think the players applied themselves the right way. They worked hard because they had to work hard for the result and I'm pleased with them.

"Paul Scholes was fantastic and some of his switches of play were absolutely devastating. He and Ryan Giggs are a great example to young players in the sense of the way that they live their lives, but they have kept their ambition which is important. We are so delighted and proud to have them here."

Rooney's goal, three minutes after replacing Berbatov in the second half, was an added bonus for the England player, who had been sidelined since early January with a hamstring injury.

And Ferguson admits that he will not take chances on the fitness of any of his players between now and the end of the season.

He said: "Wayne scored with his first touch. It was a nice ball and he came in late, which he has done many times, but he is back now and I'm pleased. Hopefully he will stay fit now.

"He is 100 per cent, there is no question about that. We are at the stage now where we won't take risks with any players.

"If they have slight injuries, we won't play them because if you do and they exacerbate the problem, they can be out for weeks and we don't want that."

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson saw his team fail once more to claim their first away win of the season, but he admitted that United were simply too strong.

He said: "We wipe our faces on this one and accept the dream of coming here and doing something spectacular remains a dream. We found a United side that had too much in the locker.

"The way we set out our team wasn't that disastrous - what was, was conceding an early goal that put us on the back foot before we were on the front foot!

"With United in that form, we weren't going to get anything from them."

Although Ferguson had warned his players not to underestimate Fulham, the prospects of a shock vanished once Scholes had spectacularly opened the scoring after just 12 minutes.

Berbatov got the second from close range in the 30th minute after John O'Shea teed up the former Spurs striker.

Rooney made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute - less than three minutes after climbing off the bench.

Park Ji-Sung's shot across the face of goal was met by Rooney at the far post and, after springing the offside trap, the England star slotted in his seventh league goal of the season.

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[Tang Master]

Who will WIN ???

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Edited by Tang Master, 11 March 2009 - 02:56 PM.

[ReDDeviLs]

my heart goes with u bro!

[BFG]

The Red Devil will thrash the Red Army...........and then the next team, and then the next............

[Tang Master]

Man United may set up school here

Man United eye S’pore hub

Channel NewsAsia - Wednesday, March 11

SINGAPORE : With academies in the United States, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Australia, the Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS) are looking to make Singapore their regional base, with an eye on reaching out to the rest of this region.

“We’re trying to create greater awareness of United’s brand of football in the region,” said Ian Gerard de Souza, Kirkwall Pte Ltd’s sports division head. “We have plans to organise MUSS camps here and in Kuala Lumpur in June, and in Jakarta in later this year.”

Kirkwall, a locally—based investment holding company, secured the rights late last year to run the MUSS in South—east Asia for the next two years.

They helped organise the first MUSS camp here in December last year, and are currently in talks with the Singapore Sports Council and Economic Development
Board to help set up their regional base here.

“We’re looking for a place with a full—sized astroturf to facilitate our activities, which also includes community outreach programmes for under—privileged children,” said de Souza, 43.

About 10,000 square feet in floor space, and S$2 million is required to get the MUSS — open to players from ages seven to 18 — up and running.

De Souza said: “The economic situation has set our plans back a few months. Hopefully, it will be ready by the third quarter this year.”

De Souza was speaking at a clinic at Anglo—Chinese Junior College on Tuesday, where about 25 students underwent a two—hour session conducted by MUSS Singapore head coach Robin van der Laan, 40.

Next week, the Dutchman will conduct the second MUSS camp at SAFRA Tampines. The training will be based on the Manchester United Academy Programme used by manager Alex Ferguson to groom players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

“The emphasis is on skill and individual player development, on dominating one—on—one situations,” said van der Laan. “We try to create players who are comfortable on the ball, can work a skill to create space, and can play anywhere on the field.”

Fellow MUSS coaches Lee Merrick, Wayne Watkins and Tony Byrne, as well as local players such as S Subramani and Aide Iskandar, will also be present.

The fee for the course (March 16—20) is S$525, but de Souza said: “Here, you get trained by coaches specially flown in from United.”

Visit www.muss.sg for more details.

— TODAY/il

[Tang Master]

Inter Milan Deny Mourinho Fan Punch Claim

Sky News
Yesterday, 05:30 pm

Inter Milan have denied an allegation that coach Jose Mourinho punched a fan in Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police are investigating a claim that a fan was attacked by the former Chelsea manager shortly after Inter crashed out of the Champions League.

A statement from Inter read: "At the end of the game, the Portuguese tactician gave interviews to the European media, signed autographs, watched the penalties of the Roma vs Arsenal game before saluting (Sir Alex) Ferguson in his office.

"After giving the last interview to Inter Channel, he entered the team bus that was parked outside the dressing rooms and hence it was a very calm post-game experience."

Inter lost two-nil in Wednesday night's Champions League tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Mourinho was accused of common assault after a claim that he punched a supporter close to the Inter team bus as the Italian side left the stadium.

Police contacted United to request CCTV footage of the area and have confirmed a complaint has been made.

"Shortly before midnight last night a man reported that he had been punched in the face outside Old Trafford," a police statement read.

United would only confirm they are aware of the allegation and are making no further comment.

Mourinho had watched his team's European campaign come to an end, with Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing United's goals at the start of each half.

But the former Chelsea manager had been in a jovial mood, shaking hands with Red Devils supporters as he made his way to the visitors' dug-out and enjoying a post-match chat with Ferguson.

But he came under sustained attack from the Italian media for his failure to get Inter through.

"If anyone wishes to criticise my team, they will have to fight me," he said at one point.

Although he has taken Inter to the top of Serie A, his relationship with the local press is far from smooth - a fact that has only fuelled a belief that he could one day replace Ferguson at Old Trafford.

The fan who made the complaint is not from the Greater Manchester area and did not report any injuries to police or need treatment.