Old Trafford, Sat 9 Dec 2006

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his Player of the Month award with a killer assist for Wayne Rooney and a crucial third goal for himself as United went nine points clear at the top of the Premiership. Manchester United 3 (Rooney 6, Saha 45, Ronaldo 84) Manchester City 1 (Trabelsi 72)



Ronaldo set up United's first goal in the 6th minute. The number seven took the ball down on his chest, strode defiantly towards the baying away support and whipped the yellow sphere into the box with his right foot. The low centre beat not one but two miskicking centre-halves - the so-called solid crew of Distin and Dunne - and landed perfectly for Rooney to gleefully grab the opener. Saha made amends for his miss just before the break when he dashed into the six-yard box to beat Weaver and Thatcher to Heinze’s driven low cross and stabbed the ball in off the crossbar. Like Vidic’s equaliser against Benfica, Saha’s strike against City was perfectly timed - forcing the opposition boss to tear up his script for the interval team-talk. Isaksson's acrobatics were crowned in the 73rd minute by a brilliant goal from Trabelsi, the man who gave the ball away for United's second goal. City could have been three, four or more down but now they were just 2-1 behind after the Tunisian midfielder's rising strike beat van der Sar in the top right-hand corner and bounced in off the crossbar. Van der Sar had one or two rocky moments before Ronaldo settled the nerves, tucking the ball home from close range after Dunne failed to clear another cross, from the ever-dangerous Rooney.

Full Report: Manchester United
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Old Trafford, Wed 6 December 06

United's dominant and commanding second half performance saw the Reds top Group F with an impressive 3-1 victory over Benfica. Manchester United 3(Vidic, Giggs, Saha) Benfica 1(Nelson)



Headed goals from Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs and Louis Saha gave United the win, while Celtic lost 3-1 to Copenhagen in Denmark, which sees the Reds leapfrog the Scottish side, who also go through as runners-up. This was a match to shred the nerves of the calmest fan. With 17 minutes of the half remaining Benfica worked their way to the edge of the Reds’ box and right-back Nelson struck a near unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner. If nothing else it was the awakening the Reds needed. With clock running down on half time United fans were defiant, so were the team. A Giggs free kick following a foul on Ronaldo by Simao, was perfectly placed. Nemanja Vidic rose above everyone and slammed his header into the back of the net. Old Trafford erupted like the lid had been taken off a pressure cooker. The timing couldn’t have been better, the half-time whistle went seconds later. The Reds were brimming with energy after the break and the pace to United’s play was crucial in keeping the fans in full voice. With 57 minutes on the clock the breakthrough that United’s positive play deserved finally came. Ronaldo toyed with Benfica left-back Leo before planting an inch-perfect cross into space. Giggs lost his marker and nodded the ball past Quim. A third headed goal arrived with nearly fifteen minutes remaining to virtually kill off the tie. Darren Fletcher, on as a substitute for Ryan Giggs, swung in a right-footed centre and Saha grabbed his fourth goal in five Champions League games this season with a well-placed header. The second half was a one-sided affair and after the third goal United were simply seeng this game out. With Celtic losing in Denmark, Sir Alex’s side had Group F’s top spot tied up, a task the Reds probably should have completed long before tonight. But, would United have it any other way?

Full Report: Manchester United
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Riverside Stadium, 2 December 2006

United's attacking dominance could and should have earned the Reds a more clear-cut victory at the Riverside Stadium. Middlesbrough 1 Morrison Manchester United 2 Saha (pen), Fletcher


But a penalty from Louis Saha and a fine header from Darren Fletcher was enough to trump James Morrison’s second half volley and take United six points clear of Chelsea. Sir Alex made a series of changes to the team that saw off Everton 3-0 in midweek. Vidic returned to the centre of defence to replace Mikael Silvestre. Ronaldo was back on the wings, while Darren Fletcher partnered Paul Scholes in the midfield replacing Michael Carrick. Ryan Giggs and Louis Saha were drafted back in and Scholes. It was by no means a comfortable finish for the Reds. With such a slender advantage Middlesbrough were always capable of snatching an equaliser. Wes Brown was a late substitute, replacing Ronaldo, to deal with the aerial threat of Roberth Huth, who had moved up front for the home side. Schwarzer even came up for two late corners, but three nervous minutes of stoppage time passed without any damage. In a week that could shape the fate of United’s season, the Reds earned a valuable victory to move six points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premiership.

Full Report: Manchester United
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Picture: Soccernet

Old Trafford, Wed 29 Nov 2006

This was by no means United's classiest performance this season, but three goals and three points keeps the Reds in front of Chelsea at the top of the Premiership.

The bonus for Sir Alex was that he gave valuable rest to regulars such as Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Louis Saha and Nemanja Vidic and still secured victory. The Reds boss made five changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Chelsea three days previously – Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher, Mikael Silvestre, Kieran Richardson, John O’Shea all stepping in. The changes to United’s side meant an as yet untried strike partnership of Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, as usual given a ‘warm’ welcome from the Everton fans who used to idolise him. For the Toffees - without star striker Andy Johnson due to a hamstring injury - David Moyes had to rely on James Beattie and James McFadden to try and find the goals to end a run of five away games without a win. In truth, though, missing United loanee Tim Howard and injured midfielder Tim Cahill as well, they would undoubtedly have settled for the point they have earned in their last two league visits to Old Trafford. Michael Carrick, still searching for his first goal for the Reds, had his powerful shot blocked by Nuno Valente on the edge of the area. Fortunately the ball ricocheted out to Ronaldo, who struck a low shot into the bottom right corner of Richard Wright's goal. It was a goal that would prove vital. It had a settling influence on United and, because Everton’s lack of firepower up front, left the opposition with a mountain to climb. Everton’s fans made clear their passionate dislike of their former starlet, Rooney. At one point, deep in United’s half and receiving a barrage of abuse, Rooney kissed the United badge on his shirt. But he soon made the most telling gesture possible. Receiving a pass from O'Shea just after the hour mark, he turned away from Mikel Arteta whilst also drawing Joseph Yobo out of his right-back position, creating space for Evra to run into. And when the French left-back received the 21-year-old striker's pass, he took an aggressively direct line towards goal and fired a fierce shot through Wright’s legs to make it 2-0. The points were as good as wrapped up. But the Reds weren’t finished there. As the clock approached 90 minutes and the life appeared drained out of Everton’s challenge, United grabbed a late third. A Rooney shot was blocked by Yobo, but the ball bobbled out to Evra on the left. His cross found O’Shea in space inside the box and with impressive nimbleness O’Shea steered the ball past Wright into the top corner with the outside of his right boot. This game didn't come with the fluid brand of football United fans have been used to in recent weeks, but this was an important three points. The victory also sees the Reds' unbeaten run stretch to ten league games, having taken 26 points from a possible 30. With Chelsea not in action this weekend, the Reds could potentially go nine points clear of the Blues with victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday and Manchester City seven days later. Jose Mourinho's men are, after tonight’s win over Bolton, not in action until the Sunday after City visit Old Trafford in ten days’ time.

Source&Pic: Manchester United
Clips: Soccerpulse

Old Trafford, Sun 26 Nov 2006

United fans didn't know whether to laugh or cry after seeing their team maintain a three-point lead over Chelsea but miss a big chance to double it. Manchested United 1 Saha (29) Chelsea 1 Carvalho (69)

The Reds led at half-time through Louis Saha's exquisite strike but were pegged back when Ricardo Carvalho's header from a Frank Lampard corner went in off Saha with 20 minutes remaining. At the final whistle, it seemed a better result for the Blues as they celebrated in front of their travelling fans. Sir Alex Ferguson kept faith with the eleven who dictated but lost the Celtic game in Glasgow - his strongest eleven in many people’s eyes. Chelsea’s team, however, showed two changes from Wednesday’s defeat to Werder Bremen - Lampard and Carvalho returning at the expense of Joe Cole and Khalid Boulahrouz. Chelsea kicked off attacking the Stretford End, to a cacophony of boos as they negatively worked the ball back from Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko on the halfway line to skipper John Terry at the heart of their defence. Cudicini was well beaten by Louis Saha’s wonderful finish in the 29th minute. Chelsea’s midfield seemed to open up as Rooney played a pass from the centre circle into his strike partner’s path and although both Terry and Carvalho were back behind the ball, Saha kept his head and picked his spot, caressing a left-foot shot inside the left-hand post. This moment of beauty was followed by an ugly episode, Drogba planting his elbow into Vidic’s face as the two players competed in the air. Without the benefit of TV replays, Webb waved only a yellow when really a red was warranted. Carvalho the goal-saver turned goalscorer in the 69th minute when he leapt to meet Lampard’s corner from the right and powered in a header which hit Saha on the line and came down off the crossbar. TV replays later showed Saha had himself headed the ball - he could yet be credited with an unwanted owngoal by the dubious goals committee. Joe's namesake Ashley had his name taken for a foul on Ronaldo - and then chanted in disdain by the fans. Cristiano played no further part - he was replaced by Darren Fletcher, while John O'Shea came on for Saha. With United's two most potent threats on the day withdrawn, there was to be no dramatic, air-punching finale for the home faithful. Instead of euphoria there were feelings of relief that Chelsea's second-half improvement didn't produce a second goal and concern that the substituted players could miss the next Premiership assignment in just three days' time.

Source: Manchested United
Clips: Soccerpulse

Celtic Park, Tuesday 21 November

United need a point from their final group match against Benfica after losing 1-0 in dramatic fashion at Celtic Park. Celtic 1 (Nakamura 80) Manchester United 0


A stunning free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura in the 80th minute sealed a shock victory for the Bhoys and secured them a place in the final 16, ahead of the Reds. To rub it in, United missed a golden opportunity to salvage the situation when Louis Saha had his last-minute penalty brilliantly saved by Celtic's Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc. Saha spearheaded arguably Sir Alex Ferguson's strongest eleven - the only change to the side that had tasted victory in their last four league games saw Gabriel Heinze replace Patrice Evra at left-back. Having missed the chance to seal qualification in their last match earlier this month when they slipped up in Copenhagen, the Reds set about their task with great purpose and vigour and gave Celtic a lesson in the art of keep-ball. The movement of United’s front four - Cristiano Ronaldo, Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs - caused Celtic all kinds of problems, but in truth the home side did a pretty good job of making things uncomfortable for themselves. Wasteful in possession, their play was littered with mistakes. Celtic held out in the chaotic closing moments to secure a place in the knockout stages of the competition for the first time. For United it was another European away night to forget. Now they have another nailbiting match with Benfica to endure - thankfully at home.

Source: Manchester United
Picture: Soccernet
Clips: Soccerpulse

Bramall Lane, Sat 18 Nov 2006

United will defend a three point lead when they take on Chelsea thanks to Wayne Rooney's ruthless finishing. Report: Sheffield United 1 Gillespie (13) Manchester United 2 Rooney (30,75)

The striker's clinical couple, one in each half, took his tally to three goals in four days, following his return to the England scoresheet in midweek. But it wasn't all plain sailing for Sir Alex Ferguson's men as they pursued a seventh Premiership win on the spin. Ferguson's former fledgling Keith Gillespie, playing for his fifth team in the top-flight after spells with United, Newcastle, Leicester and Blackburn, headed home a shock opening goal for Sheffield United in the 13th minute. Pressure from Colin Kazim-Richards forced Rio Ferdinand to make a hasty clearance from the right-back position and when Blades' left-back Derek Geary whipped in a great cross to the far post, Gillespie sneaked in behind Patrice Evra to beat Edwin van der Sar. Ferguson's men equalised from open play in the 30th minute. Giggs fed Neville and when the captain curled a low pass into the box, Rooney killed the ball with his right foot and despatched it beyond Kenny with his left. A difficult feat, made to look easy. Evra's cross from the left had a different outcome, beating Hulse and crucially dropping over the head of Davis for Rooney to fire a first-time shot across Kenny and into the net. With 15 minutes to go, United finally had the lead and on the balance of play they would surely not relinquish it. There was still time for Kenny to make a sublime save - denying Saha - and for Ronaldo to produce a ridiculous miss, spooning the ball over an open goal following Giggs' sliderule pass and Rooney's inspired backheel. The home fans had a chuckle but the last laugh went to the visiting supporters, who'll now follow their team to Glasgow - for a meeting of the top sides in England and Scotland - and then back to Manchester for that game against Chelsea. Should be quite a week.

Source: Manchester United
Credits: Guys at SoccerPulse