Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo claims it would be "logical" for him to win the European Footballer of the Year award.
Ronaldo was runner-up to AC Milan's Kaka last year but is favourite to go one better this time around after scoring 42 goals for United last season on their way to Champions League and Premier League title glory.
The United winger picked up the FIFPro World Footballer of the Year award earlier this week - the first in what is expected to be a host of individual honours for the 23-year-old - and he is confident he will be lifting the Ballon d'Or later this year.
He added: "But it's not me who votes. There are several candidates, but the person who has to win is he who was the best during the whole year.
"I was very consistent, I was a Premier League winner, I won the Champions League, I was the best European goalscorer, the best goalscorer in the Champions League."
Ronaldo also lifted the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards in a spectacular season for United, and could end the year by adding the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards to his trophy haul.
Newly-crowned FIFPro world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo offered an immediate reply to Sir Alex Ferguson's challenge to score 25 goals this season with a first-half double as West Ham were beaten 2-0.
Ronaldo took his tally for the campaign to five, first profiting from Nani's precise cross before tapping home from two yards, an effort that owed everything to the genius of Dimitar Berbatov. Patrice Evra did set up Ronaldo for a hat-trick but the winger's shot was disappointing.
Manchester United could have had more, with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney both going close. Rooney's delicate chip and a thunderous shot from 30 yards were saved desperately by Robert Green. The best part was the United returned to winning ways and the game also saw the introduction of Michael Carrick who returned from injury to make his third appearance of the season.
Boy, we dropped crucial points at Everton. I wish we could have won it. First half was complete United as we looked to dominate the game. We were even rewarded when Fletcher got us 1 up. But then from no where there was an equaliser. Damn.
And we could not get the lead back. Now the road to catch up the leaders (Liverpool) becomes even more difficult. With 8 points to catch and a game in hand and a list of injured players, it is going to be really difficult to retain the title this season. United next host Zola's struggling West Ham om Saturday.
Did someone think we have already lost it? Wait! Red Devils are not finished yet. The season has just started and it has got better and competitive.
Wayne Rooney, the lethal hitman of world's best football club: Manchester United turns 23 today. The wonderkid born on 24 October 1985 rose to stardom during EURO 2004 in Portugal.
I wish his a very Happy Birthday and hope he scores his 100th goal for the Red Devils at his former team Everton, when United travel to Mersyside tomorrow.
With not so much a battle as a mild swat, Manchester United contemptuously dismissed in their all-British encounter against Celtic with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
Two suspiciously offside-looking goals from Dimitar Berbatov - taking his Champions League tally to four - and a customary strike from Wayne Rooney, who now has nine in seven games for club and country were enough for killing Celtic as did not even make a fight of it.
The first goal came from a corner that Nani floated to the near post. At the second attempt, John O'Shea forced it on, and Berbatov, with his back to goal, flicked it past Artur Boruc. Just six minutes into the second half, Berbatov tapped home his second, profiting from a blistering Ronaldo free-kick that Boruc could not hold. Yet again, it seemed Berbatov was offside, but i feel it was compensated as the ref's assistant had earlier missed out on Rooney's goal when the England man raced onto Ronaldo's through ball and beat Boruc.
Berbatov was substituted by Carlos Tevez as he received a standing ovation, indicating that the fans love him. In his more rampaging moods, Rooney looks as though he could knock down a few walls and after another near miss, stroked home a deserved goal 15 minutes from time. It took his personal tally to nine in seven games and left Celtic facing a tough fight to claim a UEFA Cup berth as United continued their relentless march towards becoming the first side to retain this competition.
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney helped destroy West Brom at Old Trafford, and then claimed he was in the best form of his career. The wonder kid has now scored eight goals in six games following his strike in the 4-0 win. He also collected two assists as Portugal pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani added their names to the score sheet.
"This is possibly the best form of my career," said Rooney.
Following his World Cup qualifying exploits for England, Rooney carried on where he left off, collecting Berbatov's short pass before slotting in a fine solo effort that ended the brave resistance of West Brom. A capacity crowd did not need to look again to see the damage Rooney could cause. And after that Ronaldo, Berbatov and Nani scored to make it 4-0. The best part was Barbatov also scored his goal for United in the league and at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson does feel his side are now starting to find their feet after a difficult start to the campaign. And, with Celtic due in the Champions League on Tuesday, he will definitely like Rooney to display the same form.
Wayne Rooney has been phenomenal, as his performances for the national team have been applauded. The youngster who is often criticised for his ill temperament has scored 5 goals in 3 games for England so far. And he continues to improve game after game.
Recently he scored twice in the 3-1 win over Belarus which credits England with a 100% winning record. However, Rooney has been humble enough to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the 30 year old veteran striker Heskey.
"We are trying to get that understanding," he said. "On the training pitch we try to work on bits and pieces together - and it is paying off.
I can only hope that the wonder kid repeats his performance for Man Utd when they host West Brom tomorrow at Old Trafford.
"I'm not as dangerous. I'm not as effective in the penalty area any more." These are the words of Carlos Tevez, who feels that he has lost his magical touch since he arrived in England. The United striker believes the demands of English football have lessened his threat in front of goal.
The Argentina international has scored just once this season for United and he feels his form has been affected because of the work he has to do for the team in a highly-competitive Barclays Premier League. He feels it is strange as the person up front has to do a lot more for the team than just score goals. They have to play more for the team and he thinks he has sacrificed himself recently with regards to that aspect.
"Scoring goals is something I have lost and I have to get that back. I used to score better goals, great goals."
Wayne Rooney who has been criticized for a slow start to his season, has hit back by scoring in his last three outings for United. I have always admired the wonder kid since his Everton days. There is no doubt that he is a gifted striker and needs to be handled properly to give best results.
And now he feels the arrival of Berbatov from Tottenham will improve him as a player as he cannot now take his place in the starting eleven for granted. Also with Argentina star Carlos Tevez also vying for an attacking berth, Rooney has decided to show off his real colors. He has been demolishing oppositions since the last 4 games, be it in the league or an international.
Yesterday, it took Wayne Rooney's late double and Jermain Defoe's injury-time effort to eventually see of Kazakhstan with a 5-1 victory and maintain a 100% record in Group Six. It was an excellent game for all United players (Brown, Ferdinand & Rooney) as they contributed in the victory in a large share. It was stand-in skipper Rio Ferdinand who provided the breakthrough with his powerful header, before Rooney scored 2 late goals. One was from Wes Brown's teasing cross 13 minutes from time. And Rooney steered home another one from the cross of ex-United player David Beckham, who had a brief cameo.
This week Manchester United have been in the news for everything. With their captain Rio Ferdinand destined to captain England against Kazakhstan on Saturday, things are looking good for the England national team, as wonder kid Wayne Rooney is also nearing match fitness.
Elsewhere, Liverpool hitman Fernando Torres revealed his desire to score against Manchester United, especially in the Champions League final. He is feared in Europe for his incredible goal haul, which has seen him score 33 times last season. And now he wants to knock down Liverpool’s bitter rivals.
Also, Sir Alex Ferguson praised youngsters Jonny Evans and Rafael Da Silva and he believes they are set to become stars of the future for Manchester United. He has made sure that United have got a group of young players who are doing very well and showing fantastic potential. I really like Sir Alex's way of managing people, he's the boss. He has been doing this for the past 20 years and knows every bit of the game. Kudos to Sir Alex.
Champions Manchester United and Budweiser have announced the renewal of their sponsorship agreement until 2010. The American beer brand have sponsored the Red Devils since 2002 in a deal which renews their position as United's official beer and also includes hospitality packages for promotional activities and digital on-field signage in both English and Mandarin, to satisfy the club's Chinese fan base. I feel that both Manchester United and Budweiser are a perfect match, both having strong, storied heritages and a commitment to being the best.
Manchester United chief executive David Gill said: "Budweiser is dedicated to football and has been a valuable partner to Manchester United. "Budweiser's use of Manchester United for marketing activities has brought loyal followers closer than ever to the club and helped create many new Red Devils fans along the way." Budweiser's current marketing campaign is centered around the 'True Dedication' slogan.
A double strike from the English duo of Wes Brown & Wayne Rooney ensured a 2-0 win for Man Utd against Blackburn yesterday.
The first 10 minutes was a typical Blackburn-United game, it was hammer and tongs, tackles flying in and it wasn't settled. But once United had the ball, they settled well and started threatening Rovers goalie Brown. Finally United broke the deadlock via Wes Brown who climbed high and headed the ball into the net. Blackburn boss Paul Ince was not happy with the goal as he thought it was a foul from Vidic on his goalie. Hence he has launched a verbal assault on referee Steve Bennett for not spotting the foul and allowing the goal to stand.
The second half was entertaining as United marched ahead with confidence and went on missing a lot of good chances, before Ronaldo set up Rooney for the second. With England head Fabio Capello in the stands, he must have been impressed with the English duo's performance; as he announces his squad for the international matches later today. But i feel United could have hammered more goals and won by a bigger margin. Currently with this win ManU sit at the sixth position in the table, 3 points behind leaders Chelsea: who play Aston Villa today.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be happy to offer Paul Ince some managerial advice that he has amassed in the last 35 years. United travel to Ewood Park to lock horns with Blackburn Rovers, with Rovers new man Ince being a prodigy of Sir Alex at his time at Old Trafford. Having got their league campaign back on track last weekend by overcoming Bolton, the Red Devils need to maintain their winning momentum with a list of injured players causing United manager some worries.
I think he will definitely change the central midfield as Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves injured. This gives a chance to Anderson, Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs to jump in and sustaing the Blackburn pressure. Wayne Rooney, who picked up an ankle injury after opening the scoring against Aalborg in the midweek has been rated as 'very doubtful' by Ferguson.
