"He's a brilliant player, irreplaceable, the best player in the world - so no one's happy he left."
Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves could be seen in action in four weeks after returning to England following surgery on both knees. He has been out of action for more than a year now and played his last competitive game for United against Chelsea 13 months ago.
I was anticipating that Ferguson would make further signings in addition to Owen, Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan, who joined last week from Bordeaux. Samuel Eto was supposed to sign a deal with the Red Devils, but United have distanced themselves from any such deal.
After giving Michael Owen the number seven shirt (vacated by Ronaldo), Sir Alex reiterated that his current squad is good enough to challenge for an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title, even though Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have left. He also stressed that Daniel Welbeck and Federico Macheda will be given a chance to prove themselves by starting on a regular basis.
I think that Fergie is spot on and knows his squad is definitely competent enough to pose a challenge in England as well as in Europe. But somewhere I feel that there has to be a star signing, especially after the massive earnings through Ronaldo's sale.
What's your take?
A day after Cristiano Ronaldo completed his record transfer to Real Madrid, his ex-manager Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to him. Sir Alex's love for CR7 was clearly evident during his United days, when he would be seen mentoring, coaching and even joking with the Portuguese winger.
The compliment comes after a statement on www.manutd.com stated that Real had paid the required transfer fee for Ronaldo. While Sir Alex was busy in making the deal for Antonio Valencia, he did have time to comment about Real's new player.
Sir Alex said
Cristiano has been a marvelous player for Manchester United. His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world. His contribution has been a major factor in the club's success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over. Everyone here wishes him well in his future career.Well, the debate about Ronaldo's class will last forever, I guess. While many people laud his skills, there are still some people who think he is a diver, a cheat and a shrewd guy. But, whosoever he is and however he plays, we gotta keep one thing in mind that he is the World Player and has done a lot for United. Both in terms of football, trophies, publicity, etc.
Good luck Ronaldo :)
Manchester United's journey to the second trophy of a possible quintuple was subject to delay but they could not be prevented from reaching their destination. United's recent win over defending champions Tottenham at Wembley gifted them the Carling Cup.
The two sides could not be separated even after 120 minutes and this resulted in a penalty shoot out which United won 4-1. Without doubt, the hero of thw win was Ben Foster who was kept busy by Spurs players all along the 120 minutes. But the way Foster started the proceedings by saving the penalty taken by Jamie O'Hara, it was all too easy for the Red Devils. Tottenham Hotspur took exhausted penalties in the shoot-out, with O'Hara and David Bentley missing the target. But United converted all their 4 spot kicks to lift the cup. The trophy can now be placed beside the Club World Cup and the FA Community shield at Old Trafford.
The next target should be the premier league title which seems an easy affair for United after Liverpool lost to Middlesbrough. With another win at St James' Park tomorrow, United will be 10 points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool, which would in a way make United's position stronger. Next, defeating Fulham would put United on the course of winning the FA Cup. And so would a win against Inter guarantee them a place in the next round. With 2 trophies already in the kitty and 3 more to win, United certainly need to keep their feet on the ground to win all their prizes.
Having not conceded a goal since losing to Arsenal in November last year, Edwin Van Der Sar has registered an impressive eleventh straight clean sheet. He achieved this feat in United's demolition of West Brom. The Dutch goalie needed to survive 84 minutes against West Brom to break Petr Cech's record of 1025 minutes without conceding a goal.
While he didn't concede, his team mates scored five at the other end to go three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League table.
The Dutchman is now unbeaten for 1032 minutes and can extend this to 1122 minutes if he can keep Everton at bay on Saturday. I feel that even the defenders made a big contribution in helping van der Sar acheive this feat. It needs to be noted that for most of the 11 games, United did not have a settled back four. The fact that everyone has come in and done a job shows the strength of the squad. And this has been possible only because Sir Alex and the back staff have put in a lot of hard work.
It took Manchester United injuries to demolish West Bromwich Albion. With many of the first team players injured, United had to depend on their youngsters and the starting 11 has been a makeshift since the last few games. But that provided the much needed spirit as their ruthless streak is back after their 5-0 win at The Hawthorns.
With Rooney injured, Tevez got a chance in the starting eleven and he made good use of this opportunity. He and Dimitar Berbatov set United on their way to victory with a goal apiece in the first half. Nemanja Vidic powered home a third and Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice for the Reds to make the scoreline look impressive. I always knew that one team had to suffer once United's merciless form returns, but never thought it would come at such a stage. The ruthless streak that they displayed has been lacking all season. With March & April being crucial months, I hope United continue this form all along to win the quadruple.
With 11 consecutive wins, United find themselves 3 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League table. Also the goal difference is looking aggressive now. Pressure is back on Liverpool as they try to catch United for the top spot.
With many of the senior players missing through injuries, Sir Alex had a big challenge when he entertained Tottenham at The Theatre of Dreams. But he kept his promise and we saw youngsters like Fabio and Welbeck in the starting eleven.
The match started on a worst possible way for United as Roman Pavlyuchenko's early opener stunned everyone. Nemanja Vidic got himself in a muddle and allowed Pavlyuchenko to give him the slip and turn home a deft header to give an early lead for the Londoners. But United were always in the game as they moved freely around the park, until they leveled through Paul Scholes.
Carrick spotted Scholes lurking with menace on the edge of the box and coolly rolled a corner into the veteran's path. The shot was pretty fierce and once it had flicked off Tom Huddlestone, Ben Alnwick did not have a hope of keeping it out. Within a minute Carrick floated a pass over the Spurs defence and the ball landed with Berbatov. Berbatov's first-time control was awesome. His second touch was a precise shot into the bottom corner that again left Alnwick flailing. That was it, United had done it. Now they were set to remain on track for an unprecedented quadruple after reaching the last 16 of the FA Cup.
What impressed me in this match was the way Carrick got so much space to play. He has been a very important player in Sir Alex's team. Just in the blink of an eye, he transformed the tie in United's favor. But the game saw some more injury woes as Fabio collapsed in agony in the early moments of the second period after he had landed awkwardly following an aerial duel with Spurs substitute Giovani dos Santos. Welbeck too joined the injured list late in the game.
As expected Manchester United closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points - with a game in hand - as they struggled to victory against Wigan. Wonder kid Wayne Rooney slid in Cristiano Ronaldo's cross in the first minute, but limped off with a hamstring injury five minutes later.
Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes from the side that beat Chelsea so comfortably - and they carried on where they had left off by taking the lead inside a minute. Rooney's
substitute Carlos Tevez then missed United's best chance after 25 minutes. It was a lucky day for the Argentine who was again left on the bench but Rooney's injury got him a chance to play the full 90 minutes. Unfortunately, Tevez could not score. Already under pressure to decide his future, Tevez was advised by Diego Maradona to leave Old Trafford. But Tevez wants to stay at Manchester and he does love the fans and the atmosphere. Maybe we might see some reshuffling at United at the end of this month.
With yesterday's win United have displaced Chelsea and if they win against Bolton, they would lead the Premier League table for the first time. And this will surely indicate that this season title race would be fought between Man United and Liverpool; with Arsenal no where to be seen and Chelsea handling their internal problems.
United winger Cristiano Ronaldo became the first Premier League star to be named FIFA's world player of the year. He beat AC Milan's Kaka, Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Xavi to take the award at a star-studded gala in Zurich.
2008 -09 season was fantastic for Ronaldo as his 31 league goals and 42 in total, won him the European Golden Shoe as the continent's top scorer. His performances also won him the Ballon d'Or by France Football magazine, and named FIFPro's player of the year. It caps a stunning year for the 23-year-old in which he played the starring role as United won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.
While speaking after collecting the award from Pele, Ronaldo dedicated the award to his family but also paid tribute to influence of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He said: "It's a dream come true for me to get this award and I would like to dedicate this to my family. "But it's also true that the manager always has an important role to play. It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot for him.
"His experience over so many years is of paramount importance - it's a privilege to have such a great club manager. "This is the climax of a fantastic era for me. I'm happy and proud about what has been done by my team and what we have won. "I am lucky to to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United."
Another away game for Man United and another draw. This time a 0-0 draw with Tottenham. Boy, this is really bad. United are missing so many chances to get to the top spot. Sometimes, I feel that United are just lacking the desire to win, but then some brilliant individual performances prove me wrong.
In yesterday's against Spurs, Heurelho Gomes left White Hart Lane as a hero. So often ridiculed for his error-prone presence in the Spurs goal this season, he had to come to form only against United! With first half dominated by the home team, United were strong in the second half with some real chances but again - failed to score. Ronaldo had the ball in the net from the corner but referee Mike Dean was very harsh in ruling it out for handball. Rio Ferdinand had a good chance to head in one from the corner, but he missed it by inches. And the when it seemed that Giggs had secured all three points, Gomes produced a fingertip save to turn away his free-kick that was going to creep in.
Dimitar Berbatov received a hostile reception as the Spurs fans obliged with a stream of boos and jeers that began when Berbatov emerged for the warm-up and continued throughout the game. Berbatov could not produce his fantastic performance and was looking ineffective every pass he received was snatched by the Spurs defense. Ji-Sung Park and Michael Carrick were only the ones to threaten the home team with some forceful shots.
It left the Red Devils rueing their failure to take advantage to challenge the toppers in the Premier League; after Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all had to be suffice with a point.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been won the 2008 Ballon d'Or, beating Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres. The prestigious award was confirmed by France Football magazine, who present the trophy based on a poll of 96 top journalists.
The Manchester United winger came second in last year's poll, behind Brazil star Kaka, but his outstanding form last season, scoring 42 goals in all competitions for United, ensured he took the award this time. Ronaldo scored 42 goals last season to propel United to glory in both the Barclays Premier League and Champions League. Having already won the FIFPro World Player of the Year and the top domestic prizes from the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers last season, this award was unachieved by Ron.
Ronaldo's was the only name to appear on each of the 96 ballots, polling 446 points out of a maximum 480. Messi and Torres bagged a respective 267 and 165 points. This award makes him the first United player to claim the Ballon d'Or since George Best in 1968. What an honour for Manchester United.
Congrats Cristiano. I hope you continue last years sparkling form and help ManU retain last years trophies.
Wayne Rooney grabbed the 100th club goal of his career and Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in Manchester United's 1-0 win at City, last night.
United were dominant throughout as it was a must win game for them to close the gap on leaders. It was late in the first half that United were rewarded when Rooney followed up Michael Carrick's shot to break the deadlock. The goal made Rooney very emotional as he ran half the ground in sheer delight. After being guilty of not hitting the winner against Villa, last week; the wonder kid did make amends in front of a full crowd at The City of Manchester Stadium.
The only blemish on an otherwise perfect day for Sir Alex was Ronaldo's red card, which came after an inexplicable handball by the Portuguese winger. Ronaldo had already been booked for bringing down Shaun Wright-Phillips and, when he almost caught Rooney's corner at the near post less than 10 minutes later, referee Howard Webb had no choice but to dismiss him. Ronaldo kept on saying that he had heard a whistle and also he was pushed while the corner was being taken. But the ref was in no mood to listen and straight away sent him off.
Whatever, but even with 10 men for the last 20 minutes, City never threatened United. The win puts the champions just 5 points behind leaders Chelsea who lost to Arsenal at home.
Cristiano Ronaldo's 100th goal made it a double cause for celebration at Old Trafford as Manchester United marked 50 years in the game for Sir Alex Ferguson with a comfortable 5-0 win over Stoke. Tony Pulis side which has attracted lot of awe from the football pundits, were crushed by the Red Devils.
Ronaldo took just three minutes to reach his personal milestone with a trademark free-kick and rounded off United's biggest win of the season in similar fashion at the end. And during the course of these 90 minutes Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and debutant Danny Welback found the net. Sir Alex marked his own landmark day with a trio of Premier League debuts in the form of Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson and Manucho.
With Chelsea and Liverpool also capturing 3 points, United trail them by 8 points. A long way to go to catch the leaders. Ofcourse, I am happy with United's emphatic victory, but I just can stop watching and appreciating Welbeck's goal again and again. Boy, it was some shot. It was fabulous. I am sure the England Under-19 forward will be one the leading strikers in the coming years.
Sir Alex Ferguson has again fanned the flames of Manchester United's battle with Real Madrid over Cristiano Ronaldo.
United boss has now claimed he does not believe Real's pursuit is over in enticing Ronaldo to Bernabeu. The Premier League and Champions League winners refused to sell the Portuguese forward and Madrid president Ramon Calderon recently said they would only reignite their interest if United wanted to do a deal. But this week has seen a war of words between Ferguson and Calderon.
I wonder whether Sir Alex has started to entice Real for a Ronaldo transfer in the winter. This is still very possible. What do you think?
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.
