We're Man Utd and we are loud,
Loyal fans and totally proud,
Beat 'em at home beat 'em away,
Kill any b*stards that get in our way,
We hate City, Scouse, Leeds scum,
And we make the b*stards run,
With this team we shall go far,
Hughes, Giggs, Sharpe and Cantona,
Won the league let's do it again,
By just one point instead of ten,
We'll keep the red flag flying high,
'Coz Man United will never die.
Hello, hello, we are the the Busby boys,
Hello, hello, we are the the Busby boys,
And if you are a City fan,
Surrender or you'll die,
We all follow United.
----
I don't drink coffee, I drink Beer my dear,
Man United is my side,
Hear me singing and my accent will be clear,
I'm a Mancunian..
Oh oh, I'm Mancunian..
One-hundred per-cent Mancunian!!
----
M a hardcore Manchester United fan!!!n if u not b one
The Red Flag:
The Red Flag
United's flag is deepest red,
It shrouded all our Munich dead,
Before their limbs grew stiff and cold,
Their heart's blood dyed it's ev'ry fold.
Then raise United's banner high,
Beneath it's shade we'll live and die,
So keep the faith and never fear,
We'll keep the Red Flag flying here.
We'll never die, we'll never die,
We'll never die, we'll never die,
We'll keep the Red flag flying high,
Because Man United will never die.
----
"Manchester United they are the best,
They stand out above all the rest,
In Manchester we wear with pride,
The red shirts of our favorite side,
Old Trafford is the ground we want to be at,
There’s never a doubt, it’s a true fact,
Manchester United we follow around,
Even when their not at their home ground,
So many players with fantastic skill,
Is so good to watch, it’s just brill,
Win or lose no matter which,
We are there when their on the pitch,
No matter what people say,
You should see Manchester on a match day,
They say all the fans come from the south,
Until they hear the accents when we open our mouth,
Yes it is true without a doubt,
Manchester United is what we shout about,
We are from Manchester, yes it’s true,
But we are red and certainly not blue, "
Come on you reds, come on you reds
Just keep your bottle and use your heads
For ninety minutes we'll let them know
Who's Man United, here we go
Come on you reds, come on you reds
Just keep your bottle and use your heads
For ninety minutes we'll let them know
Who's Man United, here we go
Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
We'll maintain the status quo
We're Man United, here we go
So Old Trafford let us hear you loud
Cheer us on and we will do you proud
Fifty thousand voices sing our song
Keep us at the top where we belong
So here's to Alex Ferguson
He'll take us all the way
We're on the road to glory now
Winning at home and away
If man is 5, and the devil is 6, then God is 7
: BEST - ROBSON - CANTONA - BECKHAM-C.RONALDO!!!
----
Forever and a day, United fans
will ask "Where did you
watch the 1999 European Cup Final?"
...and 50,000 or so will be
able to say "I WAS THERE"..
----
I saw my mate,
The other day,
He said to me,
I've seen the white Pele!
so i asked, who is he?
He goes by the name of
Wayne Rooney.
Wayne Rooney!
Wayne Rooney!
He goes by the name of,
Wayne Rooney!!!
----
Manchester united thou are my love
You mean more to me then the heaven above
U have carved an irreplaceable place in my heart
Kissing the badge morning my every day starts
U always make my eyes shed a tear
U are so far but yet seem so near
U have taught me to be strong
through the good and the bad
I promise I will be with you
When the times are happy or sad
U have taught me the true way
To really love someone(referring to the club as a person)
And I promise I will keep loving
Till my breaths last none
And when its time to go
my last wish shall be
god if I have to die now
let old Trafford the place be
and god all the good deeds I have done in my life
be substituted by a wish if you can
in the next life when I am born
let me be a MAN UTD fan
----
United united all the way
Everyone else has nuthin to say
We are the best
We easily beat the rest
Man United on the way to the treble
Rivals can stare at us and turn to rubble
GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED.
MAN UNITED HERE WE GO.
Showing posts with label ronaldo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ronaldo. Show all posts
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
United 5-2 Tottenham !!
Manchester United scored five goals in 22 second-half minutes to surge back from 2-0 down and beat visitors Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 in the Premier League on Saturday.
After Liverpool had earlier won 3-1 at Hull City to move top on goal difference, United's grip on the title was looking shaky as they trailed to goals from Darren Bent and Luka Modric with almost an hour gone at Old Trafford.
However, they were given a way back into the match by a harsh penalty decision after Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes dived at the feet of Michael Carrick, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to score from the spot after 57 minutes.
Tottenham then fell apart as Wayne Rooney equalised in the 67th minute, Ronaldo headed United ahead a minute later and Rooney got the fourth while the crowd were still drawing breath.
Former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov got in on the act with a goal 11 minutes from time to take United back to the top, three points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur-Preview
Gary Neville has been ruled out for a fortnight by Sir Alex Ferguson after injuring his foot against Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday. It means he will miss both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal and also the Premier League games against Tottenham tomorrow and Middlesbrough on 2 May.
However, John O’Shea is fit after injuring his ankle against Portsmouth and could be part of a United squad to face Spurs that also includes Wes Brown, who has come through two reserve outings this week without a reaction. Ryan Giggs will make his 800th appearance if he gets on the field.
Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, R da Silva, O’Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.
However, John O’Shea is fit after injuring his ankle against Portsmouth and could be part of a United squad to face Spurs that also includes Wes Brown, who has come through two reserve outings this week without a reaction. Ryan Giggs will make his 800th appearance if he gets on the field.
Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, R da Silva, O’Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.
Fixture: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Competition: Barclays Premier league
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Time: 17.30 UK 22.00 IST
Date: 25.4.09
Channel: STAR SPORTS India
Competition: Barclays Premier league
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Time: 17.30 UK 22.00 IST
Date: 25.4.09
Channel: STAR SPORTS India
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
United 2-0 Portsmouth
Paul Scholes marked his 600th Manchester United appearance in trademark fashion, supplying the killer through ball that could eventually seal an 18th league championship for the Red Devils.
Chelsea's failure to beat Everton at Stamford Bridge leaves Liverpool as United's only realistic title rivals. And goals from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick mean Alex Ferguson's men are now three points clear of their north-west rivals, with a game in hand.
It would be Scholes' ninth title medal. He deserves it for the sublime defence-splitting pass that set up Carrick seven minutes from time after United had failed to capitalise on Rooney's early opener.
Unusually for Scholes, until his telling late intervention he was fairly subdued as he joined Bill Foulkes, Sir Bobby Charlton and long-time team-mate Giggs in United's exclusive 600 club.
In fact, it was midfield partner Anderson and evergreen Giggs - who has now turned out an incredible 799 times for his only professional club - who caught the eye.
The pair were at the heart of most United attacking moves, combining in brilliant fashion for Rooney's early opener.
As Ferguson is well aware, quick goals are vital at this stage of the season, when nerves can create so many problems at both ends of the table.
So the United boss must have been delighted to see Anderson sent Giggs flying down the left flank with a brilliant reverse pass that found the Welshman just onside.
With 10 championship medals to his name, Giggs is not in the habit of panicking in such situations. And he calmly rolled his cross along the six-yard box, where Rooney gleefully tapped him.
Had Rooney been allowed to dart onto another precise Giggs pass at the end of a one-sided opening period, United would have had the victory they craved wrapped up with half the game remaining.
Instead, a very marginal offside decision went against them, as did a failure to convert a series of excellent chances, the best of which fell to Giggs.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the provider with a low cross from the right. Giggs deft chip sailed over David James but bounced agonisingly wide of the post.
Substitute John O'Shea, who replaced Gary Neville shortly after Rooney's opener, had a header cleared off the line by Nadir Belhadj, with Giggs spurning another opportunity after Rooney had sent him through, United's stand-in skipper firing straight at James.
The half-time introduction of Jermaine Pennant brought some pace to Portsmouth's forward line.
The problem for Pompey was they struggled to get into an area where it might be exploited.
On the one occasion they did, Glen Johnson was the provider. But Edwin van der Sar read his idea and pushed the England defender's low cross away from Peter Crouch.
Van der Sar was one of nine changes to Ferguson's controversial FA Cup semi-final line-up.
Yet still the United manager could afford to leave Rio Ferdinand out altogether and have both Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez on the bench.
Despite Tevez's declaration that he will almost certainly have to seek pastures new in the summer, he remains a major crowd favourite at Old Trafford.
Certainly once O'Shea had limped off, leaving Ferguson with a single remaining substitution, it was the Argentina star most United fans wanted to see introduced.
By then, anxiety appeared to have set in. In addition to Johnson's cross, Van der Sar had to keep out a mis-hit volley from Crouch and a far more dangerous header from the same man that seemed destined for the bottom corner.
Rooney would have restored a sense of calm if he had finished instead of firing straight at James after shrugging off the attentions of Johnson to reach Van der Sar's long punt forward.
Yet Portsmouth's urgency left Ferguson to conclude neither Tevez nor Berbatov would be needed, bringing on Michael Carrick instead to help steady the ship.
The tactic worked a dream, although probably not in the way Ferguson imagined as the England man collected Scholes' superb pass and finished smartly.
It left Pompey dangling precariously six points above the drop zone, facing a crucial trip to Newcastle on Monday.
By then, United will be getting ready to face Arsenal in a Champions League semi-final, with Scholes hoping another of those cherished title medals is within touching distance.
Chelsea's failure to beat Everton at Stamford Bridge leaves Liverpool as United's only realistic title rivals. And goals from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick mean Alex Ferguson's men are now three points clear of their north-west rivals, with a game in hand.
It would be Scholes' ninth title medal. He deserves it for the sublime defence-splitting pass that set up Carrick seven minutes from time after United had failed to capitalise on Rooney's early opener.
Unusually for Scholes, until his telling late intervention he was fairly subdued as he joined Bill Foulkes, Sir Bobby Charlton and long-time team-mate Giggs in United's exclusive 600 club.
In fact, it was midfield partner Anderson and evergreen Giggs - who has now turned out an incredible 799 times for his only professional club - who caught the eye.
The pair were at the heart of most United attacking moves, combining in brilliant fashion for Rooney's early opener.
As Ferguson is well aware, quick goals are vital at this stage of the season, when nerves can create so many problems at both ends of the table.
So the United boss must have been delighted to see Anderson sent Giggs flying down the left flank with a brilliant reverse pass that found the Welshman just onside.
With 10 championship medals to his name, Giggs is not in the habit of panicking in such situations. And he calmly rolled his cross along the six-yard box, where Rooney gleefully tapped him.
Had Rooney been allowed to dart onto another precise Giggs pass at the end of a one-sided opening period, United would have had the victory they craved wrapped up with half the game remaining.
Instead, a very marginal offside decision went against them, as did a failure to convert a series of excellent chances, the best of which fell to Giggs.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the provider with a low cross from the right. Giggs deft chip sailed over David James but bounced agonisingly wide of the post.
Substitute John O'Shea, who replaced Gary Neville shortly after Rooney's opener, had a header cleared off the line by Nadir Belhadj, with Giggs spurning another opportunity after Rooney had sent him through, United's stand-in skipper firing straight at James.
The half-time introduction of Jermaine Pennant brought some pace to Portsmouth's forward line.
The problem for Pompey was they struggled to get into an area where it might be exploited.
On the one occasion they did, Glen Johnson was the provider. But Edwin van der Sar read his idea and pushed the England defender's low cross away from Peter Crouch.
Van der Sar was one of nine changes to Ferguson's controversial FA Cup semi-final line-up.
Yet still the United manager could afford to leave Rio Ferdinand out altogether and have both Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez on the bench.
Despite Tevez's declaration that he will almost certainly have to seek pastures new in the summer, he remains a major crowd favourite at Old Trafford.
Certainly once O'Shea had limped off, leaving Ferguson with a single remaining substitution, it was the Argentina star most United fans wanted to see introduced.
By then, anxiety appeared to have set in. In addition to Johnson's cross, Van der Sar had to keep out a mis-hit volley from Crouch and a far more dangerous header from the same man that seemed destined for the bottom corner.
Rooney would have restored a sense of calm if he had finished instead of firing straight at James after shrugging off the attentions of Johnson to reach Van der Sar's long punt forward.
Yet Portsmouth's urgency left Ferguson to conclude neither Tevez nor Berbatov would be needed, bringing on Michael Carrick instead to help steady the ship.
The tactic worked a dream, although probably not in the way Ferguson imagined as the England man collected Scholes' superb pass and finished smartly.
It left Pompey dangling precariously six points above the drop zone, facing a crucial trip to Newcastle on Monday.
By then, United will be getting ready to face Arsenal in a Champions League semi-final, with Scholes hoping another of those cherished title medals is within touching distance.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
United v Portsmouth-Preview
Manchester United's bid for a hat-trick of Premier League titles continues with the visit of struggling Portsmouth to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils may have lost top spot by the time they take to the field, having also suffered an FA Cup semi-final defeat at the weekend, going down 4-2 on penalties to Everton.
Sir Alex Ferguson courted controversy by leaving a number of first-team regulars out of his side for that game, but he will not do so again for the arrival of Pompey.
Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will be fit to feature, the England striker having missed Sunday's loss to his former club due to a foot injury.
Midfielder Darren Fletcher also returns to the squad, as should Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Michael Carrick is struggling with a slight knock.
Ferguson admitted ahead of the game: "We did our analysis of the semi-final on the train back. It's done and now we move on to Wednesday, it's a big game for us.
"We've got seven league games left to play and I hope we win them all."
Pompey travel to the north-west boosted by a crucial 1-0 victory at home to Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.
That win lifted Paul Hart's side six points clear of the relegation places, despite recent criticism that the team had been too negative.
However, they are almost certain to be without key midfielder Niko Kranjcar, who was stretchered off in the morale-boosting 1-0 win at Fratton Park.
However, scans have revealed no significant damage and Kranjcar may only miss one game.
Hart commented: "He's looking a lot better. We're hopeful he'll be back sooner rather than later.
"He's a quick healer, a boy with a strong and positive mental attitude and that's a big boost for us, because he's an integral part of our plans and has been doing well."
Elsewhere, defender Younes Kaboul is likely to miss out due to a thigh muscle strain, but midfielder Sean Davis has been given the all-clear to face United despite injuring his knee against the Trotters.
The Red Devils may have lost top spot by the time they take to the field, having also suffered an FA Cup semi-final defeat at the weekend, going down 4-2 on penalties to Everton.
Sir Alex Ferguson courted controversy by leaving a number of first-team regulars out of his side for that game, but he will not do so again for the arrival of Pompey.
Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will be fit to feature, the England striker having missed Sunday's loss to his former club due to a foot injury.
Midfielder Darren Fletcher also returns to the squad, as should Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Michael Carrick is struggling with a slight knock.
Ferguson admitted ahead of the game: "We did our analysis of the semi-final on the train back. It's done and now we move on to Wednesday, it's a big game for us.
"We've got seven league games left to play and I hope we win them all."
Pompey travel to the north-west boosted by a crucial 1-0 victory at home to Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.
That win lifted Paul Hart's side six points clear of the relegation places, despite recent criticism that the team had been too negative.
However, they are almost certain to be without key midfielder Niko Kranjcar, who was stretchered off in the morale-boosting 1-0 win at Fratton Park.
However, scans have revealed no significant damage and Kranjcar may only miss one game.
Hart commented: "He's looking a lot better. We're hopeful he'll be back sooner rather than later.
"He's a quick healer, a boy with a strong and positive mental attitude and that's a big boost for us, because he's an integral part of our plans and has been doing well."
Elsewhere, defender Younes Kaboul is likely to miss out due to a thigh muscle strain, but midfielder Sean Davis has been given the all-clear to face United despite injuring his knee against the Trotters.
Fixture: Manchester United v Portsmouth
Competition: Barclays Premier league
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Time:20.00 UK 00.25 IST (Thursday)
Date:22.4.09
Channel: ESPN India
Competition: Barclays Premier league
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Time:20.00 UK 00.25 IST (Thursday)
Date:22.4.09
Channel: ESPN India
Saturday, April 18, 2009
History behind Man Utd v Everton @ Wembley
Man United and Everton will meet at Wembley in the FA Cup for the first time since the Merseyside club triumphed in the competition in 1995.
United are overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy but echoes of Paul Rideout’s winning goal for Everton which left Sir Alex Ferguson’s side trophyless in 1995 may play on United supporters’ minds when the teams meet at Wembley.
The fixture needs no added spice with the antipathy that exists between Everton supporters and their former Gwladys Street favourite Wayne Rooney. It is five years since the striker left Goodison Park for Old Trafford but his move still rankles with Evertonians. Indeed, the last time the two sides met in the FA Cup coincided with Rooney’s first appearance at Goodison Park since leaving the club. Manchester United cruised to a 2-0 victory, but the match was almost a sideshow to the pantomime treatment of Rooney.
United are overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy but echoes of Paul Rideout’s winning goal for Everton which left Sir Alex Ferguson’s side trophyless in 1995 may play on United supporters’ minds when the teams meet at Wembley.
The fixture needs no added spice with the antipathy that exists between Everton supporters and their former Gwladys Street favourite Wayne Rooney. It is five years since the striker left Goodison Park for Old Trafford but his move still rankles with Evertonians. Indeed, the last time the two sides met in the FA Cup coincided with Rooney’s first appearance at Goodison Park since leaving the club. Manchester United cruised to a 2-0 victory, but the match was almost a sideshow to the pantomime treatment of Rooney.
Fixture: Manchester United v Everton
Competition: FA Cup
Venue: Wembley, London
Date:19 April,09
Time:15.00 UK 20.25 IST
Channel: SET PIX
Competition: FA Cup
Venue: Wembley, London
Date:19 April,09
Time:15.00 UK 20.25 IST
Channel: SET PIX
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
United v Arsenal in UCL SF
Cristiano Ronaldo's thunderous early goal left Sir Alex Ferguson to go head-to-head with old rival Arsene Wenger for a place in the Champions League Final.
The emergence of Chelsea and Liverpool may have taken the edge off battles between Manchester United and Arsenal over the past few years.
But the renewal of hostilities promises to be almost as spectacular as the Ronaldo strike that created it.
The sixth-minute effort was his 20th goal of the season and only his second in the Champions League since completing that astonishing haul of 42 in last year's final in Moscow.
There was certainly no doubting it was worthy of winning any game, and earning United the accolade of becoming the first English team to beat Porto on their own ground.
As almost a side issue, it also keeps the Red Devils on track to win the quintuple in a season they have brought back to life at just the right time.
In calling for the spirit of Turin '99, Ferguson also knew if that momentous evening was to be repeated, he would have to go through the agony of being two goals down before a famous victory could be achieved.
Ronaldo however, has his own history book to fill.
A repeat of last season's 42-goal tally was never likely to be repeated in a campaign delayed because of ankle surgery.
But the 24-year-old has still make a significant contribution to United's attempt to land an unprecedented quintuple, even if, like so many of his team-mates, he has looked a little off the pace in recent weeks.
There could have been no better stage to signal his renewed intent.
Apart from his beloved Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo is roundly jeered when he returns to one of the major clubs in his homeland, Porto being no exception.
They recognise his talent, though, even if no-one expected what followed when Ronaldo collected Anderson's short pass closer to the halfway line than the opposition goal.
Sensing a little trepidation in home ranks, Ronaldo let rip with a shot as brutally powerful as it was audacious in its intent.
Porto keeper Helton did not have a chance of keeping the ball out as it flashed past him to give United the start Ferguson could not have dreamed.
Had Nemanja Vidic been able to keep his close-range effort under the crossbar after John O'Shea had got the faintest of touches to a Ryan Giggs corner just before the interval, the Red Devils would surely have completed their task in half the time allotted.
Unfortunately, the Serbian missed, allowing Porto to nurse plenty of hope during a half-time team-talk delivered by Jose Gomes as banned coach Jesualdo Ferreira apparently watched on TV at a secret location outside the stadium.
After his major blunder last week, Bruno Alves was determined to make amends and threatened Edwin van der Sar's goal on three separate occasions during that opening period.
But this was United at their belligerent best. Their intent showed in the reaction of a normally phlegmatic Dimitar Berbatov to losing possession and, after a public rebuke from his manager last weekend for not doing enough for the team, an apologetic wave of regret from Ronaldo after a misplaced pass.
Just as Vidic spurred the chance of a second immediately before the break, so Berbatov did the same just afterwards when he wriggled his way into the Porto penalty area.
Porto took it as their cue to mount another offensive.
But with Rio Ferdinand back alongside Vidic after his recent groin strain there was an authority about United's defending that had not been in evidence since before they were dismantled by Liverpool five games ago.
There was experience too, with Ryan Giggs and Van der Sar taking just long enough over their set pieces not to incur the wrath of Swiss referee Massimo Busacca while eating up vital seconds.
The introduction of Nani for Berbatov midway through the second period hinted at a strategy of counter-attacking at pace.
It was certainly Porto carrying any threat that did exist and Rolando was too close for comfort with a far post header.
Yet this United were different to what has been almost the shadow side that has existed before now.
And while they did not exactly coast home, the visiting supporters were celebrating victory long before the final whistle confirmed it.
But the renewal of hostilities promises to be almost as spectacular as the Ronaldo strike that created it.
The sixth-minute effort was his 20th goal of the season and only his second in the Champions League since completing that astonishing haul of 42 in last year's final in Moscow.
There was certainly no doubting it was worthy of winning any game, and earning United the accolade of becoming the first English team to beat Porto on their own ground.
As almost a side issue, it also keeps the Red Devils on track to win the quintuple in a season they have brought back to life at just the right time.
In calling for the spirit of Turin '99, Ferguson also knew if that momentous evening was to be repeated, he would have to go through the agony of being two goals down before a famous victory could be achieved.
Ronaldo however, has his own history book to fill.
A repeat of last season's 42-goal tally was never likely to be repeated in a campaign delayed because of ankle surgery.
But the 24-year-old has still make a significant contribution to United's attempt to land an unprecedented quintuple, even if, like so many of his team-mates, he has looked a little off the pace in recent weeks.
There could have been no better stage to signal his renewed intent.
Apart from his beloved Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo is roundly jeered when he returns to one of the major clubs in his homeland, Porto being no exception.
They recognise his talent, though, even if no-one expected what followed when Ronaldo collected Anderson's short pass closer to the halfway line than the opposition goal.
Sensing a little trepidation in home ranks, Ronaldo let rip with a shot as brutally powerful as it was audacious in its intent.
Porto keeper Helton did not have a chance of keeping the ball out as it flashed past him to give United the start Ferguson could not have dreamed.
Had Nemanja Vidic been able to keep his close-range effort under the crossbar after John O'Shea had got the faintest of touches to a Ryan Giggs corner just before the interval, the Red Devils would surely have completed their task in half the time allotted.
Unfortunately, the Serbian missed, allowing Porto to nurse plenty of hope during a half-time team-talk delivered by Jose Gomes as banned coach Jesualdo Ferreira apparently watched on TV at a secret location outside the stadium.
After his major blunder last week, Bruno Alves was determined to make amends and threatened Edwin van der Sar's goal on three separate occasions during that opening period.
But this was United at their belligerent best. Their intent showed in the reaction of a normally phlegmatic Dimitar Berbatov to losing possession and, after a public rebuke from his manager last weekend for not doing enough for the team, an apologetic wave of regret from Ronaldo after a misplaced pass.
Just as Vidic spurred the chance of a second immediately before the break, so Berbatov did the same just afterwards when he wriggled his way into the Porto penalty area.
Porto took it as their cue to mount another offensive.
But with Rio Ferdinand back alongside Vidic after his recent groin strain there was an authority about United's defending that had not been in evidence since before they were dismantled by Liverpool five games ago.
There was experience too, with Ryan Giggs and Van der Sar taking just long enough over their set pieces not to incur the wrath of Swiss referee Massimo Busacca while eating up vital seconds.
The introduction of Nani for Berbatov midway through the second period hinted at a strategy of counter-attacking at pace.
It was certainly Porto carrying any threat that did exist and Rolando was too close for comfort with a far post header.
Yet this United were different to what has been almost the shadow side that has existed before now.
And while they did not exactly coast home, the visiting supporters were celebrating victory long before the final whistle confirmed it.
SUMMARY:
Porto 0-1 Man Utd (Agg 2-3) Ronaldo 6
United now will face Arsenal in semi-finals on Apr 29 and May 5th.Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ron expects a titanic!
Cristiano Ronaldo is predicting a "titanic" battle between Manchester United and Inter Milan in the San Siro tonight.
The world player of the year is aiming to be part of the first side to retain the Champions League trophy since it was formed in 1992.
But there could have been few more arduous tests than the runaway Serie A leaders, who United meet at the same last-16 stage Jose Mourinho knocked them out at in 2004 with eventual winners FC Porto.
And, while Ronaldo is confident the holders will get through, he recognises Inter will not be disposed of without a mighty battle.
"It is going to be a titanic fight," he said.
"Inter are top of Serie A which tells you immediately they are a good team who are going to give us a tough game.
"But we are playing well, which should give us confidence. We just have to be ready."
With fellow countryman Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson at odds over when the tie will actually be decided, Ronaldo prefers to concentrate on what would be a good result for the visitors.
Like his manager, the star winger acknowledges United's formidable home record will give them a chance to progress providing their injury-hit squad avoids a similar calamity to the one they suffered on their last visit to the San Siro two years ago when AC Milan scored three times without reply to cause Ferguson more semi-final heartache.
"A good result is a win but if we draw it is not bad because Inter know it will be difficult to beat us in Manchester," added Ronaldo.
Ferguson will take a late check on the fitness of John O'Shea and Jonny Evans before finalising his line-up.
O'Shea is more likely to shrug off the pain of a sore heel than Evans is to battle through an ankle injury, but if either are fit it would at least give Rio Ferdinand a partner in central defence.
Fabio Da Silva - whose twin brother Rafael is absent with an injured ankle - and Darren Fletcher stand by to fill the right-back slot.
"My options? I panic!" said Ferguson, only half-jokingly when asked what he would do if both his Irishmen were ruled out.
"I suppose I could play Dimitar Berbatov as a sweeper."
At a time when plausible rivals on the domestic front are disappearing, the United chief is relishing a meeting of minds with Mourinho, who has only lost one of their previous 12 head-to-head duels.
There has never been anything worse that a healthy rivalry between the two men, with opinion growing that Mourinho will one day succeed Ferguson at Old Trafford.
And, as he enjoys a fabulous climax to his own career, Ferguson credits Mourinho's arrival in England for giving his team the edge they had lost.
"When Jose came there was a great upsurge at Chelsea," he said.
"I remember he uttered those words 'I am the Special One' and it seemed to galvanise the whole club. They won the first two titles under his management and their starts just caught us on the hop.
"By the time we got to October in that first season we were trying to play catch-up. It gave them the upper hand over everyone really."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
United 2-1 Blackburn
Cristiano Ronaldo produced a moment of magic to give Manchester United a hard-
Man Utd go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of Liverpool who'll face City today at Anfield.
Rooney snatched in a perfect ball from Nani to score his second goal in two games. But 10 mins later, Santa Cruz cruised past Kuszcak to score his 6th goal of the season. He also ends United's 14 match clean sheet run.
It stayed same scoreline at break. In the second half, United got a free kick at the edge of the box. Ronaldo steered in and scored a stunning goal.
The scoreline stayed the same till the end. Its 2-1. United wins!
Summary:
Man Utd 2-1 Blackburn
Rooney 23
Ronaldo 60
Santa Cruz 32
Man Utd 2-1 Blackburn
Rooney 23
Ronaldo 60
Santa Cruz 32
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