Ronaldo Kicked Off The Park, Wayne Dives And Manchester United Draw

Villarreal's coach Manuel Pellegrini took time out to deny any allegations that his team had targetted Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo for some rough treatment last night in the Champions League clash. Which I find highly amusing. Two players were booked for challenges on him and one received a straight red card when he slid in, studs showing and slammed into the side of Ronnie's knee. Camera close ups clearly showed the stud marks on his leg, but because it's Ronaldo that doesn't seem to matter and the crowd booed Ronaldo for getting fouled, amazing! Watch the highlights here and judge for yourself.

"It was not a rough game, and you have to challenge Ronaldo." Pelligrini said after the game.

Sir Alex was pleased with the way the referee Roberto Rosetti handled the match. He mentioned how he thought Ronaldo needs protecting from this kind of treatment and last night he got it, so well done to this ref. It's nice to see a referee getting some praise and actually having the conviction to punish things that he saw were wrong, leaving Sir Alex happy for once.

"The systematic fouling on him is what is happening in our game now. That is a tactic. Someone fouls him, then someone else has another foul. The referee thinks he is diving all the time, and the crowd are screaming. So that is the problem. The referee was very fair and strict with both teams. Capdevila may not have got that red card in England - so there is different interpretation of the physical aspect of the game in European matches."

Wayne Rooney apologised to Sir Alex and then apologised publicly in the newspapers for his 'dive', believing he had won a penalty. The striker's action incensed the crowd, but Rosetti did not book him. Ferguson said: "I think Wayne anticipated the challenge, because he was expecting a penalty kick. It is unusual for him to do that. I have seen it, and he has apologised to me. I think he has been watching Pires too much. At least Wayne apologised to the Villarreal players. You would never see Pires do that."

This match was the fourth consecutive game these two teams have played now. 360 minutes and not a goal between them. Let's all pray now they don't meet in the final. If they do, let's hope we get the same referee. It's such a pleasure to see someone with an attitude like him and the conviction to stand by what is right for once....More Cristiano Ronaldo Videos Here .......Back To Home Page...

Cristiano Ronaldo Worries About The Global Economy. Now That Is Funny !!

I must admit I'm a tad worried as to the state of Cristiano Ronaldo's mental state. Either he is on a mission to show the world he has nothing between his ears or he is genuinely stupid. There is another option too actually, he might just be the greediest little git I have ever seen or heard of. The Manchester United star admits he has concerns about the global economy.

Though you would think his multi-million pound contract leaves him immune from the credit crunch, Ronaldo says: "The situation has to worry everyone, yes. We are worried and feel a certain uncertainty (about the future). We talk about it - it is part of our reality - but we believe that things will improve."

By saying he feels a certain uncertainty about his future I presume he is talking about his upcoming new contract and whether he can screw £170,000 per week from United ? Or maybe he actually cares about Me and You and 'Joe The Plumber'. I seriously doubt this though. Don't worry Ronnie, you'll still be pulling in £24,666 EVERY DAY no matter what the financial climate is like, I'm sure you'll muddle through !!! ....Back To Home Page

Sir Alex Notches Up 50 As Ronnie Makes It To 100

ALEX FERGUSON celebrated 50 years in the game by leading Manchester United to their biggest win of the season. Cristiano Ronaldo joined in the party with his 100th goal for the club as Stoke were swept aside. Fergie started his playing career with Queen's Park and five decades later the scene could hardly have been more contrasting as nearly 70,000 packed Old Trafford expecting an easy win.

And the fans weren't disappointed as Ronaldo sparked a goal rush with his landmark strike inside three minutes. Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and debut boy Danny Welbeck netted before Ronaldo rounded off a fine day with goal No.101. Welbeck's effort must have put an extra wide smile on the face of his boss who hit the target on his first game against Stranraer back in 1958.

Ferguson hailed Ronaldo whose campaign didn't start until September as he recovered from an ankle op. The boss said: "That is nine for the season now and I am sure he'll be into double figures soon. Overall he has scored 101 times in 253 appearances which is unbelievable for a winger.

The only negative for Fergie was seeing three players pull out of midweek internationals. Darren Fletcher went off with a knee injury after 63 minutes and misses Scotland's match against Argentina. Worried Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney failed to start against Stoke and have been pulled out of England's squad to face Germany in Berlin. Fergie is worried for the rest of his players in action, especially those travelling to Brazil. He added: "We have Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson going over there so God knows what time they will get back. It is not an easy trip and we have Aston Villa away on their return."

Ronaldo got the show on the road when Amdy Faye clattered into Carlos Tevez to provide him with a free-kick to line up. The Portuguese beat Thomas Sorensen but the keeper might have done better. Ferguson had to wait until stoppage time for the second as Carrick thundered a shot through a crowd of Stoke bodies and into the net. Missing from action was the long throws by Rory Delap that have been a feature of Stoke's play all season. He was thwarted by the steep slope around the pitch two feet from the line which prevented him launching the ball into the opposition box. Just after the restart it was game over as Berbatov controlled Tevez's driven pass and volleyed a screamer past Sorensen. Ronaldo had been on the end of some harsh treatment and the red mist descended. He took a swing at ex-Rangers defender Amdy Faye but got away with it. Sub Welbeck crashed home No.4 before a fifth came from another powerful Ronaldo free-kick. Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "We were doing okay until United scored just before half-time. It killed us......"

Deco Backs Ronaldo

Chelsea midfielder Deco says Portugal teammate Cristiano
Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d'Or next month. He said of
the Manchester United star: "The award is chosen on what
happened last season and last season he played at a very
high level."

With a goal tally of 42 I think he was head and shoulders
ahead of anyone else, maybe not so good this season but
as Deco mentions, it's last season that counts.

.....Back To Home Page

United Guys Pull A Prank On Sweaty Ronnie !

Manchester United teammates pulled a prank on Cristiano Ronaldo over his sweaty armpits!

Team-mates filled his training room locker with cans of deodorant and aftershave when the Manchester United ace was pictured by the Mirror sweating through a jacket on a night out.

Ex-United striker Brian McClair, now its youth academy director revealed: “As he is never one for getting to training early, he found this picture copied all over the dressing-room. When he opened his locker, all the deodorants and perfumes fell out. He was not amused!”

I'd recommend Hugo Boss myself, I find it a bit of a turn on, lovely smell and all that......but that's another story.....Back To Home Page

A Message To You Calderon !!

Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped a big hint he sees his long-term future
at Manchester United. The Portuguese star was linked with a £80m
move to Real Madrid last summer but stayed after a last-ditch change
of heart — and boss Alex Ferguson’s refusal to sell. Now after last
term’s League and Champions League double, Ronaldo says he can
fulfil his ambitions at United.

He said: “Last season was the best moment of my career but I know
I can get even better. I want to score more, win more trophies. I’m
at the right club for that. Last season enabled me to achieve great
things on many levels and I’m really happy. I’m lucky as I have a
great relationship with everyone at United.” .....Back To Home Page

Ronaldo Is No Diver

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has
dismissed claims he is a diver.

He said: “I don’t need to talk about this because I don’t
agree with that. If we have to talk about divers then we
have to talk about all the best players in the world.

“They are the ones who are the most difficult to stop and
attract the most fouls. So they fall more than others.

“Even the biggest heroes also end up falling. I am used to
this criticism.

“I will continue to be the player I am, aiming to win
collective and individual titles. That makes me very
proud, above what people may think.” .....Back To Home Page

Ronaldo's Quick One-Two Buries West Ham

Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half double was enough to give Manchester
United a deserved 2-0 win over West Ham.

Although the visitors nearly profited from some sloppy United
defending near the end, they never recovered from Ronaldo's
quick one-two.

First the Portugal international clinically netted Nani's cross after
14 minutes before a moment of brilliance from Dimitar Berbatov
created his fifth of the season on the half hour.

It was as easy as that to be honest......Back To Home Page

Sir Alex Ridicules Blatter !

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes FIFA president Sepp Blatter is being mocked within the game for uttering "so many ridiculous" statements that damage his credibility.

ALL United fans were angered when Blatter appeared to liken United's refusal to release winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid as slavery.

Speaking with GQ Magazine he said: "I think Sepp Blatter is in danger ... or has reached a point now where he is being mocked within the game. Whether he is getting too old, I don't know. But things can happen to people in power. Look at some of the despots in Africa." Now that is a classic quote, my hat comes off to Fergie for that little gem !

Ferguson said he was not likening 72-year-old Blatter to a dictator, but that he believed the game's top official should not utter such statements.

"All I'm saying is that, from a position of great power, he has uttered so many ridiculous statements that he is in danger of seriously damaging his credibility, so, when he came out with that stuff, it created a furore and rightly so, the year after the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery." Does Sir Alex have no fear. To set about the President of FIFA in this manner is not the kind of thing you see too often, Brian Clough, God rest his soul, was the same. If it needs saying then say it !! .....Back To Home Page

Wayne Rooney Insists: "Manchester United Is The Only Team I Will Ever Play For"

While Ronaldo continues to suggest by his surly demeanour that he is really only playing out time at Manchester United before moving to the Real Madrid, Wayne Rooney insists that he could never be tempted to leave. His actions, as well as his words, are all about his desire to stick with Manchester United for the rest of his career. In fact, United need have no fears about Rooney's future as the Scouser smiles, points to his chest and says:

“Come on, can you ever see me playing for a foreign team ? I love England, I love being close to my family. And even if Stamford Bridge may only be a couple of hundred miles down the M6 and M1, Chelsea can forget ever capturing him as he declares : “To be honest I don’t even like going down to London. I am not comfortable there. I’m a northern lad and I’d like to think I could stay here for the rest of my career. The fans here at United appreciate players who give their all for the team and that’s what I try to do – and that’s all I want to do. To win a big personal award would be brilliant, a dream. But I am more concentrated on helping United to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup. I am more interested in that. I also have another target – I’m only at the start of my fifth season with United but I’m only 15 or 16 goals off my first hundred for the club – and it would be nice to beat my best tally so far which is 23. I certainly believe I can break that 100 mark this season and if I do that then in goals it would be my best ever. I am really settled now after getting married in the summer and I have my close friends, my family are only 30 miles away. I am really happy. And I want to keep it that way – with United" .....Back To Home Page

Cristiano Ronaldo Or £70m ?

If at first Real Madrid don’t succeed, they will try try and try again. That is the motto of this European footballing "giant", who, very tediously are continuing with their never ending chase for the best player in the world !! Sir Alex Ferguson did manage to hold on to his prized asset last season and all summer , but maybe the Manchester United manager may have to accept defeat next year if this latest report is to be believed.

The Independant report that Real Madrid are still sniffing around Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite talk of credit crunches and financial crisis, the Spanish club are set to lodge a £70 million bid for the player, who is clearly not against a move to the Bernabeu, having displayed a distinct lack of loyalty to United in the past few months.

Asked if he thought the possibility of signing Ronaldo still existed, Schuster said:

“Yes, I think so. I believe next year it will be a bit more difficult for his club to keep hold of him. There is hope that next year he will be with us.”

The German coach was asked if Real Madrid would again be willing to pay up to €90m (£70m) for the services of the Portugal international, as was suggested last summer, and he said:

“If you want him, then there is no other option. They are not going to let you have him for anything less. The club knows that and this year was willing to pay a very high price. Perhaps next year the price will be a bit less, but I think you have to be prepared to spend this sort of money. We have to do everything possible because it would be worth all the effort to have this player.”

Having Cristiano Ronaldo in your side will make the difference between trailing Chelsea in the Premier League and winning back-to-back titles. Do Manchester United fans expect this to be the number seven’s last season at Old Trafford, or do you think that Fergie has more tricks up his sleeve to ensure that the boy wonder remains with the champions for longer? ...Back To Home Page

Cristiano Ronaldo Video - Bustin Some Moves After Scoring A Goal ! (Video)

The game FIFA 09 was released last week and is being
touted as the most realistic football game to ever hit the
shelves. Great graphics, great charicatures of the players
etc etc but what happened with Manchester United's
Cristiano Ronaldo's goal celebration ! If he ever does this
at Old Trafford I have a feeling someone will kick his ass
for being a girly, lol. They shouldn't give him ideas anyway,
our king of the goal celebrations is Nani - he does backflips !!

Martin Edwards Was Keen To Get Rid Of Eric Cantona Altogether (Videos)

Manchester United were ready to sack Eric Cantona following his infamous kung-fu kick in 1995 at Selhurst Park. Or rather, Martin Edwards got this idea into his head when he met up with FA Officials to discuss Eric's 'attack'. I think it might be a case of people getting ideas into their heads but who the hell was going to go and tell Sir Alex ? As things turned out no one did and we all know what happened concerning the event anyway, he got a 9 month ban.

In his book, 'FA Confidential', former FA chief executive David Davies says former United chairman Martin Edwards was prepared to ban Cantona for life after the incident at Selhurst Park. He wrote: "Tracing Martin to the Royal Lancaster Hotel, I found United's chairman talking tough. `We're thinking of an indefinite suspension for Eric,' Martin said. `Banning Eric altogether.' "

How Ferguson would have reacted to that will never be known, but Davies suggests the United manager played a big part in convincing his chairman to be more lenient with the club's prize asset at the time.

"Martin realised the seriousness of Eric's conduct but, when he returned to Manchester, he softened his stance," said Davies. "Eric will be banned until the end of the season," Martin announced. "Not indefinite. Not altogether."

A wise choice I feel. I can't see Martin Edwards being too keen on being on the receiving end of a blast from Fergie !! Imagine what Manchester United fans would have missed too. In my opinion he is the greatest player ever to pull on a United shirt since the days of the Busby Babes, there's no question about that !

Roy Keane Signs Patrick Vierra

Well, not really, but what a good headline it would make huh. The former Manchester United Captain who had so many battles and punch ups with vierra I lost count, actually signing him as a player. I dread to see the dressing room if Sunderland had a bad day and Vierra was to blame !! It would seem that it has been considered by 'Keano' though, so who knows.

It was reported in www.goal.com and I have reproduced the article below.

Roy Admits He's Keen On Vieira

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has intimated
that he considered recruiting Patrick Vieira,
one of his greatest on-field enemies, during the summer...

• 
• 
• 

Sunderland spent big over the off-season as they sought to build a squad capable of cementing a
place in the Premier League's top 10.

One of the most fascinating transfer links involved Vieira, who was Keane's arch-rival when they
captained Arsenal and Manchester United respectively during the clubs' glory years in the late
1990s and onwards.

The French midfielder had been tipped to leave Internazionale after a disappointing season
punctuated by injuries and poor form, but even the most ambitious punter would have smirked
at the idea of a Wearside move.

However, when questioned over his alleged interest in Vieira, the Black Cats boss replied: “Not
when I found out his wages!

“If I believe this player can give us something, I’m sure the board would back us. We’re always
making enquiries about lots of players.”

While their rivallry was an intense one, few would deny that Keane and Vieira earned each
other's respect with every clash and tussle down the years.

There is also little doubt that the former Gunner would have proven a great addition at the
Stadium of Light. Natural leaders with that calibre of Premier League experience are a rare and
valuable commodity, after all.

Keane continued: “How great is (Vieira)? I don’t know. I don’t go down that road. I just know
he was a bloody good player.

“He had good leadership skills, too. But not as good as mine!”

Arsenal travel to Sunderland today, and Keane is expecting Arsene Wenger's side to be
especially fired-up after last week's shock loss to Hull City.

“Is Wenger harder than he looks? Without a shadow of doubt,” the Irishman added.

“He has that presence about him. I’m sure if he was having a go at you and standing over you,
you would realise that presence.”

That's Typical That Is, Just Typical !

There was me, writing in my Manchester United Blog how Rooney should get his bottom in gear and get fit again or he may find it hard to get his place back. Imagine my confusion when he actually started the game, huh. I made the fatal error of actually listening to the newspapers as they told us he would be out for 3-4 weeks.

He's in a rich vein of form right now too, scoring in his last three games. But it wasn't just Rooney impressing me against Blackburn, virtually the whole team has suddenly sprung into life, like a slumbering giant. Ronaldo was majestic on the wing as he bedazzled the defenders. Berbatov had his best game for United so far, he really does have such great vision as he showed with a couple of the passes he slipped through, one especially, to Darren Fletcher, that just made the whole Blackburn defence surplus to needs as they were all left to watch Fletch scuff his shot wide.

Tevez was his usual self, he he hit the post after some great work by Ronaldo and his work rateas again amazing. Overall, it was a walk in the park for United today. Blackburn just didn't seem to turn up. To be honest though, even if Blackburn were on the top of their form they still would have struggled against United today.

Just as Manchester United hit form and start to look good, we now have a 2 week break for international matches. Don't you just hate it when that happens ?