MU 0:0 Villarreal; Cris hit the bar and get hurt again

United are safely through to the last 16 of the Champions League - but the battle for top spot with fellow qualifiers Villarreal will continue into December after a fourth successive stalemate between the sides.

The Reds seemed more intent on winning than their cautious Spanish counterparts and will now hope to secure the more favourable draw they deserve by beating Celtic's conquerors Aalborg at Old Trafford on 10 December......More

Cris can play

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to travel with his team-mates as they prepare to face Villarreal at El Madrigal.

The Portuguese attacker was expected to miss the UEFA Champions League clash after he limped off late on in United's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old was the victim of some fierce but fair challenges from the Villa players as the Red Devils failed to capitalise on title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool dropping points.

But Ronaldo seems to have shaken off any knock he may have picked up as he participated in a training session at Carrington on Monday morning.

Midfielder Darren Fletcher could also feature in Spain as he too took part in the session, as he recovers from a knee injury which kept him out of the Stoke and Villa games.

Goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar is definitely out of the match as he did not travel with the squad. This could mean starts for either Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak.

Dimitar Berbatov misses out again with a hamstring injury as does Wes Brown with an ankle injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men need just one point from their last two group games to make sure of their qualification to the last 16.

Villarreal lost their unbeaten record in La Liga on Saturday as they suffered a shock 3-0 home defeat to Valladolid.

The two sides drew 0-0 at Old Trafford on match day one of the group stages.

MU 0:0 Villa; Cris doubtful for Villarreal

Cristiano Ronaldo is a major doubt for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Villarreal.

The Portuguese winger was substituted late on during the Reds' goalless draw at Villa Park, having picked up a leg injury in a bruising encounter.

Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV after the match: "His leg's in a mess, to be honest with you. He'll be doubtful for Tuesday, I'm sure of that."

Ronaldo joins Wes Brown, Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves on the Reds' injury list, while Darren Fletcher will hope to shake off a knee injury he sustained against Stoke City.

101 Goals for MU

Ronny the centurion

Cristiano Ronaldo was delighted to reach and then surpass a century of United goals with a brace against Stoke City.

The Portuguese winger smashed home two free-kicks against the Potters, taking his personal haul to 101 goals since moving to Old Trafford in 2003.

“I feel very proud,” said the 23-year-old. “One hundred goals is a great achievement. I have 101 for this club now. This is my sixth season here so I think that is fantastic.”

The Reds' thumping win against Stoke marked a return to winning ways in the Premier League, following a narrow defeat at Arsenal, and Ronaldo admits it was vital to get back on the victory trail quickly.

“It is always important to win games,” he told MUTV after the 5-0 romp.

“Last week we lost at Arsenal and we wanted to change that. Everyone tried to do their best and in the end I thought we did very well. We are third in the table now and we need to go on like that.”

Ronaldo's record
2003/04 - 40 appearances, 6 goals
2004/05 - 50 appearances, 9 goals
2005/06 - 47 appearances, 12 goals
2006/07 - 53 appearances, 23 goals
2007/08 - 49 appearances, 42 goals
2008/09 - 14 appearances, 9 goals

Total - 253 appearances, 101 goals

MU 5:0 Stoke City; Cris hit 100 goal

CRISTIANO RONALDO hit his 100th goal in a United shirt as party time continued at Old Trafford.

The club were already celebrating Alex Ferguson's 50 years in professional football and the visit of Stoke City provided the perfect cannon fodder for an entertaining afternoon at the Theatre of Dreams.

Ronaldo put the home side ahead with a typically vicious freekick inside five minutes and added another in the last minute as United ran riot.

Further goals by Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and 17-year-old Danny Welbeck kept United eight points behind the leaders.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis must have known he was in for a tough afternoon when the Portugal star's early strike dipped and swerved to fool the big Dane Thomas Sorenson in the Potters' goal.

And the visitors main weapon was nullified as well - thanks to the steep slope around the pitch at Old Trafford.

It meant the Rory Delap was struggling to get enough momentum on his missile-like throws although he did get enough purchase on one to force Edwin van der Sar into a smart save in the first half.

Carrick doubled the lead right on the stroke of half time.

Ronaldo was the provider but the former Spurs midfielder still had a lot to do as he fired a terrific left-foot strike from 10 yards that proved too much for Sorenson.

A superb finish by Berbatov made it three.

Darren Fletcher played in Carlos Tevez who set up the Bulgarian for a typically classy finish, lashing in a volley from six yards out.

Man Utd duo Darron Gibson, 21, and Welbeck, 17, came on for their Premier League debuts and the latter capped a perfect debut by hitting the fourth six minutes from time.

Ronaldo then crashed in his second freekick in the dying minutes - with again Sorenson getting a hand to the strike.

A cruise for United but one they desperately needed to keep up the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea at the top of the table.

MU 1:2 Arsenal

A double from French forward Samir Nasri condemned United to a second defeat of the season, and moved Arsenal ahead of the champions in the Premier League table....More

New Nike Adv

CRISTIANO RONALDO is hot favourite to land the World Footballer of the Year award – but a new rival is threatening to steal his thunder.

Instead, Manchester United’s KIT MAN has stepped up to challenge the 23-year-old wing wizard. Albert Morgan is seen playfully showing onlookers how it’s done on the Old Trafford turf after swiping one of Ronaldo’s Nike Pro Ultimate shirts.

The viral features the new Nike Pro Ultimate base-layer top which is worn by players across the Barclays Premier League under their match-day shirt to give them a mental and physical advantage over the opposition.

Training on 7 Nov

Ready for Gunners

Cristiano Ronaldo says United can take solace in the Reds' commanding second half performance against Celtic, despite not finding the goals to secure a victory.

Ronaldo's closest attempt in the first half was a rasping free kick that flew just over the bar, and six minutes from time his shot was too hot to handle for Celtic keeper Artur Boruc, who spilled the ball into Ryan Giggs' path.

The Welshman headed United level with the rebound to earn a point, which Ronaldo said United should not be ashamed of.

"We had enough chances to win but a draw is good," he told MUTV. "We now have eight points and it looks like we're through to the next round.


"Sometimes the goal doesn't come but in the second half we played fantastically and created a lot of chances. We played in their half of the pitch and played a lot better in the second half.

"We could have scored more than one. The goalkeeper made a few good saves, but sometimes it's not possible to score goals. Last week we scored four goals, tonight we scored one goal. Celtic didn't cause us any problems in the second half, so I think we deserved the point."

Ronaldo and co. now gear up for a trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime. He added: "The aim is not to lose a game. We came [to Celtic] to win three points. It wasn't possible tonight but we did get one point and now we're thinking about the next game. I think the team is playing well."

MU 1:1 Celtic

A late Ryan Giggs goal clinched a point at Celtic Park and all but cemented the Reds' spot in the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Giggs pounced on 84 minutes to head in from close range after Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc parried Cristiano Ronaldo’s swerving shot. It capped a period of complete dominance – and growing frustration – as the Reds laid siege to Celtic’s goal in the second half, after going into the break 1-0 down courtesy of Scott McDonald’s early goal.

For long periods it looked like the Scots would hang on to their lead, but Giggs’ goal, his 26th in Europe, earned a point that, barring a comprehensive Aalborg win at Old Trafford, will see Sir Alex’s men through safely to the Last 16......More

Top of the World

Ronaldo's Honours
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named best player in the world by FourFourTwo. Here are his other honours from a glorious 2008 for United's no. 7...

●FIFPro World Player of the Year
●FIFPro World XI
●PFA Player of the Year
●PFA Fans’ Player of the Year
●PFA Premier League Team of the Year
●Football Writers' Association Player of the Year
●European Golden Shoe
●Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year
●United Players' Player of the Year
●United Goal of the Season (v Portsmouth)
●Barclays Player of the Season
●Barclays Golden Boot
●Barclays Merit Prize
●UEFA Club Player of the Year
●UEFA Best Forward

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Best Player in the World in FourFourTwo magazine’s annual countdown of the top 100 footballers on the planet.

The Portuguese beat off the challenge of Barcelona’s Argentinian genius Lionel Messi and Spain’s Euro 2008 hero Fernando Torres, who finished second and third respectively. Last year’s winner, Kaka (AC Milan and Brazil), was fifth.

“There were other contenders, but ultimately Ronaldo’s personal achievements, coupled with his team’s success, secured him the No.1 spot,” said FourFourTwo editor-in-chief Hugh Sleight.

The award comes at the end of a remarkable year for the former Sporting Lisbon winger, in which he has lifted the Premier League title and the Champions League with United, as well as being named PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year.

He will now hope to add the European Footballer of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year awards to his collection next month.

Ronaldo’s place at the top of the list is mirrored by the Premier League. England’s top division has an amazing 31 players in the Top 100, more than any other country. Spain’s Primera Liga has 30 representatives and Italy’s Serie A 23.

“The reason we go for 100 players is because it’s far more interesting,” added Sleight. “It won’t surprise anyone to see Ronaldo named No.1 because there are only ever one or two real contenders for best player in the world – in the last decade, it’s been Zidane, then Ronaldinho, then Kaka, now Ronaldo.

“What’s arguably of more interest to football fans is who finishes from two to 100.

“We knew when we got into this that we’d be stirring up a hornet’s nest. Most fans could waste a day arguing whether Steven Gerrard is better than Frank Lampard or vice versa, so imagine what it’s like trying to rank 100 players in order. But we’re confident that our 100 stands up to scrutiny.”

FourFourTwo’s 100 Best Players in the World: The Top 10
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
3. Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
4. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
5. Kaka (AC Milan)
6. David Villa (Valencia)
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan)
8. Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
9. Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
10. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

One word - Brilliant!

Cristiano Ronaldo has already achieved many things in his short career. With Manchester United he has won two league championships, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Community Shield and the UEFA Champions League. He was a runner-up with Portugal at UEFA EURO 2004, featured prominently at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ as well as this year's European Championships.

Individually, his list of awards seems to be increasing by the month. Last Monday, he was named as the FIFPro Player of the Year, on Wednesday he was listed among the 23 nominees in the running to be crowned the FIFA World Player of the Year and was also presented with the European Golden Boot, while he has already been presented with the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year awards.

Yet despite the legion of achievements and accolades, the 23-year-old is hungry for more, starting with the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008, as FIFA.com found out at Manchester United's Trafford Training Centre recently. The questions posed exclusively to the talented winger came directly from you, the FIFA.com users. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was by far our most popular ‘Ask' interview yet, with thousands of questions being sent from all over the globe.

Red4eva: You achieved so much last season. How can you top that this time around?
Cristiano Ronaldo: Last season I had the opportunity to win many things, not just with the team but also as an individual. For me, last season enabled me to achieve great things on many, many levels and obviously I'm really happy. This season I'm just trying to do the same. I know it will be difficult, but I'm ambitious, I'm playing alongside great players and so I'm confident that the same opportunities will come again and that's a fantastic feeling. I want to win more things.

NewtonHeath: You've got the opportunity to be part of the club champions of the world at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. How are you feeling about that?
It's fantastic and I'm very excited. It's the first time that I've had the opportunity to win this trophy in my career and I'm hoping to do that in December. Me and my colleagues are looking forward to being there and playing the best football we can for the fans. It's a good tournament. We have a lot of supporters in Japan and it's going to be a pleasure to play there. We want to play well for the people and come home with the trophy. I want to win it 100 per cent.

Trafford_Oldie: Who are your friends in the Manchester United team? Does the team go out much together?
I'm lucky because I have a great relationship with everyone, not just two or three, but I'd say that my closest friends are Nani, Anderson and the Brazilian boys [Rafael and Fabio] because they speak my language, but also Edwin [van der Sar], Rio [Ferdinand], Pat [Evra], Carlos [Tevez]. It's a good group, a funny group and it's a pleasure to be here with them.

diegogol: Why did you choose the No7 shirt?
I didn't choose. It was given to me. When I was signing for Manchester United, I asked for the No28, because that was my squad number when I was at Sporting. But the boss [Sir Alex Ferguson] said "No, no. I'm giving you the No7." It was a great challenge for me, because the club have had some great players such as George Best and David Beckham who have worn this number. It's an honour and a pleasure, it's a special number and I love wearing it, but my responsibility is still the same, I have to play well for the team, no matter what number I'm wearing.

moradojcc91: What is the most important or special goal you have scored so far in your career?
To be honest, I have scored a few great goals and to choose one is difficult. Last season, I won the award for the goal of the season against Portsmouth which I scored direct from a free-kick. It was a good goal, a fantastic goal, but I couldn't really pick that one out as my personal favourite.

flora18: What is your favourite footballing memory?
Again, there are a few. The first time I started to play football in a team - my move to Sporting was obviously very special, as was my move to Manchester United. Thinking about the times when there have been big, exciting changes in my life brings back so many great memories for me.

youssef: What was the most difficult moment in your career?
Again, just as there have been good moments and good goals, there have also been a number of difficult times and it's hard to select one of them. The first one that comes to my mind is the defeat in the final of EURO 2004, then the FA Cup final defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea. When you lose, you always have a bad feeling, but in big games like that, when you have the chance of winning a medal, it can be a little bit harder.

titecindy31: How did it feel to become Portugal captain for the first time?
It's fantastic. It was a wonderful feeling to put the armband on for the first time - and it still is a great feeling whenever I am given the chance to be captain of Portugal. It makes me proud. Obviously, I'm still very young, so for me to be to be made captain is amazing, but it doesn't alter the way I play. I want to play well all the time and I want to win all the time.

asmir90: Do you have any tips on becoming a better dribbler of the ball?
Practice! Always try to do new things and work at them every day. That's all I do. Sometimes doing new things on the pitch isn't possible, but even now, I'm hoping to show the fans some different tricks in the future!

whatyadoin: What goals do you have left as a player?
I always want to improve. Last season was the best moment of my short career so far, but I know I can get even better. I want to score more goals, score great goals and win more trophies. I'm at the right club for that.

mmhughes: What is the best stadium you have played at, in terms of atmosphere?
Apart from Old Trafford, I have to say that the atmosphere at Anfield whenever we play there is wonderful. I love to play in Rome and Barcelona and I think Arsenal has a nice stadium too. Oh, I forgot Celtic! The fans are incredible. It's always great when we go and play there.

iNDIRA'89: If you couldn't have been a professional footballer, what would you have done?
I don't know. To be honest, I haven't a clue. I've been asked this question a few times, but I don't know. Obviously, I would have done something in my life, but I don't know what.

cristianofan: Could you define yourself in one word?
In one word?! (Laughing) Brilliant!

FIFA.com: Cristiano, what was your favourite question from our users?
I particularly liked the question about the No7 shirt, because it brought back happy memories of signing for Manchester United, but my favourite was the last one. I've never been asked that before - and it made me laugh!

MU 4:3 Hull City; CR double again

CRISTIANO RONALDO celebrated with a huge grin as his double saw off Hull.

The Portuguese star had been criticised for his moody performances for Manchester United this season.

But he followed up his two goals in midweek with another brace - and he showed the world he is enjoying his football again with a beaming smile that lit up Old Trafford.

Hull looked doomed as they trailed 4-1. But they gave the champions a real scare by scoring twice to set up a frenzied finale.

It looked like being a long afternoon for the visitors when Ronaldo struck after just three minutes.

He exchanged passes with Dimitar Berbatov and ghosted into the area before finding the net off the inside of the left-hand post.

Wayne Rooney, searching for his 100th club goal, flashed a shot just over from the edge of the area as United continued to dominate.

Hull got back into it on 23 minutes when Nemanja Vidic conceded a free-kick near the touchline.

Andy Dawson whipped in the ball and Daniel Cousin got in front of Patrice Evra to nod home.

But United were back in front six minutes later after a quick counter-attack.

Vidic and Wayne Rooney combined to find Dimitar Berbatov and the Bulgarian striker slipped in Michael Carrick.

The England midfielder found plenty of space and he cracked home in off the same post that Ronaldo did for his first.

Hull keeper Boaz Myhill kept out Ronaldo's stinging drive, Nani drove over before Rooney saw his goal disallowed.

The England striker then headed over before Ronaldo nodded home Nani's corner to make it 3-1.

Berbatov whistled one wide as United started the second half well and Ronaldo found the side-netting soon after.

And Vidic made it four on 57 minutes as he steered home Rooney's corner.

Carlos Tevez screwed a shot wide but, amazingly, Hull were the ones who scored as Berbard Mendy outjumped Evra, then beat Van der Sar with a lob which had crossed the line before Vidic hooked it out.

Geovanni made it 4-3 but United held on as Hull threw everything forward.

Cris : I deserve to win Ballon d'Or

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo believes that it would be 'logical' for him to win the prestigious European Footballer of the Year accolade...

The club form of Cristiano Ronaldo during the course of the 2007/08 season was nothing short of spectacular; the 23 year-old ended the campaign with 42 goals in all competitions, the top scorer award in both the Premier League and Champions League and claimed team honours with a winner's medal in both of those competitions.

He dispelled the notion that he was not a 'big game player' with Premier League goals twice against Arsenal as well as netting against Chelsea in the Champions League final.

Last week, Ronaldo won the FifPro World Footballer of the Year title and he expects to add to his individual honours list with the Ballon D'Or later in the year.

He told L'Equipe: "You could consider it logical and that's pretty much my opinion. 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."

The Portuguese captain also claimed the two individual honours in England with the Football Writers' award and the PFA accolade last season, and he now wants to put his disappointment at finishing second in the Ballon D'Or running last year to Kaka' behind him.

He continued: "I only think about me, about my progression. I don't worry about possible rivals. Everything I did, I did well, I succeeded in having an extraordinary season."

Ronaldo now admits that he is completely focussed on life with Manchester United after a summer of uncertainty. His flirtation with Real Madrid saw him almost head for the Old Trafford exit door, but he now insists that he is ready to fight for another year at the Red Devils.

He concluded: "I have my mind completely on the club. I am happy there. At the moment my aim is to get back to top form as quickly as possible and win as many trophies as last season."

Cris : I'll win United fans over

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to win back fans at Old Trafford - for the second time in his career.The Portuguese forward was involved in a long-running transfer saga in the summer and was quoted saying he wanted to move to Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old eventually stayed at Old Trafford, and he has drawn parallels with the reaction he faced after the World Cup two years ago, where he was vilified for his part in Wayne Rooney's red card in England's quarter-final defeat.

He told the Sun: "A part of the supporters show themselves to be more unhappy than others. But I hope to change their minds.

"When I put on the United shirt I give my maximum. Nobody can condemn me on this.

"I hope it will be similar to when I came back to England after the 2006 World Cup and I can win the fans back."

United were critical of Madrid's approach and refused to sell their star asset, but Ronaldo insists it was his decision to stay.

"Nobody can convince me about anything," he continued. "Since I was young I've had to make decisions, I make them alone.

"I want to win more at this club. If the boss thinks I have to stay on the bench I respect that, even if it's difficult," he added.

MU announce new sponsor

M.E.N Sport-Channel M Player of the Year