MU 5:0 West Brom; Cris score again

A scintillating display of attacking football ensured United's biggest away win of the season on a night when the Reds set a new defensive record of eleven clean sheets.

Goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Nemanja Vidic and a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a 5-0 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns , who had their skipper Paul Robinson sent-off just before half-time.

At the other end, Edwin van der Sar kept his eleventh consecutive clean sheet to break Chelsea’s 2004/05 Premier League record and help the Reds move three points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table.....More

Good Guy

MU 2:1 Hotspur; Poor Cris feel ill

United's injury curse claimed two young casualties as Danny Welbeck and Fabio were added to the "out or doubt" list for Tuesday's trip to West Brom.

Welbeck limped off late in the second half of Saturday's FA Cup victory over Tottenham(2:1) and was replaced by new signing Zoran Tosic. Meanwhile Fabio's United debut ended shortly after the break, giving Richard Eckersley his first senior run-out as substitute.

"Danny Welbeck got kicked on the ankle. It’s nothing serious but I don’t think he’ll make Tuesday," Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV.

"Young Fabio has a calf strain and it’s disappointing because he’s only just come back from a long injury. He did very well too.

"You could do without these things but I’ve got Fletcher, Giggs, Gibson and Possebon who are all fresh. I’m okay with midfield players and the front players. It’s just the full-back positions that cause us a bit of concern."

Sir Alex ruled ten players out of the Tottenham match in his press conference on Friday, and he almost had to make it a full eleven when Cristiano Ronaldo fell ill.

"We had to get the doctor in to see Cristiano this morning," revealed the manager.

"He had a bit of a bug and I think it showed today, I don’t think he was anywhere near ready. But he showed the appetite to play and it’s always good to have him on the pitch, opponents are always aware of him. He should be better by Tuesday."

MU 4:2 Derby, booking the Carling Cup final place

United can add a third League Cup to the honours board on 1 March after booking a place in the Wembley final with a thrilling 4-2 win at Old Trafford.

Trailing 1-0 from the away leg, the Reds wasted little time in taking control of this tie with first-half goals from Nani, John O’Shea and Carlos Tevez. But the world champions needed a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo to make absolutely sure of victory in the second half when substitute Giles Barnes claimed a memorable brace for brave Derby County.....More

MU 1:0 Bolton

The champions sent out an ominous message to their title rivals as they moved into top spot for the first time this season thanks to Dimitar Berbatov’s 90th minute winner at Bolton.

The Bulgarian headed home Carlos Tevez’s pinpoint cross to give United a vital three points on a day when the Reds kept a tenth consecutive league clean sheet to equal Chelsea's record.....More

MU 1:0 Wigan

United moved second in the table and just two points behind league-leaders Liverpool with an important, yet unspectacular, victory against Wigan Athletic, a battle which was over no sooner than it had started thanks to a first-minute strike from Wayne Rooney.

Sir Alex made five changes to the team that beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday. Rafael, John O’Shea, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Nani were all drafted in to replace Gary Neville, Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Ji-sung Park.....More

RTP CR Special Video

Eruosport CR special video

CR's world no. 1

Cristiano Ronaldo has added the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year award to his impressive collection of individual honours.

Ronaldo received the accolade – voted for by coaches and captains of the 208 international federations – from Brazilian legend Pele at a gala event in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday night.

The Portuguese winger, who picked up the Ballon d’Or in Paris last month, is the first United player to scoop the prize, which was first handed out in 1991. David Beckham was twice voted runner-up (1999, 2001) during his time at Old Trafford.

Ronny’s 42 goals in the 2007/08 season were instrumental in helping United to domestic and European glory, and enough to see the 23-year-old pip Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool's Fernando Torres to the award.

AC Milan's Kaka and Barcelona's Xavi were also nominated.

Ronaldo: It's every player's dream

There is little left to be said about Cristiano Ronaldo and certainly few superlatives yet to be attached to this dazzling and irrepressible winger. At just 23, the Manchester United and Portugal star already has the world at his feet, and he was back to his brilliant best yesterday in the Red Devils' 3-0 win over Chelsea.

Ronaldo had, of course, set the most demanding of benchmarks for himself during a remarkable 2007/08 that encompassed 42 goals and innumerable outstanding performances as United clinched a double of domestic and European titles. By the time the FIFA Club World Cup was added in December, Ronaldo's contribution had been honoured with the European Golden Shoe, Ballon d'Or and FIFPro Player of the Year awards.

There is, however, one honour that Ronaldo has yet to lay his hands on, and he made it clear today that the FIFA World Player award is one that he is desperate to claim.

As he told FIFA.com: "It's a great honour to be here along the best footballers in the world. Every player has the dream to win this award. I'm still young and to be here [at the Gala] for the second time, that's amazing.

"2008 was a great year, individually and, most importantly, collectively. We have won the Premier League, the Champions League and the Club World Cup. I also scored many beautiful goals last and I gladly remember the ones against Portsmouth, Roma, West Ham or Bolton."

Ronaldo, who missed out to Kaka in the running for last year's FIFA World Player Award, also insisted that there is no chance of him resting on his laurels having achieved global renown so early in his career.

"I'm still ambitious," he said. "I want to carry on and get better and better, even though it's hard to achieve that. My ambition is huge."

MU 3:0 Chelsea

At the start of a crucial week in United’s season, the Reds issued a defiant message of intent by beating Chelsea comprehensively at Old Trafford. Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov scored the goals to cap a weekend where United got under the skin of both major title rivals.

The Reds, who started the match eight points behind the league leaders, could feasibly leapfrog Liverpool by the time the Merseysiders play their next league fixture - a difficult derby a week on Monday. To do that would require United beating Wigan on Wednesday at home, and Bolton Wanderers away on Saturday. But phase one – seeing off Chelsea – was comfortably completed on Sunday.......More

CR Special Exclusive Interview

Cristiano Ronaldo may be adept at avoiding tackles but he didn't dodge anything when MUTV recently asked him about last summer's speculation. The Portuguese winger spoke openly and honestly about the situation, in response to Stewart Gardner's questions:

Very shortly after the Champions League final, there was massive speculation about your future. United fans were clearly concerned and worried about that. Looking back now, can you say what happened?

There’s always speculation, not just about me, but about the future of players all around the world. People were speaking about me this summer but that was normal because of what I did during the season. What people are saying now (the recent speculation about an agreement with Real Madrid) is not true. Who says that is a liar because I am happy at the club, I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here.

Were you at all worried about how the fans might react after seeing all the stories over the summer?

To be honest, no, because I think the people don’t forget quickly what you do for the club. When I arrived at the stadium, to play (my first game of this season) against Villarreal, I felt a little bit of pressure. But the fans were very good and this is why I feel the Manchester United supporters are amazing. I love the fans because they have been brilliant with me, not just this season but every season. Like I said before, I feel at home in Manchester.

Sir Alex went to see you in Lisbon this summer. How important was he and that meeting in the whole process?

The boss is always important for me, not just last season but every season. I am at this club because of him. He saw me in a few games before I played against Manchester United - people think I came here just because I played (well) against United but it’s not true. He’s always helped me and I said to him, “I want to be part of this club with you. I want to win trophies with you.” He’s very important in my career, Sir Alex Ferguson.

You’re only 23, you’ve achieved so much, and yet people say your peak will be at 27, 28 or 29. So what are you ambitions for the future?

Age is not important in football in my opinion. Experience yes, but you gain experience if you play and I have played many games at Manchester United with great players and I’ve won many things. This is why I think age is not important. The most difficult challenge now is to keep the same level as last year’s. This is what I’m trying to do. I feel prepared for that. My ambition is still the same, my character is still the same and I know what I can do.

Cris go home to find missing spark

Cristiano Ronaldo is at Madeira. Having opted to spend the Christmas time with his family in Manchester, the best player in the world preferred Madeira for the new year's eve, having arrived in a private jet in the early hours of yesterday to the region, accompanied by family members.

Hours before, Cristiano Ronaldo had been in Old Traford, participating, actively, in the triumph of Manchester United on Middlesbrough, which allowed his team to reconnect to the top of the table at a time when it has two delayed matches held that the two teams occupying the first, Liverpool and Chelsea, with seven and four points of disadvantage, respectively.

Because the English league is already recheduled for next weekend the implementation of the 21st journey, in which the "Red Devils" will receive Scolari's Chelsea , Cristiano Ronaldo is going to stay in Madeira only the "New Year's Eve "with the return to Manchester to be realized tomorrow.

While in his homeland, the number seven of the national team completed the journey which is characteristic of his presence in the region, in the morning, yesterday, went to the store "CR7", managed by his sister Elma. Moreover, from Manchester had already traveled with him his mother Dolores, and his brother Hugo and his sisters Elma and Cátia and other family members arrived, including nephews, whom Cristiano Ronaldo never stopped expressing various smiles complicit with great tenderness on the mix.

Incidentally, it was clear his good mood, not hiding from cameras and, quite the opposite, leaving huge gesture of sympathy, his own good time through this final year of a unique career of any footballer. Won all, collectively and individually and prepares himselfl to start the year with the highest distinction coveted by any professional footballer: the consecration of the world's best player by FIFA.