I can't imagine myself out of the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo, captain selection of Portugal, said that the way to zero tie against Sweden in the Stadium of the Dragon:

"I think we did everything to win, the team played well, the players ran, helped each other. Yesterday in training, we scored ten goals. Today we could not. Football is like that. As I said before, we did everything possible and impossible to mark. Sometimes the ball does not enter. I am sad by the result but pleased by the display. Today, what counts are the points, but we continue to believe. Penalty? The game is over, the referee does not marked, it is not worth talking about it. I still can't imagine myself out of the World Cup. The friendly game? It is always complicated, but it is a compromise. "

Portugal 0:0 Sweden

Portugal face an uphill struggle to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ after wasting a host of chances in a 0-0 draw with Sweden.

After today's games, group leaders Denmark have 10 points from four matches, the same haul as Hungary, who have played a game more. Portugal are third, four points off the pace. Portugal dominated the first half and came close to scoring in the 17th minute when Tiago almost made the most of a bad back pass to Sweden keeper Andreas Isaksson.

Tiago then supplied Cristiano Ronaldo on the right, only for the winger's attempt to chip Isaksson to go wide. Sweden had another escape in the 24th minute when Duda's cross from the left wing hit the post after deceiving the keeper.

A flowing move on 43 minutes involving Ronaldo, Tiago and Raul Meireles ended with Simao Sabrosa's volley going just wide and Portugal suffered another blow moments later when defender Jose Bosingwa limped off injured.

Danny continued Portugal's poor finishing in the second half when he failed to hit the target after an excellent pass from Tiago. The visitors, missing striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic through suspension, seemed to settle for a draw.

Sweden's best chance came on 55 minutes when Johan Elmander forced Eduardo Carvalho into a close range save but they rarely threatened. Playmaker Deco came on as a substitute after 62 minutes and had two good chances to break the deadlock for Portugal, watch a low drive saved by Isaksson and curling in a shot that flew inches wide.

MU 0:2 Fulham

United's abberation against Liverpool became a blip as Fulham inflicted another shock defeat for the champions at Craven Cottage.

The damage caused by Danny Murphy's first-half penalty and Zoltan Gera's late goal on the break was compounded by red cards for Paul Scholes, for handling a goalbound effort, and substitute Wayne Rooney for two bookable offences. With Nemanja Vidic already banned, the Reds now have three players unable to face Aston Villa on Sunday 5 April.

Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes to the side that suffered a demoralising home defeat to Liverpool. Jonny Evans replaced the suspended Vidic; the other four adjustments recalled Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to the midfield and brought Dimitar Berbatov into attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.....More

MU 1:4 Liverpool; really bad day

It had looked rosy when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a first-half penalty, but an uncharacteristically nervy display at the back allowed Liverpool back into this match; and the subsequent 4-1 defeat means the Reds’ lead at the top is chopped to four points, albeit with a game in hand.

Ronaldo put United ahead but three defensive mistakes led to Liverpool goals, and Nemanja Vidic’s second-half sending off, which preceded the visitor’s third goal, put paid to taking any points. In truth, this wasn’t a great day at the office, it never quite clicked into place. But one thing is certain: this defeat must be used to propel the Reds’ forward in the title race. The team responds well to set-backs, and this is only minor stumble.....More

CR Interview

MU 2:0 Inter, Cris goal

United reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the third successive season – but the holders were made to work by a spirited Inter side.

After Nemanja Vidic had headed the Reds into an early lead, the Italian champions provided several nervy moments until Cristiano Ronaldo netted the all-important second goal five minutes after the restart.

It was a cushion United never looked like relinquishing and most of the 75,000 fans in attendance went home satisfied after another thrilling European night at Old Trafford.

So, the defence of the trophy continues and we’ll wait with baited breath to see who the Reds face next when the draw for the last eight is made on March 20.

As so often on the big occasions, Sir Alex Ferguson had looked to his experienced men to guide his side through, naming Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in midfield – the latter starting in his old-fashioned left-wing role.....More

Cris in tunnel in bust-up

Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in a furious half-time tunnel bust-up with Newcastle’s Steven Taylor last night. The Portuguese winger was fuming with the England Under-21 skipper after a clash seconds before the break. Taylor looked lucky to escape a red card, after appearing to hit Ronaldo in the side of the face and leaving the United ace stretched out on the turf. Ronaldo felt he was clobbered by Taylor, who got only a booking from ref Steve Bennett, and let fly with a verbal blast at the Toon’s style. It was claimed he said: “Your style of football is s**t". Taylor hit back and snapped: “Well you are ugly!”

MU 2:1 Newcastle

United re-established a seven point lead at the head of the Premier League table, but were pushed all the way by a pepped-up Newcastle United side at St James' Park.

Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov struck goals in either half to seal the points, but not before Peter Lovenkrands had fired the hosts into an unlikely early lead. With Chelsea and Liverpool both winning on Tuesday, this was a potentially massive win in United's bid for a third successive Premier League title.

The Magpies were at United from the very first whistle and, with Jonas Gutierrez and Obafemi Martins on song, set out with an open gameplan devised to catch the visitors cold, which they duly did.....More

Email Cristiano

MUTV’s Email the Players programme allows fans to quiz their favourite United stars, and Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest Red in the hot seat.

The Reds winger speaks candidly on a wide range of subjects, including who had the greatest influence on him as a player when he was growing up, which of his goals he ranks as the best, his best mate at the club, and which subjects he liked best at school.

“I was quite good at science when I was at school,” he said. “But my favourite subject had to be sports.”

And on the greatest influence on his career, Ronny added: “My family, my dad, and playing football with my brother in the street - they inspired me to be a good footballer.”

Cris ban not on the cards

Cristiano Ronaldo's caution in the Carling Cup final may have been ill-deserved - but at least it was well-timed in terms of the FA's disciplinary calendar.

The Portuguese winger's fourth yellow card in domestic competitions fell on 1 March - the day after the cut-off point for the five-bookings rule. A fifth caution for Ronaldo at this stage of the season would only earn him a warning now, instead of a ban.

That will surely be good news for Sir Alex Ferguson, who initially feared Ronaldo would be "near to missing a game" when referee Chris Foy booked the Portuguese winger after first rejecting his claim for a penalty against Tottenham's Ledley King.

"It's disappointing, not so much because he didn't give the penalty but because he booked Cristiano," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"You can't appeal against a yellow card so that has been added to Cristiano's record now. That's twice it's happened this season (for 'simulation'). It's too easy an option for these referees. He (Foy) should be challenged on why he gave the yellow card."

Ronaldo's other domestic bookings this season have all come in the league, against Chelsea home and away and last month's 2-1 win over Blackburn at Old Trafford.

The FA's Disciplinary Procedures document states: "If a player accumulates five recorded cautions in First Team Competitive Matches between the opening day of the Playing Season and the last day in February in the same season, he will be suspended automatically for a period covering One First Team Match."

Carling Cup Final : MU 0-0 Spurs 0 (4-1 on pens)

United edged a tense Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, winning a second major trophy of the season after a penalty shootout at Wembley.

Ben Foster saved superbly from Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley missed the target altogether, allowing Anderson to score the winning penalty after Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo had all successfully converted.

It was no more than United deserved for bossing much of the match itself. Ronaldo came closest to winning the cup in normal time, but his powerful effort was denied by the post in the dying seconds of a close-fought final.

True to his word, Sir Alex kept faith with the players who had taken the Reds to Wembley. With the exception of Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand, every member of the starting XI had started at least one match earlier in the competition.

Ronaldo had Heurelho Gomes worried twice inside the opening six minutes, firstly with a 25-yard free-kick which fizzed over, then with a half-hit shot on target after good build-up play from Nani and Tevez.....More