We didn't play well

Cristiano Ronaldo has echoed Sir Alex Ferguson’s opinion that the best team won in Rome on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo and his Reds team-mates were left to watch Barcelona lift the Champions League trophy after a game in which the Catalan side outplayed United for 80 minutes.

United – and Ronaldo, in particular – started the match brightly, but Samuel Eto’o pounced on 10 minutes to send Barcelona into the lead. That, Cristiano admits, was the moment the game turned.

“We started very well but after [the goal] I didn’t see any more of Manchester United," he told MUTV. "Barcelona played better than us, they controlled the game, created more opportunities and they deserved to win.

“You lose games because you make bad mistakes and this is what happened [on Wednesday]. We didn’t play well, we didn’t play compact. “

Despite the disappointment of losing in Rome, Ronaldo is confident United fans will see more European silverware at Old Trafford in the coming years.

“It’s really hard to retain this trophy but I still believe Manchester has the chance to win more in the next seasons.”

MU 0:2 Barcelona ; Cris: Barca defeat a big disappointment

We were told this Champions League final would be a game displaying the beauty of the counter-attack; no two teams in Europe more adept at carrying it out. But United would certainly have hoped not to be so heartbreakingly on the end of its devastation.

Twice United looked to be in control of proceedings here in Rome, and both times Barcelona hit the Reds on the break as goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi secured a 2-0 win for the Spanish champions. Make no mistake, the intricate passing football of Pepe Guardiola's side was brilliant at times, and there is no real injustice in the result.....More

Cristiano Ronaldo had admitted tonight's Champions League defeat to Barcelona was one of the biggest disappointments of his career.

Goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi were enough to overcome Manchester United in Rome's Stadio Olimpico, denying Sir Alex Ferguson's men the chance to become the first side to successfully defend the trophy since it was rebranded in 1992.

Ronaldo did cause Barca some early problems, but ultimately the Portuguese winger faded like his team, with Messi now set to claim the World Player of the Year prize he has cherished.

"This is one of the biggest disappointments of my career,'' said Ronaldo. "We were always confident before the game but unfortunately we couldn't do it.''

Speculation is now bound to surface once more about whether the 24-year-old has played his final game for the Old Trafford outfit. It was not a subject up for discussion this evening as Ronaldo came to terms with the defeat.

"It is always bad when you lose a final,'' said Ronaldo. "But we didn't play well. We did okay in the first 10 minutes but you have to say Barcelona deserved to win.''

Wayne Rooney was equally distressed at United's first European Cup final defeat, although few would argue Barcelona fully deserved their victory.

"It is a big disappointment but Barcelona were the better team,'' said the England forward. "Barcelona scored two good goals and unfortunately for us, they came at good times. That made it very difficult for us.

"Barcelona are a brilliant team. Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world in my opinion. If you don't take your chances against them, they will punish you and that is what has happened.

"It is very disappointing and the feeling at the moment is not a good one. We are hurting. But we have to forget it and look forward to next season.''

Cristiano Ronaldo interview Cristiano Ronaldo

CR set on team glory

The notion goes that whomever comes out on top - Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi - then the World's best player tag is automatically theirs.

Cristiano is on the throne currently, but he says retaining his crown will not be his motivation in front of a packed Stadio Olimpico crowd on Wednesday. Believe it or not, his aim is shared glory.

“Whoever wins the final will have a better chance [of winning the award]," Ronny said. "But I don’t care about that, what I want is to win the Champions League – that’s it. Some players in my team have played fantastic football this season - they deserve it.”

Ronaldo is aware that the TV cameras and photographers' lenses will focus on him all night, but it's a pressure he's learned to live with. “It’s normal for people to talk about me," he says. "I’m 100 per cent focused on the game. I try to help my team, I will try to score and win the game.

"It's a great stadium. I feel very good to play here. I’ve played here a few times and, in my opinion, I played well. I have to play well now. The pitch, the stadium, the fans… they’re amazing; I look forward to playing here and winning. It’s going to be special.”

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Cris proud on 'special day'

Cristiano Ronaldo beamed with pride as he reflected on clinching the third Premier League title of his United career.

The Portuguese winger, United's top scorer for a third successive season, revelled in the post-match celebrations after the Reds' draw with Arsenal had given the reigning champions an unassailable lead at the head of the table.

"It's unbelievable, it's a special day," Ronaldo told MUTV. "We've won the league again and now we get to celebrate with our families. I'm enjoying it a lot. It's a fantastic achievement. It's not easy to win three times, the lads worked for that and it's a special, special moment. We have to enjoy the moment."

The Reds' triumph secured an 18th league title, equalling the longstanding record of Liverpool, but Ronaldo admits United need only concentrate on winning more silverware.

"We don't need to care about other teams," he said. "It's always good to be on the top, and we are in a good moment. We've won a few things and this club needs to carry on. It doesn't matter which players are here or which coach is here, the mentality of this club is always to win. I'm looking forward, and proud to be in the history of this team."

With one half of last season's Double now safely retained, United's attentions will now switch to overcoming Barcelona in the Champions League final. Should the Reds reign in Rome, Ronaldo believes this campaign can be held in the fondest regard, admitting: "If we win that then it's an unbelievable year."

MU 0:0 Arsenal; Champion again!

United are once again champions of England and inevitably, it was achieved the hard way, with a nail-biting goalless draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

A tense, nerve-wracking afternoon saw few chances at either at end, as a largely dour match dragged agonisingly to its conclusion. Hearts were in mouths for United fans throughout the afternoon, and never more than when Cesc Fabregas struck the post with six minutes remaining.....More

MU 2:1 Wigan

United moved to the brink of the Barclays Premier League title with a pulsating second-half performance and two wonderful goals at Wigan.

Man of the moment Carlos Tevez came off the bench to equalise before midfield maestro Michael Carrick sealed a superb away win for the champions with five minutes remaining. This rally put Steve Bruce’s plucky Wigan side to the sword and no doubt destroyed the morale of a certain club on Merseyside, who’d no doubt been buoyed by Hugo Rodallega’s shock opener for the home team.

Sir Alex made five changes to his derby-winning side, the return of John O’Shea, Anderson, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney suggesting this eleven was picked with the Reds’ next midweek fixure in mind, the Champions League final.....More

Sir Alex defends CR reaction

Sir Alex Ferguson explained Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustrated response to being substituted in the second half against Manchester City as the winger’s determination to play.

Ronaldo was clearly disappointed at his early departure from the action, after setting United on the way to a comfortable 2-0 win in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, but Sir Alex believes it was a healthy reaction.

“He wanted to stay on, that’s the simple reason,” said the boss. “He’s in great form, but I have got to look at the bigger picture. He had an incredible performance at Arsenal in midweek, he ran his socks off. We have to think about how we get through our games and keeping him fresh.

“It’s great when players want to play. Take Jonny Evans, who was taken ill this morning. We put him on medication but he still said he wanted to play. He was feeling his hamstring at half time but again he wanted to play on. That’s the guts you want. I brought him off because I can’t take chances at this stage of the season.”

United’s other goalscorer, Carlos Tevez, was another player to make a gesture that will make the headlines. After scoring the Reds’ brilliant second, he held his hands behind his ears. The Argentinian’s future remains unclear, but Sir Alex was again unmoved over the issue.

“I didn’t read [what he was quoted as saying in] the papers. You hear things… but, look, he is a Manchester United player. The fans love him. Our fans love triers. When players try, the fans love that.” Asked when Tevez’s future would be sorted out, the boss responded curtly: “I’m not getting into that, OK?"

MU 2:0 City

United now need just four points from three games to win a third successive league title after the Reds brushed aside Mark Hughes’ men in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

First-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez sealed the points on a day when United’s back four were rarely troubled. The Blues were no match for a United side determined to regain top spot after Liverpool’s win at West Ham on Saturday had sent the Scousers temporarily to the summit.

Now, however, three points clear and with a game in hand, the Reds are favourites to secure an 11th Premier League trophy and could do so at Old Trafford next Saturday should Sir Alex's men beat Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night.....More

MU 3:1(4:1)Arsenal, Cris double

Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester United will go on to become history-makers in Rome on May 27.

No side has retained the European Cup since it was revamped as the Champions League in 1992.

Now United are just one win away after a dazzling 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium that completed a comfortable aggregate triumph to seal a meeting with either Chelsea or Barcelona.

As usual, Ronaldo was in the thick of the action, smashing home an incredible 40-yard free-kick after Park Ji-sung had seized on Kieran Gibbs' slip to give United an eighth minute lead.

Ronaldo was not finished either, taking his seasonal tally to 25 by finishing off a flowing second-half counter-attack to render Robin van Persie's late consolation as totally meaningless.

"I have always believed we were going to win it again," said Ronaldo.

"That is what we have been trying to do and now we are in the final, so we have a great opportunity.

"It was not an easy match. Arsenal are a good team, so to score three goals at their own ground is just amazing.

"The whole team were superb and we deserve to be in the final."

Ronaldo was able to spare a thought for Darren Fletcher, who looks set to miss the final after the red card he was shown for a tackle on Cesc Fabregas.

TV replays showed the Scotland international touched the ball before he made contact with the Gunners skipper, raising some hope that Italian referee Roberto Rosetti will ask for the decision to be overturned.

"I am tremendously disappointed for Darren," said the world player of the year.

"He has played in most of the games and now he cannot play in the final. He deserves to - but that is football."

Ronaldo's amazing first goal was even further out than his 39.1 yard effort against FC Porto in the last round.

Even Ferguson was caught by the surprise when he saw the ferocity of the shot, although Ronaldo could not pick a favourite between the pair.

"It is difficult to say which one was the best," he said.

"They were both very good. I just tried to hit the ball hard. It makes it a very difficult shot to save."

My Real Madrid Dream Is Dead

CR7 has more bad news for Real fans after claiming he now dreams of Manchester, not Madrid.

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly claimed that any potential move to Real Madrid is “dead” and has insisted his future remains at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese international has long been linked with a move to the Primera Division side and looked set to complete the switch to Spain last summer.

However, the Premier League champions managed to keep hold of their man, yet speculation has persisted that Real would return for Ronaldo again.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the World Player of the Year has given his clearest indication yet that he will not be moving to Madrid and will instead stay in Manchester.

“I’m no longer thinking of Madrid,” he told the British tabloid. “That dream is dead.

“The only thing I dream about now is Manchester United and winning the Champions League again in Rome.”

Whether his words will be enough to dampen speculation remains to be seen, as the 24-year-old has often cut a frustrated figure at Old Trafford this season.

Yet Ronaldo has looked back to his best in recent weeks, scoring vital goals against FC Porto, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur as United continue to chase Premier League and Champions League glory.

MU 1:0 Arsenal

Fitter. Harder. Faster. Stronger. United outfought and outclassed Arsenal on a European night to remember at Old Trafford. Yet the Reds take only a one-goal advantage to the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday, and the road to Rome is not as straightforward as it perhaps could have been.

Sir Alex said before the game that he would happily take a 1-0 victory in this Champions League semi-final, first leg. And United can take heart from an outstanding display of vigour and verve. But after the mauling Arsenal received, the Reds boss can surely only conclude that the winning margin should have been greater.

Right from the off United’s players, backed by an absolutely incredible support, were revved up and right in the faces of the beleaguered Gunners. Carlos Tevez was rewarded for his match-changing second-half display against Tottenham at the weekend with a place in the starting line-up – and he played like he had a statement to make....More