MU 4:1 Derby

United cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a professional demolition of Derby County at Pride Park.

Nani’s thunderous sixth of the season and a fine volley from Darron Gibson put the Reds in control at the break, before Cristiano Ronaldo’s bullet header made it three.

Derby, the only side who can claim to have beaten the world champions, got back into the game through Miles Addison’s header but never seriously threatened to complete an unlikely comeback and Reds substitute Danny Welbeck netted an exquisite fourth.....More

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 0:1 Portsmouth in FA Cup; Cris : Refs don't protect us

Cristiano Ronaldo feels he is not given enough protection from referees and fears suffering a serious injury.

The winger was denied a clear penalty against Portsmouth in the FA Cup quarter final defeat at Old Trafford. That incident, coupled with persistent fouling throughout the game, highlights an oft-felt view that the Portuguese is not protected by referees.

"It's very frustrating, the referee was unbelievable," he told MUTV. "He didn't want to give the penalty, he didn't want to give yellow cards - I'm very disappointed.

"Refs don't protect skilful players. I think about the Arsenal player (Eduardo) and I'm scared sometimes to do skills because some players do unbelievable fouls and the ref protects the defender, not the skilled player! It's very disappointing and I'm thinking a lot about changing my game. When referees don't give penalties, yellow cards or reds, it's difficult to play."

Sir Alex Ferguson was left aghast that referee Martin Atkinson did not award a penalty for Sylvain Distin's clear bodycheck on Ronaldo in the seventh minute. Ronaldo added: "He (Distin) didn't try to take the ball. It's a joke."

But it wasn't just refereeing decisions that disappointed the 22-year-old. "We lost today and everyone is disappointed because we were the best team," he said. "We created ten chances while Portsmouth created just one. It's frustrating to lose like that.

"We controlled the game, but we didn't score. Carrick had one cleared off the line, Patrice hit the post... we had a great chance to win the FA Cup but we need to think now about the Premier League and the Champions League. These are the priorities."

Penalty no problem for Cris

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he had no problem with taking a penalty against Tottenham, despite missing one during the Reds' last defeat in December.

When asked if that rare failure was on his mind when he put the ball on the spot, Ronaldo replied: "To be honest, no.

"Sometimes you score, sometimes you miss. I wasn't thinking about West Ham - that's in the past. I needed to think about the present.

"My confidence is always positive. I took a good penalty and I scored. I'm very happy, my colleagues are happy... everyone is happy."

Ronaldo's 69th minute penalty put the Reds 2-1 up against Tottenham, who had followed their 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal by taking the lead against United through Robbie Keane.

"This game was very difficult," acknowledged Ronaldo, whose two goals followed Carlos Tevez's 38th-minute equaliser.

"We knew before the game it would be tough because Spurs are a good team and they were coming to Old Trafford with confidence after beating Arsenal in their last match.

"But I think we played better (than Spurs) and we deserved to win."

Ronaldo sealed the win with a shot that squirmed under the body of Tottenham's otherwise impressive goalkeeper Radek Cerny. It took Cristiano's tally for the season so far to 25 goals - now two more than his total for the entire 2006/07 campaign.


"That's fantastic but I need to say thank you to my team-mates because my colleagues and my friends have helped me a lot this season," said Ronaldo.

"I'm having a great season and I need to carry it on. But the most important thing is the team is playing very well, we are top of the league and in the next round of the FA Cup.

"It's very important for us to win this cup. I'm confident we can win it this season."

MU 2 : 1 Hotspur, Cris scored

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his astonishing scoring spree to steer Manchester United through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The Portugal winger set a seasonal best tally of 25 goals for the club with a double against ten-man Tottenham Hotspur. Yet the Carling Cup finalists will be left cursing their luck after squandering a number of chances. They were also left to rue defender Michael Dawson's sending off at a crucial stage of the game.

Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo both had good efforts for United but it was Tottenham who almost made the breakthrough through Dimitar Berbatov. He got on the end of a corner from Aaron Lennon, only for Rooney to clear off the line and get a pat on the back from goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in the 16th minute.

Tottenham, however, did go ahead in the 24th minute when Aaron Lennon skipped away from Patrice Evra. He delivered the ball into the area and Robbie Keane scored from close range.

Tottenham were looking dangerous on the counter attack and Berbatov picked out Lennon in the 32nd minute. As he was being shadowed by Wes Brown, Lennon tried his luck on goal but failed to test van der Sar. United stepped up the pace and Radek Cerny did well to tip over a shot from Ryan Giggs after 37 minutes.

The equaliser came a minute later and Giggs played a crucial role in the build up. He held off the challenge of Young-Pyo Lee and that enabled Carlos Tevez to fire a shot into the corner beyond Cerny. It was just the boost United were looking for and and Carrick clipped a shot over the bar in the 41st minute.

Jenas should have regained the lead for Spurs in stoppage time when he was clean through. However he failed to get enough power on his effort and van der Sar was able to push it to safety.

Tottenham came close to regaining their lead in the 47th minute when Evra slipped and let in the pacey Lennon. He raced forward and tried to chip van der Sar only for his effort to finish on the roof of the net.

Jamie O'Hara then curled a 25-yard free kick wide before Jenas fluffed his lines again in the 55th minute. He had only van der Sar to beat but failed to test the Dutch goalkeeper with his effort. United responded and Tevez picked out Ronaldo in the 59th minute but his shot went narrowly wide.

Ferguson then decided a change was needed and Paul Scholes was introduced in the 65th minute. Making his first appearance in three months after a knee operation he was given a rousing ovation by the home fans when he replaced Carrick. Scholes was quickly into the action and released Tevez with a precise pass in the 67th minute but he fired a shot over the bar.

The tie took a dramatic turn a minute later when Dawson was sent off for a handball in the area under pressure from Rooney. Ronaldo stepped and slotted the spot kick into the corner to put United 2-1 ahead with his 24th goal for the club.

Down to ten men and a goal down, Tottenham looked deflated as the game entered a crucial stage. However they almost drew level when Berbatov's effort in the 85th minute came back off the post after a good through ball from Steed Malbranque.

Ronaldo got his second in the 88th minute when he got away from substitute Chris Gunter and his shot squirmed under Cerny's body, leaving the goalkeeper red-faced.

FA Cup 3rd round - MU 2 : 0 Villa, 2R both scored

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney both scored in the last ten minutes as United bucked up to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Portuguese star stole in front of Aston Villa full-back Wilfred Bouma to prod home the first goal from Ryan Giggs's low cross in the 81st minute, just when a dour tie seemed destined for a replay at Old Trafford. And when Ronaldo's 89th minute shot was initially blocked, substitute Rooney drilled the rebound past Scott Carson - this just moments after the Villa keeper had made a double save from Michael Carrick......More

FA Cup Final......MU 0 : 1 Chelsea

United's Double hopes were crushed by Didier Drogba's extra-time winner for Chelsea in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley.

Given the strong defensive records of the rivals - they conceded just 51 goals between them in 76 league games - it was hardly surprising this showpiece almost went to penalties. But an edgy, sometimes dry, affair was instead settled with just four minutes remaining when Drogba lifted the ball over Edwin van der Sar to claim the trophy......Read more

Hungry for title

"We all want more trophies. I have waited a few years to win the Premier League but now we have done it once, we want to win it again" - Cristiano Ronaldo

Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo is hungry for more silverware having helped Manchester United wrest the title back from Chelsea's grasp.

And the 22-year-old Portuguese winger will be hoping to add to his medal collection on Saturday when the Red Devils take on Chelsea in the first FA Cup Final at the new-look Wembley Stadium looking to seal an historic fourth domestic league and cup Double.

Ronaldo, who wants to help Sir Alex Ferguson's men win the Premier League again next season, said: "We all want more trophies. I have waited a few years to win the Premier League but now we have done it once, we want to win it again.

"I am at a great club, with great players. We should be looking to win something every year. This season is not over yet either.

"We still have a chance to win the Double and, while you can never say who will win any match, the confidence in the team is high and I believe we have a good chance."

Ferguson will be without captain Gary Neville for the FA Cup Final as he has failed to recover from the ankle injury he suffered against Bolton Wanderers on March 17 as well as French striker Louis Saha, who has a knee injury.

The 65-year-old United boss' opposite number Jose Mourinho has claimed that Chelsea's injury problems are so bad that he might have to deploy third-choice goalkeeper Hilario as a substitute striker.

MU 4 : 1 Watford, reached a record 18th FA Cup Final

United reached a record 18th FA Cup final with a resounding 4-1 victory over Watford at Villa Park on Saturday.

Wayne Rooney capped a brilliant performance by scoring twice – one either side of the break – while Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson also found the net for United.

The win kept Sir Alex's remarkable FA Cup semi final record intact; in eight attempts, United sides under his stewardship have never lost at this stage of the competition.

But it wasn't quite the stroll in the park the final score suggests. Watford were resilient for much of the game and only capitulated once substitute Richardson netted United's fourth with eight minutes to play.....Read more

CR treatment irks Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson pulled no punches in his assessment of the latest controversy to surround Cristiano Ronaldo after the winger's matchwinning penalty against Middlesbrough.

The winger won and converted the spot-kick in Monday night's FA Cup win over Boro, but the reaction of the Teesiders and Sky television to the incident clearly irked the Boss.

"It's a clear penalty kick," he told MUTV. "I don't know what they're going on about. If it had been any other player they wouldn't have bothered. I think it's because it was Ronaldo, it's a shame that. It's putting a stigma on the boy which is not deserved.

"And I saw the interview he had and he was magnificent. It was a poor interview, a disgraceful interview. Just stretching it out, hoping the boy trips himself up.

"He (Sky interviewer Geoff Shreeves) doesn't understand how intelligent the boy is. It was a poor interview and I was disgusted with it. Sky should have a good look at themselves."

Despite being asked about the validity of the penalty, if there had been contact, if he could have stayed on his feet and why he is stalked by controversy, Ronaldo was given Sky's man of the match award.

And after his latest matchwinning display, Sir Alex was again full of praise for the sensational 22-year-old.

"He's a great player, a fantastic player, phenomenal," he said. "We've had some great players at this club and I've been proud to say in my 20 years we've had fantastic players. He's up there with the best of them, without question."

"I'm too good"

"Why when Cristiano is involved is it always political? Maybe some people don’t like me because maybe I’m too good."

Cristiano Ronaldo converted a late penalty to see off the dogged challenge of Middlesbrough and book United an FA Cup semi-final against Watford. The Reds' winger netted his 18th of the season from the penalty spot after he was tripped by Jonathan Woodgate. Middlesbrough's players were incensed by the decision, but television replays cleared showed there was contact.
“For me it is a penalty," insisted Ronaldo afterwards. I felt contact, that is why I slipped. He touched me. If he touches me I lose my movement and that is why I go down. He kicked me. "Why when Cristiano is involved is it always political? Maybe some people don’t like me because maybe I’m too good."
The Reds now face a semi-final trip to Villa Park where they'll play Watford. With Wembley just one step away, Ronaldo is determined to help the team book their place at the stadium's opening showpiece.

"It'll be a difficult game but when you have a good team then you have a good chance to get to the final," he insisted. "I feel confident. I’m in good form and the team is feeling good too. Hopefully we can make it."

CR earns replay

Cristian Ronaldo's penalty earned Manchester United a replay after Middlesbrough threatened a shock in the FA Cup quarter-final at the Riverside.

United lost keeper Edwin van der Sar in the warm-up, but Wayne Rooney's low drive put them ahead after 23 minutes. Lee Cattermole volleyed Middlesbrough level on the stroke of half-time.

George Boateng headed Boro's second a minute after the interval, but then handled Rio Ferdinand's header after 66 minutes and Ronaldo equalised.

The replay will be at Old Trafford on 19 March, giving England coach Steve McClaren a fixture headache as he prepares to fly out with his squad to Tel Aviv for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel.

FA Cup MU 1 : 1 Reading

United must replay their FA Cup fifth round tie with Reading after Steve Coppell’s men held the Reds to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick’s first half strike was cancelled out by Brynjar Gunnarsson’s headed equaliser after the break in a highly entertaining encounter. United had plenty of chances to put the tie to bed after they'd gone in front, but came up against a stubborn Royals’ side who just wouldn’t lie down.... Full Report

FA Cup : United 2-1 Aston Villa

Once again Ole Gunnar Solskjaer emerged as United's supersub with a dramatic injury-time winner as United edged past Aston Villa and into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Debutant Henrik Larsson, who impressed throughout, gave United the lead with a fine goal just after half-time, but substitute Milan Baros seemed to have nicked a replay for Martin O'Neill's side after equalising 16 minutes from time.

It was Solskjaer who had the final say in an entertaining tie, however, as he fired underneath the body of Gabor Kiraly in the first of four added minutes to send United through......More