Ronaldo and Anderson hilarious interview - EPL champions 2009

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

2R hail MU performance over Tottenham

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney teamed up to share their thoughts on Manchester United's win tonight over Tottenham.

Manchester United came from behind tonight at Old Trafford, to emerge eventual victors over visitors Tottenham Hotspur in a seven-goal thriller.

The comeback denied Harry Redknapp of his first ever managerial win at Manchester United's home stadium, and created history in that the game was the first time in over two years that the Red Devils have come back from a two-goal disadvantage.

Scoring five goals in the space of 22 minutes - all in the second half - United nullified and voided Spurs' lead, securing themselves the top spot of the Premier League by a three-point margin with a game in hand over title chasers Liverpool.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were amongst the scorers for the hosts, both players netting themselves a double, with Dimitar Berbatov adding the cherry to the cake after 79 minutes.

"It was a good comeback," Rooney told Setanta Sports.

"We played too slow in the first half, we had to quicken the game up.

"Going in 2-0 down at half time we knew that if we got that first goal it would get the crowd up, spurring us on further. Fortunately we got some opportunities and took them.

"[Sir Alex told us to] quicken our game up and make sure we score. If we score one goal, then you never know, you always have that chance to go on and win, and we've done that."

Ronaldo then chimed in with his take on the game, citing the introduction of pint-sized Argentine striker Carlos Tevez as the major turning point of the game.

"It's a great result," the winger started.

"To score five goals in the second half is brilliant. We said after the first half that if we scored one, we could score three or four.

"Carlos Tevez changed the game when he came on, he really started to press the defenders.

"We are at the top of the league now. It's great."

Quizzed over the importance of the game, Wazza agreed that United will now be favourites to take the title once more, but wants to make sure that the heads stay focused within the camp.

"It was very important that we won this game," Rooney went on.

"Obviously we're in a great position now - three points clear with a game in hand - but we need to make sure that we take advantage of our situation.

"Now we have a little bit of a margin going into the final stages, and that fills the squad with belief and confidence."

MU 2:0 Portsmouth

Another nervous evening's work at Old Trafford, but goals at either end of the 90 minutes from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick gave United three points against Portsmouth, putting clear daylight between champions and challengers in the Premier League title race.

A procession of chances came and went in-between the two strikes, meaning much of the evening made uncomfortable viewing even though United - and in particular the front pairing of Rooney and Ryan Giggs - often had Portsmouth chasing shadows.

After Sunday's FA Cup semi-final marathon against Everton, Sir Alex Ferguson made wholesale changes for the second successive game, with a string of big-name players returning. Two of them - Giggs and Rooney - combined sumptuously to put United ahead inside nine minutes.....More

MU 3:2 Villa; CR double

It’s not called the Theatre of Dreams for nothing.

Seventeen-year-old striker Federico Macheda, making his first-team debut, became an instant Old Trafford hero when he scored a sensational injury-time winner to send United back to the top of the table.

Macheda, thrown on for the final 30 minutes, capped a superb performance with the sort of goal usually scored by the likes of Rooney or Ronaldo. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, the young Italian's first touch took the ball between his legs, wrong-footing his marker and allowing him space to curl a superb shot past Brad Friedel and into the far corner.

Earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo had put the Reds in front on 14 minutes before goals from John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor turned the tide. Ronaldo equalised with 11 minutes to play but Macheda stole the headlines with what could prove a title-winning strike......More

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

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

Cris:I was pleased with my goal

Cristiano Ronaldo was pleased to grab the winner to send United eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Ronaldo conjured one of his special free-kicks to clinch a hard-fought and, he says, deserved 2-1 win.

“The most important thing is that we are top of the table and now we are eight points ahead of Liverpool,” Ronaldo told MUTV.

"I’m very happy that we got three points. It was a very tough game. The manager said before the game that it was going to be one of the toughest games of the season. He has experience and he knows better than anyone. We saw in the game that Blackburn created chances and they were a dangerous team playing on the counter attack.

“We controlled most of the game and had more opportunities. At the end of the day I think we deserved to win because we looked to score goals.”

Ronaldo felt that he was unfairly singled out for diving, when Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen also took a tumble in the box and got away with it. “I thought Pedersen dived. It wasn’t a penalty. Pedersen dived and didn’t get a yellow card, but I dived and he did book me! But I suppose that’s just the situation of the game.”

But ultimately Ronaldo’s most important contribution was his goal after an hour. The free kick from the corner of the penalty area was struck with such venom and speed that Paul Robinson saw it late coming through a crowd of bodies. The Portuguese winger was pleased with the importance of the strike as much as how it looked.

“I was pleased with my goal, it was a good free kick and an important goal. I’m looking forward to seeing it on television!”

Boss hails Ronaldo winner

Cristiano Ronaldo’s winning strike against Blackburn was “fantastic”, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, who jumped to the defence of his Portuguese star when it was claimed he could have been sent off.

“He’s done it so many times before,” the boss said. “It was a fantastic strike. I think the fact that there were so many bodies in the box and in front of the ball, it gave the goalkeeper no chance. He hit it with such speed and bend on the ball that it was very difficult for [Paul Robinson]. It was a fantastic strike.”

The United boss also accused referee Howard Webb of inconsistency, having booked Ronaldo for diving but failing to dish out the same punishment for Morten Gamst Pedersen, who went down with ease under minimal contact from Rafael.

“He wasn’t fortunate to be on the pitch at all,” Sir Alex said, responding to Setanta’s claim that Ronalod should have been sent off. “The referee spoke to him when Ronaldo flicked out [on a challenge on David Dunn]. The boy kicked him, Ronaldo flicked out but it was no more than that. The referee thought it was fine and gave him a warning.

“You see it time and time again with Ronaldo, the press will make a meal of it. He has to live with that kind of examination. But it would have been a ridiculous sending off.

“Ronaldo got booked for diving, quite right. What did Pedersen do? It was an absolute dive, yet he’s not been booked. He either gives a penalty or he books Pedersen. It’s either or. It was nowhere near a penalty kick. Rafa came behind him, and his hand touched the Pedersen’s shoulder, and as soon as he felt it he immediately dives. I don’t understand why he doesn’t get a yellow card but Ronaldo does. It’s not right.”

MU 2:1 Blackburn

United went eight points clear at the top of the league after victory over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday evening.

As is customary of late, Sir Alex’s men won by the narrowest of margins, although for the first time since November the Reds conceded a league goal. United were made to work hard for the points but goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo proved enough to seal an 11th consecutive win in all competitions.

Sir Alex made five changes to the side that beat Fulham 3-0 in midweek. Jonny Evans came in for Nemanja Vidic to get some more minutes under his belt before United’s trip to the San Siro on Tuesday (the Serbian is suspended for that match), although the youngster now looks unlikely to play in that match after limping off injured after 61 minutes. Elsewhere, Rafael replaced John O’Shea at right-back, Wayne Rooney was handed his first start in six weeks and Nani replaced Ji-sung Park on the left wing.....More

MU 3:0 Fulham

Goals from Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov and the returning Wayne Rooney brought United a tenth straight win in all competitions, and with it a handsome lead in the Barclays Premier League.

So now at last the table truly reflects the Reds’ advantage. With the same number of games played, United are superior to nearest rivals Liverpool by five points and nine goals.

The champions' superiority in this particular contest was rarely in doubt, even with Sir Alex Ferguson making seven changes to the side that booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals and a possible rematch with Fulham on 7 March.

Edwin van der Sar returned in pursuit of his 14th consecutive league clean sheet and there were also recalls at the back for John O’Shea and Nemanja Vidic. Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes rejoined the midfield while Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez were reunited as the front two.....More

MU 1:0 West Ham

The Reds reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with an efficient display against West Ham. And though the match may not have been a classic, Ryan Giggs’ match-winning goal certainly was.

The Welsh winger had been yet to find the net in the league this season, but the 35-year-old has been refined to save all his experience and talent for a time when it matters most.
....More

Cris happy with his form

Cristiano Ronaldo declared himself satisfied after scoring the winner against Everton – but insists all that matters is that the team keep winning.

Following his brace at West Brom on Tuesday, the winger netted his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot on Saturday to send the Reds five points clear at the top.

"I am happy with my season, but the most important thing is the team," Ronaldo told MUTV."We are top, the lads are playing very well, I’ve scored a few important goals and want to carry on doing my job to help the team.

"It was very tough today. Everton had a good game at the weekend against Liverpool and we knew it was going to be difficult.

"But we played well, especially in the first half when we created a few chances and managed to score the goal. The second half was a little more difficult, with Everton just playing on the counter-attack."

Ronaldo was not too disappointed that United failed to add to his opener and credited Everton's resilience.

"If we win every game 1-0 it’s good!" he continued. "Sometimes it’s important to score goals but Everton are a difficult team to play against. We have to appreciate the attitude and character of the team."

Ronaldo also reserved praise for Edwin van der Sar, who kept his 12th consecutive league clean sheet to break a 30-year-old English league record.

Ronaldo said: "It’s unbelievable! Edwin deserves it because he is a great goalkeeper and a great man who works a lot for his age! I’m really happy not just for him but for all the lads, especially the defenders who support him a lot."

Third-placed Liverpool host second-placed Chelsea on Sunday when both sides will be fighting tooth and nail to claw the ground back on United.

"It’ll be a tough game," Ronaldo added. "Maybe a draw is the best result, but one or both of them will definitely drop points!"

MU 1:0 Everton; Cris score penalty

Another game, another United win, another record.

This hard-fought victory extended the champions’ lead at the top of the table and, in keeping another clean sheet, Edwin van der Sar has now broken the all-time record in the entire English football league.

Like last season, the game was settled by a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. This one, which came just before the interval, was the winger’s 14th goal of the season.....More