GO or STAY ?

Cristiano Ronaldo has made his mind up about his football future, but won't be revealing whether it is with Manchester United or Real Madrid for up to three days.

The Portuguese star, speaking after their 3-2 defeat to Germany in Thursday night's Euro 2008 quarter-final, said he was close to revealing his thinking.

"In two or three days' time I will announce my future because the tournament is over for me," he told the British Press Association.

"I have to speak to Manchester United and we will see. I will talk to them and see what happens. Everyone knows what I want but in the next two or three days you'll have something new."

Ronaldo told reporters the "possibilities" of going to Real Madrid were "great," but that it did not "always depend on me."

"I have many desires and in the next few days they will become clear."

He also revealed to the French newspaper L'Equipe that he was to undergo foot surgery for a minor problem.

"It is now three months I have played with this little foot problem."

United released a statement Friday reiterating that Ronaldo was not for sale.

"United are not listening to offers... the 23-year-old United star is not for sale,'" the statement said.

The winger has been the source of heated speculation about his future at Manchester United for months, with Real Madrid making clear they want to sign him at any cost.

United made a formal complaint to FIFA about Real Madrid's interest last week, but football's governing body said no regulations had been broken.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has criticized Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon and coach Bernd Schuster for what he considers heavy-handed tactics and use of the Spanish media to unsettle players.

The trigger for the protest was believed to have been Calderon's comments earlier this month about his "pride" and "honor" that Ronaldo wants to play for his club.

The 23-year-old Ronaldo scored 42 goals in helping Manchester United win both the English and European titles last season.

Portugal 2:3 Germany in quarter-fianl

Germany progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship for the first time since 1996 as goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack secured a 3-2 victory over Portugal in Basel.

Heads, you win
The Mannschaft ended up lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy that year and the way they raised their game to meet the challenge of a Portugal side that refused to lie down – halving a two-goal deficit twice through first Nuno Gomes and then, in the dying minutes, Hélder Postiga – augurs well for Joachim Löw's team. By contrast, it was a night when the worst fears of Portugal's Chelsea FC-bound coach Luiz Felipe Scolari were realised, his pre-match nightmares about Germany's aerial superiority materialising in the form of headed goals by Klose and Ballack. Portugal were semi-finalists in 2000 and runners-up in 2004 and Scolari had hoped to take that final step at UEFA EURO 2008™ but his farewell party fell flat at St. Jakob-Park, where Portugal were overpowered by opponents who shrugged aside impressively their occasional first-stage torpor.

Debt paid
With Simão probing down the right, Scolari's men appeared to be finding their stride as they offered the first threat on goal when Bosingwa crossed and João Moutinho, free of his marker but seemingly caught in two minds, steered the ball over at the near post with his knee. Yet in the 22nd minute they fell behind. It was a wonderfully worked goal too, swift passing between Philipp Lahm, Ballack and Lukas Podolski advancing the ball down the left, with Podolski bursting clear to drive in a low cross which Schweinsteiger converted with a sliding finish. Schweinsteiger's coach Löw had told the midfielder he had a "debt" to his team-mates after his red card against Croatia and here, in his first start of the finals, he resembled a man on a mission.

Scoring feat
Scorer of two goals against Portugal at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Schweinsteiger was the architect of their second here too, drifting a free-kick into the Portugal box which Klose, ghosting clear of the red shirts, headed past Ricardo. Raul Meireles replaced the injured Moutinho and Portugal went in search of a lifeline. It came via captain Nuno Gomes five minutes before the break. Simão's crossfield ball sent Ronaldo racing clear of Per Mertesacker down the inside-left channel and though Jens Lehmann blocked his shot, Gomes was first to the rebound, striking first time into the net via the foot of Christoph Metzelder, defending desperately on the line. It was Gomes's sixth goal on the European stage over three tournaments – a scoring span only achieved by Jürgen Klinsmann, Thierry Henry and Vladimír Šmicer before him.

Tense finish
Ronaldo was a whisker away from an equaliser moments before half-time, flashing the ball past Lehmann yet just wide of the far post. Deco did find the net shortly after the interval but was in an offside position and the little midfielder then flicked on a Simão corner to set up Pepe, only for the defender to nod over. Ballack showed him how it should be done in the 61st minute when – to the displeasure of his future manager – he shrugged off Chelsea FC team-mate Paulo Ferreira and beat Ricardo to another Schweinsteiger free-kick to head home. Scolari sent on Nani and Postiga as Portugal chased the game and the pair combined to ensure a nervy finale when Postiga headed in from Nani's left-wing delivery but the glimmer of hope was soon extinguished.

Portugal 3:1 Czech; Man of the match Cristiano

Man of the match Cristiano Ronaldo declared himself "very happy" after putting Portugal on the brink of a Euro 2008 quarter-final place.

The Portuguese overcame Czech Republic 3-1 at the Stade Geneve on Wednesday to move onto six points from two games in Group A.

Ronaldo and substitute Ricardo Quaresma struck second-half goals - the latter in stoppage time - to earn the victory after Libor Sionko had cancelled out Deco's opener.

"Our main aim was to get to next phase. I'm very happy to have helped my team-mates to win," said the Manchester United star.

"I managed to score, and my goal is dedicated to the Red Cross. I'm thinking about the children and that makes me very proud."

Ronaldo acknowledged his team had struggled to assert themselves in the first half but was pleased with how they worked together to clinch the win.

"We played very well, although Czech Republic played very well in the first half," said the 23-year-old.

"It was very difficult to penetrate their defence. Portugal have played well in the first match and well again in this match as a team.

"We know how to sacrifice everything for the good of the team. We have now got a big chance but must respect our opponents because they too have a mission - they want to win as we do.

"If we carry on playing like this, we have a good chance."

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted he was surprised with the decision of opposite number Karel Bruckner to start with Milan Baros up front rather than Jan Koller.

"It was a surprise for me because we had planned to play against a starting XI that would include Koller," said the Brazilian tactician.

"The fact Baros was there didn't make life easy. We faced difficulties because they had four or five in midfield and we had two wingers so we didn't know what to do."

The victory maintains Portugal's 100% start following their opening-day win over Turkey.

The Czechs - who beat co-hosts Switzerland 1-0 in the curtain-raiser - now have to wait until Sunday to clinch a last-eight spot when they face Fatih Terim's Turks.

Bruckner felt his changes were the right decisions but just rued the fact his team ran out of gas after the break.

"I made two changes and I think they played pretty well," he said.

"Some players fared better than against Switzerland. In the first half we proved we are a good team. We know how to play in defence and in attack.

"We had more chances to score than in the first match. There were serious problems in attack in the first match and that was not the case in this match."

Bruckner reserved special praise for Jaroslav Plasil as well as the two players he brought in - Baros and Marek Matejovsky.

He said: "Plasil was excellent and Baros also proved he is a high-quality player. Matejovsky played well in the first half and had enough strength in the first half.

"In the second half, we saw the team get a bit tired and our opponents put in a perfect performance in attack.

"They did not go for counter-attacking only - they were able to make perfect transitions from attack to defence.

"They played very well. But it's not over for us. We still have the third match and we are ready for that."

Portugal 2:0 Turkey; CR hit the bar

Cristiano Ronaldo was again the star of the show as Portugal defeated Turkey 2-0 in Euro 2008 Group A.

Those fearing a tight, tactical battle as is often the case early on in major tournaments would have been highly impressed by Portugal's attacking credentials as they overran their limited opponents, with Ronaldo once again the centre of attention.

He may not have got on the scoresheet - he came mighty close with a superb free-kick which came back off the post - but his ability to ghost past players and bring others into the game was just as crucial for Portugal as his goals have been for Manchester United.

But he was not the only Premier League star who shone, as Chelsea fans got a glimpse of what to expect from their new full-back Jose Bosingwa.

He has pace, power and strength, and looked a threat going forward too and Stamford Bridge punters could be in for a treat next season - Bosingwa could be the man to make the problematic right-back slot his own.

A man who tried, but ultimately failed in that position for the Blues is Paulo Ferreira. He performed solidly at left-back for the Portuguese, although he was never really tested by the Turks.

The same applies to Ricardo Carvalho who was his usual commanding self at the heart of the defence, as his marauding partner Pepe grabbed the headlines by opening the scoring.

Nani briefly shone from the bench for Portugal, but English fans will be hoping to see more of the silky skills of Simao next season.

The winger looks set to leave Porto, with Liverpool and Chelsea linked with a move, and he showed exactly why Europe's top clubs will be keeping an eye on him with some excellent touches and some killer passes.

Emotional night for Cris

On a night of European glory, Cristiano Ronaldo gave Reds fans even more reason to celebrate when he quashed rumours that he could join Real Madrid this summer by pledging his future to United.

When asked by a TV reporter whether he would be leaving the club with which he has already achieved so much in his short career, Ronaldo gave the emphatic reply all Reds fans wanted to hear.

“No, no, no. I’m going to stay,” he said.

It was a fitting end to an emotional night for the Portuguese winger who opened the scoring in the 26th minute, but then missed his spot-kick in the dramatic penalty shoot-out.

“When I missed the penalty, I thought we were going to lose,” he said.

“I played well in the game and I scored a goal, but I missed the penalty. I thought it was going to be the worst day of my life.

“But the lads did their jobs. They believed they were going to score, and they scored. Penalties is a lottery, you never know who is going to win, but I think we deserve to win because we played better in the game.

“It means everything to me because we won both trophies, the Champions League and the League, so I feel very happy. It is one of the most happy days of my life. I feel very, very proud.”

Kings of Europe!

MU 1:1(6:5) Chelsea
Edwin van der Sar was the hero as United were crowned champions of Europe for the third time after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Forty years after first winning the European Cup at Wembley in 1968, and 50 years since the Munich tragedy, fate played a big part as a dramatic Champions League final went to penalties.

After Cristiano Ronaldo had missed his kick for United, John Terry had the chance to win the cup for Chelsea, but the Blues skipper slipped on the run up and his penalty hit the post. After Anderson and Giggs, plus Kalou for Chelsea, then converted, Nicolas Anelka's sudden death shot was finally saved by van der Sar, sparking jubilant scenes among United’s rain-soaked travelling contingent.....More

Cris clinches awards treble

The individual awards keep rolling in for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has picked up the Barclays Player of the Season and Barclays Golden Boot awards to complete a sensational season.

The 23-year-old Portuguese wing wiazard also collected a merit award for reaching 30 league goals this season.

Ronaldo was pivotal in United's Barclays Premier League title success and it was no surprise that he earned the Barclays Player of the Season accolade for the second year in succession.

Whichever way you look at it, Ronaldo has been exceptional this season, and the stats back it up. His 31 goals from 34 league appearances helped see off stiff opposition for the awards from Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Fernando Torres of Liverpool.

It's the first time a player has scored more than 30 league goals in a season since Alan Shearer’s 31-goal haul for Blackburn Rovers twelve years ago.

The merit award for reaching 30 goals will also benefit one lucky charity as Ronaldo will receive £1,000 for every goal scored to be donated to a charity of his choice.

However, for all the personal awards showered on the Madeiran magician, his sights will be firmly set on the Champions League trophy in Moscow next Wednesday.

CR Awards 2008
‧PFA Player of the Year
‧Football Writers' Player of the Year
‧Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year
‧United Players' Player of the Year
‧United Goal of the Season (Portsmouth)
‧Barclays Player of the Season
‧Barclays Golden Boot
‧Barclays Merit Prize

Hat-trick for Cris

Cristiano Ronaldo won the treble at United's end of season awards, just hours after the Reds wrapped up the Barclays Premier League title with a thrilling win at Wigan.

Victory at the JJB Stadium made for an electric atmosphere at the Old Trafford party, where individual players at senior, reserve and academy level were rewarded for their efforts.

Ronaldo retained the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year gongs - and added the Goal of the Season award to his collection.

The Portuguese winger actually occupied the top two spots in the Goal of the Season award, taking first place with his stunning free kick against Portsmouth and second for his impudent backheel against Aston Villa.

The treble completes a remarkable campaign for Ronaldo, who earlier this month retained the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Season awards for his exertions.

The club's other awards were won by Richard Eckersley - the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year - and striker Danny Welbeck, who was named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.

United Awards 2007/08

Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year - Cristiano Ronaldo

Players' Player of the Year - Cristiano Ronaldo

Goal of the Season - Cristiano Ronaldo v Portsmouth (free-kick)

Denzil Haroun Reserves Player of the Year - Richard Eckersley

Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year - Danny Welbeck

We're worthy champions

Cristiano Ronaldo believes United are worthy winners of the Premier League title, and says he knew when his spot-kick nestled in the back of the net that United clinch the trophy.

It may not have been so clear-cut for every United fan watching events unfold at the JJB Stadium but Ronny, as usual, took the ever-confident approach.

“The pressure was high, but we believed in ourselves and we deserved to win the title, definitely,” he said.

Some players may have been nervous stepping up to take the spot-kick midway through the first-half. Not Ronaldo.

“I was confident because I felt that if I scored we would win the match. I am very happy to help my team.”

Ronaldo’s 31 league goals in the 34 games played a huge part in delivering United’s 17th league championship crown, but he says praise cannot be heaped on one player.

“This was a team effort and I think we deserved it because we are the best team in the Premier League.”

MU 2:0 Wigan, Won 10th Premier League title

Manchester United won its 10th Premier League title in 16 years Sunday, getting a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo and another goal from Ryan Giggs to beat Wigan 2-0 on the final day of the season.

Ronaldo put United ahead in the 33rd minute after Emmerson Boyce pulled down Wayne Rooney in the 32nd, and Giggs scored in the 80th off a pass from Rooney to ensure that the defending champions retained their league title.

Giggs, who has played in every Premier League-winning campaign, came off the bench in the second half to match Bobby Charlton's club-record 758 games. The former United great celebrated Giggs' goal in the directors box at the JJB Stadium.

Charlton, a survivor of the 1958 Munich air crash that killed eight of his teammates, came down to the field to embrace the current team after Wigan had formed a guard of honor as they returned after the final whistle.

Giggs raised the trophy with artificial flames flickering behind and fireworks exploding around the stadium.

United finished the 38-game season with 87 points, two points more than Chelsea, which was held to a 1-1 tie by Bolton. If Chelsea had won, United still would have won the league title on goal difference.

The two teams face each other on May 21 in the Champions League final in Moscow.

Cris strike worth £50k

Betfred boss Fred Done was in seventh heaven when Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 30th league goal of the season against West Ham, even though it cost him £50,000!

At the start of March, lifelong United fan Fred pledged the cash to the Manchester Children's Hospital if the winger managed to reach the landmark, and he is elated that the charity will benefit from Ronaldo's re-writing of the record books.

"I am absolutely delighted that Ronaldo has managed to reach such an amazing landmark, and even more delighted to be paying the £50,000 to the Manchester Children's Hospital," said Fred. "If the money helps just one child and a family then the whole thing has been well worthwhile."

Cristiano was equally delighted to have inadvertantly aided the hospital, through his stunning goalscoring form. "I've got 30 goals and the money goes to the hospital now so I'm very pleased," he told Sky Sports. "It's a wonderful moment for me. My team-mates have helped me a lot."

MU 4 : 1 West Ham, Cris netted his 40th goal

Manchester United moved to within one win of the Premier League title with a comfortable victory against West Ham.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored from 12 yards after three minutes and bundled home his 40th goal of the season from close range in the 24th minute.

Carlos Tevez added a brilliant third from 25 yards before Nani was sent off for head-butting Lucas Neill.

Dean Ashton pulled one back with an overhead kick, but Michael Carrick drove in a fourth after 58 minutes.

The victory means United will retain the title with victory at Wigan next Sunday, thanks to their vastly-superior goal difference compared to rivals Chelsea.

United were helped by a desperately listless West Ham side that never gave the slightest hint they would repeat last season's win at Old Trafford that preserved their Premier League status.

And any fears boss Sir Alex Ferguson may have had about a hangover following their Champions League semi-final victory against Barcelona on Tuesday were dispelled by a vibrant performance.

If United were craving a fast start and an early goal, they could not have wished for more generous defending on the part of West Ham that gave them the lead after three minutes.

Ronaldo escaped the attentions of Neill, and the rest of the Hammers' defence stood off as he raced into the area and beat Robert Green with a deflected shot.

West Ham were almost allowed a route back into the game three minutes later when United keeper Edwin van der Sar was uncertain and Patrice Evra had to clear off the line from Bobby Zamora.

And the visitors had appeals for a penalty waved away when Wes Brown handled under pressure from Zamora, but referee Mike Riley gave a foul against the West Ham striker.

United doubled their lead after 24 minutes when West Ham failed to deal with Owen Hargreaves' long cross and the ball went into the net off Ronaldo's thigh at the far post for his 40th goal of the season.

Tevez made it three against his former club two minutes later when he sent a vicious swerving drive high past Green from 25 yards.

West Ham looked dejected and beaten, but Ashton gave them a measure of hope with a spectacular overhead kick after 28 minutes.

And the lifeline was extended further 10 minutes before the interval when Nani inexplicably head-butted Neill after a minor fraces - an offence made worse by the Manchester United winger hitting the ground holding his head in a desperate attempt to avoid punishment.

Ashton injured a muscle in scoring his spectacular goal and it was no surprise when he went off early in the second half, to be replaced by Carlton Cole.

West Ham were in no mood to take advantage, however, and desperate defending allowed Carrick to stride forward unopposed to send in a deflected shot from 25 yards for United's fourth after 58 minutes.

It was now damage limitation for Alan Curbishley's side and an opportunity for United to improve their goal difference even further.

And United substitute Darren Fletcher almost added a fifth with 20 minutes left, only to see his angled drive come back off an upright.

The rest of the game was played out in a carnival atmosphere as Old Trafford anticipated another title triumph.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Hargreaves, Brown, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Scholes (O'Shea 72), Park (Giggs 61), Ronaldo (Fletcher 64), Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Anderson, Kuszczak.

Sent Off: Nani (37).

Booked: Ronaldo.

Goals: Ronaldo 3, 24, Tevez 26, Carrick 59.

West Ham: Green, Pantsil, Tomkins, Neill, McCartney, Noble, Parker, Mullins (Sears 75), Boa Morte (Solano 52), Ashton (Cole 56), Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Walker, Collison.

Booked: Neill, McCartney, Zamora.

Goals: Ashton 28.

Att: 76,013

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo 8.77 (on 90 minutes).

You ain't seen nothing yet

Despite scooping the PFA and Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards, Cristiano Ronaldo still hasn’t hit top form, according to his manager.

Sir Alex admitted the winger has been “sensational” this season, but promised fans there's still more to come.

“I expected him to win the Football Writers’ Association award,” Sir Alex told Manchester United Radio on Friday morning. “His form this season has been absolutely sensational.

“He’s become a real top-class player. And remember, he’s only 23 years old. When he gets to 25 or 26 we’ll see the finished article.”

Ferguson says Ronaldo’s development into one of the world’s best players stems from the Portuguese player’s strong work ethic and self-belief.

“In his early days he tried to hit his shots a little too hard but he’s improved as a result of his own practising. He scored 23 goals last season and now, with three games left, he’s got 38. Hopefully he’ll reach 40 goals by the end of the season.

“Some players are just born confident and Cristiano certainly has that. When you look back to his debut against Bolton in 2003 he lit up Old Trafford. He had such a big impact and you could see the confidence he had, even then.”

CR doubles up in English awards

Cristiano Ronaldo has retained the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award.

Having retained the Professional Footballers' Association award last weekend, the winger become only the second player to win both the FWA and PFA awards in successive seasons, after former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry (2002/03 and 2003/04).

The United winger saw off the challenges of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James, who finished second and third respectively.

FWA chairman Paul Hetherington said: "Ronaldo's award is no surprise after his brilliant form this season and incredible goal-scoring record and he is, of course, essentially a winger.

"Cristiano was an overwhelming winner and, given his age, he has the potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented way."

Ronaldo will be officially presented with his award on May 15, when the FWA holds its annual dinner.

Cris's 2008 Honours
FWA Player of the Year
PFA Player of the Year
PFA Premier League Team of the Year
Barclays Player of the Month - January
Barclays Player of the Month - March

My 1st final

Cristiano Ronaldo says United’s fans played a starring role in the Reds’ Champions League victory on Tuesday night.

Old Trafford was a cauldron of noise for Barcelona’s visit, as supporters rallied behind United and cheered the lads to Moscow.

“The fans were absolutely fantastic,” Ronaldo told MUTV. “They did a great job and sang for the whole game. It gave the players motivation and helped us get a massive result.”

Ronaldo flung himself to the ground at the final whistle, apparently almost overcome with emotion.

“The feeling is great,” he said. “It will be my first Champions League final and I feel very good. It’s great for me and my colleagues.

“The final is in three weeks and we have time to work and keep our concentration. But the most important thing now is the league.”

MU 1 : 0 Barcelona ... going to Moscow

Cristiano Ronaldo has warned Chelsea and Liverpool that a fired-up Manchester United will be waiting for them as champions in Moscow in three weeks' time.

The winger played his part at Old Trafford last night as United beat Barcelona 1-0 in the semi-final, second leg to set up the first all-English final on 21 May.

By that time, Ronaldo believes his side will have secured the League title.

He said: "Just because we are now in the Champions League Final does not mean we will lose focus on the first prize we can win.

"What we achieved against Barcelona was wonderful but we have two games before we go to Moscow - against West Ham and then Wigan - and our aim is to win both of those.

"Only after that will we really think about the Champions League Final. But it will not matter to us whether we play Chelsea or Liverpool. We have believed all season that we can win in Moscow and going through against a great side like Barcelona gives us more confidence that we can do what we set out to do.

"First, as I say, comes the games we need to win to stay champions of England, and beating Barcelona will give us more confidence to get the job done in the Premier League."

Paul Scholes scored the only goal of the tie after 14 minutes and will now make up for the pain of missing the 1999 final against Bayern Munich through suspension.

United's Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park believes the disappointment of losing at Stamford Bridge on Saturday is now all the motivation the players need.

"We proved that we have what it takes to be champions, no matter what competition it is," he said. "Obviously playing against either side will be very hard but we have the resolve as well as the talent to win."

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar agreed with Ronaldo and claimed that a double is a real possibility.

He said: "Some people were questioning whether things might go bad for us after we lost to Chelsea.

"We have shown we have the mental strength. We got to the final. We achieved that. It is a great feeling. "We have a lot of individual qualities, such as Paul Scholes showed in the way he scored that fantastic winner, but being a team is also important and above all we are a team who believe we can have big success this season."

Player of the year

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year.

The 23-year-old wins the award for the second successive season after another outstanding campaign that has seen him score 38 goals in all competitions.

"I feel very happy. It is a great moment, it is an honour, a pleasure," said the Portuguese star.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas picked up the young player of the year award.

Ronaldo beat off competition from Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, 20-year-old Fabregas and Gunners team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.

The Portugal international was also in the running to scoop the young player of the year award, a feat he achieved last year, but was pipped to the prize by Spain international Fabregas.

Torres, Micah Richards, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young were the other nominees.

Ronaldo did not attend the event, as he is busy preparing for Man Utd's Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Barcelona on Tuesday night, but was presented with the award by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honour, a pleasure," said Ronaldo.

"It is a great motivation to carry on like that, to work more and get better.

"I feel very good but it is not just my award, my team-mates have helped me a lot this season.

"They give me good passes to score goals - and I score - but it is a good moment for me."

Ronaldo revealed he voted for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, but believes the right man walked away with the award.

"I voted for Adebayor because I think he has had a great season as well," he said.

"But you have many players who have had a good season - Torres, Fabregas, many players. But I think I deserve to win!"

Of his award, Fabregas said: "I'm very proud. It's a very prestigious trophy.

"Football is a collective game and you prefer to win trophies with team-mates but it's always nice to have this type of award.

"I dedicate it to my team-mates because without them I would not have won."

BBC broadcaster and former England and Blackpool full-back Jimmy Armfield received the merit award for his services to the game.

I'm going to score in Manchester

Cristiano Ronaldo has warned Barcelona that he will atone for his Nou Camp penalty miss in next week's semi-final decider at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese winger blazed a second-minute spot kick past the post as United and Barca fought out a goalless first leg draw, but he insists he will score when the teams reconvene in six days' time.

"Today I didn't score," he told Sky Sports. "No problem, now I'm going to score in Manchester. Nil-nil is a good result. Of course, if you score a goal it is better for us. We didn't score, but 0-0 is good.

"It was a tough game, Barcelona played very well and kept the ball a lot. But I think we defended very well and we played well too. I think 0-0 away is a good result."

Aside from Ronaldo's penalty miss - and the decision not to award a second spot kick for a foul by Rafael Marquez - the 23-year-old winger is still confident that United can book a berth against either Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow.

"Now we're playing at home, and I think we're going to win," he said. "The team feels good confidence, we played very well, we play at home now and we have a great chance."

MU 0:0 Barcelona, CR miss penalty

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a second-minute penalty as Manchester United were forced to settle for a goalless draw in their Champions League semi-final first leg with Barcelona.

The Portugal international was handed a golden early opportunity to score the crucial away goal in the Nou Camp that Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager, and his side would surely have coveted.

Instead, Victor Valdes was not even called upon to make a save as Ronaldo side-footed wide of the goal.

A draw was just about the fair result in a match that never threatened to reach the heights promised of a meeting between two of Europe's most entertaining sides.

Barcelona were limited to a handful of opportunities, none of them clear-cut, while United, usually an irresistible attacking force were, by their standards, woeful on the counter-attack.

United could barely believe their good fortune when they won a penalty 85 seconds into the match, not that the award was fortuitous, but more that Milito, the Barcelona centre-back, could have been so foolish.

Ever ambitious, Ronaldo had tried his luck from fully 40 yards with a free-kick that took a deflection off the defensive wall and Paul Scholes swung in the resulting corner from the right.

Ronaldo flung himself at the ball and met it with a header and Milito, only a yard in front of him, instinctively flung up his arms and handled the ball.

Few would have bet against United’s leading scorer stepping up and slotting his 40th goal of the season, but he looked unusually nervy as he sidled up to the spot and sidefooted timidly wide. At first view it appeared he had missed the goal by a good few yards, but slow motion replays suggested the effort clipped the outside of the post.

That escape spurred on Barcelona to come at United, but for most of the first half the visitors kept the Spanish giants at arm’s length.

Gianluca Zambrotta fired in one cross from the right that necessitated a timely clearance from Wes Brown, playing in the centre of defence alongside Rio Ferdinand after Nemanja Vidic was ruled out through a stomach complaint.

Carlos Tevez fouled Yaya Toure in a dangerous position right on the edge of his own area, but Rafael Marquez smashed the setpiece straight into the wall.

Samuel Eto’o then found some space, but Wayne Rooney, who covered acres of ground during the course of the match without ever appearing threatening, hacked clear from inside his own area just as the Cameroon international was about to shoot for goal.

Just before the half-hour United felt, quite rightly, that they should have had a second penalty. Andres Iniesta played a careless ball across his back four which was easily cut out by Ronaldo, who raced by Marquez but was impeded by the experienced Mexico international.

One penalty to the visiting team at the Nou Camp borders on shocking, a second would have been a sensation and it was no surprise referee Massimo Busacca waved play on.

Brown made a desperate diving lunge to block an effort from outside the area from Eto’o while Marquez was booked just before the interval for tripping Ronaldo, a caution that will rule him out of the second leg at Old Trafford next Tuesday.

Barcelona continued to up the tempo after the restart and Edwin van der Sar was forced to tip a speculative 30-yard effort from Zambrotta over the bar.

Brown's slip two minutes later gifted Barcelona their clearest opportunity of the evening. He gave the ball straight to Eto'o who chose to ride a challenge from Ferdinand which, had he gone to ground, would probably have merited a penalty. Instead he continued but could not find the angle to pick out the unmarked Messi in the centre.

Moments later Messi and Iniesta set up Eto'o with some delightful interplay but the striker sliced wastefully wide.

United threats were rare, and when Michael Carrick did make some space for himself he blasted into the side-netting with players begging for the ball in the centre.

Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal striker, replaced Deco with 11 minutes to go and almost made an immediate impact. The France international cut inside from the left flank and tested van der Sar with a ferocious right-foot strike which the goalkeeper beat down with a little difficulty.

Van der Sar made another diving save from a long-range Henry free-kick two minutes from time, but this one was more for the benefit of the photographers behind his goal than out of necessity.

Cris set for record United deal

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly on the verge of signing the biggest contract in world football with Manchester United, worth £40 million.

The Portuguese winger, 23, will see his weekly salary rise from £100,000 to £150,000, and will put pen to paper before he leaves for Euro 2008.

A source from Manchester United told The Sun: "This will be the biggest contract in the club's history. Given Ronaldo's achievements over the past two years, it's easy to understand why.

"There is no doubt he is the best player in the world and we want to make sure he is happy at United. There is only one place for him and that is Old Trafford."

Ronaldo has had an incredible season so far. He has scored 37 goals for the club in all competitions and recently surpassed George Best's single-season record for a midfielder.

He is also a contender for the Golden Boot, given to Europe's top goalscorer every season. His only realistic competition is Sevilla's Luis Fabiano.

The news will no doubt come as a relief to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, as the midfielder has been surrounded by interest and speculation all season.

His new contract puts him well ahead of team-mate Wayne Rooney's weekly salary (£112,000), and means he will now be better paid than Chelsea's Michael Ballack (£130,000) and John Terry (£120,000).