FA Cup final: Chelsea v Man Utd Photo

FA Cup final: Chelsea v Man Utd Photo

Manchester United take on Chelsea in the first FA Cup final to be played at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium
Fans make their way up Wembley Way as the atmosphere builds ahead of the big game

Chelsea's players sample the stadium as they prepare to face the side that dethroned them as Premiership champions

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson picks Gabriel Heinze and Darren Fletcher as Patrice Evra and Alan Smith miss out

Prince William officially welcomes the FA Cup trophy back to Wembley and declares the new stadium open

Chelsea captain John Terry and United skipper Ryan Giggs lead the teams out to a wall of noise

Chelsea wide-man Shaun Wright-Phillips tries to take on Heinze during a lifeless opening 20 minutes

Rooney fires wide of Blues keeper Petr Cech's left-hand post and a poor first half finishes goalless

Mourinho replaces Joe Cole with Dutchman Arjen Robben, who immediately feels the force of a challenge from Wes Brown


Rooney worries Chelsea with a fine run but the United forward is thwarted by Cech and the game goes to extra time

Giggs misses a golden opportunity to score when he scuffs Rooney's low cross into the arms of Cech

Cech again saves at the feet of Rooney and the match looks like being decided by a penalty shoot-out

But Didier Drogba nips in to score a 116th-minute winner to take the FA Cup to Stamford Bridge

FA Cup final - Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd

FA Cup final - Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd

A Didier Drogba goal late in extra time was enough to secure victory for Chelsea over Manchester United in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley.

Drogba produced a rare moment of brilliance in a game that failed to live up to expectations and completed a cup double for the Blues.

He played a one-two with Frank Lampard before stabbing past Edwin van der Sar with the tie headed for penalties.

Ryan Giggs missed a good chance to win the game for United in normal time.

The 90,000 fans inside the stadium were treated to a fantastic pre-match build-up featuring some famous faces from Wembley's glorious past.

But aside from Drogba's late winner, the two best sides in the country produced a game that is unlikely to live long in the memory.

A cagey opening 20 minutes set the pace for a match that at times seemed more like the Community Shield than the first FA Cup final at an immaculate new Wembley.

The first effort on target did not arrive until after the half hour with Paulo Ferreira venturing forward and slipping a pass in for Frank Lampard, who forced Edwin van der Sar to make a smart low save.

That was about the extent of the first 45 minutes as both teams looked heavy-legged after a season in which they have each played over 60 games.

The pitch, which looked in fabulous condition at the start, began to cut up which did not aid the footballing spectacle or the weary players.

Joe Cole looked one of the few capable of livening things up before he was surprisingly replaced at half-time by Arjen Robben.

The pace picked up slightly after the break, with United looking the more likely to get Wembley's first Cup final goal.

Wayne Rooney emerged from his first-half shell to bring a first save out of Petr Cech and tested Chelsea's backline with a couple of bursting runs.

Paul Scholes picked out Giggs to volley just over the top as Sir Alex Ferguson's men showed the odd glimpse of the stylish side that dominated the Premiership.

At the other end Drogba was largely contained by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, with the Premiership's top scorer limited to a curling free-kick that clipped the outside of the post during the 90 minutes.

Vidic could have settled the tie with the last touch of normal time but his glancing header from Giggs' inswinging free-kick was just too high.

Both sides had glorious chances to break the deadlock at the end of the first period of extra-time.

Giggs somehow managed to pick out Cech with the goal at his mercy as he slid onto a Rooney cross and then Drogba headed into the side-netting from an equally-promising position.

Salomon Kalou was agonisingly close to scoring before Drogba and Lampard exchanged passes and the Golden Boot winner capped a fabulous season with the most important goal of his season and prevented a third successive FA Cup final going to penalties.

Chelsea add the FA Cup to the League Cup which they won earlier this season and manager Jose Mourinho secures the one domestic trophy that was missing in his collection.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Essien, Terry, Bridge, Mikel, Makelele, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Drogba, Joe Cole. Subs: Cudicini, Ashley Cole, Robben, Kalou, Diarra.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs. Subs: Kuszczak, Evra, Smith, Solskjaer, O'Shea.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).

Pies' Premiership Team of the Season

Pies' Premiership Team of the Season

Unlike most people, we actually wait until the end of the season to do our 'team of the season'. Makes sense, don't you think? Anyhoo, here's our selection for the best XI in 2006/07 (fitting neatly into a time-honoured 4-4-2 formation):

GK: JOSE REINA (Liverpool)
Pepe still flaps at the odd cross like a giant baby bird, but we'll forgive him the odd discretion (all keepers make mistakes, simple as that). Reina is still young for a keeper (just 24, although he looks more like 34) and improving all the time. He's had a great season, behind a constantly changing back four, and the fact fans now take it for granted that Liverpool concede hardly any goals is a testimony to his effectiveness as a shot-stopper.
Honourable mention: David James (Portsmouth). A renaissance season for Jamo. Nothing calamitous about his form these days.

RB: STEVE FINNAN (Liverpool)
Finnan gets the Denis Irwin award for invisible brilliance and robotic reliability. Stevie F (does he even have a nickname or his own chant?) never finds himself in the spotlight because of dalliances with WAGs or merky japes with Rio and I imagine that's just how he likes it. No, Finnan is far too busy tackling wingers, defending corners, making overlapping runs and putting in crosses.
Honourable mention: Michael Essien (Chelsea) Just because you can't give Essien enough honourable mentions - he looks class wherever he plays.

LB: NICKY SHOREY (Reading)
It's a shame that Reading couldn't quite get into Europe, but they've had a cracking season nonetheless. No one epitomises the club's success better than Shorey, a superior journeyman who has played in all four divisions. His form this season has been a revelation. Steve McLaren won't give Shorey a chance because he plays for an unfashionable club, but Steve Coppell knows better.
Honourable mention: Patrice Evra (Man Utd) Does make mistakes, but has the pace to recover. And boy is he fun to watch going forward.

CB: RICARDO CARVALHO (Chelsea)
Carvalho has been Chelsea's best defender by a mile this season, and he also found the time to waltz out of defence and score goals/play defence-splitting passes. If he was English we'd rave about him and compare him endlessly to Bobby Moore - but he's Portuguese and has bad hair and his head's a bit too small for his body, so obviously that doesn't happen.
Honourable mention: Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd) For all his extra-curricular merking activity, Rio has been terrific this season.

CB: JOLEON LESCOTT (Everton)
'The biggest compliment you can pay him is that he has never looked out of place once, and having to play at left-back for so long has just underlined that.' So says David Moyes, Lescott's gaffer, and who are we to argue? Lescott was recently called up to the England 'B' squad but he has the talent to go all the way to the full senior squad. He was also voted Player's Player of the Year by his team-mates. And he looks like a Bond villain. What's not to like?
Honourable mention: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd) Has added some much-needed granite to Man U's defence.

MF: MICHAEL ESSIEN (Chelsea)
A rock wherever he plays, Essien is the embodiment of the perfect modern midfielder - in the eyes of managers, if not fans. I'm pretty sure all Premiership bosses would choose to poach Essien above any other player in Chelsea's rich squad, even Drogba - Essien is strong, can run and tackle all day, knows when to play it simple, is good going forward and chips in with crucial goals. And he's improved his discipline no end - just five yellow cards in the Premiership this season.
Honourable mention: Gilberto Silva (Arsenal) Not many bright spots for Arsenal this season, but Gilberto has had a good campaign and deserves a mention. He doesn't rant and rave but he's a quietly effective leader. He also scored 11 goals in all competitions, way more than he's managed in England until now.

MF: MIKEL ARTETA (Everton)
Everton's player of the season gets much less of the spotlight than compatriots Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso, but he had a better season than either and was the key to Everton securing a Uefa Cup place. Bigger clubs than Everton will be looking very closely at the little Spaniard this summer, although it seems likely that he will commit to Goodison soon.
Honourable mention: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) Started the season brilliantly but looked tired in 2007. Still young though - his potential is scary.

MF: PAUL SCHOLES (Man Utd)
My favourite player to watch in the whole Premiership shows no sign of losing his magic touch. This season the ginger ninja had his best campaign in years. And at 32 he still has a couple more years left in him. Still a shit tackler though.
Honourable mention: Frank Lampard (Chelsea) Yes I know we're all supposed to hate him and point and snigger and shout 'Oi, Fat Frank!' but come on, he scored 11 goals and had 11 assists at the heart of a team that was, until quite recently, in the running for four trophies. Still a mystery to me why everyone hates him so much.

MF: CRISTIANO RONALDO (Man Utd)
PFA Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year, PFA Fans' Player of the Year, Barclays Player of the Season, Football Writers' Player of the Year, Man Utd's Players' Player of the Year… you get the picture.
Honourable mention: Gary Speed (Bolton) The evergreen Speed keeps on going - he truly is the Premiership's original Duracell bunny. He'll be 38 this September and probably has one more season in him, although don't be surprised if he's still playing in the top flight at 40.

CF: DIDIER DROGBA (Chelsea)
The best centre forward in the Premiership tormented central defenders all season, although he should cut out the theatrics if he wants to be loved by fans. Without Drogba's goals, Chelsea would have struggled to finish above Arsenal and Liverpool in the league.
Honourable mention: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) Adjusted to the Prem in no time at all. Could he be playing alongside Drogba at the Bridge next season?

CF: DIMITAR BERBATOV (Spurs)
Spurs were a hell of a lot of fun to watch this season and that's mostly down to this man, who seemed to get stronger and stronger as the season wore on. Can Spurs hang on to him though? I'm sure Man Utd fans would love to see him in a red shirt next season.
Honourable mention: Carlos Tevez (West Ham) Fair play to Tevez for almost single-handedly dragging West Ham out of the relegation mire.

Man Utd running on empty. Exclusive transcript between Ferguson and Ronaldo revealed

Man Utd running on empty. Exclusive transcript between Ferguson and Ronaldo revealed

As we approach a week of hectic fixtures, Ferguson must be cursing his luck as the injury list continues to grow. Add to that the antics in Spain about Ronaldo?s apparent agreement to join Madrid at the end of the season, Ferguson must be scratching his head saying ?why now??

The next three games appear to be a defining moment of the season. I can see myself writing those words a number of times over the next few months, as every game should be treated as a cup final. Ferguson faces the next 3 games at least with little more than 14 1st team players available for selection.

First up are Bolton, a strong physical team who are by no means pushovers. We face them with Van Der Sar, Evra, Silvestre, Ferdinand, Scholes, Fletcher, Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all missing. Add to this the permanent absence of Larrson and the squad looks thin, worryingly thin.

We are lucky that we have an international break after playing Middlesbrough on Monday. This should give Ferguson enough time to nurse some of his stars back to fitness ready to push on for glory, particularly in the premiership. If ever we needed to dig in and get a result Saturday would be it.

More news has surfaced that Madrid are going to chase Ronaldo over the summer. Apparently they have a verbal agreement with the Portuguese superstar. The article in the Guardian points to instances where Real have poached their man before and even refer to Beckham. I think there is one important difference between the Beckham transfer and the potential Ronaldo sale and that is Ferguson?s desire to keep Ronaldo.

When Ferguson sold Beckham it was because he wanted him to go. Ronaldo on the other hand is a player Ferguson evidently wants to hang on to. The irony of this story is that the Madrid president reports that “All he needs to do is speak to Sir Alex Ferguson and publicly demand to leave.? Right then it must be a done deal then. Of all the managers I would want to go and see and express my desire to leave, Ferguson would be so far down the list the ink would have run out in my pen.

You could picture that conversation couldn?t you:
Ronaldo: Hi Mr Ferguson
Ferguson: Hi son
Ronaldo: You know Real Madrid are interested in me?
Ferguson: Yes, but you don?t want to move to them, you have everything you could possibly want here, isn?t that right?
Ronaldo: Yes but..
Ferguson: No buts son you love it here and are happy.
Ronaldo: But my agent said?
Ferguson: Agents smagents, don?t listen to them son, they?ll tell you anything. Now about that new contract we?ve been talking about..
Ronaldo: But Real Madrid?
Ferguson: I know, it?s heartbreaking to see what was such a great club going down the shitter, I have a lot of respect for them too son, but hey that?s football, theirs nothing you can do about it. Now that contract. Just pop your autograph down on here, there?s a good chap.
Ronaldo signs and leave the office.
Alex: Son? I?m glad we had this chat!
Ronaldo: Me too

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville lift the Barclays Premiership trophy at Old Trafford

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs (centre left) and Gary Neville lift the Barclays Premiership trophy after the final-day defeat by West Ham United at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson set his sights on winning his tenth title next season after Manchester United were presented with the Premiership trophy following the final whistle at Old Trafford.

A 1-0 defeat to West Ham on the day could do little to subdue an ecstatic home support as The Red Devils held the league trophy aloft for the first time in four seasons.

Rather than resting on his laurels after again proving his critics wrong, the wily old Scot is already looking forward to ushering in a new era of United dominance at the summit of English football.

"When you see it [the trophy] in your hands, you know you have really achieved it, and it is a fantastic day for us," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"Why not [win it again]? We have got a young squad, it will be a big test to win it again.

"Winning is a fantastic elixir of life, it gives you something extra and I think they will go on and do better next year."

Carlos Tevez's goal for West Ham ensured that the London club held onto their Premiership status, but Ferguson refused to let defeat on the final day of the season cloud a campaign that has seen his side win the league in style.

"It's a fantastic occasion, it's a fantastic achievement by the players and by the club and I'm delighted about it," Ferguson continued.

"Losing does take a bit off it, but it doesn't take away from the fact that we are the best team in the country and we have played the best football."

Man United 0 West Ham 1

Man United 0 West Ham 1

Carlos Tevez fired West Ham to a shock win at champions Manchester United to help keep his side in the Premiership.

The Argentine - at the centre of a row over his registration - scored on the stroke of half-time from close range.

Manchester United wasted a string of chances as West Ham fought fiercely for their top-flight status at the expense of Sheffield United who lost to Wigan.

West Ham stood firm to pull-off an amazing relegation escape and spoil Sir Alex Ferguson's title party.

A weakened Manchester United side were celebrating their 16th English league title against a Hammers team who needed a point to guarantee their Premiership status.

Sir Alex Ferguson left a host of star names on the bench and there were no complaints from his West Ham counterpart Alan Curbishley.

West Ham started confidently enough but it was the champions who had the first clear opportunity when Rooney squandered a great chance to open the scoring after Darren Fletcher's through-ball.

Wes Brown was twice called into action at the other end to clear his lines as the Hammers showed plenty of willingness to attack.

The home side looked the more likely to break through and Rooney, Alan Smith and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all had half chances as West Ham held firm.

Yossi Benayoun rescued West Ham twice in a matter of seconds when he first headed Smith's flicked effort off the line, then stood firm as Kieran Richardson let fly with the rebound.

Tevez appealed for a penalty when his shot flicked off Brown but had to make do with a corner, which Fletcher cleared.

Robert Green then made a superb fingertip save to deny John O'Shea at the other end before Rooney screwed his volley wide after Heinze picked him out with a superb far-post cross.

West Ham took the lead in injury time, the home defence failing to deal Green's long punt down field and, after exchanging passes with Bobby Zamora, Tevez squeezed his shot home.

The Red Devils were struggling to make any headway and Ferguson made a triple substitution before the hour mark with Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick and Alan Smith replaced by Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Hammers were forced back by wave after wave of red attacks which came to very little before Luis Boa Morte blazed a shot high and wide from a Nigel Reo-Coker cross.

West Ham survived several more near misses as cries of "champions, champions" echoed around Old Trafford.

But it was West Ham who deserved the victory after a lacklustre display from the home side with the FA Cup final just six days away.

For West Ham it was the culmination of a six week-long miracle relegation escape - that is unless the Sheffield United lawyers have their way.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Brown, Heinze, Evra (Giggs 57), Solskjaer, Carrick (Scholes 58), Fletcher, Richardson, Smith (Ronaldo 58), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Vidic.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Ferdinand, McCartney (Spector 28), Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Noble, Boa Morte, Zamora (Harewood 63), Tevez (Mullins 82).
Subs Not Used: Walker, Davenport.

Booked: Collins, Tevez.

Goals: Tevez 45.

Att: 75,927.

Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Cristiano Ronaldo: My secret sadness

Cristiano Ronaldo: My secret sadness

The smile on the face of Man United's Cristiano hides a hidden grief...

At just 22, Cristiano Ronaldo has the world at his feet after signing a five-year, £31 million contract with Manchester United.

But his mother Dolores Aveiro, 52, has revealed a secret sadness behind her handsome son's breathtaking success.

While he was growing up, he watched helplessly as his father drank himself to death and he also witnessed his brother Hugo's struggle to get off drugs.

'Cristiano has seen what drink and drugs can do to people close to him,' says Dolores.

'What's happened to our family explains why he doesn't have any vices. He doesn't smoke or drink. His only addiction is football.'

Dolores says Cristiano paid for his older brother Hugo, now 32, to be treated at a drugs clinic in Lisbon, Portugal. But his money could do nothing to save his father.

'Dinis drank himself into an early grave, which left Cristiano devastated,' she says. 'It's very sad.'

See the full of story of Cristiano Ronaldo's heartache in Now magazine (dated 14 May) out now!

Ronaldo Celebrates with his Shirt Off

Ronaldo Celebrates with his Shirt Off

The Manchester United won the Premier League title over the weekend and Cristiano Ronaldo looked oh so good celebrating his victory.

Maybe he was super excited because he was named ‘Footballer of the Year’ by the Football Writers' Association. Whatever the case was we are glad he took his shirt off for the celebrations.

CRISTIANO RONALDO CHAMPION OF EYEBROW WAXING

CRISTIANO RONALDO CHAMPION OF EYEBROW WAXING

As much as we love Cristiano Ronaldo, I think he should give up the eyebrow waxing. But still congratulation on being such a good soccer player and for the rest ;-)

But when it comes to be the hottest on the field ... no one can compare to David Beckham ... even with this very bad hair color !

One Step Closer To The Premiership!

One Step Closer To The Premiership!

After a good win in the Manchester derby today, it looks as though Manchester united will finally secure the Premiership title and take over the role as reigning champions from Chelsea. The Red Devils won 1-0 today as a result of Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty after he was brought down by Michael Ball in the area.

Although Manchester United have to play Chelsea on Wednesday, the title comes back to Old Trafford if Chelsea do not get a result against Arsenal tomorr. I think it is fair to assume that we can start celebrating now!

A good night’s work for United at the PFA!

A good night’s work for United at the PFA!

I came to the conclusion many years ago at work that you can?t bullshit your peers. Bosses often think they know how a person performs by having in place some very complex employee appraisal systems. Don?t believe it. Just ask peers if you want to get the real picture.

So it is wonderful to see the report of last nights PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) Awards.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United has been voted Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year - by his fellow Professional Footballers. This is the first time in 30 years one player has won both awards in the same year. Just to cap a wonderful evening Manchester United had 8 of the 11 players in the Premiership Team of the Season. Again these players were voted for by fellow professionals.

I will continue to ignore the BBC Radio critics who complain of the poor quality of the Manchester United squad and I will take due notice of the thousands of top class professional footballers who rate Ronaldo and Manchester United the tops.

This is the Premiership 11 voted by fellow professionals:

PFA Premier League Team of the Year:

Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra (all Man Utd); Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo (all Man Utd) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Didier Drogba (Chelsea) Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)

Manchester United’s Ronaldo wins another award

Manchester United’s Ronaldo wins another award

LONDON - Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo was on Friday named as the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was second, with Ronaldo’s team-mates, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, third and fourth respectively.

“Cristiano was a runaway winner, and deservedly so,” said Paul Hetherington, chairman of the FWA.

The 22-year-old Portugal striker has already been named player of the year by his fellow professionals. Ronaldo has played an integral part in helping United to the verge of their English first Premiership title since 2003.

Fergie hits back at Jose jibe

Fergie hits back at Jose jibe

Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a furious attack on Jose Mourinho following the Chelsea manager's latest outburst about Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mourinho accused Ronaldo of being uneducated because he came from working-class family in Madeira and the attack is clearly a step too far for Ferguson, a socialist to the core, who takes immense pride in his own roots forged the shipyards of Govan.

"I don't know why he has done this," said Ferguson. "Maybe he is trying to unsettle the boy. But it is really below the belt to bring class into it. What Ronaldo has are principles, that is why he has not responded to it. Other people are educated but have no principles."

Ferguson added: "Just because you come from a poor, working-class background does not mean to say you are not educated."

Mourinho branded Ronaldo a "liar" last week for questioning his claim that 'new rules' were in operation in the Premier League which prevented Chelsea from getting a penalty and United from conceding one.

Ferguson hit back with predictable force, although that only triggered another snide, personal retort from Mourinho and the Scot has now rounded on Mourinho, who was brought up in the comfort of a middle-class family in Setubal.

Ferguson has declared his desire to draw a line under the row, although that seems highly unlikely given the number of times United must face Chelsea before the campaign reaches its conclusion.

The Red Devils are due at Stamford Bridge in eight days' time for the game which, providing the title has not already been tied up by then, could see Ferguson's men crowned champions.

The pair will then meet at Wembley on May 19 in the FA Cup final, when one of them will be thirsting to gain revenge for their failure to win the league.

In addition, it is already certain England's top two will collide in next season's Community Shield, while the possibility of a Champions League epic in Athens on May 23 could become a reality over the next 24 hours.

Man Utd ace Ronaldo: New tricks on the way

Man Utd ace Ronaldo: New tricks on the way

Manchester United wing ace Cristiano Ronaldo says he'll continue introducing new tricks to his game.
Ronaldo told the Daily Mail: "I was born with my ability. The stepover, for example, is something I did as soon as I started in my first teams. I used to play football on the street when I was a boy, and every day I tried to do different things.

"I always tried to invent new dribbles, new moves. Things would come into my mind and I'd try them. I think this attitude stayed. I always looked to have my own identity. That was my dream.

"The tricks came with me. I didn't watch football on television. But, of course, other players inspire you. I used to go to watch my cousins and brothers, and sometimes I would try and do the same things as them. My father was a kit man for the local club; I was always with him, watching the matches.

He added: "I wasn't always big. Even when I left Madeira at 13 I remember people saying I couldn't become a professional because I was too short. Then, suddenly, between 15 and 18 I jumped up and became as tall as I am now.

"But in the days playing in the street, it was always against older, much bigger, boys. I suffered because I had good ability and I dribbled a lot, suddenly I'd be pushed or tackled hard and I was out of the game. Sometimes when I tricked them, they didn't like it. They beat me sometimes.

"But it never stopped me being the player I am. I've always had a strong personality, because when a defender tackles you hard or challenges you mentally, you can't show weakness. You have to try and get over it and beat them with the ball."

Ronaldo has more end-product to his skills now, too.

"Nowadays it doesn't matter what tricks I do, they have to be of use to the team.

"If you want to be one of the best players in the world, which I want to, you have to learn all the time. Another thing I have to do is finish better and get more goals. If you are a good scorer people see you in a different dimension. In a couple of years, if I'm scoring more, people will think better of me."

Ronaldo 'goal' is costly decision

Ronaldo 'goal' is costly decision

First goalscorer punters took a kick in the teeth when UEFA interfered to give the first goal of the Manchester United-AC Milan European Champions' League semi-final clash at Old Trafford to Cristiano Ronaldo.

There is no doubt that it was an own-goal by Milan keeper Dida and that is how the referee saw it.

Initially, it went up on television screen as an own goal which of course, does not count in the first goalscorer market.

After a while, UEFA credited the goal, wrongly in my view, to Ronaldo and that being the official line, was what the Press Associaiton put out.

Most markets are settled on PA decisions and hence the dismay from many a disgruntled customer who was on Kaka to hit the net first.

But those who backed Kaka with Boylesports were on a winner as the Dundalk firm paid out on both the Milan star and Ronalado.

It is cost them in the region of £40,000.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are the 13-8 favourites to go all the way and lift the trophy in Athens following their narrow 1-0 lead over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

William Hill quote Man United at 15-8, AC Milan at 4-1 and have the Anfield Reds as the 9-2 outsiders.

There will be a few Liverpool fans who will take a bit of that because if they overcome Chelsea, they will start firm favourites in the final.

However, they are up against it as reflected in the Chelsea odds of 2-5 to reach the decider with Liverpool at 7-4.

Jose Mourinho's boys at one time 100-1 to lift four trophies are now down to as low as 9-1 in view of huge bookmaker liabilities.

But they still have much work to do to stop the Premiership trophy going to Old Trafford.

It is 2-1 that Chelsea fail to win another trophy and 6-1 that the Red Devils finish the season potless.

With the pair due to clash in the FA Cup final, it is only 6-5 that Chelsea face United again in the Champions' decider.

Alternatively, those who fancy Chelsea-AC Milan, can have 21-10; it's 100-30 for United and Liverpool and 5-1 AC and Liverpool.

There is an opportunity for forecast betting with Hill's going 11-4 for Chelsea to beat United and the same price for the other way round.

Chelsea to leave Milan runners-up for a second year running, is 7-2 while punters can have 11-2 for Milan to down Mourinho's boys.

The other permutations are: 17-2 Man United to beat Liverpool; 10-1 Liverpool to beat Man United; 12-1 Milan-Liverpool or Liverpool-Milan.

McGrath goes in search of final victim
Cricket's World Cup has been like the curate's egg - good in parts and not so in others.

From an organisational point of view, the event has been much too long and drawn out.

Ireland's performances were the stuff of fairytales and kept Irish and British interest alive, even more so than England who produced nothing of note.

But maybe this afternoon's final between the current two best one-day sides in action, namely Australia and Sri Lanka will provide something to remember at the very end.

Naturally, the Aussies are red-hot at 2-5 and most observers will be looking to the 'specials' for a betting interest.

Paddy Power, never behind the door for originality, are making Sri Lanka's Chamara Silva and Tillakaratne Dilshan 6-1 joint-favourites to be Glen McGrath's last international victim before he retires.

McGrath is the top wicket-taker in the tournament with 25 and all bets will be void if he takes no further wickets.

Who will be McGrath's last wicket? 6-1 C Silva, T Dilshan; 13-2 R Arnold; 7-1 M Muralitharan, K Sangakkara, L Malinga; 15-2 M Jayawardene, 8-1 S Jayasuriya, U Tharana, C Vaas; 9-1 F Maharoof, D Fernando.

Scholes must play his cards right
Paul Scholes does not want a repeat of 1999 when Manchester United lifted the treble.

That does not mean he isn't keen on United winning the treble again.

It's just that he doesn't want to suffer the same fate of missing out on a Champions' League final place.

Scholes was gutted eight years ago when picking up a yellow card in the semi-final triumph over Juventus which ruled him out of the clash with Bayern Munich.

The midfielder is one booking away from suffering the same fate and that would certainly be unbearably gut-wrenching for him.

Bet365 go 5-2 that Scholes will pick up another booking in the San Siro Stadium next week and 2-7 that he keeps his nose clean.

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano have each scored 22 goals in all competitions this season and Skybet have installed Rooney at 4-7 to finish the season with more than the recent PFA Player and Young Player of the Year.

Cristiano is 5-4 and in his current form and in a two-horse race, that has to be the bet.

The same firm are offering odds about AC Milan and United coming from behind to win the match only in Italy next Wednesday.

In other words, which team goes through does not count.

Milan are 7-1 and the Reds 10-1 to come back from a goal down and win.

Meanwhile, Paddy Power are seeing red this weekend on another front.

They have opened up betting on the first 'ginger' to score, based on the time elapsed in the respective matches.

Scholes is 9-2 second favourite behind Reading's Steve Sidwell with Liverpool's John Arne Riise at 7-1.

The list is 4-1 Sidwell; 9-2 Scholes; 7-1 Riise; 11-1 Butt; 14-1 Collins (West Ham); 16-1 Wes Brown and even that none of them find the net.

Reading are at home to Newcastle on Monday night and Sidwell is worth supporting.

Ronaldo: "Kakà non andrà al Real"

Ronaldo: "Kakà non andrà al Real"

"Kaka' non andra' al Real perche' gli ho parlato di Capello...". Cosi' Ronaldo, che aspetta un sms da Moratti e vorrebbe Totti al Milan. Il brasiliano, ospite a Controcampo, minimizza sul pericolo che il connazionale vada a Madrid: "Nessun rischio, gli ho raccontato un po' di cose del loro allenatore". Poi Ronaldo parla di Moratti, a cui ha mandato un messaggio per lo scudetto, finora senza risposta. Infine una battuta su Totti: "Io ho fatto tanti giri, meglio se viene lui al Milan".

Ronaldo Earns Larsson Praise

Ronaldo Earns Larsson Praise

Henrik Larsson has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo, and has insisted that his former Manchester United teammate deserves his Player of the Year awards.

"I was pleased to see Cristiano Ronaldo pick up the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards in the English Premiership," he told manutd.com.

"Since he is being talked about as the greatest player in the world it's not a surprise that he got those awards.

"He definitely deserves them. Having played together at Manchester United I have nothing but admiration for him.

"He has tremendous skill and also puts in a lot of hard work. He's a fantastic player and it's amazing to think that he will only get better."

The former Barcelona and Celtic striker also praised the rest of the side for their efforts over what has the makings of a very successful season, but admitted that the Portuguese was the cherry in the pie, so to speak.

"There are a number of players at United who could have won the award, because there is so much talent in the side, but Cristiano does stand out a bit," continued the Swede.

"He's a joy to play alongside and it will be interesting to see how he develops in the future."

Man Utd 3-2 AC Milan Photos

United go ahead when keeper Dida can only parry Cristiano Ronaldo's powerful header from Ryan Giggs' corner into his net

Cristiano Ronaldo gets his head to the corner and then Gabriel Heinze's challenge forces Dida into the mistake

Ronaldo shoots as the home side look to compensate for their defensive injury problems by keeping the action in Milan's half

Kaka v Ronaldo

Kaka v Ronaldo

By Phil McNulty

Manchester United's Champions League semi-final meeting with AC Milan is not just a contest for a place in Europe's greatest club game - it is a showcase for the sport's finest young talents.

KAKA v RONALDO 25------------Age------------22 £4.2m--Transfer fee-£12.2m Brazil------Country---Portugal 42---------Int. caps---------36 43---Games this season--47 15----Goals this season---21

Sir Alex Ferguson's attempt to claim the elite trophy for the second time in his career has centred on the brilliant form of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo goes into the tie flush with success after scooping both the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards on Sunday.

Milan counterpart Carlo Ancelotti's bid to erase the nightmare of their 2005 Champions League defeat to Liverpool has been built around the emerging talent of Brazil's Kaka.

Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves, who played against Kaka in the quarter-final and is likely to be Ronaldo's Old Trafford team-mate next season, has no doubts about their pedigree.

He told BBC Sport: "Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best two players in the world at the moment."

The styles may be different, but the natural gifts and ability to change the course of a match in an instant are the same.

Ronaldo's tricks, feints and step-overs have finally been channelled into devastating end product - while the Kaka package is just as complete.

Hargreaves said: "Kaka is not really about tricks, but he is a fantastic footballer. He has great physique, a great touch, and fantastic technique. He is also a great finisher and a good header of the ball with excellent balance.

"Kaka also seems extremely relaxed on the ball and that allows him to use his attributes accordingly."

As well as lavish gifts, both players have displayed a strength of character that marks them down as special.

Kaka, 25 on Sunday, suffered a potentially career-threatening spine injury in September 2000 as a result of a swimming pool accident and was out of the game for a year.

But he battled back and has flourished since joining Milan for £4.2m from Sao Paolo in 2003 - a fee described as "peanuts" by owner Silvio Berlusconi.

Real Madrid have long coveted Kaka as a prize addition to their Brazilian stars, but Milan have resisted all offers, knowing the damage his departure would inflict.

The Bernabeu giants endured similar frustration in their lengthy and very public pursuit of Ronaldo, who ended speculation by signing a new five-year contract at Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old demonstrated his resolve after returning from the World Cup ludicrously painted as the villain of the piece in Wayne Rooney's red card for England in their quarter-final defeat against Portugal.

Reassured by his mentor Ferguson, Ronaldo has ignored the taunts of opposition fans and finally turned all of his rich potential into a finished article.

Team-mate Patrice Evra describes his approach to the game in colourful fashion: "Nobody can stop him. Probably the only way to do it is to kill him.

"When he runs at you, you try to grab his shirt or do whatever you can. But he just goes past you, makes fun out of you and leaves you kicking the air.

"Even when he is sitting on a bike, Cristiano is doing tricks. He eats with the ball, he watches TV with the ball. He probably even sleeps with the ball."

Brazil great Pele is more cautious about the status of the two young stars, saying: "To mention Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world is very soon. We have Kaka, who plays very well too.

"Four or five years ago, we had Ronaldinho in good shape. We have to wait a little bit. Let's see, in one or two more years, if they keep at the same level."

The stage is set - and if either Kaka or Ronaldo produces the defining moment of a fascinating semi-final, even hard-to-please Pele might be convinced.

Man Utd 3-2 AC Milan Champions League

Man Utd 3-2 AC Milan By Phil McNulty

Wayne Rooney's stunning last-minute winner kept Manchester United's hopes of reaching the Champions League final alive after an Old Trafford classic.

Cristiano Ronaldo's fifth-minute header put United in front, only for AC Milan to draw level through Kaka's angled drive after 21 minutes.

Kaka put Milan ahead from close range before the interval, but Rooney turned in Paul Scholes' cool pass on the hour.

Rooney then lashed a glorious 20-yard finish past Dida in injury time.

Interview: Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson

It was a moment of magic that gave United a precious lead to defend going into the second leg in Milan next Wednesday.

United opened in sparkling fashion, and it took a desperate intervention from Alessandro Nesta to divert Rooney's shot over the bar.

But they were soon ahead when Ronaldo met Ryan Giggs' corner with a firm header, which Dida palmed into the air and could then only divert into the net.
United were firing on all cylinders up front - but all the time Milan, in the shape of Kaka, were waiting to probe their suspect and under-strength rearguard.

And the strike they feared came after 21 minutes when Kaka took Clarence Seedorf's pass and accelerated away from Gabriel Heinze and fired a left-foot angled drive across Edwin van der Sar.

A high-quality encounter saw Rooney just fail to get on the end of Giggs' cross and Ronaldo bring a crucial block from Dida with a 25-yard power drive.

But Brazilian superstar Kaka was an ever-present threat, and he took advantage of shambolic United defending to grab a crucial second away goal for Milan after 36 minutes.

Kaka chased a long pass, and when Heinze and Patrice Evra collided, he moved smoothly into top gear to slide a perfect finish past Van der Sar.

Evra was then booked for dissent - a yellow card that rules him out of the second leg at the San Siro, an inconvenience United did not need given their lack of defensive resources.

Michael Carrick wasted a glorious opportunity to put United level after 47 minutes when he side-footed wide of an open goal when he arrived unmarked at the far post on the end of another dangerous Giggs corner.

Milan lost captain Paolo Maldini to a knee injury at half-time, then were robbed of Gennaro Gattuso with a knee problem - with the combative midfield man being replaced by Cristian Brocchi.

Kaka was giving a master-class, escaping the offside trap to shoot across the face of goal then playing a sumptuous one-two with Seedorf only to volley narrowly over.

United desperately needed inspiration, and a moment of genius from Scholes provided it as they drew level after 59 minutes.

Scholes instinctively lifted the ball into the path of Rooney, whose finish was half-stopped by Dida but rolled in.

United were suddenly buoyant again, and the unpredictable Dida saved brilliantly from Darren Fletcher after Rooney's cross was headed into his path.

Fletcher forced Dida into a save at his near post as United pressed for what would be a crucial lead to take to Italy.

Dida then finger-tipped Ronaldo's dipping drive inches wide as United mounted a spell of sustained pressure in the closing stages.

United's sheer courage was rewarded when Rooney ran on to Giggs' pass and fired past a startled Dida to send Old Trafford wild in celebration.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Brown, Heinze, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Smith, Solskjaer, Dong, Richardson, Eagles, Lee.

Booked: Evra, Giggs.

Goals: Ronaldo 6, Rooney 59, 90.

AC Milan: Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Maldini (Bonera 46), Jankulovski, Gattuso (Brocchi 52), Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Kaka, Gilardino (Gourcuff 84).
Subs Not Used: Kalac, Cafu, Inzaghi, Favalli.

Booked: Kaka, Bonera.

Goals: Kaka 22, 37.

Att: 73,820

Ref: Kyros Vassaras (Greece).

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo wins two player of the year awards

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo wins two player of the year awards

LONDON (AP) - Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo won two player of the year awards voted for by his fellow Premier League players on Sunday.

Ronaldo won the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year and young player of the year at a dinner in London. He's the first man since Aston Villa striker Andy Gray in 1977 to win both awards in the same season.

Ronaldo beat Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba for the honour, with United teammate Paul Scholes finishing third. The other contenders were United winger Ryan Giggs, Liverpool midfielder - and last year's winner - Steven Gerrard, and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

"It is a special night," Ronaldo said. "It is amazing and a big honour for me to win trophies like this in the English Premier League. I am very proud."

"My colleagues have voted for me and that is fantastic because the players know the qualities of players."

The Portugal international, 22, has been a key member of United's side this season as it bids to repeat its 1999 treble of English Premier League, UEFA Champions League and English FA Cup trophies. He's scored 21 goals for United so far this season.

"I want to keep working hard and getting better because these trophies have now given me more motivation," Ronaldo said. "At this moment, I am consistent. I am more mature now and I am playing better."

Ronaldo's future at United was uncertain at the beginning of the season after he clashed with United teammate Wayne Rooney in the World Cup quarter-final match between Portugal and England in July. He publicly considered leaving, but was persuaded to stay.

"Everything is right this season and I am really enjoying it," said Ronaldo, who signed a five-year contract April 13.

"I am still young and I am learning more every day. I have much time to learn more and improve myself. I try to improve all aspects of my football - not only in training, but also in games."

Ronaldo is the first United player to win the senior award since Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002. Rooney has won the young player of the year award the past two seasons.

Fabregas finished runner-up in the young player category, with Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon third. Rooney also was among the finalists for that award, along with Reading striker Kevin Doyle and Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

Manchester United also contributed eight players to the Premier League team of the year and manager Sir Alex Ferguson was given a PFA Special Merit Award.

Ronaldo joined United in August 2003 from Sporting Lisbon of Portugal after Ferguson had watched him play a friendly against the Red Devils.

"When we saw him play in a pre-season friendly for Sporting against us, at halftime I knew we had to get him and I said to (then chief executive) Peter Kenyon 'we are not leaving the stadium until we get the boy'," Ferguson said.

"At this moment in time, I think he is the best player in the world and his season has been incredible."

The Premier League team of the year was: United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar; United defenders Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra; midfielders Giggs, Scholes, Ronaldo and Gerrard; and Drogba and Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov as the two strikers.

Cristiano Ronaldo won double PFA Awards 2007

Cristiano Ronaldo won double PFA Awards 2007

Cristiano Ronaldo won both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year Award 2007.

Ronaldo became the first player to win both awards in the same year since Andy Gray in 1977; Ronaldo received his awards at a gala dinner in London on Sunday night (April 22).

Ronaldo has always been the favourite; his only real competitor for Player of the Year was Chelsea’s Didier Drogba, who is 2nd on the list, while Ronaldo’s Manchester United team mate Paul Scholes in 3rd.

The 2nd place for young players is Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas; Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon 3rd.

Manchester United also have a strong hold for PFA Premier League Team of the Year, filling 8 out of 11 spots. It will be quite an irony if Chelsea wins the Premier League and FA Cup in the end, with only one player in the Team of the Year… touch wood.

Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Didier Drogba (Chelsea) and Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson received a Special Merit Award.

Ronaldo v. C. Ronaldo v. Ronaldinho

Ronaldo v. C. Ronaldo v. Ronaldinho

This is going to get good. Christiano Ronaldo has been playing (althought in my opinions with a lack of objectivity) good matches and getting in the spotlight as the next #1 player in the world. Ronaldinho, although doing absolutely nothing in the past few months (or year) still seems to be considered #1 for a good amount of players, reporters and public in general. He seems to never leave the spotlight. And now comes Ronaldo. Ah, yes, the old, fat and slow Ronaldo. Or is he?

I guess Milan is giving Ronaldo a good shot of stimulation. He seems finally motivated to play his best soccer. Funny enough, lots and lots of money and even a World Cup could not do such thing. He has been fast, lost weight and scored 2 goals today, by the way!.So what is it then? What is this magic potion that made Ronaldo wake up and want to try to be the best once more? I’m open to suggestions on this one…

I don’t discard the chance of Ronaldo being the best again.

Man U Held to 1-1 Tie in Premier League

Man U Held to 1-1 Tie in Premier League

LONDON - Manchester United was held to a 1-1 tie by Middlesbrough on Saturday, dropping two points in the Premier League title race.

Kieran Richardson gave United the lead in the third minute, but Mark Viduka tied the score with a header in the 45th.

United, seeking its first English title since 2003, has 82 points. Chelsea, bidding for a third straight Premier League title, has 78 points and plays at Newcastle on Sunday.

"It opens the door, no question about that," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We knew that if we made mistakes, they'd have an ability to come back at us. It's a big task now."

Man United took the lead when Richardson shot into an empty net after a pass from Wayne Rooney, who had run in toward Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Viduka scored by beating United defender Wes Brown with a diving header off a cross from Stewart Downing.

United defender Rio Ferdinand went off at halftime with a groin injury.

Tottenham held Arsenal to a 2-2 tie behind an injury-time goal by Jermaine Jenas. Jenas scored with a 25-yard shot about 12 minutes after Emmanuel Adebayor had given Arsenal the lead in the 78th with a header off a free kick from Cesc Fabregas. Robbie Keane scored first for Tottenham, giving the hosts the lead in the 30th. Kolo Toure made it 1-1 in the 64th.

The last time Tottenham beat Arsenal in any competition was 2-1 in the league in November 1999.

Arsenal ended a week of turmoil off the field. David Dein was forced to quit as vice chairman and director Wednesday after falling out with board members. Dein reportedly backed a possible takeover by American businessman Stan Kroenke.

Liverpool beat Wigan 2-0 to ensure it will finish in the top four and play in next season's Champions League. Dirk Kuyt scored twice for Liverpool, which has also reached the semifinals of this season's Champions League.

Watford was relegated after a 1-1 tie with Manchester City. U.S. defender Jay DeMerit's team will play in the League Championship next season.

Darius Vassell gave Man City the lead in the 53rd, but Tamas Priskin tied the score in the 75th. U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, who scored his third goal for City against Arsenal on Tuesday, limped off injured in the first half.

MILAN, Italy (AP) _ Juventus opened a seven-point lead at the top of Italy's second division by defeating Genoa 3-1.

Pavel Nedved, Giorgio Chiellini and David Trezeguet scored for Juventus, which started the season with a nine-point penalty in the Italian match-fixing scandal.

Former Juventus forward Marco Di Vaio scored Genoa's goal in first-half injury time.

Sampdoria scored two goals in the final seven minutes to beat Messina 3-1 in Italy's top league and boost its chances of qualifying for Europe next season.

MADRID, Spain (AP) _ Real Sociedad boosted its hopes of avoiding relegation by beating Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the Spanish league.

Darko Kovacevic and Savio Bortolini scored for Sociedad, which has won four of its past six games.

BERLIN (AP) _ Schalke stayed in first place in the Bundesliga after beating Energie Cottbus 2-0, and Bayern Munich's title hopes were essentially ended after losing at VfB Stuttgart 2-0.

Chasing its first title in 49 years, Schalke got an own-goal from Timo Rost in the 59th minute. Schalke defender Marcelo Bordon made it 2-0 in the 63rd with a header.

Schalke leads the league with 62 points, followed Bremen with 60, Stuttgart with 58 and Bayern with 53. Bremen beat Alemannia Aachen 3-1 Friday.

Cacau scored twice for Stuttgart against Bayern, which needs to finish in the top three to avoid missing the Champions League for the first time in 11 years.

PARIS (AP) _ Lyon won its sixth straight French league title without even playing because second-place Toulouse lost to Rennes 3-2.

Lyon plays at Auxerre on Sunday but its 17-point lead is enough.

Paris Saint-Germain topped Nantes 4-0 with Pedro Pauleta scoring in the 17th and 65th minutes. Jerome Rothen and Peguy Luyindula also scored.

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) _ Rangers kept Celtic from winning the Scottish Premier League title by downing Hearts 2-1.

Gavin Rae and Barry Ferguson scored for Rangers, which is in second place with 68 points, 10 behind Celtic.

Defending champion Celtic can win the title Sunday if it beats Kilmarnock.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)

Man U 2 - Sheff U 0 - godliness 1

Well I managed to get through the Man U Sheffield U game without getting angry at either Sir Alex Ferguson or Christiano Ronaldo. Several people were in attendance where we watched it to check up on me on this one. I actually felt quite relaxed! Mind you my pleasure at England getting knocked out of the World Cup cricket may have tempered my mood!

Arsenal boss tipping Ronaldo for award

Arsenal boss tipping Ronaldo for award

Arsene Wenger believes Manchester United Football Club ace Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award.

It looks like being a straight fight between the Portugal international and Chelsea’s Didier Drogba for the honour, and Wenger has his own opinion who should take the award.

"Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba would be my one and two," Wenger told Arsenal.com. "You don't expect Ronaldo to score so many goals and he can provide too.

“But as well I have huge respect for what Drogba has done. He has scored in some very big matches, also he has played in nearly all the games. It is very difficult to separate them really."

Drogba and Ronaldo in list PFA on the premium of ” the best player of year “

Drogba and Ronaldo in list PFA on the premium of ” the best player of year “

The forward “CHelsi” Dide Drogba and the halfback “MU” Krishtianu Ronaldu have headed the list of Association of Professional Football players (PFA) for the right to become(begin) the best player of year.

Besides two most zabivnykh football players Prime-minister-league, in the list of applicants for a prestigious nomination are present Rajan Giggz, Floor Skoulz, Stephen Dzherrard (the winner of 2006) and TSesk Fabregas.

19-years Fabregas on pair with Wayne Runi and Ronaldu also it can be overcome for ” the best young player “. If the forward “mankuniantsev” will manage to receive the premium in it(this) to year Runi will set up a record, having taken this rank three times successively.
Also attacking “Reading” Kevin Doil, the halfback “Tottenkhema” Aaron Lennon and oboronets “City” Mika Richards also can become the best among young players on results of the last season.
Results of voting will be declared(announced) during a solemn dinner in London on April, 22nd

Ronaldo rises as new devil in red

Ronaldo rises as new devil in red By Clive Tyldesley

When David Pleat remarked that Cristiano Ronaldo had been "compared to the incomparable George Best", we all knew what he meant. Sometimes, malapropisms say it better than anything. Ronaldo and Best are as unique as one another, and yet both belong on the same pedestal. Manchester United happen to believe they both belong at Old Trafford too.

Hands on approach: Roma's Marco Cassetti grabs Cristiano Ronaldo
My esteemed co-commentator for Tuesday night's sacking of Rome also noted that the Glazer family "could get the debt down in one fell swoop" by selling Ronaldo. Yesterday United's American uncles sanctioned a new five-year contract for the club's prize asset. The absentee landlords are going to become popular if they're not careful.

Ronaldo and Best are the essence of what United try to stand for. Dashing, daring, devils in red. The sculptor commissioned by the club to create a statue of Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton may do well to sketch Ronaldo for future reference. The message to Real Madrid, Barcelona and any other suitors could not be clearer. The future is rosy red.

Nine months ago it looked like Ronaldo's United career would not last another five minutes, never mind five years. His infamous World Cup wink was as good as a nod towards the exit. The country rallied around Wayne Rooney and blamed Ronaldo for everything but the weather. How could the two play together again? Ask Roma how they play now.

Sir Alex Ferguson was never going to let a bit of national hysteria get in the way of his plans. Ronaldo was too good to lose. Sir Matt Busby forgave Best his trespasses, now Ferguson has defended Ronaldo to the hilt. A kind of trust has grown between manager and player, a bond Ronaldo is happy to sign up to.

advertisementThe sense of security that comes from having someone like Ferguson in your corner has helped protect Ronaldo from the jeers and jibes of the World Cup fall-out. His game is maturing. There are signs of him passing more and falling less. At least one of the Footballer of the Year awards is likely to land in Ronaldo's hands, though the wager he has won with his manager over his goals tally for the season will probably mean more to him.

Ferguson says Ronaldo shares Best's courage in keeping taking on defenders however often he is kicked. In the closing stages of Tuesday's epic, Roma full-back Marco Cassetti grabbed Ronaldo round the waist and hauled him back in an admission of defeat. Minutes later, defender Philippe Mexes took a vengeful kick at the winger's shins. It was a reprisal of the kind that Middlesbrough's George Boateng had in mind when he said: "One day someone will hurt him properly."

However much we delight in film of Best tormenting opponents, the truth is that many old-school defenders wanted to point him in the direction of the local hospital. Ronaldo's sauce is of the same flavour. Sweet and sour. What looks cheeky to the red army under the Old Trafford floodlights looks like a red rag to the poor full-back caught in Ronaldo's headlights.

There is a fine line between teasing and taunting fellow professionals. Too much ducking and diving costs you respect. United fans hail Ronaldo with a song that actually rejoices in last summer's triumph over England. They have always adored him, but now others are learning to admire him.

Ronaldo is most likely the best match-winner in world football. At 22, he has played in a European Championship final and a World Cup semi. He carries the ball faster than most players run without it. He is tall and strong in the mould of the modern footballer, he can score with headers and free-kicks and he moves his team forward almost every time he receives the ball. I'm told he's even good-looking. United have invested with their heads, not their hearts.

Ronaldo heads PFA award nominees

Ronaldo heads PFA award nominees

By Martin Smith

Ronaldo is one of six players nominated for the PFA award. Reflecting Manchester United's marauding season to date, elder statesmen Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are also nominated. Representatives of the other members of the Premiership elite - Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas -complete the list.
Ronaldo, who is the outstanding favourite, returned to Old Trafford in July to the displeasure of the nation, fuelled by a rabid media campaign, after he was accused of playing a significant part in the sending-off of Wayne Rooney as England departed the World Cup at the quarter-final stage against Portugal. It looked at one stage as if Ronaldo would be forced to leave the Premiership.

Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the PFA, said: "This season was a big test for him, both of his temperament and his ability to rise above the abuse he received after the incident with Wayne Rooney, and he has passed with flying colours in every department. I was not sure after the World Cup if things would get back to normal at Old Trafford, but Cristiano has shown great maturity and proved himself to be a top, top player."

Much of the credit must go to Sir Alex Ferguson, his manager, who had managed to get Eric Cantona back on track a decade earlier, and who persuaded Ronaldo not only to stay but also to become one of the game's biggest draws. The showboating show pony of the past has transformed into a thoroughbred who can harness his box of tricks within a team ethic.

advertisement"He has still got the tricks," Taylor said, "and, if he was to perform them on the stage at the London Palladium, you would have to stand up and applaud. For him to be able to perform them on a football field, at full speed with everything going on around him, makes it all the more remarkable."

Drogba also came back from Germany last summer with something to prove. He had struggled to impose himself on Premiership defences in his first two seasons at Chelsea, only showing occasional flashes of what was to come. This season, however, he has scored 30 goals to keep Chelsea challenging for Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League honours, as well as winning the Carling Cup in February.

"What I have liked about Didier this season is the way he has committed himself to the Chelsea cause and how he has maintained such excellent form, even when Chelsea have been going through a sticky time," Taylor said.

Like Ronaldo, Fabregas has also been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award alongside Rooney, Kevin Doyle, of Reading, Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and Micah Richards, of Manchester City.

"Fabregas is usually at the heart of every [Arsenal] move," Taylor said. "He is going to be a player for all seasons if he keeps going the way he is."


PFA Player of the Year Nominees:
Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes (all Manchester United)

Young player nominees:
Kevin Doyle (Reading), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Chelsea boss Mourinho delighted to see Ronaldo stay at Man Utd

Chelsea boss Mourinho delighted to see Ronaldo stay at Man Utd

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is delighted that Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new deal with Manchester United.

He said: "It's very good because I want English football to be the best in the world. Every good player and manager should be here."

FA CUP Semi Final -Watford 1 Man Utd 4

Manchester United stayed on course for the treble by booking their place in the FA Cup final at the new Wembley with an emphatic win over Watford.

United struck with Wayne Rooney's 20-yard drive (7), but were stunned by Hameur Bouazza's hooked volley (26).

Cristiano Ronaldo added a second (28) from close range, with Rooney (66) and substitute Kieran Richardson's late chip sealing the victory (82).

Watford: Lee, Mariappa (Doyley 88), Carlisle, DeMerit, Mackay, Chambers (Kabba 70), T Smith, Mahon, Francis, Bouazza, Priskin (King 78). Goal: Bouazza 26

Man Utd: Van der S, Evra, Ferdinand (Fletcher 40), Brown, Heinze, Ronaldo (Richardson 77), Carrick, Giggs (Solskjaer 83), A Smith, Rooney. Goals: Rooney 7, 66, Ronaldo 28, Richardson 82 Ref: H Webb Att: 37,425

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his side's FA Cup semi-final win over Watford as just as impressive as their midweek mauling of Roma in the Champions League.

A brace from Wayne Rooney helped United on their way and keeps them on course to win the treble this season.

Ferguson told Sky Sports: "It was a fantastic performance, as good as the Roma one in terms of the endurance of the team - I was so proud of them."

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd insisted Manchester United were flattered by the margin of their FA Cup semi-final win.

The Premiership's basement side briefly levelled in the first-half, but found United too strong in the end.

Boothroyd said: "I asked them to come off the pitch having let United know they were in a game and they did that. It was not as one-sided as the score suggests and we had them rattled."

Real who? Cristiano Ronaldo signs new five-year contract for Man Utd

Real who? Cristiano Ronaldo signs new five-year contract for Man Utd

Real Madrid, stick that in your overpriced pipe and smoke it! Master Ronaldo loves playing with John O'Shea, Kieron Richardson and Darren Fletcher so much that he has decided to snub your billion-dollar advances and sign a new, improved five-year contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.

'I am delighted,' said CR. 'I spoke with Sir Alex and David Gill about my future and everyone knew that I wanted to stay. I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season.' Great news for Man Utd fans and great news for English football that the most exciting player in the world is staying in the Premiership.

Soccer: Chelsea and ManU reach FA Cup semis

Soccer: Chelsea and ManU reach FA Cup semis

LONDON - Champions Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 and league leaders Manchester United overcame Middlesbrough with a Ronaldo penalty today to book their places in next month's semi-finals of the FA Cup.

United will meet Watford and Chelsea will take on Blackburn Rovers, with the final scheduled to return to the rebuilt Wembley stadium.

A magical 55th minute goal conjured against the run of play from Andriy Shevchenko and a second scorcher nine minutes later from Shaun Wright-Phillips earned Chelsea their win in Monday's quarter-final replay.

The Ukraine striker took a pass from Wright-Phillips on the right, stepped inside Steed Malbranque and sent a left foot shot into the top left of the net from 20 metres.

Seven minutes later Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba expertly chested a ball, passed from deep by Ashley Cole, to Wright-Phillips on his left and the diminutive winger belted it past Paul Robinson in the Spurs net.

Chelsea looked to be cruising until Ricardo Carvalho brought down Dimitar Berbatov in the Cheslea area in the 77th minute and Robbie Keane sent a penalty past Petr Cech.

After an uneventful first half this set up a grandstand finish with the home side pouring towards the Chelsea goal but, despite six minutes of time added on, Spurs failed to break through.

United had Middlesbrough on the backfoot from the first kick in their replay and might have scored half a dozen but for some fine goalkeeping from Mark Schwarzer.

He plucked the ball from England striker Wayne Rooney's feet and denied him twice more in the second half with Middlesbrough constantly unbalanced by Cristiano Ronaldo's jinking runs.

The tie was finally decided by a Ronaldo penalty after the Portuguese winger was brought down by Jonathan Woodgate in the 74th minute.