Category — Manchester United
Manchester United in Champions League Quarter final
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Wayne Rooney reached 30 goals for the season as Manchester United marched into the last eight of the Champions League with a clinical 4-0 demolition of AC Milan here on Wednesday.
On a night that saw David Beckham return to where it all started for him, it was the current darling of the Old Trafford faithful who steered United into the quarter-finals by following up his double in the 3-2 first leg victory in Milan with another brace.
A first-half header put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side firmly in control and the the England striker killed the tie in the opening seconds of the second period.
Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher round off a memorable night as United eliminated their opponents for the first time in five attempts since two of European football’s iconic institutions first met, 52 years ago.
The predictions of a fluid encounter were vindicated by an opening ten minutes in which Milan might have established the two-goal lead they required to overturn the deficit from the first leg.
United had the first opportunities, Rooney’s shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area slipping just the wrong sight of the post, Gary Neville’s 25-yarder dipping into the roof of the net just too late and a Nani shot being turned round the post by Christian Abbiati.
But those were definitely in the half-chance category, unlike the openings enjoyed by Ronaldinho, who directed a free header from Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick wide, and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
Having been put beyond the United back four by Ronaldinho’s floated pass, the Dutch striker fluffed his attempt to bring the ball under his control.
Milan’s profligacy was swiftly sanctioned with Rooney giving United a 13th-minute lead with his third headed goal of the tie.
Allowed to advance though the inside right channel in leisurely fashion, Neville had time to tee up a cross which Rooney directed beyond Abbiati’s right-hand having been granted an equally generous amount of space by his marker, Daniele Bonera.
That left Milan needing to score three times and, for the remainder of the first-half that appeared a very remote prospect, the visitors’ only moment of menace coming when Edwin van der Sar needed a second attempt to smother Pirlo’s swerving shot.
Darren Fletcher came closest to extending United’s lead before the break, his drive curling just wide in first-half stoppage time.
The break saw Bonera replaced by Clarence Seedorf as Milan played their final cards, but within a minute of the restart, Rooney had killed the tie.
Having escaped the attentions of Ignazio Abate, Nani curled a delightful pass behind the remodelled Milan back four and Rooney was able to tuck the ball past Abbiati.
Huntelaar spurned another opportunity when he headed Abate’s cross over from four yards out but that was a rare moment of menace from a team that was beginning to show its age.
With the hour mark approaching, Park latched on to a Paul Scholes pass and, at full stretch, directed a low finish across Abbiati and inside the far post.
Beckham’s entry for the last 25 minutes was greeted with the predicted ovation and, while there was little he could do about the outcome, he did offer a reminder of why he was such a favourite with the Old Trafford crowd with a sweetly struck volley that van der Sar had to touch over the bar.
United’s fourth goal came three minutes from the end, Fletcher ghosting in at the back post to head home Rafael’s cross from the right.
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March 11, 2010 1 Comment
Manchester United win Carling Cup for 2010
Rooney, on as a substitute for the injured Michael Owen after being initially left on the bench, powered a magnificent header past Brad Friedel from 10 yards out to win it for the holders with just 16 minutes remaining.
That capped a fine comeback from the Barclays Premier League champions, who recovered from the shock of going behind inside five minutes to win 2-1.
James Milner scored from the spot after Nemanja Vidic hauled down Gabriel Agbonlahor inside the United box.
United were level after 13 minutes when Dimitar Berbatov dispossessed Richard Dunne before racing into the Villa box.
Dunne got back well to slide in and take the ball away from the Bulgarian, but only diverted it into the path of Owen, who fired home unerringly past Friedel.
Owen looked as sharp as he has all season in troubling the Villa defence constantly, but his afternoon ended early as he injured his hamstring running onto a Berbatov pass.
Rooney replaced him and United, after weathering that early storm, gradually turned the screw as they dominated possession.
The excellent Park Ji-Sung hit a post with a left-foot shot while Friedel produced an excellent save to deny Michael Carrick.
But United finally went ahead for the first time on 74 minutes as Rooney did brilliantly to get sufficient power to beat Friedel from Antonio Valencia’s right-wing cross.
It was almost 3-1 soon after as Rooney hit a post with another powerful header, and Villa almost levelled when a Stewart Downing cross flicked off the head of Vidic before bouncing off the United bar.
Villa threw Dunne forward in the closing minutes but he headed wide in a desperate finale as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side hung on to retain the trophy.
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March 1, 2010 No Comments
Owen is a confirmed Red Devil
Its confirmed, Owen will join Red Devil on a Pay-as-you-play deal. It was reported that Michael will take a pay cut from his £110,000 a week pay with Newcastle for a reported £50,000 per with but with massive performance-related bonuses which could take him close to his pay with the Magpies.
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England frontman completed a series of stringent medical tests and has signed a two-year deal with the Barclays Premier League champions.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told the official club website: “Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question.
“Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish.”
Michael Owen said: “I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him the next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me. I agreed without a moment’s thought.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.
“I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here. I missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one.
“I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances”
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July 4, 2009 No Comments
Michael Owen going to Manchester United?
There is a report by the website, www.independent.ie, that Michael Owen might go to Manchester United on a free transfer. His signup with MU is with the condition that Owen can prove that he is truly fit.
Michael is without a club since his contract ended with relegated Newcastle end of June 2009.
I for one would like to see Owen be given a chance to be what he used to be, a striker that produces goals. It will be sad if he ended up with some lowly Premier League club. Eveyone believe Michael Owen thrived in the spotlight with clubs that are top flight.
You can read the full article in the website link above.
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July 3, 2009 No Comments
Manchester United is 2009 Premier Champion
Manchester United have won the Barclays Premier League title after a goalless draw with Arsenal.
The point gained means nearest challengers Liverpool cannot catch United who have one fixture left to play.
In a lacklustre first half, Robin van Persie went close for the Gunners and Wayne Rooney headed off target for United.
Cristiano Ronaldo went closer to scoring after the break with a free-kick while Cesc Fabregas smacked the post.
However, United only needed a draw to clinch their 11th Premier League crown and celebrated wildly at the final whistle.
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May 16, 2009 No Comments