Cristiano Ronaldo is excited about playing alongside Dimitar Berbatov this season after watching the Bulgarian bag two goals for the Reds against Aalborg on Tuesday.
Berbatov struck twice in the second half against the Danes, much to the delight of his boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his team-mates, too.
“It's good for Berba to score his first goals for United, and he played well,” says Ronaldo. “It's always good for forwards to score, it keeps your confidence high. Everyone knows he's a good player. His style is different to Carlos [Tevez] and Wayne [Rooney] but after two or three games we're getting better together. He's a fantastic player and he's going to help the team a lot.”
Berbatov’s first Reds goals and the improving form of Ronaldo and Rooney, who was impressive despite being substituted with an ankle injury after an hour, certainly bode well for the coming weeks. “The most important thing was to win,” added Ronny. “It’s our first Champions League win this season and we hope to reach the next round in first place – that’s our priority.
"We played some good football and 3-0 is a great result. The team has started to play better and better in the last two or three games.”
Ronaldo, who is still gaining match sharpness following his pre-season ankle surgery, insists he feels completely settled at United despite a summer of speculation linking him with a move away from OT. “I feel very comfortable,” he says. “I feel very good at the club, very happy and I want to carry on like that.”
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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Victory costly for Sir Alex
Sir Alex Ferguson had mixed feelings at full-time in Denmark after seeing his team win but lose three players to injury.
Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and young right-back Rafael were all substituted for medical rather than tactical reasons during the 3-0 victory over Aalborg BK. The first change was forced on the United boss after just 15 minutes when Scholes was stretchered off.
"There were a lot of plus points but we lost Paul Scholes who could be out for a few weeks," said Sir Alex. It was later confirmed that the midfielder suffered knee ligament damage and could miss up to two months of action.
"We had one or two other injuries," the boss added. "Young Rafael got injured and Rooney has an ankle problem. He felt a weakness in it when he went to receive a ball and we took him off straightaway.
"So there was maybe a cost to pay for the victory. Nonetheless we have four points now and it's where we want to be."
The three points in Aalborg were made safe by Dimitar Berbatov's first and second goals in a United shirt. Sir Alex was delighted to see the Bulgarian open his account so emphatically in only his fifth appearance.
"He scored two fantastic goals and that will help his confidence," said the manager.
"When you're transferred for that amount of money, you want your first goal quickly and he's got it. The second goal (volley from Ronaldo's cross) was a lovely goal."
Berbatov's second-half brace may have spared the blushes of his team-mates - Sir Alex's other complaint, aside from the injuries, was that "we missed a lot of chances."
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Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and young right-back Rafael were all substituted for medical rather than tactical reasons during the 3-0 victory over Aalborg BK. The first change was forced on the United boss after just 15 minutes when Scholes was stretchered off.
"There were a lot of plus points but we lost Paul Scholes who could be out for a few weeks," said Sir Alex. It was later confirmed that the midfielder suffered knee ligament damage and could miss up to two months of action.
"We had one or two other injuries," the boss added. "Young Rafael got injured and Rooney has an ankle problem. He felt a weakness in it when he went to receive a ball and we took him off straightaway.
"So there was maybe a cost to pay for the victory. Nonetheless we have four points now and it's where we want to be."
The three points in Aalborg were made safe by Dimitar Berbatov's first and second goals in a United shirt. Sir Alex was delighted to see the Bulgarian open his account so emphatically in only his fifth appearance.
"He scored two fantastic goals and that will help his confidence," said the manager.
"When you're transferred for that amount of money, you want your first goal quickly and he's got it. The second goal (volley from Ronaldo's cross) was a lovely goal."
Berbatov's second-half brace may have spared the blushes of his team-mates - Sir Alex's other complaint, aside from the injuries, was that "we missed a lot of chances."
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Berbatov plays it cool
We're quickly learning that Dimitar Berbatov is a laid-back character, but the relaxed celebration that followed his first United goal against Aalborg and his description of his acrobatic second as “a tap-in” takes cool to a new level.
“I knew that my first goal would come sooner or later,” he said, ultra-relaxed after United’s 3-0 win in Denmark on Tuesday.
The Bulgarian spurned a chance to score his first Reds goal after just six minutes in the Group E clash, volleying wide from eight yards. But he remained unfazed and grew in stature as the game progressed.
Berbatov eventually found the net when he pounced on a defensive error to rifle home United’s second goal on 55 minutes. “I’m pleased to help my team win, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “But I’m happy [to score my first United goal].”
His second goal showed the elegance that led to United parting with £30million to sign him this summer. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s he hit the ball on the bounce with an exquisite scissor kick. “It’s a goal like any other,” he shrugged. “It was a tap-in and that was it, 3-0.”
Rio Ferdinand was pleased to see his new team-mate open his Reds account. "It was a good result," he told ITV Sport. "We knew it would be tough and that we'd have to pass the ball well and take our chances. It was good to see Berba get two goals to get him off the mark. Hopefully now we can go full steam ahead."
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“I knew that my first goal would come sooner or later,” he said, ultra-relaxed after United’s 3-0 win in Denmark on Tuesday.
The Bulgarian spurned a chance to score his first Reds goal after just six minutes in the Group E clash, volleying wide from eight yards. But he remained unfazed and grew in stature as the game progressed.
Berbatov eventually found the net when he pounced on a defensive error to rifle home United’s second goal on 55 minutes. “I’m pleased to help my team win, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “But I’m happy [to score my first United goal].”
His second goal showed the elegance that led to United parting with £30million to sign him this summer. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s he hit the ball on the bounce with an exquisite scissor kick. “It’s a goal like any other,” he shrugged. “It was a tap-in and that was it, 3-0.”
Rio Ferdinand was pleased to see his new team-mate open his Reds account. "It was a good result," he told ITV Sport. "We knew it would be tough and that we'd have to pass the ball well and take our chances. It was good to see Berba get two goals to get him off the mark. Hopefully now we can go full steam ahead."
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Aalborg BK Vs. Manchester United Match Report
United eased to three points, and top spot in Group E, with a 3-0 win over Aalborg in Denmark, thanks to a first-half strike from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov’s second-half double.
Sir Alex Ferguson will have been delighted to see £30million man Berbatov finally get off the mark for the Reds with two well-struck volleys. The United boss will, however, hope that victory has not come at a cost. Injuries forced the withdrawal of Rooney and Paul Scholes, the latter suffering suspected knee ligament damage.
United’s performance showed signs of the team and some key players coming into form – Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo in particular – but, most importantly, provided a first win in Group E.
The Reds travelled without skipper Gary Neville, who picked up a knock against Bolton, and Owen Hargreaves due to a recurrence of the tendinitis problem in his knee. Regardless, the Reds boss promised to put out his strongest available side. He did so, with the only surprise being a Champions League debut for 18-year-old Brazilian right-back Rafael.
United put Aalborg under pressure right from the off and could have been 2-0 up inside the first eight minutes. Berbatov had a glorious chance to put the Reds in front on six minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo’s tackle on Aalborg goalkeeper Zaza sent the ball spinning up in the air. Berbatov met it on the volley but fired wide from eight yards. Two minutes later Rio Ferdinand saw his volley at the far post stopped by Zaza.
The match began at an intense tempo, with the Reds clearly seeking to break spirit of a determined Aalborg side, whose players and fans were fired up for this game as if it were their cup final.
Scholes’ injury on 15 minutes disrupted the flow. He didn’t appear to be in too much discomfort, but Sir Alex’s prognosis post-match didn’t sound positive. Scholes was replaced by Ryan Giggs, who joined John O’Shea in the centre of United’s midfield.
The Welshman made an almost immediate impact. On 22 minutes his simple pass led to United’s opener. Cutting through Aalborg’s defence, Giggs’ through-ball enabled Rooney to make his first-time shot look equally effortless, finding the net with aplomb.
Aalborg weren’t afraid to get forward and forced a few scares for the Reds, but when Rooney, who covered every blade of grass in his hour on the field, and Ronaldo had the ball the home side looked scared stiff. United’s attacking play, with Rooney at the reins, looked slick and fluid, but Sir Alex would have certainly liked to have seen a more commanding lead at the break.
In the second half the Reds manager was out on the touchline looking slightly concerned that United’s dominance in possession was not being converted into goals. But he didn’t have to wait long for the goal everyone at the club has been waiting for. The second goal came courtesy of a gift from the Aalborg defence. Berbatov pounced on a dreadful mistake from Augustinussen and punished the Danes ruthlessly by lashing the ball past Zaza in Aalborg’s goal. The Bulgarian’s muted celebration suggested it perhaps wasn’t the style in which this elegant front man imagined he would open his Reds account, but most importantly he is off the mark.
The goal knocked the life and fight out of Aalborg, whose energy and enthusiasm had been the sole components of any previous forays into United’s half.
Carlos Tevez’s introduction on the hour mark, replacing Rooney after the Englishman took a knock to his ankle, was exactly what Bruce Rioch’s men didn’t want. The Argentinian wasn’t settling for a 2-0 scoreline. He did have the ball in the net, but was penalised for unintentionally using his arm. Tevez perhaps should have been more selfish on 72 minutes when a neat move saw him break into the Aalborg penalty area. Instead of shooting, however, he squared the ball to Ronaldo, whose shot was blocked. Then five minutes later he sent a 25-yard shot whizzing just past the bar.
A third goal eventually arrived on 79 minutes. Ronaldo skipped past his marker to make it to the byline on the right of the Aalborg and his cross was met with an acrobatic volley from Berbatov to make it 3-0.
Team Line-ups
Aalborg BK: Zaza; Pedersen, Beauchamp (Caca 38), Olfers, Bogelund; Risgard, Johansson, Augustinussen, Enevoldsen; Curth, Saganowski.
Subs not used: Stenild, Due, Braemer, Sorensen, Kristensen, Schwartz.
Booked: Johansson, Zaza
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Rafael (Brown 66), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes (Giggs 16), O'Shea, Nani; Rooney (Tevez 59), Berbatov.
Subs not used: Amos, Anderson, Park, Evans.
Attendance: 10,346
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Sir Alex Ferguson will have been delighted to see £30million man Berbatov finally get off the mark for the Reds with two well-struck volleys. The United boss will, however, hope that victory has not come at a cost. Injuries forced the withdrawal of Rooney and Paul Scholes, the latter suffering suspected knee ligament damage.
United’s performance showed signs of the team and some key players coming into form – Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo in particular – but, most importantly, provided a first win in Group E.
The Reds travelled without skipper Gary Neville, who picked up a knock against Bolton, and Owen Hargreaves due to a recurrence of the tendinitis problem in his knee. Regardless, the Reds boss promised to put out his strongest available side. He did so, with the only surprise being a Champions League debut for 18-year-old Brazilian right-back Rafael.
United put Aalborg under pressure right from the off and could have been 2-0 up inside the first eight minutes. Berbatov had a glorious chance to put the Reds in front on six minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo’s tackle on Aalborg goalkeeper Zaza sent the ball spinning up in the air. Berbatov met it on the volley but fired wide from eight yards. Two minutes later Rio Ferdinand saw his volley at the far post stopped by Zaza.
The match began at an intense tempo, with the Reds clearly seeking to break spirit of a determined Aalborg side, whose players and fans were fired up for this game as if it were their cup final.
Scholes’ injury on 15 minutes disrupted the flow. He didn’t appear to be in too much discomfort, but Sir Alex’s prognosis post-match didn’t sound positive. Scholes was replaced by Ryan Giggs, who joined John O’Shea in the centre of United’s midfield.
The Welshman made an almost immediate impact. On 22 minutes his simple pass led to United’s opener. Cutting through Aalborg’s defence, Giggs’ through-ball enabled Rooney to make his first-time shot look equally effortless, finding the net with aplomb.
Aalborg weren’t afraid to get forward and forced a few scares for the Reds, but when Rooney, who covered every blade of grass in his hour on the field, and Ronaldo had the ball the home side looked scared stiff. United’s attacking play, with Rooney at the reins, looked slick and fluid, but Sir Alex would have certainly liked to have seen a more commanding lead at the break.
In the second half the Reds manager was out on the touchline looking slightly concerned that United’s dominance in possession was not being converted into goals. But he didn’t have to wait long for the goal everyone at the club has been waiting for. The second goal came courtesy of a gift from the Aalborg defence. Berbatov pounced on a dreadful mistake from Augustinussen and punished the Danes ruthlessly by lashing the ball past Zaza in Aalborg’s goal. The Bulgarian’s muted celebration suggested it perhaps wasn’t the style in which this elegant front man imagined he would open his Reds account, but most importantly he is off the mark.
The goal knocked the life and fight out of Aalborg, whose energy and enthusiasm had been the sole components of any previous forays into United’s half.
Carlos Tevez’s introduction on the hour mark, replacing Rooney after the Englishman took a knock to his ankle, was exactly what Bruce Rioch’s men didn’t want. The Argentinian wasn’t settling for a 2-0 scoreline. He did have the ball in the net, but was penalised for unintentionally using his arm. Tevez perhaps should have been more selfish on 72 minutes when a neat move saw him break into the Aalborg penalty area. Instead of shooting, however, he squared the ball to Ronaldo, whose shot was blocked. Then five minutes later he sent a 25-yard shot whizzing just past the bar.
A third goal eventually arrived on 79 minutes. Ronaldo skipped past his marker to make it to the byline on the right of the Aalborg and his cross was met with an acrobatic volley from Berbatov to make it 3-0.
Team Line-ups
Aalborg BK: Zaza; Pedersen, Beauchamp (Caca 38), Olfers, Bogelund; Risgard, Johansson, Augustinussen, Enevoldsen; Curth, Saganowski.
Subs not used: Stenild, Due, Braemer, Sorensen, Kristensen, Schwartz.
Booked: Johansson, Zaza
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Rafael (Brown 66), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes (Giggs 16), O'Shea, Nani; Rooney (Tevez 59), Berbatov.
Subs not used: Amos, Anderson, Park, Evans.
Attendance: 10,346
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Aalborg BK Vs. Manchester United Highlights Video Clip
Aalborg BK [0 - 3] Manchester United
22' [0 - 1] W. Rooney
55' [0 - 2] D. Berbatov
79' [0 - 3] D. Berbatov
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22' [0 - 1] W. Rooney
55' [0 - 2] D. Berbatov
79' [0 - 3] D. Berbatov
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