Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney were on target again as United outclassed Celtic to stay in control of Champions League Group E.
In a game predictably billed as the ‘Battle of Britain’, the Scottish champions were overran by a dominant Red Army at Old Trafford.
Berbatov produced poacher’s finishes in each half to put United in command before Rooney continued his prolific October scoring streak with an excellent strike from the edge of the box.
The hoardes of travelling Celtic fans had little to cheer about as United cruised to victory, recording another clean sheet to make it eight games without defeat in all competitions.
The Reds’ starting line-up had produced two major talking points. Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the side, despite suggestions that he would be rested, while Rio Ferdinand was replaced by Jonny Evans after apparently picking up an 11th-hour injury.
Ronaldo had the game's first chance but blasted over from 20 yards after neat interplay involving Berbatov, Gary Neville and Anderson. Soon after Rooney’s spectacular bicycle kick from Nani's cross hit Mark Wilson on the six-yard line.
Celtic had early moments of their own, with Edwin van der Sar twice called into action to save a low Aiden McGeady shot and Gary Caldwell's vicious dipping volley.
But United always looked the more likely to open the scoring and, like the last time these sides met at Old Trafford, the home side’s opener came on the half-hour. Nani swung in a corner from the left and, at the second attempt, John O’Shea stabbed the ball forward for Berbatov to flick home on the turn from three yards.
United’s forward line were full of running, movement and one-touch passing, harrying Celtic’s defence into rushed clearances and desperate blocks.
Darren Fletcher had a glorious opportunity to double United’s advantage on the stroke of half-time but fired over from eight yards after controlling Rooney’s cross.
But it didn’t take long after the break for Berbatov to score his – and United’s – second goal with another predatory finish.
Anderson was fouled by Scott Brown 25 yards out, Artur Boruc could only parry Ronaldo’s resulting free-kick and Berbatov was left with the simple task of slotting home the rebound.
It was the Bulgarian’s third goal in two games and fourth in two Champions League outings. And to think that people were doubting him a month ago.
Rooney thought he’d got on the scoresheet soon after but was flagged offside as he ran onto Fletcher’s neat slide-rule pass.
Berbatov looked disappointed when he was called off on the hour mark but the two-goal forward left the field to a standing ovation, with Neville also replaced by Wes Brown.
Berbatov’s replacement Carlos Tevez flashed narrowly wide minutes later but United soon had a third as Gordon Strachan's men were opened up again. The move started with Van der Sar’s throw to Fletcher, who sprayed the ball out wide to Tevez. The Argentinian’s simple ball across goal allowed Rooney to control, make room for himself and sidefoot his fourth goal in four games from 18 yards.
Not even the most staunch of Celtic fans could deny the goal was deserved. It confirmed United’s superiority in an enjoyable game and, with Villarreal hammering Aalborg, kept the holders top of Group E on goal difference.
Team line-ups
MANCHESTER UNITED: Van der Sar; Neville (Brown 60), Vidic, Evans, O'Shea; Ronaldo (Park 82), Anderson, Fletcher, Nani; Berbatov (Tevez 60), Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Giggs, Rafael, Gibson.
CELTIC: Boruc; Wilson, Loovens, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura (Hartley 62), S Brown, Robson (Maloney 62), McGeady; McDonald (Sheridan 76).
Subs not used: Brown, Hinkel, Donati, O'Dea.
Bookings: Loovens.
Attendance: 74,655
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Manchester United Vs. Celtic Highlights Video Clip
Manchester United [3 - 0] Celtic
30' [1 - 0] D. Berbatov
51' [2 - 0] D. Berbatov
77' [3 - 0] W. Rooney
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30' [1 - 0] D. Berbatov
51' [2 - 0] D. Berbatov
77' [3 - 0] W. Rooney
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Sunday, October 19, 2008
English Premiere League Standing October 19, 2008
| 2008/2009 English Premiership | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||||
| GP | W | D | L | GS | GA | W | D | L | GS | GA | W | D | L | GS | GA | GD | P | ||||||
| 1 |  | Chelsea | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 16 | 20 | |||
| 2 | | Liverpool | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 20 | |||
| 3 | | Hull | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 17 | |||
| 4 | | Arsenal | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 16 | |||
| 5 |  | Man Utd | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 14 | |||
| 6 |  | Aston Villa | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 14 | |||
| 7 | | Portsmouth | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | -4 | 13 | |||
| 8 | | West Ham | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 12 | |||
| 9 | | Blackburn | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -6 | 11 | |||
| 10 | | West Brom | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 10 | |||
| 11 | | Man City | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | |||
| 12 | | Sunderland | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | -2 | 9 | |||
| 13 | | Middlesbrough | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -7 | 9 | |||
| 14 | | Wigan | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 8 | |||
| 15 | | Bolton | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 8 | |||
| 16 | | Everton | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 | -6 | 8 | |||
| 17 | | Fulham | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -2 | 7 | |||
| 18 | | Stoke | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -5 | 7 | |||
| 19 | | Newcastle | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | -6 | 5 | |||
| 20 | | Tottenham | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -7 | 2 | |||
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Manchester United Vs. West Bromwich Match Report
Four second-half goals helped a fluent United see off West Bromwich Albion’s gallant challenge at Old Trafford.
The Reds had been frustrated by the visitors – in particular keeper Scott Carson – for nearly an hour but finally made the breakthrough when Wayne Rooney finished neatly for his fourth goal in as many games.
Cristiano Ronaldo made the game safe with a left-footed shot before Dimitar Berbatov prodded home and substitute Nani added gloss to the scoreline in injury-time.
The only downside to a satisfying win was an injury to Patrice Evra, who was forced off in the first half after taking a knock to his leg.
Despite the impending Champions League visit of Celtic, Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field a strong side. It was perhaps a sign of respect for the Baggies, who arrived on the back of three straight league wins.
Right-back Rafael was handed a first Premier League start, with Ryan Giggs playing in the centre of midfield, Ji-sung Park on the left and Ronaldo on the right. Carlos Tevez and Anderson were omitted from the squad entirely after their international exertions in midweek.
West Brom began with a confidence that belied their underdog status, Chris Brunt firing straight at Edwin van der Sar when well placed on the edge of the box. But United – in particular the first three goalscorers – looked in the mood as well and the forward trio were involved in most of the Reds’ most promising attacks.
Rooney looked to have given United the lead midway through the first half when he controlled Ronaldo’s pass, cut inside and dinked the ball home, only for referee Mark Halsey to harshly penalise the striker for a push on Gianni Zuiverloon.
Soon after Rooney had another chance to put United ahead but his header from Giggs’ left-wing free-kick was well parried by Carson.
Ten minutes before the break Evra was replaced by John O’Shea and the Frenchman looked to be moving uncomfortably as he left the pitch.
But United continued to press and as the half neared its conclusion Berbatov was thwarted as he prepared to pull the trigger inside the box.
The Reds began the second period in much the same vein, with Ronaldo providing extra impetus by drifting into the centre of the attack.
Rooney again looked most likely to break the deadlock but was twice denied by excellent Carson parries.
Yet the Baggies’ keeper could do little about the striker’s top-drawer finish when it finally arrived in the 56th minute. United broke at pace, Berbatov played a ball into the path of Rooney, who charged down the left, cut inside Ryan Donk and shot low to Carson’s right.
The frontman’s animated celebration suggested relief as much as anything else after his earlier frustrations in front of goal.
Rooney almost grabbed a second minutes later after being played in by Giggs, only to be denied by Carson yet again.
But a second goal did arrive with 20 minutes left and this time it was Rooney who was the provider with a through-ball to Ronaldo, who shot left-footed underneath Carson.
And almost immediately Berbatov made it three with his first goal at Old Trafford. A deflected left-wing cross from Nani, on for Park, found its way via a deflection to the Bulgarian, who instinctively stuck out a boot and guided the ball home.
West Brom battled bravely but lacked the necessary quality in front of goal. Substitute Ishmael Miller had their best chance with two minutes left but his shot whistled just wide.
And Nani made a satisfying evening for the champions even better when he converted Rooney’s cross from close range in stoppage-time.
Team line-ups
MANCHESTER UNITED: Van der Sar; Rafael (Neville 65), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (O'Shea 36); Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs, Park (Nani 70); Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs not used: Brown, Evans, Gibson, Kuszczak.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Carson; Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson; Morrison, Valero, Greening, Koren (Moore 72), Brunt; Bednar (Miller 53).
Subs not used: Kiely; Cech, Hoefkens, Barnett, Macdonald.
Bookings: Zuiverloon.
Attendance: 75, 451.
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The Reds had been frustrated by the visitors – in particular keeper Scott Carson – for nearly an hour but finally made the breakthrough when Wayne Rooney finished neatly for his fourth goal in as many games.
Cristiano Ronaldo made the game safe with a left-footed shot before Dimitar Berbatov prodded home and substitute Nani added gloss to the scoreline in injury-time.
The only downside to a satisfying win was an injury to Patrice Evra, who was forced off in the first half after taking a knock to his leg.
Despite the impending Champions League visit of Celtic, Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field a strong side. It was perhaps a sign of respect for the Baggies, who arrived on the back of three straight league wins.
Right-back Rafael was handed a first Premier League start, with Ryan Giggs playing in the centre of midfield, Ji-sung Park on the left and Ronaldo on the right. Carlos Tevez and Anderson were omitted from the squad entirely after their international exertions in midweek.
West Brom began with a confidence that belied their underdog status, Chris Brunt firing straight at Edwin van der Sar when well placed on the edge of the box. But United – in particular the first three goalscorers – looked in the mood as well and the forward trio were involved in most of the Reds’ most promising attacks.
Rooney looked to have given United the lead midway through the first half when he controlled Ronaldo’s pass, cut inside and dinked the ball home, only for referee Mark Halsey to harshly penalise the striker for a push on Gianni Zuiverloon.
Soon after Rooney had another chance to put United ahead but his header from Giggs’ left-wing free-kick was well parried by Carson.
Ten minutes before the break Evra was replaced by John O’Shea and the Frenchman looked to be moving uncomfortably as he left the pitch.
But United continued to press and as the half neared its conclusion Berbatov was thwarted as he prepared to pull the trigger inside the box.
The Reds began the second period in much the same vein, with Ronaldo providing extra impetus by drifting into the centre of the attack.
Rooney again looked most likely to break the deadlock but was twice denied by excellent Carson parries.
Yet the Baggies’ keeper could do little about the striker’s top-drawer finish when it finally arrived in the 56th minute. United broke at pace, Berbatov played a ball into the path of Rooney, who charged down the left, cut inside Ryan Donk and shot low to Carson’s right.
The frontman’s animated celebration suggested relief as much as anything else after his earlier frustrations in front of goal.
Rooney almost grabbed a second minutes later after being played in by Giggs, only to be denied by Carson yet again.
But a second goal did arrive with 20 minutes left and this time it was Rooney who was the provider with a through-ball to Ronaldo, who shot left-footed underneath Carson.
And almost immediately Berbatov made it three with his first goal at Old Trafford. A deflected left-wing cross from Nani, on for Park, found its way via a deflection to the Bulgarian, who instinctively stuck out a boot and guided the ball home.
West Brom battled bravely but lacked the necessary quality in front of goal. Substitute Ishmael Miller had their best chance with two minutes left but his shot whistled just wide.
And Nani made a satisfying evening for the champions even better when he converted Rooney’s cross from close range in stoppage-time.
Team line-ups
MANCHESTER UNITED: Van der Sar; Rafael (Neville 65), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (O'Shea 36); Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs, Park (Nani 70); Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs not used: Brown, Evans, Gibson, Kuszczak.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Carson; Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson; Morrison, Valero, Greening, Koren (Moore 72), Brunt; Bednar (Miller 53).
Subs not used: Kiely; Cech, Hoefkens, Barnett, Macdonald.
Bookings: Zuiverloon.
Attendance: 75, 451.
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Manchester United Vs. West Bromwich Highlights Video Clip
Manchester United [4 - 0] West Bromwich
56' [1 - 0] W. Rooney
69' [2 - 0] C. Ronaldo
71' [3 - 0] D. Berbatov
90' [4 - 0] Nani
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56' [1 - 0] W. Rooney
69' [2 - 0] C. Ronaldo
71' [3 - 0] D. Berbatov
90' [4 - 0] Nani
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