Wigan Athletic [1 - 2] Manchester United
28' [1 - 0] H.R. Martinez
61' [1 - 1] C.A. Tevez
86' [1 - 2] M. Carrick
1-0 H.Rodallega 28'
1-1 C.Tevez 61'
1-2 M.Carrick 86'
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Manchester United Vs. Manchester City Match Report
United now need just four points from three games to win a third successive league title after the Reds brushed aside Mark Hughes’ men in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
First-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez sealed the points on a day when United’s back four were rarely troubled. The Blues were no match for a United side determined to regain top spot after Liverpool’s win at West Ham on Saturday had sent the Scousers temporarily to the summit.
Now, however, three points clear and with a game in hand, the Reds are favourites to secure an 11th Premier League trophy and could do so at Old Trafford next Saturday should Sir Alex's men beat Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night.
For Sunday's derby battle, the United boss made five changes to the side that beat Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday night. Jonny Evans and Rafael came into the back four for Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea, while Ryan Giggs slotted into the centre of midfield. Up front, Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov started together for the 11th time in the league this season.
It was Ji-sung Park, however, who had the first chance of the game. The South Korean, who’s scored in United’s last two matches, collected Ronaldo’s knock-down inside the box on three minutes but dragged his shot wide of Shay Given’s post.
The Reds enjoyed a lot of early possession and both Tevez and Ronaldo forced Given into routine saves in the opening 10 minutes. City looked dangerous on occasion too, Robinho proving a handful for young Rafael at right back.
But it was United who went in front and it was that man Ronaldo with yet another free-kick. Against Arsenal in midweek he’d scored from 41 yards; this time it was a mere 28. Slightly left of centre, Ronaldo struck the ball sweetly and it flew past the City wall, bouncing once before nestling in the back of Given’s net.
Carlos Tevez almost added a second just after the half-hour with a brilliant effort that cannoned off the frame of the goal from the corner of the penalty area. The Argentinean, subject to intense pre-match speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford, worked hard all afternoon and was involved in many of the Reds’ best attacking forays.
Indeed, it was Tevez who provided the final flourish to round off a superb move on the stroke of half-time and send the Reds 2-0 up. Darren Fletcher pumped a long ball forward, which Dimitar Berbatov cushioned with the delicacy of a father cradling his newborn. The Bulgarian then rolled the ball across the edge of the box to Tevez, who took two touches before rifling into the net off the inside of Given’s left-hand post.
The second goal was thoroughly deserved after a half in which United had dominated possession and continually found space in the final third. At the back, too, the Reds had looked solid with Nemanja Vidic marshalling the defence in Rio Ferdinand’s absence. One full-bloodied yet perfectly-timed sliding challenge, in particular, exemplified why the Serbian centre-back is hotly tipped to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award next weekend.
Neither manager made substitutions at half-time – Sir Alex certainly had no reason to – although City emerged from the break determined to pull a goal back. Robinho was presented with a golden chance to do just that on 50 minutes, but fired over from 10 yards. At the other end, Rafael’s cross-come-shot had Given scrambling momentarily as the ball looped onto the roof of the net.
With an hour gone, Sir Alex withdrew Ji-sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo, who despite scoring the Reds’ opener had struggled to assert himself on the game. Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney entered the fray, with Rooney taking Park’s place on the right and Giggs shifting onto the opposite wing to make way for Scholes in the centre. There he joined Darren Fletcher, who was superb all day and won countless tackles and loose balls.
City’s search for a goal continued but substitute Martin Petrov’s late strike from distance, which drew a stunning finger-tip save from Edwin van der Sar, was as close as the visitors came.
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First-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez sealed the points on a day when United’s back four were rarely troubled. The Blues were no match for a United side determined to regain top spot after Liverpool’s win at West Ham on Saturday had sent the Scousers temporarily to the summit.
Now, however, three points clear and with a game in hand, the Reds are favourites to secure an 11th Premier League trophy and could do so at Old Trafford next Saturday should Sir Alex's men beat Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night.
For Sunday's derby battle, the United boss made five changes to the side that beat Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday night. Jonny Evans and Rafael came into the back four for Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea, while Ryan Giggs slotted into the centre of midfield. Up front, Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov started together for the 11th time in the league this season.
It was Ji-sung Park, however, who had the first chance of the game. The South Korean, who’s scored in United’s last two matches, collected Ronaldo’s knock-down inside the box on three minutes but dragged his shot wide of Shay Given’s post.
The Reds enjoyed a lot of early possession and both Tevez and Ronaldo forced Given into routine saves in the opening 10 minutes. City looked dangerous on occasion too, Robinho proving a handful for young Rafael at right back.
But it was United who went in front and it was that man Ronaldo with yet another free-kick. Against Arsenal in midweek he’d scored from 41 yards; this time it was a mere 28. Slightly left of centre, Ronaldo struck the ball sweetly and it flew past the City wall, bouncing once before nestling in the back of Given’s net.
Carlos Tevez almost added a second just after the half-hour with a brilliant effort that cannoned off the frame of the goal from the corner of the penalty area. The Argentinean, subject to intense pre-match speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford, worked hard all afternoon and was involved in many of the Reds’ best attacking forays.
Indeed, it was Tevez who provided the final flourish to round off a superb move on the stroke of half-time and send the Reds 2-0 up. Darren Fletcher pumped a long ball forward, which Dimitar Berbatov cushioned with the delicacy of a father cradling his newborn. The Bulgarian then rolled the ball across the edge of the box to Tevez, who took two touches before rifling into the net off the inside of Given’s left-hand post.
The second goal was thoroughly deserved after a half in which United had dominated possession and continually found space in the final third. At the back, too, the Reds had looked solid with Nemanja Vidic marshalling the defence in Rio Ferdinand’s absence. One full-bloodied yet perfectly-timed sliding challenge, in particular, exemplified why the Serbian centre-back is hotly tipped to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award next weekend.
Neither manager made substitutions at half-time – Sir Alex certainly had no reason to – although City emerged from the break determined to pull a goal back. Robinho was presented with a golden chance to do just that on 50 minutes, but fired over from 10 yards. At the other end, Rafael’s cross-come-shot had Given scrambling momentarily as the ball looped onto the roof of the net.
With an hour gone, Sir Alex withdrew Ji-sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo, who despite scoring the Reds’ opener had struggled to assert himself on the game. Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney entered the fray, with Rooney taking Park’s place on the right and Giggs shifting onto the opposite wing to make way for Scholes in the centre. There he joined Darren Fletcher, who was superb all day and won countless tackles and loose balls.
City’s search for a goal continued but substitute Martin Petrov’s late strike from distance, which drew a stunning finger-tip save from Edwin van der Sar, was as close as the visitors came.
Read more...
Manchester United Vs. Manchester City Highlights Video Clip
Manchester United [2 - 0] Manchester City
18' [1 - 0] C. Ronaldo
45' [2 - 0] C.A. Tevez
1-0 C.Ronaldo 18'
2-0 C.Tevez 45'
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18' [1 - 0] C. Ronaldo
45' [2 - 0] C.A. Tevez
1-0 C.Ronaldo 18'
2-0 C.Tevez 45'
Read more...
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Arsenal Vs. Manchester United Match Report
Bring on Barça or the Blues. United will be in Rome on 27 May to defend the Champions League trophy.
The Champions League holders turned in a flawless away performance to completely dismantle Arsene Wenger's Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, killing the tie through early goals from Ji-sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo, before the Portuguese added gloss to the scoreline with a breakaway third.
The only sour note for United came through the late dismissal of Darren Fletcher. The Scot will miss the final after being incorrectly punished for bringing down Cesc Fabregas inside the United area, allowing Robin van Persie to hammer home a late penalty.
That made for a cruel end to the evening for Fletcher who, like each and every one of his colleagues, had been magnificent in overcoming the Gunners. It was in stark contrast to the manner in which the evening began, as United put the tie to bed inside 11 minutes.
Arsenal supporters had been encouraged to whip up a frenzied atmosphere to try and help their side overcome a single goal deficit brought about by John O'Shea's first leg strike at Old Trafford, but the Emirates' noise levels dipped irretrievably after seven minutes.
United's mantra had been obvious from the first whistle: counter attack. On the Reds' second such foray, Anderson slipped in Ronaldo, who had been detailed with the lone striker's role by virtue of his searing pace, and the Portuguese fizzed a low ball across the area. Teenage full-back Kieran Gibbs slipped at the crucial moment, allowing Park to pinch the ball and slip a shot over Manuel Almunia and into the goal.
The pocket of some 3,500 United fans behind the opposite goal burst into a frenzied celebration, one which was still ongoing when Ronaldo put the tie out of sight just four minutes later. Having won a free-kick 40 yards from goal, he sent a trademark rocket towards Almunia's left-hand corner, and the Spaniard was unable to read the ball's flight. Game over, tie over, start packing the bags for Rome.
Arsenal, understandably, were rocked. The half-hour mark had arrived before the hosts even tested Edwin van der Sar, and it was a tame header from Fabregas which called the Dutchman into action. Either side of the Spaniard's effort, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo drew impressive saves from Almunia.
With the Reds' backline in imperious, unbreachable mood, it was left to the forwards to surge forward and exploit the inevitable gaps in Arsenal's foraging formation. Ronaldo had already seen one breakaway end with an Almunia save before he struck a superb third goal.
Nemanja Vidic headed an Arsenal corner as far as the Portuguese, who impishly backheeled a pass to Park before high-tailing it towards the Gunners' area. He reached his destination at the same time as Rooney's perfectly-weighted pass, and drilled a fine shot high into Almunia's goal. Cue delirium among the United supporters, and a mass exodus by their Arsenal counterparts.
With Patrice Evra and Rooney at risk of missing the final with another booking, they were quickly hooked for Rafael and Dimitar Berbatov, while Ryan Giggs replaced Anderson after another impressive outing from the young Brazilian.
There was more of a hint of irony, then, when Fletcher raced back to superbly touch the ball away from Fabregas deep inside the United area, only for referee Roberto Rosetti to award a penalty and brandish the red card at the heartbroken Scot.
Van Persie drilled home the resultant kick as Fletcher trudged down the tunnel, joining Roy Keane and Paul Scholes on the list of United players unfortunate enough to have been ruled out of European football's greatest showpiece by suspension.
While dismay was ultimately the order of the day for Fletch, the overall mood among the United camp must be one of elation after one of the most emphatic European away displays in memory. The Reds are off to Rome, where Barcelona or Chelsea - both vanquished last season - will await. Forza United!
Read more...
The Champions League holders turned in a flawless away performance to completely dismantle Arsene Wenger's Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, killing the tie through early goals from Ji-sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo, before the Portuguese added gloss to the scoreline with a breakaway third.
The only sour note for United came through the late dismissal of Darren Fletcher. The Scot will miss the final after being incorrectly punished for bringing down Cesc Fabregas inside the United area, allowing Robin van Persie to hammer home a late penalty.
That made for a cruel end to the evening for Fletcher who, like each and every one of his colleagues, had been magnificent in overcoming the Gunners. It was in stark contrast to the manner in which the evening began, as United put the tie to bed inside 11 minutes.
Arsenal supporters had been encouraged to whip up a frenzied atmosphere to try and help their side overcome a single goal deficit brought about by John O'Shea's first leg strike at Old Trafford, but the Emirates' noise levels dipped irretrievably after seven minutes.
United's mantra had been obvious from the first whistle: counter attack. On the Reds' second such foray, Anderson slipped in Ronaldo, who had been detailed with the lone striker's role by virtue of his searing pace, and the Portuguese fizzed a low ball across the area. Teenage full-back Kieran Gibbs slipped at the crucial moment, allowing Park to pinch the ball and slip a shot over Manuel Almunia and into the goal.
The pocket of some 3,500 United fans behind the opposite goal burst into a frenzied celebration, one which was still ongoing when Ronaldo put the tie out of sight just four minutes later. Having won a free-kick 40 yards from goal, he sent a trademark rocket towards Almunia's left-hand corner, and the Spaniard was unable to read the ball's flight. Game over, tie over, start packing the bags for Rome.
Arsenal, understandably, were rocked. The half-hour mark had arrived before the hosts even tested Edwin van der Sar, and it was a tame header from Fabregas which called the Dutchman into action. Either side of the Spaniard's effort, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo drew impressive saves from Almunia.
With the Reds' backline in imperious, unbreachable mood, it was left to the forwards to surge forward and exploit the inevitable gaps in Arsenal's foraging formation. Ronaldo had already seen one breakaway end with an Almunia save before he struck a superb third goal.
Nemanja Vidic headed an Arsenal corner as far as the Portuguese, who impishly backheeled a pass to Park before high-tailing it towards the Gunners' area. He reached his destination at the same time as Rooney's perfectly-weighted pass, and drilled a fine shot high into Almunia's goal. Cue delirium among the United supporters, and a mass exodus by their Arsenal counterparts.
With Patrice Evra and Rooney at risk of missing the final with another booking, they were quickly hooked for Rafael and Dimitar Berbatov, while Ryan Giggs replaced Anderson after another impressive outing from the young Brazilian.
There was more of a hint of irony, then, when Fletcher raced back to superbly touch the ball away from Fabregas deep inside the United area, only for referee Roberto Rosetti to award a penalty and brandish the red card at the heartbroken Scot.
Van Persie drilled home the resultant kick as Fletcher trudged down the tunnel, joining Roy Keane and Paul Scholes on the list of United players unfortunate enough to have been ruled out of European football's greatest showpiece by suspension.
While dismay was ultimately the order of the day for Fletch, the overall mood among the United camp must be one of elation after one of the most emphatic European away displays in memory. The Reds are off to Rome, where Barcelona or Chelsea - both vanquished last season - will await. Forza United!
Read more...
Arsenal Vs. Manchester United Highlights Video Clip
Arsenal [1 - 3] Manchester United
8' [0 - 1] J. Park
11' [0 - 2] C. Ronaldo
61' [0 - 3] C. Ronaldo
76' [1 - 3] R.v. Persie (pen.)
0-1 J.Park 8'
0-2 C.Ronaldo 11'
0-3 C.Ronaldo 61'
1-3 R.van Persie (P) 76'
Read more...
8' [0 - 1] J. Park
11' [0 - 2] C. Ronaldo
61' [0 - 3] C. Ronaldo
76' [1 - 3] R.v. Persie (pen.)
0-1 J.Park 8'
0-2 C.Ronaldo 11'
0-3 C.Ronaldo 61'
1-3 R.van Persie (P) 76'
Read more...
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