Manchester United V: English Premier League Defending Champions!

[melvin]

We seem to get all the difficult opponents along the way while the other top teams have easier opponents.:think: Never mind, lets hope we whack them like what we did in '99.:bsmilie::devil:

hmmm...spurs beat them 5-1, we win spurs 3-1 ....... so we will trash them 8-2?:think::devil:

 

[melvin]

Another tough tie.

Then if Man U go to Semis, meet LFC at Villa Park? :think::thumbsup:

Hope before semis, we get draw against chelsea before goin to meet LFC at villa Park!;p:bsmilie::devil:

 

[Big Kahuna]

No problem, I think its better as the match will stretch Gunners further since we have stronger bench warmer We can further profitted if that affects them in the Premier League games......If Fergie is dirty, he could send Danny Simpson or Fletches to pick fight with Aderbayor to get both send off :lovegrin:

 

[melvin]

Home matches moved

United will have to be at their Sunday best if they're to maintain their push for the Barclays Premier League title in March.

The Reds' three home matches in the top flight during that crucial month have all been moved from Saturdays to Sundays.

The game against Bolton Wanderers has now been rescheduled for Sunday 9 March at 13:30 GMT due to Sky Sports selecting it for live television coverage. However, that match will have to move again if United reach the FA Cup sixth round.

Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford will now take place on Sunday 23 March and will also kick off at 13:30 GMT live on Sky.

The final fixture change for now will see Aston Villa travel to Manchester on Sunday 30 March for another 13:30 GMT start but this time the match will be shown live on Setanta.

There remains a possibility the Villa game could revert to the day before, however, if United find themselves playing in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday 1 April.

See the fixtures and results section of ManUtd.com for the full revised schedule: http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={34009B66-8C50-42F4-816F-CE57868EDE49}&page=3

:devil:

 

[melvin]

No problem, I think its better as the match will stretch Gunners further since we have stronger bench warmer We can further profitted if that affects them in the Premier League games......If Fergie is dirty, he could send Danny Simpson or Fletches to pick fight with Aderbayor to get both send off :lovegrin:

:thumbsup::bsmilie::devil:

 

[melvin]

Sir Alex: All bets are off

Cristiano Ronaldo’s form is so good United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is refusing to enter into any bets with the Portuguese winger about how many goals he’ll score this season.

Ferguson famously paid out at the end of the 2006/07 campaign after the Reds’ no.7 found the net 23 times, smashing the manager's 20-goal target to finish joint top scorer alongside Wayne Rooney.

This season Ronaldo has outdone himself once again, passing last term’s tally before January has even finished. All the talk now centres on George Best’s club record of 32 goals from midfield and whether 22-year-old Ronaldo can overtake the Irishman.

Sir Alex’s targets have undoubtedly provided added motivation in the past, but the United boss believes a place in the history books is incentive enough this time around.

“No way!” the Reds boss told Manchester United Radio when asked if money would change hands should Ronaldo surpass Best’s record. “Being a Scot, I value my money.”

Ronaldo took his season tally to 25 with a double against Tottenham last weekend, although neither goal is likely to feature in his career highlights reel. Not that his manager cared…

“The boy has been fantastic recently,” Sir Alex said. “Against Spurs he showed great composure in taking his penalty kick at what was an important time in the game. His second goal was a goalkeeping mistake but if you don’t shoot you don’t score. He was rewarded for that mentality."

Hmmm.... sore loser?:bsmilie::devil:

 

[melvin]

Boss hopeful over Manucho

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that Manucho’s fine form in the African Cup of Nations will facilitate a successful work permit application for the striker.

The 24-year-old’s move to Old Trafford is pending approval, and his haul of three goals in Angola’s opening two tournament matches will no doubt aid his cause.

“It just adds to the fact that we’ll get the work permit easier, I’m sure of that,” said Sir Alex. “He’s got a talent, the boy, there’s no question about that. It’ll be interesting to see how he does in the rest of the tournament.”

With the work permit application still to be approved and Angola seemingly set to progress into the quarter-finals, Sir Alex admits it is unlikely that Manucho will feature for United this season.

“It’ll be too late, really, by the time we get him back and get a permit,” he said. “We’ll probably farm him out somewhere else for the remainder of the season.”

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Betting: Portsmouth
29/01/2008 09:15, Report by Fred Done, Betfred

29/01/2008 09:15, Report by Fred Done, BetfredBetting: PortsmouthUnited are 3/1 to win the FA Cup after being drawn against Arsenal in the fifth round's glamour tie. However, their focus this week is on the league, in which they're 7/1 to be unbeaten in their last 15 games - starting with Portsmouth.

United have won all four meetings at Old Trafford since Pompey were promoted - another win is 1/4, the draw is a 7/2 chance while Harry Redknapp's side are 10/1 to inflict United’s first home league defeat of the campaign.

Three times in the last four seasons this fixture has ended 3-0 to United and that scoreline is 7/1 to occur again.

Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off at Portsmouth during the 1-1 draw in August so he'll be after revenge and after another brace against Tottenham, he is 100/30 to score the first goal, 10/11 to net at any time and 16/1 for a hat-trick.

'Un-four-gettable' Cashback Offer: If you place a losing first/last goalscorer, correct score or scorecast win single bet on the game, we will refund your losing stake as a free bet if there are 4 or more goals scored in the game.

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Baros eyes OT bow

Portsmouth's January loan signing Milan Baros wants to make an instant impact and help his new club cause an upset at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The Czech Republic striker joined the south coast club on loan this week from United's Champions League last 16 opponents Lyon.

With the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland on the horizon, Baros has switched clubs in search of first-team football so he can cement a place in the Czech national team.

The former Liverpool striker has been thrown in at the deep end for Pompey, who face United on Wednesday, then Chelsea on Saturday, but he insists he will be giving his all to take something from the two matches.

"I'm focused on what we can in these next two big games," he told the Pompey's website, www.Portsmouthfc.co.uk.

"It will be a tough game against Manchester United but you never know what can happen in football.

"They're the favourites to win but we have nothing to lose. We have to go to Old Trafford with confidence, not just with the attitude to give up.

"You need to fight and get a little bit of luck as well. But we're going there to hopefully take something."

:devil:

 

[melvin]

Ji-Sung talking up Manchester United treble

Ji-Sung Park is convinced that Manchester United have what it takes to win the treble for a second time.

The South Korea midfielder believes the squad is much stronger now than at any other point in the past two years.

The arrival of players like Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani has given Park cause for optimism going into a crucial part of the campaign.

Leaders United return to league action on Wednesday against Portsmouth at Old Trafford after defeating Tottenham to set up a match with Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Next month there is the small matter of a two-legged meeting against Lyon in the Champions League, and Park is excited about the challenges that lie ahead after recovering from a serious knee injury.

He said: 'The team is better than last season and the year before.

'We are all getting better and that means we have a good opportunity to win all competitions.

'Last season we had a chance to win many things but had to settle for the league title.

'That is good but it could have been more. This season we have a good squad with injured players coming back, so we are better equipped.'

Park made his comeback on Boxing Day against Sunderland and insists his injury problems are a thing of the past.

He said: 'My knee is fine. Since I have been back playing I have had no reaction, so I feel good.

'Physically I am in good condition because I have been in the gym for a long time.'

Park is hoping to face Portsmouth but centre-half Nemanja Vidic remains doubtful after being forced to miss the Tottenham game because of a virus.

Paul Scholes is pushing for a place in the starting line-up following a 25-minute appearance in the fourth-round tie, three months after a knee operation.

Meanwhile Danny Wellbeck, 17, is joining the first-team squad as manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been pleased with the striker's progress.

Manchester-born Wellbeck travelled with the senior squad to Saudi Arabia last week and came on in a testimonial game, missing a late penalty.

Ferguson said: 'The boy is beyond doubt a Manchester United player.

'We brought young Wellbeck into the squad for Saudi and he did very well. He will stay with the first-team squad now.

'Danny is only 17 and he needs time as they all do. He needs a bit of strength.

'But he has a lot of marvellous things about him. He is a local boy, which is nice, too.'

Looks like we got another new striker!:devil:

 

[melvin]

6 more hours to go for a 2-0 win!!!:devil:

 

[edarkflame]

6 more hours to go for a 2-0 win!!!:devil:

is the portsmouth game gonna be televised? can't seem to find out on which channel

 

[tlpnel]

6 more hours to go for a 2-0 win!!!:devil:

When Man Utd struggles...it shall be 2 nil....but when in gear, let's say....4 nil ?
;p:devil:

 

[melvin]

When Man Utd struggles...it shall be 2 nil....but when in gear, let's say....4 nil ?
;p:devil:

This time round din struggle jus that the goals dun come!

Sir Alex surprise at scoreline

Sir Alex Ferguson was left in awe at some of the attacking, penetrating football United produced again Portsmouth, but was baffled that the scoreline was a deceptive 2-0.

The Reds created a host of chances and could have easily trebled the scoreline, but he remains satisfied with the quality of United’s play.

“It was a fantastic performance from us,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s one of the best displays of the season.

“I just can’t believe it was only 2-0,” he added. “We opened them up so many times. There was a bit of misfortune, shots were blocked and the goalkeeper made a few saves. But we missed some chances.

“But we have to think about the performance. The energy we put in was tremendous. I’m really pleased with that.

“The movement and penetration was very good. And I thought Ji-sung and Nani were really helped that from the flanks.”

Think got to do some zeroing!:bsmilie::devil:

 

[Big Kahuna]

Damn...Gunners again outscored us by 1 goal....so goal dif -1 now....our strikers all MIA...IMO we need the diversity of Saha or even Manucho(if his permit is granted quickly)....Rooney is really Looney at the moment :sweat: Luckily Ronaldo still firing well :thumbsup:

 

[melvin]

Report: United 2 Portsmouth 0

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his irrepressible goalscoring form with yet another delightful double to sink Portsmouth and send United back to the top of the Premier League.

His two goals – one a neat finish, the other a jaw-droppingly good 25-yard free-kick – came within three minutes of each other and completely deflated Harry Redknapp’s men.

What this excellent performance proves beyond doubt is just how ruthless the Reds can be. This was a game United controlled from start to finish, but it was less about blitzing a team for 90 minutes, and more about a clinical job, pitilessly carried out.

The visitors may have lost four key players to African Nations Cup duty, but they cannot really complain with new signings Lassana Diarra and Milan Baros bolstering their ranks. The simple fact is that United, on this attacking form, are unplayable for most opponents. Even for a Portsmouth side that has taken seven wins from 12 on the road this term - Redknapp's men arrived in Manchester confident, if perhaps quietly so.

For United it was a case of maintaining momentum. Unbeaten in 2008, the Reds’ chief aim was to regain top spot from Arsenal in what is turning into a see-saw claim for the title. Paul Scholes, making his 550th appearance for the Reds, was given his first start since mid-October, and the Salford-born midfield magician was heavily involved from the start, pinging passes all over the pitch.

He was involved in United’s opener after just ten minutes. His pass forward was chested down by Ronaldo to Nani, whose lofted return pass found his fellow countryman’s run forward. Ronaldo one-on-one with a goalkeeper: the script rarely deviates. His finish was slipped inside David James’ post.

Ronaldo, it appears, seems intent on rewriting the record books when it comes to the tag ‘goalscoring midfielder’. But his second goal of the night – three minutes after his first – deserves an entry in the dictionary under ‘unstoppable’.

Ronaldo's free-kick are hit with such venom, they could merely cannon off the wall or head high into the stands. But when he catches them right, goalkeepers might as well not bother diving. David James didn’t, as the United winger’s shot arrowed its way into the top corner. The goal took him to 27 for the season, and it sapped all enthusiasm from the Portsmouth players. They were simply unable to recover.

United continued to press forward, with Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo, Nani, Park and Rooney interlinking beautifully to create sweeping attacking moves that Portsmouth were unable to cope with.

The Reds couldn’t add to the scoreline before half-time, but after the break Harry Redknapp gave a nod to United’s midfield dominance by switching to a five-man midfield, with Baros up front on his own.

United began the second half as positively as they had finished the first 45 minutes. Ferdinand tested James with a powerful header from Nani’s corner shortly after the restart. Then after 55 minutes, Rooney went desperately close to United’s third. Campbell failed to deal with a long ball forward - his header was never likely to reach James and it left Rooney with the chance to shoot. But the Portsmouth goalkeeper rushed back in time to keep out the United striker's chip.

Portsmouth’s change of tactics may have stemmed the tide of attacks that came their way in the first half, but it also blunted their ability to penetrate going forward.

United were still hunting a third goal, albeit without great urgency, and it would have arrived with just over 15 minutes of the match remaining but for excellent goalkeeping from James. The Pompey keeper managed to smother Park’s shot from 12 yards after nice work from Ronaldo and Rooney, and then he threw himself in front of Nani’s follow-up.

Sir Alex could afford to take off Ronaldo and Rooney with a quarter of an hour to spare. Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez came on to replace them, joining Anderson who was brought on in place of Scholes ten minutes earlier.

Portsmouth dropped to walking pace at times in the closing ten minutes, which allowed United to take their foot off the pedal rather than needlessly expend energy.

Anderson was denied a goal of sheer majesty late on when his run past two players couldn’t quite be rewarded with the finish as his shot trickled wide of the post. The damage, however, had already been done. Ronaldo’s quickfire double – his fifth brace in an incredible season – had all but guaranteed the points, and restored United as the Premier League’s premier club once again.

Team Line-ups
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand (c), Vidic, Evra; Park, Carrick, Scholes (Anderson 63), Nani; Ronaldo (Tevez 74), Rooney (Hargreaves 74).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, O’Shea.

Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Distin (Hreidarrsson 46), Campbell (c), Pamarot; Lauren (Mvuemba 46), Diarra, Davis, Kranjcar; Baros (Hughes 79), Benjani.
Subs not used: Pedro Mendes, Begovic (GK).
Booked: Pamarot

Attendance: 75,415

Almost a full team squard!!!:devil:

 

[melvin]

Ronaldo: His best goal yet?

Cristiano Ronaldo believes his stunning free-kick goal against Portsmouth could be the best of his career so far.

In a post-match interview, United's leading scorer pondered: "It's difficult to say but maybe this one is the best. It's my style to shoot like that - sometimes it's a goal, sometimes not. I'm very proud to help my team."

Opposition goalkeeper David James could only shrug his shoulders after being beaten by the pearl of a setpiece. The former England goalkeeper looked awestruck and he wasn't the only player to feel that way.

Ronaldo's team-mate Michael Carrick told MUTV: "I was in the wall, trying to block David James' view. I just turned around and saw it go in the top corner. It was a fantastic free-kick, probably the best one he's scored. It was nice to see it fly in.

"He practices an awful lot and obviously the more you do that, the better you'll get. A few have flown in this season and I don't think that's down to luck. We all know the ability he's got. Hopefully he can keep that going for the rest of the season and score a few more."

Reds defender Nemanja Vidic added: "It was unbelievable. I think it was the best goal I've seen in a game I have played in."

Sir Alex Ferguson also gave Ronaldo's 13th-minute strike top billing, telling MUTV: "That must be the best free-kick in the Premier League.

"It was a marvellous hit. It was within two inches of the junction of the crossbar and the post. No goalkeeper in the world could possibly save it."

:devil:

 

[jeff49er]

The best gol is still Mark Noble in West Ham LFC game

Scored in extra time. A very noble cause indeed. :kiss:

 

[Galdor]

The best gol is still Mark Noble in West Ham LFC game

Scored in extra time. A very noble cause indeed. :kiss:

Ha...ha. A very noble one indeed.

 

[melvin]

The best gol is still Mark Noble in West Ham LFC game

Scored in extra time. A very noble cause indeed. :kiss:

Best goal of the week!:bsmilie::devil: