Manchester United

Manchester United top the Premier League 2008/2009. Score goals without counterbalance against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday (16/5/2009), enough to bring S
Although the final score without a goal, does not mean Satan or The Red Gunners presenting a boring game. Second eleven direct attempt break wicket each since the match began. atan to maintain trofi Red champion.





The Red Devils have the right champion jockey title in the English domestic competition for time to stand at 18 since 1878. Of 37 who have played the game this season, succeeded in collecting the value of United 87, winning 7 top nearest rivals, Liverpool.

The veteran Manchester United, Ryan Giggs, this Monday (27/4/2009) was selected as Best Player version PFA. Giggs was selected to be the best, based on a poll conducted by Association of Professional football players (PFA). Association overshadow this the players in English professional football. "All there is in the top, with the award for the best time to get it after I selected by fellow players," said Giggs I am lucky to be able to win many trofi, I never won the Youth football trofi the Open twice, but this is a great award for me, "said the man 35 years old this home Wales. Giggs successfully set aside four colleagues in the team snatch this award is Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Edwin van der Sar and Cristiano Ronaldo. One other players who are full-Giggs be Liverpool, Steven Gerrard.by.Okezone

United were without Rooney, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidić through suspension yet still took the lead when Ryan Giggs tapped a ten-metre free-kick for Ronaldo to fire in. The visitors drew level when John Carew rose above Gary Neville to head in Gareth Barry's right-wing centre before Carew crossed for Gabriel Agbonlahor to head Villa in front. The home side were on course to suffer a third successive league defeat for the first time since December 2001, only for Ronaldo to lash in a fine equaliser. Darren Fletcher, Ronaldo and substitute Danny Welbeck all had chances to win it before 17-year-old debutant Federico Macheda curled in in added time to secure a victory that took the champions back above Liverpool FC at the top of the table.

UEFA Champions League statistics



• Cristiano Ronaldo has had more shots on target (18) and off target (16) than any other player still involved in the competition.

• United have conceded just three goals to date, the best record in the competition.

• The holders have scored only eleven times to date, the joint-lowest total of the quarter-finalists along with Porto.

• United have managed 67 shots wide and won 57 corners, more than any other team.

• United have collected only eight yellow cards, fewer than any other side in the last eight.

The reality isn't so straightforward. First up in the Wembley semi-final on Sunday 19 April are David Moyes' Everton - beaten only once in 2009 and under little Premier League pressure in the race for Europe. Beyond that hurdle looms the imposing spectre of either Arsenal or Chelsea in the final.

Fans of Manchester Red or Merseyside Blue persuasion will need little reminding of the last time United and Everton did battle at Wembley, back in the 1994/95 FA Cup final. United, still shell-shocked from surrendering the Premier League title at West Ham six days earlier, were undone by Paul Rideout's first-half header and, in less than a week, hopes of a Double Double had been shattered.

That was the Toffees' last major trophy, but their upturn in fortunes under David Moyes has the Blue side of Stanley Park believing again. Despite a merciless injury list which has particularly crippled Everton's striking department, Moyes has guided his team to sixth spot and added FA Cup progress to his list of achievements.

While avoiding Chelsea and Arsenal presented the Reds with perhaps the most navigable semi-final draw, Sir Alex Ferguson is in no doubt that the Merseysiders will be stern opponents.

"Everton will be a real test," Sir Alex warned Inside United.



"They’ve beaten Aston Villa and Liverpool in the Cup and they’ve hardly lost this year. We all recognise how well they've done, particularly having to play without recognised strikers for much of the time."

For all Everton's undoubted resolve, United can take heart from being the only team to beat the Merseysiders in 2009 (League, 1-0), and further cause for optimism can be drawn from an incredible record in the FA Cup semi-finals. Since falling to Leeds at the penultimate hurdle in 1970, the Reds have emerged victorious from 13 FA Cup semi-final ties in a row - including eight under Sir Alex.

History is on United's side but make no mistake, Everton will be a tough test for the Reds. Pass it, and it's just one more win to take the pot.

Liverpool are breathing down Manchester United's necks in the Premier League title race after destroying fifth-placed Aston Villa 5-0.

It was the third stunning Liverpool victory in 12 days, having previously put four past Real Madrid and Manchester United.

The champions' lead is now one point - they also have a game in hand - but Liverpool have now scored more goals than Sir Alex Ferguson's men and have also wiped out their goal-difference advantage.

Villa had no answer to a side with a driven desire to take the title from under United's noses.

Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick with a free-kick and two penalties, with the latter one following the dismissal of goalkeeper Brad Friedel for bringing down Reds striker Fernando Torres.

In the first-half Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera had scored, before Gerrard took over with his set-piece onslaught.



Liverpool had Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa back from respective ankle and hamstring injuries that ruled them out of last weekend's win at Manchester United, with Sami Hyypia and Lucas relegated to the bench.

They were joined there by defender Daniel Agger, who has only played one game since mid-December after a variety of injury problems.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill left out striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has scored only twice since before Christmas and was booed by his club's own fans last weekend. Defender Zat Knight was also on the bench, with John Carew and Curtis Davies back in the side.

There was still a solemn start to the proceedings, with a minute's silence following the death yesterday of 56-year-old club secretary Bryce Morrison, after he had flown back from the Champions League draw in Switzerland.

Morrison, who had worked at Anfield for 17 years, suffered a heart attack at home. Both teams wore black armbands.

The game got off to a blistering start, and after eight minutes Liverpool were ahead.

Alonso's header from Gerrard's free-kick cracked against the bar, and Dirk Kuyt reacted quickest to blast the ball home from 12 yards.

At the other end Ashley Young's cross arrowed in from the left and Carew's flick at the near post almost caught out Jose Reina - but the goalkeeper tipped the ball over the angle.

The contest was ferocious, and Gerrard was then rightly booked for a fierce, late, challenge on Davies.

Then Reina made another outstanding save to his left to claw away a towering header from Carew - who played under Benitez at Valencia.

Liverpool were relentless and after 33 minutes they claimed a second goal.

Reina's 80-yard clearance was allowed to bounce once on the edge of the area by a Villa defence pre-occupied with Torres and Riera took full advantage by smashing the dropping ball high into the net.

It could have been three when Arbeloa intercepted a bad Friedel clearance inside the Villa box, but he chose to pass to Torres rather than shooting himself.

But the third was not long coming. After 39 minutes Riera controlled a searching crossfield pass from Kuyt, and was brought down in the box by Nigel Reo-Coker. Gerrard smashed home the spot-kick.

Any thoughts of a Villa revival were crushed after 50 minutes when Carlos Cuellar brought down Kuyt on the edge of the box and Gerrard drilled the free-kick low to Friedel's left and into the bottom corner.

Former Reds striker Emile Heskey had a header held by Reina, but was by now being employed on the left trying to halt Arbeloa and Kuyt's flow down the flank - with Young switched to a central attacking role.

The ploy did not last long - Agbonlahor replaced Heskey after 58 minutes, with Young back on the line- but things got worse for Villa after 63 minutes when Friedel was dismissed for clashing with Torres and Gerrard drilled home the fifth past Villa's reserve keeper Brad Guzan.

Lucas, Agger and David Ngog replaced Alonso, Arbeloa and Gerrard in the closing minutes of a comprehensive victory.

Liverpool almost satisfied their hard-to-please manager Rafael Benitez with the 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa which today edged them to within one point of Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Benitez was disappointed from the point that Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel was sent off for conceding Liverpool's second penalty - which resulted in their final goal.

From then on, with 25 minutes left, the Anfield men took their foot off the gas.

They had already overhauled United's once superior goal difference and have now scored more times than the champions this season.

"There were times after the fifth goal when we should have gone on and scored more,'' said Benitez. "We should have kept going, scored more and made sure that our goal difference was better when we were playing against 10 men.

"You never know what we will need, how many more goals we could have scored during that period. Don't get me wrong. I was happy with the performance and the result, but we should have gone on and scored more.''

Benitez is content now that Liverpool have put themselves back into a position from which they can help shape their own destiny.

"As far as the title chase is concerned, we just have to keep doing our job - we must not be concerned about United's results and how they are playing,'' he believes. "If United do make mistakes we must be ready, and that means carrying on doing what we are doing and winning points.

"We are playing well, and they will see that we are playing well and trying to win every game. We have eight games left, and every one must be won - and be treated as a cup final. Certainly we must maintain this momentum, and when we are playing well it just increases confidence.

"We now have an international break, so the players must come back from that, re-group and start playing again just as we are at the moment.''

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill conceded his side were overpowered.

"We were well beaten by an exceptional Liverpool side,'' he said. "But we did contribute to our own downfall. At 1-0 down, we gave away an unbelievably bad goal. It was a shocking mistake. Liverpool have had two remarkable results before this game, beating Real Madrid and Manchester United - and they certainly did not need any help from us to achieve what they wanted.

"We played poorly. We gave away some lousy goals and we have to get back on track. We were doing fine four or five weeks ago, but we were well beaten by a better side. But we are a better side than we showed in this game.''

Benitez also paid tribute to Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison, who died yesterday morning. "Bryce is a big loss to this club, and this has been a big week for us. But this is a very sad day,'' he said.

Fulham smashed the Barclays Premier League title race wide open with a sensational 2-0 victory against nine-man Manchester United at Craven Cottage.
Danny Murphy put Fulham ahead in the 17th minute when he converted from the penalty spot after Paul Scholes was sent off for handling a header from Bobby Zamora.
Substitute Zoltan Gera then completed a fabulous afternoon for the Cottagers when he hooked home a cross by Andrew Johnson three minutes from time.
United were then reduced to nine men when substitute Wayne Rooney was dismissed for a second bookable offence seconds later.
It was United's second successive defeat following their 4-1 home mauling by Liverpool last weekend and the first time the champions and league leaders had suffered back-to-back losses in the league since April 2005.



Fulham served notice of their intentions when Clint Dempsey fired just wide with an angled drive in the second minute.
Moments later though United almost stole the lead when Dimitar Berbatov headed just over from a cross by Patrice Evra.
Zamora was allowed to run on freely after collecting the ball midway in the United half. Unfortunately for the Fulham striker he could not take advantage of his freedom and sent a 20-yard drive beyond Edwin van der Sar's right-hand post.
It was all Fulham with United looking decidedly shaky. Their pressure paid off in dramatic fashion in the 17th minute when Scholes was sent off for handball.

The corner from Simon Davies was headed goalwards by Brede Hangeland and after Zamora's first flick-on was saved by Van der Sar, his second attempt was kept out by the hands of Scholes.
Captain Murphy stepped up to send Van der Sar the wrong way from the spot to give Fulham the lead.
United were clearly having a confidence crisis and the goal was just reward for Fulham's bullish opening.

The Cottagers were humbled 4-0 in the FA Cup at Craven Cottage by United earlier in the month but Sir Alex Ferguson's side now faced a struggle to get back into the game after being reduced to 10 men.
Fulham continued to dominate and only a brilliant save from Van der Sar prevented Zamora from making it two in the 21st minute.

Fulham wasted two more chances to go further ahead with Van der Sar saving brilliantly from Zamora again in the 27th minute and then two minutes later Dempsey sent a right-foot drive flashing wide from 20 yards.
In the 32nd minute a cross from Dempsey was met by the head of Dickson Etuhu but the Fulham midfielder's header was collected safely by Van der Sar.
Moments later the Dutchman had to be alert once more as he dived to his right to catch a ferocious long-range drive from Zamora.
It was an uncharacteristic performance from United with Ryan Giggs guilty of some dreadful passing.
But Fulham had stung the league leaders with an all-action display to outplay their opponents from the start.
United full-back Evra was booked in first-half stoppage time for diving as Fulham were given a standing ovation on the whistle.

Ferguson decided Rooney would provide more firepower in attack as he replaced the ineffective Berbatov for the second half.
In the 52nd minute a cross from Darren Fletcher saw Cristiano Ronaldo climb high to send a header just over the Fulham crossbar.
Ronaldo was becoming more and more frustrated at Phil Dowd's reluctance to award a free-kick every time the Portugal international was tackled.

The United winger was so incensed that he produced a lunge at Murphy which was punished by a yellow card.
Ronaldo was saved by the fact his reckless challenge did not connect with Murphy, but his antics found little favour with the home crowd who booed him at every opportunity.
But United were beginning to get back into the game and Fletcher brought a save from Mark Schwarzer in the 59th minute when he let loose with a low drive from 20 yards.

Fulham had Schwarzer to thank again in the 61st minute when he saved superbly to keep out a powerful header from Ronaldo.
In the 64th minute, the Australian produced an incredible double save at point-blank range to deny Park Ji-Sung and Rooney and then dived full length to keep out a Ronaldo drive.

Fulham were now reeling for the first time in the game and Murphy was forced off through injury to be replaced by Olivier Dacourt in the 67th minute.
United responded a minute later by removing John O'Shea and replacing him with Carlos Tevez.
But Fulham made the game safe three minutes from time when substitute Gera struck their second from Johnson's assist and Rooney saw red for a second bookable offence as the frustration of defeat proved too much to bear.


Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged his team were not good enough today as they 2-0 lost at Fulham.
The defeat, on the back of last week's 4-1 home reverse against Liverpool, means the Barclays Premier League leaders have suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time in 147 games.

After Danny Murphy (penalty) and Zoltan Gera had scored in each half to condemn his team to a 2-0 defeat, Ferguson said: "In the first half we never got started. They were lively and got stuck in and we respect that - they lost 4-0 to us a couple of weeks ago. But it's disappointing we didn't meet the challenge.



"If you lose games in March and April it can cost you. Fortunately we have a slender lead at the moment but not a lot and I'm hoping we come back from the internationals back to our best.''
Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were both sent off by referee Phil Dowd - Scholes in the 17th minute for handling a Bobby Zamora header on the goal line and substitute Rooney for a second bookable offence.

The latter dismissal frustrated Ferguson, who added on MUTV: "Did he (Rooney) throw the ball at the referee? The ball was thrown direct to where the free-kick was being taken - did it hit the referee? No. He threw it because he wanted to get the game going. What can you say about that?
"There wasn't a bad tackle in the game but John Pantsil was booked in the first half for nothing - it was just a tackle. Tackling isn't always perfect - I thought it was totally unfair. But there's no point talking about the referee - we didn't play well enough to win the game in the first half and that's why we lost it.
"In the second half I thought we did really well - they kept going and credit to them. But we're home to Aston Villa in our next game - and that will be crucial.''

Fulham coach Roy Hodgson insists United are favourites to retain the Premier League title despite their back-to-back defeats.
Chelsea were unable to take advantage of United's second successive slip-up but Liverpool have the chance to do so tomorrow.

However Hodgson declared: "United are such a good team with so many good players, I still think they are favourites for the championship this year - but the last two defeats have given the teams chasing them that little bit more hope.''
Fulham were rampant, especially in the first-half when they continually tore United's defence apart and Hodgson could not hide his pride in their performance.
"I thought we were very good in the first-half, I thought we really played well - probably as well I've seen us play certainly against top class opposition,'' said Hodgson.
"Obviously aided by the fact Paul Scholes handled Zamora's header and that made life much harder for United from the outset - having to play with 10 men.
"I thought in the second half United came out very well. They took the game to us even though they had a man less. They pressurised us so much better in the second half and we have got goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to thank.
"He made three good saves, one from a Cristiano Ronaldo header and a fantastic double save. We've got him to thank because had they equalised at that time then who knows what would have happened? They had us against the ropes.
"Our first half performance was quite outstanding. I didn't think we played quite as well in the second half. But we worked and fought hard.
"When you are leading 1-0 against United who have got 10 men, something of a siege mentality is always likely to creep in to your game, even though you don't want it to.
"I am really pleased with the victory. The players have deserved this. It is nice to reach that magical total of 40 points as well and I am hoping we can reproduce something like the same football in the next eight games.''

UEFA Champions League holders Manchester United FC may have lost two of their three previous ties with FC Porto, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson was happy to be drawn against them in the quarter-finals.



Home advantage
"This is a good draw for us," said Sir Alex, whose side will kick off proceedings at Old Trafford on 7 April. "You sometimes wonder if being at home first is a good or a bad thing, but I think in this modern-day competition there's no indication of what is better. The only thing you hope is that you don't lose a goal in the home tie." Though Ferguson is undecided, history shows that the team hosting the opening leg in meetings between these clubs in UEFA competition has always gone on to win.

Portuguese accent
United boast Portuguese talent in Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani while Brazilian midfielder Anderson joined the Red Devils from Porto in 2007. Sir Alex thinks that will help as his side look to avenge their exit at the hands of the Dragons in the first knockout round in 2003/04 – when Porto went on to lift the trophy under José Mourinho. "We've met Porto before and obviously we respect any Portuguese team," said Sir Alex. "We have had a huge Portuguese influence in the club, firstly with [former assistant manager] Carlos Queiroz but now with Cristiano and Nani. So we understand Portuguese football."

Daunting draw
The draw is a daunting one for Porto, yet the Liga champions have the upper hand in previous meetings with United. They overcame United 6-5 on aggregate in their first encounter, a 1977/78 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup second-round clash, and while they lost out to Sir Alex's men in the 1996/97 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, that 2003/04 victory leaves them on top in statistical terms. Vítor Baía, Porto's goalkeeper five years ago and now their director of international relations, is certainly not cowed by the prospect of tackling United. The 39-year-old said: "We are an ambitious club and we want to make the semi-final. Last time we played them it was a great performance and we will try to do the same again."

'Different world'
Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira, meanwhile, is concerned that the approaching quarter-final may distract his charges from their domestic programme, but he said: "I will not rest anyone as there will be no easy games." However, he recognises that his squad will be up against it when they face the European champions, with the second leg scheduled for 15 April. "Results are unpredictable and anything can happen," he added. "The differences between FC Porto and Manchester United are huge. They don't have a better European pedigree than us but they live in a different world."uefa 1998-2009 All rights reserved

United put to the sword as Reds run riot
Liverpool FC breathed life into their ailing Premier League campaign with a stunning 4-1 victory at frontrunners Manchester United FC, reducing the gap at the top to four points, while Andrei Arshavin scored his first goals for Arsenal FC.

Two penalties
The visitors took longest to settle at Old Trafford but no sooner had they done so than they found themselves trailing when Cristiano Ronaldo (23) scored from the spot after Pepe Reina fouled Ji-Sung Park. United's lead lasted barely two minutes, however, as Fernando Torres seized on a mistake from Nemanja Vidić to race clear and finish, and just before the break Steven Gerrard converted a penalty to put Liverpool ahead.

Late goals
Sir Alex Ferguson's men were then rocked when Vidić was dismissed for bringing down Gerrard in the 76th minute and, faced with finishing the match a man down, United's afternoon rapidly deteriorated when Fábio Aurélio curled the ensuing free-kick past Edwin van der Sar. Substitute Andrea Dossena lifted a clearance from Reina over the Dutchman in added time to condem United to their heaviest home league defeat since a 4-1 loss to Queen's Park Rangers FC on 1 January 1992.

Arshavin joy
Later in the day, Arshavin scored the first two goals as Arsenal defeated Blackburn Rovers FC 4-0 at home to climb up to fourth ahead of Aston Villa FC, who play Tottenham Hotspur FC tomorrow. Sixth-placed Everton FC maintained their push for a place in the top four by beating Stoke City FC 3-1. At the other end, strugglers Portsmouth FC were denied victory at second-bottom Middlesbrough FC when Marlon King (90) levelled to salvage a 1-1 draw, while two other relegation-threatened teams, Hull City AFC and Newcastle United FC, drew 1-1. Elsewhere, visitors Fulham FC consolidated their place in mid-table with a 3-1 defeat of Bolton Wanderers FC, while Charles N'Zogbia (45) scored the winner as Wigan Athletic FC triumphed 2-1 at Sunderland AFC.

Manchester United England
When in England, you're likely to discover that Manchester United is to soccer - football to most of the world outside of the United States - what the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox are to baseball in the United States: Manchester United is England's most popular team and the team to beat. A part of soccer's Premier League, Manchester United is far more than just a team when you're talking with British football fans; they are the team that is out there are playing as hard as possible.





In recent years, it seems as though many fans of football in England have suffered some disappointment and wounded pride when it comes to the way British teams have played on the international circuit; Manchester United has been the one ray of light. For many, when it comes to World Cup Soccer and other major international competitions, many see Manchester United as the most likely to prevail (some backers as supporting Manchester United as likely to win the 2009 Champions League final in Rome).

Manchester United Fans, of course, have divided loyalties even amongst themselves - and in many cases, this comes down to the players on the team who they favor. For some, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best of the team. Others will tell you that, when it comes to First Team players, there is no one more vital to Manchester United's centre-forward Dimitar Berbatov who is not only quite talented within the game but who also has a knack for entertaining the fans in the crowd. Still others line their allegiance behind England's own Wayne Rooney who some believe is Manchester United's best player.