Being the best in the game will have its advantages and such was the contract offered to Cristiano Ronaldo. No details were disclosed yet but the contract states that Ronaldo will be donning the United uniform until 2012.

“He’s been on fire this season, his form has been unbelievable. For someone in his position and of his age to be as consistent as he has been is remarkable.”

“There is no-one who can rival him as the best in the world at the moment,” he added. “He’s improved as a player, but he’s continuing to improve which is the scary thing. Whatever challenges he faces, it doesn’t bother him or faze him.

“The thing he needs to do now is to be consistent for the next ten years. If he does that he’ll rightly be up there with the greats.” - Giggs delight at Ronny deal.

Based on winning tradition and how United rewards deserving players, Cristiano Ronaldo is certainly a player on the rise that will be among the greats one day. Giggs has challenged Ronaldo to maintain his rise towards stardom and from all indications, it doesn’t seem to be a hard task for the Portugese player.

Looks like United will continue to rise on the top with its roster of talented players. The best part of it is that the players are doing it wholeheartedly and easily.

[tags]cristiano ronaldo, united reds, fa cup 2007[/tags]

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Cristiano Ronaldo was upbeat with their victory over Middlesbrough despite lingering controversies on their win. The Reds win came from the penalty kick awarded to Ronaldo after being tripped by Middlesbrough’s Jonathan Wingate. The call was controversial in a sense that Middlesbrough believed that not much contact merited the penalty kick which evidently decided the marginal point of the match at the FA Cup semi-finals.

Despite the protests, it was pretty clear that contact was the reason for Ronaldo’s trip. Ronaldo took the protest personally, stressing that every time he is involved in controversial calls, it is because of political issues concerning his tenure at United.

Nevertheless, it is the team that has benefited from Ronaldo’s efforts and they are upbeat in their next match against Wattford. Admitting that the game will surely be one hell of a match, at the rate Ronaldo is going, United may find itself playing at Wembley next.

[tags]manchester united, reds, cristiano ronaldo, FA cup[/tags]

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After more than a year of being sidelined due to a broken leg and a dislocated ankle, the United Red’s striker Alan Smith has officially returned to active duty and made his first start for the Red’s lineup in Old Trafford at the FA Cup. Smith played a pivotal role in helping the Reds take a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough, making a good account for him in the 70-minute performance that he was gave. It also marked his first start at Old Trafford since 2005 and what a way to come back in style.

Smith readily acknowledged that it was not easy to take the field once more after such a long layoff. Fortunately, he made a good account for himself and is happy to be back but is still working his way back to the Alan Smith of old. In the midst of it all is the continued support of Sir Alex Fergusson who has been giving him all the support he needs to be able to get back to form. Given a few more games, Smith is expected to be a big help to the United Reds club.

[tags]alan smith, reds, united manchester, players, injuries[/tags]

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It is best to start them young. For the Manchester United team, it is best to scout around for the future of their beloved sport and this is an opportunity for avid players to grab their opportunity and show the Reds and the whole world of the next generation of players to be.

United has pledged to take part in an upcoming summer league called G14 or the Champions Youth Camp this summer in Malaysia where teams from the best regions in the world will be participating as well. Among the other teams who will be participating as well include AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.

The round robin tournament will give the opportunity for players 19 and below to strut their wares against the best the world has to offer as well which was totally backed up by G14 General Manager Thomas Kurth. The tournament is scheduled to kick of this April 19 in Malaysia.

[tags]united manchester, reds, youth, future, football[/tags]

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Edwin van der Sar will continue to watch the game from the sidelines in United Reds next game with Bolton at Old Trafford on Saturday. Van Der Sar suffered a calf strain during their warm-up prior to their FA Cup game at Middlesbrough. The Dutchman has been advised to rest the injury to avoid aggravating it.

There was no need for any medical treatment on Edwin’s injury and all that is needed was rest on the strained calf of United’s goalkeeper. Tomas Kuszczak has been holding the fort until Van Der Sar is given the green light to report back to active duty and help the cause of his team.

Things couldn’t have come at a worse time but Edwin believes that the team still has a chance of making it to the semis. But watching from the sidelines helplessly is the only thing he can do for now until his injury fully heals.

[tags]van der sar, united reds, injuries, players[/tags]

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Henrik Larsson played his final game with an emphatic 2-2 FA Cup quarterfinal draw against Middlesbrough. Larsson has bid farewell the United Reds to return to his hometown of Sweden where he will continue to honor the contract that he had signed with his mother ball club last year.

While his departure will indeed be a big loss to the United team, Larsson believes that the team can still achieve a lot despite his loss. His brief but memorable stay will always be remembered by the Reds fans for his countless contributions.

An emotional sendoff was given to Larsson by his teammates and even Sir Alex Fergusson knows it all too well that he is losing one of the great contributors to the game. It is just too bad that Larsson has to go because if Fergusson had his way, he would surely not let go of his prized player to continue to rack in more championship trophies for the team.

[tags]henrik larsson, united reds, fergusson[/tags]

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Three goals in the first six minutes handed Manchester United victory over Reading in a remarkable FA Cup fifth-round replay.

Gabriel Heinze opened the scoring after two minutes when his 25-yard shot squirmed under Adam Federici’s body.

Louis Saha rifled in an angled volley for 2-0, before Ole Gunnar Solksjaer slotted in the third.

Reading pulled one back through Dave Kitson’s header before Leroy Lita’s late strike ensured a thrilling finish.

As well as the visitors did with the chances that came their way, each goal was a gift courtesy of the generous and, frankly, awful Reading defence.

The calamity began with just two minutes of the match played. A break on the right saw O’Shea’s pull-back arrive at the feet of full-back Heinze.

The Argentine steadied himself and fired in a low shot that squeezed under the body of the flapping Federici - who, ironically, was handed the Man of the Round award after his sterling efforts at Old Trafford.

Almost straight after the restart United were 2-0 up when the lively Saha chested down Rio Ferdinand’s raking pass and struck his angled volley past the Australian keeper.

And Solskjaer rubbed salt in the most open of Reading wounds when he collected Kieran Richardson’s pass, sprung the offside trap, and planted an eight-yard shot with the outside of his boot past the demoralised Federici.

Royals boss Steve Coppell did eventually realise things were not going right for his team after 15 minutes, changing from having three at the back to a 4-4-2 formation. It steadied the rocky ship and stemmed the United tide.

Reading reduced the deficit midway through the half when Ivar Ingimarsson flicked on John Oster’s corner to Kitson, who nodded in from two yards.

Game on? Not at that point. Oster, who was very lively down the right, was giving the United defence a tough time and keeper Edwin van der Sar had to be alert to a handful of teasing crosses - but the Manchester side were coping well.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield became increasingly sloppy in the second half and Reading took advantage.

They gave their supporters some hope six minutes from time when Lita converted Ulises de la Cruz’s cross from 12 yards.

And with just a few seconds remaining of the match, Brynjar Gunnarsson almost took the tie into extra time when his 20-yarder beat Van der Sar, but rattled off the crossbar.

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Man Utd 2 Portsmouth 1

Wayne Rooney ended Portsmouth’s brave resistance to send Manchester United into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

United were denied a goal when Nemanja Vidic’s header crossed the line before being cleared by Pedro Mendes.

Portsmouth were under the cosh for most of the game but hung on until Rooney came off the bench on the hour mark.

Rooney tapped in a Ryan Giggs cross to break the deadlock and added a second with a superb chip before Kanu deflected home a late consolation.

This tie will be rightly remembered for Rooney’s magic but for most of the game it seemed likely to be Mendes who would be the main man.

It was hugely ironic that it was the Portuguese international who cleared Vidic’s header given his personal history at Old Trafford.

While playing here for Tottenham in January 2005 he famously had a shot from the half-way line cleared by United keeper Roy Carroll when the ball had also crossed the line.

Earlier this week Mendes had said he was owed some luck in Manchester - and fortune was certainly on his side here.

But given the amount of possession United enjoyed - and the chances they created - they should have been in control well before Rooney’s introduction.

They were given a scare by O’Neill’s early surge into the box but Tomasz Kuszczak came out well and that was the only time he was meaningfully employed before the break.

At the other end Sol Campbell and Linvoy Primus had their hands full but David James was also on hand when needed.

The former England keeper had to clear with his feet when Lauren deflected a Giggs cross towards his own goal and also tipped Michael Carrick’s header over the bar.

Pompey did threaten again at the start of the second half when Primus nodded over but after that it was all one-way traffic with United completely on top.

Another controversial decision saw Henrik Larsson’s superb strike ruled out and when James turned a scorching shot from Paul Scholes round the post it appeared that Pompey were destined to hang on - until Rooney decided otherwise.

His first goal was a simple tap-in after Larsson had released Giggs but his second - a precise finish into the top corner from outside the area - was absolute genius.

Pompey had the final word when Mendes’ shot ricocheted off Kanu to beat Kuszczak but it is Rooney’s contribution that will live long in the memory.

Man Utd Blog Man Of The Match-:

Rooney- Who else? Turned the game on its head. Pure magic.

[tags]rooney, fa cup, great goals, pompey,goalkeeping[/tags]

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Man Utd 2 Aston Villa 1

Substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sneaked a late winner to ensure opening goalscorer Henrik Larsson enjoyed a dream debut for Manchester United.

Larsson capped a fine display when he volleyed in on 55 minutes to score in his first FA Cup tie.

United almost doubled their lead when Ryan Giggs’ free-kick hit the bar before substitute Milan Baros equalised when he slid a low shot in the corner.

Solskjaer had the final say when a tame shot embarrassed keeper Gabor Kiraly.

It was tough on Villa, who battled bravely and soaked up intense United pressure.

After a lethargic opening, United began to up their tempo and the movement of Larsson and Wayne Rooney started to cause Villa problems.

A sublime one-two led to Larsson flicking a return volley into Rooney’s path but the England forward shot tamely at the keeper.

However, that effort proved to be one of Rooney’s best in a first half where his touch often deserted him in the box and his shots from distance were slashed high and wide.

Yet when Rooney did produce the kind of effort expected of him, swivelling and stabbing a shot at the near post after sparkling wing work from Cristiano Ronaldo, Kiraly made a smart save.

And there was better to come from Kiraly, who superbly diverted a low shot from Larsson after the Swede had been played through by Michael Carrick.

Moments before, Larsson had been the provider when he unselfishly squared the ball to Rooney, who wasted the chance by hesitating and allowing Wilfred Bouma to make a challenge.

It typified stubborn Villa defending, although United’s profligate finishing contributed to the deadlock remaining intact.

While the visitors soaked up the pressure, they carried very little attacking threat of their own - a Gareth Barry free-kick that curled over the bar was their only shot of note in the opening half.

That clearly had not been lost on manager Martin O’Neill, who waited only seven minutes after the break before replacing striker Juan Pablo Angel with Baros.

However, two minutes later Larsson - who used to play under O’Neill at Celtic - made the breakthrough.

After collecting Rooney’s pass on the edge of the area, Larsson flipped up the ball with one touch and with his second, lashed a volley into the top corner.

The goal should have led to United assuming full control and had Giggs’ free-kick hit the bar and gone in rather than over, the contest would have been finished.

But somehow, Villa dragged themselves back in contention and for the first time in the match began to create chances.

Gary Cahill almost levelled the score when he shaved the post with a header after connecting with Gavin McCann’s corner.

And shortly afterwards, Barry’s precise pass found Isaiah Osbourne but his effort was well saved by Tomasz Kuszczak.

Villa may have felt they had wasted their best chance but then Cahill’s shot was trapped by Baros, who coolly slid the ball into the bottom left corner.

However, the drama was not over as Solskjaer prevented the replay Villa arguably deserved when he shot from the right and the ball squirmed underneath the unfortunate Kiraly.

Man Utd Blog Man Of The Match-:

Larsson- Who else could it be?

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Louis Saha is set to be sidelined for two weeks with a groin injury.

The Manchester United striker, 28, lasted just 30 minutes of the 2-2 draw at Newcastle before being forced off.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed:

“It’s a groin injury, so it could be a couple of weeks. But who knows? We will assess it properly on Tuesday.”

The Frenchman’s injury heightens the chances of new loan signing Henrik Larsson making his debut in the FA Cup third round match against Aston Villa.

The Swede, who joined from Helsingborg on a three-month deal, could come up against his former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill.

If the 35-year-old fails to get a game against his old Bhoys boss in the cup, he will get a second bite of the cherry when the teams meet in the league the following weekend.

Ferguson can also call on the services of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 33, who is back to full fitness and scored two goals in the festive programme.

If Saha’s initial prognosis of a fortnight on the sidelines proves correct he will be back in contention for United’s Premiership match against Arsenal on 21 January.

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