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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Despite rumors of an impending big deal that would bring him to United or Tottenham, Southampton’s Gareth Bale is simply focusing on the task at hand and this is doing the thing he loves the most, playing football.

With an estimated value of £10 million offers, Bale has remained unfazed and chose to concentrate on continuously playing his love for the sport at St. Mary’s. There is no pressure whatsoever from this 17 year old sensation, who is busy preparing for Wales’ Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and San Marino.

Taking the right approach, nothing would be definite and all are speculations for now taking the load of the pressure from such transactions if they should push through. With this kind of attitude, it is not surprising why this 17 year old star is a prized player that is dangling much money from clubs who wish to have him under their wing.

[tags]manchester, football, soccer, gareth bale, players, southhampton, euro qualifiers 2008[/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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Despite the talks that were held between Henrik Larsson and Sir Alex Fergusson regarding his continued tenure with the team, Larsson has made up his mind to go back home to Sweden and honor his signed contract with his hometown last year. Despite his large contribution in helping the United Manchester club, the decision has been set and accepted by Sir Fergusson.

Larsson has made a valuable contribution and headway for the team. The timing couldn’t have been worse since the team is still saddled with injuries to its chief star players such as Ole Gunnar and Louis Saha. There were speculations that he would be convinced to stay longer, at least for the meantime that most of the key players are recuperating from injuries, but the decision needs to be done on Larsson’s part.

Despite his departure, Larsson is convinced that the team can still make it through the quarterfinals where he was a key figure in reaching this stage. With the experience that United has, it will not be surprising if they actually achieve the goal.

[tags]larsson, manchester, football, sweden, united manchester[/tags]

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Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been ruled out for a month after undergoing knee surgery.

The 34-year-old Norwegian star had an operation after scoring in United’s 3-2 FA Cup fifth round win at Reading.

Solskjaer has already spent two years on the sidelines with knee trouble.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It was good timing with the international break coming up. It gave us the opportunity to get the thing done.”

He added: “We could get the knee sorted out and get it cleaned out. It’s nothing serious.”

Solskjaer, who has scored 10 goals this season, will miss United’s Champions League second leg against Lille, the FA Cup quarter-final with Middlesbrough and a league fixture against Bolton Wanderers.

He should be available for the visit of Blackburn Rovers on 31 March.

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Southend 1 Man Utd 0

Southend pulled off a massive shock by dumping holders Manchester United out of the Carling Cup at Roots Hall.

The Championship strugglers progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to a stunning first-half 30-yard free-kick from top scorer Freddy Eastwood.

United responded but winger Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by two magnificent saves from Darryl Flahavan.

David Jones’ drive then crashed against the post before John O’Shea saw Flahavan tip over his cross-shot.

After Monday’s celebrations for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s 20 years in charge at Old Trafford, the Scot was brought crashing back down to earth.

Ferguson made nine changes but still fielded 10 internationals in an attempt to prevent the Premiership leaders from slipping up, with 11,532 cramming into Roots Hall to see a potential upset.

Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were included and the England striker went close twice from the edge of the area as he started in lively fashion.

Both chances forced saves from Flahavan, the second after a magical piece of skill bemused two defenders and created a yard of space.

But Southend were not being over-run and just before the half-hour mark they took the lead in sensational circumstances.

Jones fouled Jamal Campbell-Ryce 30 yards out and Eastwood stepped up to curl a wonderful free-kick around the wall and into the top corner past Tomasz Kuszczak.

The screamer sparked wild scenes of jubilation, but United nearly levelled immediately as Jones’ fierce left-foot drive slammed against the inside of the post.

United poured forward and Ronaldo hit a cracker from 30 yards that Flahavan somehow tipped one-handed over the crossbar, a magnificent save from the 27-year-old.

He needed to be alert straight after the break as well as Ronaldo tried his luck from 25 yards, this time Flahavan parrying away a shot straight down his throat.

It was becoming something of a duel and Ronaldo was denied again on the hour mark, a 25-yard free-kick forcing another remarkable save as the ball screamed towards the top corner.

Soon after it was O’Shea’s turn, his cross-shot from the right hurriedly turned over by Flahavan as it looped goalwards.

Gabriel Heinze then got in on the act, the Argentine’s sweet left-foot drive flying inches wide of Flahavan’s left-hand post with the keeper – for once – beaten.

Eastwood remained a menace as Southend threatened on the break, but his wonder goal proved enough to send Southend into the last eight and end United’s hold on the trophy.

Man Utd Blog Man Of The Match-:

Alan Smith- for making it onto the pitch!

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Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy says he has not fallen out with boss Sir Alex Ferguson after being dropped for the Carling Cup final. Van Nistelrooy was left on the bench during Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Wigan with Louis Saha picked ahead of him.

Van Nistelrooy told Sporting Life:

“The manager told me before the game that I wasn’t playing. I was very disappointed but I could understand why he wanted to play Louis because he has been playing very well in the competition this season. You have to accept the decision as a professional player. There is no problem between me and the manager. I cheered the first two goals with everyone else on the bench and I was happy for the team. I’ve heard suggestions I was acting. Well, if I was, then I’m the best actor in Holland. I’ve scored a lot of goals this season and feel I’ve been playing well and I hope to be back in the team to play Wigan on Monday. I expect to play the league matches.”

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also played down his decision to drop Ruud van Nistelrooy for the 4-0 Carling Cup win over Wigan on Sunday. He said striker Louis Saha was picked for the final because of his form in the competition and denied that Van Nistelrooy had objected to the move.

Fergie said to the BBC:

“He seemed to be OK in the dressing room before the game and he was OK with the players. He’s disappointed but he had to be disappointed, that’s the nature of it. Saha scored the second and since he has been fit he has scored 10 in 13 games- there is a danger of overlooking it and not giving him his credit. It happened to me in the Scottish Cup final in 1965 and I was dropped at 10 past two.” said the United boss, who was a Dunfermline player at the time.”

Van Nistelrooy was one of the first United players to leave the pitch after the final and left the stadium without talking to the media.

Saha admitted that he was surprised by Ferguson’s decision to play him:

“It was a bit strange to start. I want to start every game. Sometimes the choice goes my way and other times it doesn’t but thankfully I got the opportunity to play in a final. After my previous experiences in finals, it would have been great just to get a few minutes. I didn’t feel any extra pressure because Ruud wasn’t in the team. The most important thing is to remain focused as a group to make sure you win the game.”

Ferguson hailed the display of man-of-the-match Wayne Rooney but also singled out Ji-Sung Park and Ryan Giggs for praise:

“I thought Ryan was absolutely fantastic. When it comes to running up and down the line, there is no one to match him except maybe young Ji. He was very mature and controlled.”

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Sir Alex Ferguson insists his team’s Carling Cup triumph can trigger another golden era for Manchester United. Ferguson believes the victory against Wigan at Cardiff can be the catalyst which binds his young players into a new force.

The United manager said to the Daily Telegraph:

“I hope they can go on to match our exploits of the past. If they can grow up together and keep that group together we have a chance. When we beat Nottingham Forest to win this cup in 1992 it set us off on a very good spell. That was one of the reasons I brought Kieran Richardson, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic on. Kieran deserved to be on because he has been part of the League Cup team. But I wanted to give the others the experience of being on a winning side in a cup final, if only for a few minutes, to feel the atmosphere at the very end. It tells them a bit about Manchester United and might develop them in terms of the winning instinct.”

The Carling Cup is the consolation in a disappointing season for Ferguson’s team, who slumped out of Europe before Christmas, lost in the FA Cup fifth round, and are 15 points behind Chelsea in the Barclays Premiership title race. The average age of the United players were below 25- including Ji-Sung Park, Rooney, O’Shea and Wes Brown.

The United boss continued:

“The competition is harder than ever. It is a very competitive Premier League and you can see the standard in Europe from some of the amazing results last week. The challenge is there for everyone – not just us. We need more experience in Europe. Hopefully we can stick together and get that experience.”

United’s players showed their unity by dedicating their success to Alan Smith, who broke his leg in the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool. They lifted the season’s first silverware in T-shirts bearing the slogan:

‘For You Smudge‘.

Smith was forced to watch the game at home on television but United will try to get him a winners’ medal.

Ferguson said:

“It was the players’ idea to wear the T-shirts. The message was appropriate. He deserved that. He had a bad injury just a week before the final. I don’t know how many medals we get but, if we need to apply for another one for him, we will. He showed unbelievable courage last week. He took courage to a whole new level as far as I am concerned and that is what convinces me he will be okay.”

Glazer brothers Avi, Bryan and Joel joined the players in the dressing room after the game.

Ferguson said:

“They got soaked in champagne. Welcome to England.“

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