EPL 2006 - 2007: Fergie happy to give Sam a smooch

'I'll be giving him a hug and a kiss. In fact, he can have a hug and two kisses.' Manchester United showed patience as well as poise in coming back from two goals down to put one hand on the Premiership trophy. Sir Alex Ferguson was relaxed enough to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench even when Everton scored their scintillating second in the 50th minute, because he felt he had enough quality on the pitch both to create and convert chances. So it proved, and a combination of four goals in the last half-hour and the scoreline from Stamford Bridge had Ferguson dancing on the touchline at the end. With Chelsea failing to win again, the title could be decided next weekend, if United win the Manchester derby and Chelsea cannot beat Arsenal at The Emirates. 'Obviously, a five-point lead is significant with three games to play,' Ferguson said. 'The momentum is back with us now, though you can never count your chickens in football. Look at the way the game went today. I can't explain that, but it's football.' Everton supporters had a few explanations for the way the game went, ranging from criminally poor defending to the £500,000 bonus the club will receive by virtue of Wayne Rooney's transfer negotiation, should United win the title. United are famous for comebacks, although when the team in front are as generous as Everton this one cannot rank with Turin or Barcelona, no matter how significant the result. The game was full of ironies. The best goal of the afternoon was scored by a Portuguese winger who has no chance of being footballer of the year. United equalised through an own goal by the Everton captain, playing against his old club. A mistake by rookie goalkeeper Iain Turner, playing only because United held Everton to the strict terms of Tim Howard's original loan deal, cost the home side dear. But the greatest irony of all was Rooney scoring and creating the last two goals on the day Goodison mourned Alan Ball. Ball's memory was cheered for minutes on end, and Rooney was booed for just as long. Ball was Everton's last international icon, Rooney was supposed to be their latest, but the club's status has diminished in the intervening years. It would be harsh to say they now know how Blackpool must have felt in the 1960s - not when Everton are challenging for a Uefa Cup place - although tours of the two club's trophy rooms would show certain similarities. There was nothing wrong with the way Everton started. Joleon Lescott headed against the bar after three minutes and Alan Stubbs put them ahead 10 minutes later, his somewhat ambitious drive from a free-kick 30 yards out being lifted over Edwin van der Sar by a crucial deflection off Michael Carrick. Rooney went close a couple of times before the interval, but otherwise Everton's policy of retreating into defence and leaving James Vaughan on his own up front looked capable of smothering United's disjointed attacking efforts. If there was surprise when Ronaldo failed to appear after the interval, there was amazement when United's only response to going two down was to send on Kieran Richardson. Manuel Fernandes, on loan from Benfica but with his value rising with each impressive display, collected Mikel Arteta's pass and completely ignored Wes Brown's attempt to block him as he lashed a shot past Van der Sar from the edge of the area before saluting the Gwladys Street End in a manner reminiscent of Ball. Everton fans need a little more than a two-goal lead to start to party, however, and a match-turning incident on the hour showed why. Turner claimed a Giggs corner then dropped it under no pressure, allowing John O'Shea to score. Almost without trying, United were back in the game. Now Ronaldo came on, in time to meet a Carrick corner after 68 minutes with a header that caused such consternation on the Everton line that Phil Neville beat his own goalkeeper. There was only going to be one conclusion to the game now, and sure enough Rooney provided it. He had already missed a decent chance from a Giggs pass, taking the ball too far round the goalkeeper, but when Tony Hibbert passed straight to Ronaldo 11 minutes from the end Rooney was on the end of O'Shea's cross to score at the far post. Ronaldo surprisingly wasted a glorious chance of a fourth just before the end when with all the time and space in the world he too could not find a way round Turner, but in stoppage time substitute Chris Eagles applied the coup de grace by running on to Rooney's delicately timed pass to finish confidently for his first United goal. It will be a surprise if what is left of the title race produces anything as dramatic, although David Moyes correctly pointed out United scored their goals far too easily. 'We gave United an opportunity to get back in the game,' Moyes said. 'Their first goal was a big turning point and it was all our fault. So were the other three. It was poor all round really. We made it easy for them. If they had opened us up in the way they can do, I'd be the first to congratulate them, but today we gave them the goals.' And with them, surely, the title. The showdown at Stamford Bridge next month could be a lap of honour for United unless both Chelsea and Manchester City can win their derbies next weekend. Bolton are fairly popular at Old Trafford at the moment, too. Would Fergie be giving Big Sam a call? 'I'll be giving him a hug and a kiss,' the United manager said. 'In fact, he can have a hug and two kisses.' Reference: guardian.co.uk

Champions League 2006-2007: "No other team scores as many late goals as us"

With Manchester United it is never over until the fat lady has collapsed in a wheezing heap. "No other team scores as many late goals as us," Sir Alex Ferguson likes to boast, and whatever happens in the remainder of this season's Champions League there can be no doubting their current status as the most exciting team in Europe. "Fantastique Manchester United" was one headline in France yesterday as the world's press salivated over another exhilarating demonstration of attacking, one-touch, stylishly penetrative football. The accolades are richly deserved given the way Ferguson's players seem intent on obliterating the reputation of Italian defending but, amid the euphoria of Wayne Rooney's late and dramatic winner in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Milan, it should not be overlooked that the Rossoneri's players were also claiming a victory as they left Old Trafford. With two away goals, nothing can be taken for granted in the second leg. "I believe we are favourites," Kaka, Milan's sweetly gifted Brazilian, said in the bowels of the stadium, and the six-times winners will glean hope when they analyse United's record in this competition over the past few seasons, with only two wins in their past 13 away games. A draw would suffice for the Premiership leaders but Ferguson's team have lost at FC Copenhagen, Celtic and Roma this season and Milan have not dropped a point in a home game in Serie A since a scoreless draw against Torino on December 10. The news from Milan's training ground last night was good for Carlo Ancelotti and bad for Ferguson, namely that Paolo Maldini should be fit for the second leg, having lasted only 45 minutes on Tuesday, and that Gennaro Gattuso is fine despite his rather hammy departure on a stretcher. Rooney, it should be noted, did not peak until Maldini's withdrawal and even though Gattuso failed to exert his usual influence he is such an important player for Milan that the visitors suffered without him. Cristian Brocchi, his 52nd-minute replacement, was responsible for losing the ball to Ryan Giggs in the build-up to Rooney's second goal. Ferguson was again invigorated by his team's performance and sufficiently emboldened to talk of his players being in a "fantastic position". They will begin at San Siro as favourites but the word "marginal" should be applied and if that sounds pessimistic then refer to what Ferguson himself said after United lost the first leg of their quarter-final against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. On that occasion he said the 2-1 deficit represented a "good result" because "the away goals are invaluable in these two-legged fixtures". The trick will be to prevent Milan from scoring and Ferguson will be without the injured Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic plus the suspended Patrice Evra, although he clings to hope that Rio Ferdinand will have recovered from a groin strain even though the defender was originally ruled out until the visit to Chelsea on May 9. Gabriel Heinze is a feisty left-back but has not been the same player since rupturing knee ligaments 19 months ago and was partly culpable for both of Kaka's goals, outpaced for one and outmanoeuvred for the other. Those lapses may make it imperative for United's attacking players to take the game to Milan, searching for an away goal of their own, rather than being cagey. Despite United's reputation for going "goal crazy", as Kaka put it, Ferguson frequently tries a more defensive 4-5-1 formation on the club's European excursions. "We wanted to keep a clean sheet because away goals are key in this competition," observed the seasoned Giggs. "We didn't want to give away one goal, let alone two, so that has knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit. "We'll probably have to defend better in the away leg but we're capable of doing that. It's going to be difficult, as it always is in the San Siro, but we saw enough in the second half to show we can get a good result if we keep our character and nerve. At the moment we feel that we're going to create chances every time we go out." Reference: guardian.co.uk

FA Cup 2006-2007: "Que sera sera... we're going to Wembley!"

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo combined with devastating effect to sink Watford 4-1 and book Manchester United a place in the FA Cup final. In a week when Ronaldo has been hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson as a possible equal to Pele and Maradona - and signed a new £31million contract - Rooney proved the Portugal winger is not the only brilliant youngster at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old lashed United into an early lead against Watford, then teed up Ronaldo to put them back in front following Hameur Bouazza's leveller. With a booking for a feisty challenge on Tommy Smith as well, it was vintage Rooney and his tap-in put United on easy street long before Kieran Richardson finished off the scoring with a neat effort. Yet amid the celebrations of an eighth final appearance under Ferguson, and the prospect of a mouth-watering clash with Chelsea, the concerns in the United camp were obvious following the loss of Rio Ferdinand to a groin injury. With John O'Shea missing, Nemanja Vidic and Mikael Silvestre sidelined with long-term problems and Gary Neville at least a week away from a return to action from his ankle problem, Ferguson's defensive options have been ravaged to the extent Darren Fletcher was forced into the right-back role, with rookie Youth Cup star Craig Cathcart the only alternative. At such a crucial stage of their Treble bid, and with so many opponents to face of far superior quality than Championship-bound Watford, United are facing the biggest test of their season. Sheffield United, fresh from their hammering of West Ham, meet United on Tuesday, although Ferguson will at least allow his players the luxury of some celebration before addressing the Blades' visit. For, while never hitting the heights of their seven-goal rout of Roma, the Red Devils still managed a thrill or two, and in Rooney had a stand-out star who looks set to be a major influence on United's bid for honours over the coming weeks. Having witnessed United's awesome strength first hand on Tuesday, the last thing Aidy Boothroyd would have wanted was for his side to concede as early as the seventh minute. The spellbinding movement of Rooney, Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs had already caused Watford a few headaches before they were opened up in startlingly simple fashion. Gabriel Heinze started the move with an inside pass to Michael Carrick. The former Tottenham man quickly fed Rooney, who stepped inside Adrian Mariappa and promptly smashed the ball into the roof of Richard Lee's net. Fists raised in triumph, Ferguson emerged from his dug-out to celebrate, the Red Devils fans roared and Villa Park awaited a slaughter. The intense pressure duly came but Watford gamely clung on and received an unexpected reward when Bouazza levelled. United's defence appeared to lose concentration during a lengthy stoppage while Edwin van der Sar had treatment for a bang on his nose. Jay DeMerit helped back a long Gavin Mahon throw back into the box and Bouazza got a firm strike on a volley which bounced in off the crossbar after flicking off Heinze. Had Watford remained on terms for any length of time, particularly given Ferdinand's early departure, they would have scented a shock. Instead, their equaliser merely ignited their opponents - and Rooney in particular - to greater effort. The England striker has had his critics this season but his determination to shove United in front again was immense. Charging to the touchline, Rooney first won possession with a robust aerial challenge on Jordan Stewart. He then totally outpaced the Watford full-back as he strode onto Smith's return pass before delaying his cross long enough for Ronaldo to steal between two defenders and tap home one of the easier goals of the 21 he has scored this term. Yet again, United were dominant, some of their play mesmerising. But their enthusiasm was cut short by Ferdinand's glum trudge to the touchline, accepting the futility of carrying on in such pain. His exit triggered a defensive reshuffle which saw Fletcher fill in at right-back, with Heinze alongside Wes Brown in the centre. The uncertainty within United's defence was obvious immediately after the re-start as Bouazza volleyed a good chance wide after another Mahon through created mayhem. Van der Sar was then required to palm a Bouazza cross-shot away from his own bar and the sight of Ferguson exchanging angry words with Giggs was a sure sign of tension in the United camp. Thankfully for Ferguson, his attack remains in tact and after providing Rooney with a tap-in, Smith fed Richardson, who completed a win which looked much more comfortable than it was. Reference: teamtalk.com

Ronaldo decides to stay at United

'It emphasises the point that Cristiano is happy here and that he is at the right club' A spectacularly good week for Manchester United fans got even better today when Cristiano Ronaldo signed a new five-year deal that should keep him at Old Trafford until 2012. Over the past few months, Ronaldo has been repeatedly linked with a £54m move to Real Madrid, but today he insisted he never entertained serious thoughts of leaving United. "I am delighted," he said. "I spoke with Sir Alex and [chief executive] David Gill about my future and everyone knew that I wanted to stay. I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season." United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was equally ebullient after the deal was announced. "It is fantastic news, it emphasises the point that Cristiano is happy here and that he is at the right club," he said. "He has a great relationship with the team, staff and the fans and he will go on to be one of Manchester United's great players." Fellow United winger Ryan Giggs believes the Old Trafford club have secured the services of the best player in the world. "I don't believe there is anyone who could rival him as being the best player in the world," Giggs said. "For someone in his position, and of his age, to be as consistent as he has been, is remarkable. To secure his future for the next five years is great news for everyone." Ronaldo has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 20 goals in 50 games, and was also instrumental in United's 7-1 destruction of Roma on Tuesday. La Repubblica described him after the game as "the best in the world. Or at least the most entertaining." Right now, few people would disagree. Fans Reaction "Great news to see Ronaldo has signed. The notion of him leaving for Madrid seemed ludicrous anyway. United are look good for trophies this season and has a solid and youthful foundation for continued sucess. Real are in a period of contracted transition from the gallactico era. They will come good again but are not the best place for the world young talent to ply their trade. They risk becoming embroilled in a period of relative decline. At this moment in time, therefore, I can see little purely sporting reason to elave United. 54 million is a lot of money but when you have a player playing this well at 22 you make damn sure you keep him for at least the foreseeable future. Money might run football these days but clubs still neceitate sucess on the field. There is no better economic stragergy than young brilliant players to provide a long period of quality football. Selling is never an option in this case for clubs with big ambitions." - tasd2, Manchester United fan. "Awesome news on Cristiano Ronaldo signing a new five year deal that puts any speculation regarding his future to bed, so it goes to show that Real madrid dont always get there way or was a lot of the original speculation the press assuming that they would be going for him in the summer?" - 16_itachi, Manchester United fan. "haha ronaldo signs new deal to keep him at ot till 2012 that shoul shut real and barca up and also their idiotic papers.great day for us today hope he celebrates new deal with a hattrick against watford wembly here we come" - RED_DEVIL23, Manchester United fan. "Great news that Ronaldo is staying, this shows a clear intention to the prem and to europe that United are going to be a serious force for the foreseeable future. 2 or 3 additions in the summer and we could well be on the dawn of another golden era." - mikeyt43, Manchester United fan. Reference: guardian.co.uk, teamtalk.com

Champions League 2006-2007: Seventh Heaven - Ferguson: 'It was my greatest night at Old Trafford'

Some nights in football are golden. "In European terms that has to be my greatest moment at Old Trafford," said Sir Alex Ferguson, casting his mind back over the way Manchester United had blown a gaping hole in Italy's reputation of having the world's most accomplished defences. "The quality of our game was so high that once we scored the second and third goals I was in the dugout thinking 'this could be something really big here'. But even so, I wasn't expecting that." Ferguson used the word "uncanny" and he shook his head with disbelief as he pored over the most exhilarating display of fast, penetrative, adventurous football this stadium has witnessed since the Champions League's inception. "Hopefully it's not a one-off but the quality of goals was so high it is difficult to think we could ever get that again," he said. "It was a fantastic performance; the speed of our play, the penetration, the confidence we showed, the clinical nature of our finishing. It was a special night and we can't wait for the semi-finals now because it will give the club a real lift. "We've had a couple of bad results in the last weeks and it isn't easy for a club like ours to lose two successive matches. But all the great teams have to get over these mishaps. Every team has disappointments but it's how you recover that's important. We have shown a new level of maturity and performance here. "We played Milan a couple of years ago and back then Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were young lads and not ready for those nights. They found it difficult against experienced opponents but tonight they looked like men." On a night when Ferguson felt Ronaldo and Rooney came of age, and Michael Carrick bewitched Old Trafford with his range of passing, he also made sure to identify Alan Smith for special acclaim. "He deserves it more than anyone," he said the United manager of a player making only his fourth start of the season, but who is finally showing signs that he has fully recovered from the broken leg and dislocated ankle he suffered against Liverpool 14 months ago. "His attitude is absolutely wonderful but the greatest qualities he has shown are his patience and his perseverance," said Ferguson. "You have Ryan Giggs who sees these European nights as such a challenge and Michael Carrick, who I believe is getting better and better and is now playing with an excellent authority. But the one individual we have to pay attention to is Smith because his enthusiasm spread through the team." There was praise, too, for unsung heroes such as Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea on a night when it was easy sometimes to forget that United were missing the considerable talents of, among others, Paul Scholes, Louis Saha and Nemanja Vidic. "What we have done really well is that all the players who have come into the team have responded to the challenge," said Ferguson. "I'm particularly pleased because all these players are responding. I said a while ago that the players who could bring us success would be the ones who are often sitting on the bench and I hope that is the case. We have to win something to be seen as a great team and hopefully we will do that now. The way they are playing and enjoying their football, they deserve it." With United and Chelsea already through, Liverpool all but assured of joining them tonight, Ferguson went on to say the presence of three English teams in the semi-finals signified that the Premiership could now be considered as the strongest league in Europe. "A few years ago I would have said that Spanish football was the best but the evidence this season is that Barcelona and Real Madrid are nowhere near as strong as they have been in previous years," he said. "The quality of the English game has improved and everyone can see that now because it is very probable there will be three of us in the semis and, hopefully, an all-English final. I think English football has to be recognised as the best in Europe now." United's magnificent seven 1-0 Carrick 11min The midfielder collects Ronaldo's infield pass and takes one touch before beautifully curling the ball around Doni 2-0 Smith 17min His first goal since November 2006, a composed volley from the edge of the area after Chivu misjudges Giggs' through-ball 3-0 Rooney 19min Giggs picks up Smith's pass, runs unchallenged down the right and crosses low for Rooney to steer the ball home 4-0 Ronaldo 40min Roma are unable to deal with the winger's speed down the right and he cuts inside to beat Doni at the near post 5-0 Ronaldo 49min Giggs is again the provider, powering past Panucci to send in a cross which avoids Smith but is slotted home by Ronaldo 6-0 Carrick 49min Ronaldo's cross from the right is overhit but Heinze picks the ball up and finds Carrick, who curls the ball around Doni 7-1 Evra 81min The substitute collects a pass from Solskjaer, advances to the edge of the area and squeezes his shot between two defenders Champions League thrashings in the competition's later stages Milan 4 Barcelona 0 Final, 1994 Ajax 5 Bayern Munich 2 agg 5-2, semi-final, 1995 Manchester United 4 Porto 0 agg 4-0, quarter-final, 1997 Kaiserslautern 0 Bayern Munich 4 agg 0-6, quarter-final, 1999 Barcelona 5 Chelsea 1, agg 6-4, quarter-final, 2000 Valencia 5 Lazio 2 agg 5-4, quarter-final, 2004 Deportivo La Coruña 4 Milan 0 agg 5-4, quarter-final, 2004 Lyon 7 Werder Bremen 2 agg 10-2, R16, 2005 Lyon 4 PSV Eindhoven 0 agg 5-0, R16, 2006 Reference: guardian.co.uk

1968 European Cup Final: Manchester United 4 -1 SL Benfica

Champions of Europe at last! Wednesday May 29, 1968 At last the European Cup comes to England from Manchester United's triumph at Wembley last night. They won just as they promised they would, not so much for themselves as for their manager Matt Busby. Thus 11 years of trial and tragedy, effort and frustration fulminated in this great victory when it seemed, as in the semi-final in Madrid, that the deck was stacked against them. They won 4-1. And what a victory it was. They were taken to extra time by Benfica but in seven minutes the Portuguese were crushed by three goals. Those three goals came at a time when all the power and grace of Benfica's forwards - each one an international - had put them back in the game with a goal ten minutes from time by Graca that nullified Bobby Charlton's scored 27 minutes earlier. What finer player could there be to score United's first goal than Bobby Charlton. This was his first goal in European Cup football since the previous, and up to now greatest, triumph of United - against Benfica in the Stadium of Light two years ago. It also fell to him to score the last. And in between was a goal taken as coolly as on the practice pitch by Best and one from Kidd to celebrate fittingly this his nineteenth birthday. But goals apart this again was a great triumph of teamwork and team spirit. Every player gave his all from Stepney, who three times was United's saviour against the powerful shooting of Eusebio, to Foulkes, who has missed only three of United's matches in their 11 years of waiting for this supreme moment. And there was too the covering of the backs, the prompting of Crerand and the sight of Aston enjoying himself on the wing, and Best so often cruelly hacked down in full flight. This indeed was a match to remember, though it started slowly, for tension was so acute and the reward so great. But once the first nervous tension had been relieved the match blossomed. The fuse was lit by Charlton's first goal. And it could so easily have been lost by United between the eightieth and the ninetieth minutes. For then one saw the greatness of Eusebio and the rest of this national Portuguese forward line. It was then United's defence creaked and Eusebio was able to exploit it. But three goals between the third and ninth minutes of extra time put out the spark. In ten minutes Benfica went from a team in command to a team in defeat - and they knew it. Do United carry on where Celtic left off last season after bringing the Cup to Britain for the first time. One further honour can come United's way. They will meet Estudiantes of La Plata, a side from Argentina, who are the South American champions, for the World Club Championship. One can only hope it will not be as ill fated as Celtic's escapades in Argentina and Montevideo last year. Stakes were so high, and the tension so great, that the first half was one of attack in every sense of the word. Some of the tackles were harsh in the extreme. The worst to suffer was Best, as was to be expected, Coluna, who was brought down by Sadler, and Crerand, who was felled by, of all people, Eusebio, who went into him with all the power of his body after 35 minutes. United in the first half certainly took the attack to Benfica. It is there that United have their flair. And it was, as Otto Gloria, Benfica's manager said it would be - the speed of United which could upset his side. "They all go forward and they all come back," he said, "and the speed could upset my team." So it seemed. Crerand fed the attack astutely, and Aston, in particular, capitalised on it, for Adolfo did not seem to know quite how to take him. One thing Benfica knew was that they had to stop Best. Cruz was detailed as the chief hatchet man. At least half a dozen times in the first half Best was hurled to the turf. It was crude, perhaps; it certainly was effective. And for another foul on Best, Humberto had his name taken. But for all the free kicks which were conceded by Benfica just outside the penalty area from these infringements, United could not capitalise. The rear four men of Benfica combine so well and their power is shown by the fact that until the final, they had conceded only two goals. United went close on several occasions. As early as the third minute Crerand's free kick floated over, but Sadler could only claw down the ball with his boot and push it straight to Henrique. Aston and Charlton combined again, and for a second time Sandler was the culprit. The move developed with return passes with Kidd, but Sadler, in a good position, shot wide. Benfica like to build up their moves slowly, with care and precision. And, as Benfica had to watch Best, so United had to watch Torres, the tall centre-forward with a great gift, not only of scoring goals but making them with his head. And, of course, there was Eusebio policed, as is now customary, by Stiles. United knew full well the power of Eusebio's shooting. And in the eleventh minute he demonstrated it admirably. One of the best of Benfica's moves developed between Graca and Torres, and the ball was swept out to Eusebio, lurking on the right wing . Eusebio took the ball into his stride and hammered in a shot which made Stepney's cross-bar twang like a bow string. Foulkes was detailed to watch Torres, and in his handling of him he was penalised several times. From one free kick, just outside the penalty area, one of Eusebio's especially fierce shots was deflected off the wall of United's defenders, and Stepney did well to gather it. For so long it had seemed that this match would be a stalemate. Each side knew so much about the other from previous encounters. United had , last night, six of the side who plucked the feathers from the tail of the Eagles of Lisbon in that 5-1 triumph two years ago. But the second half blossomed into an exciting encounter. And who could be neutral on a night like this. Aston was enjoying himself on the left wing. As the second half opened he sent in one shot which Henrique failed to hold with his hands but smothered with his body. Moments later, Aston crashed in another shot. But the real drama was reserved for Bobby Charlton. His goal in the 53rd minute set the game aflame and the crowd almost hysterical with delight. A move developed down the left. Over came Sadler's crossfield pass: up went Bobby Charlton to glide the ball with his head, into the far corner of the net. It was the first goal Bobby Charlton had scored in a European Cup tie since that memorable night in Lisbon two years ago. Last night's goal was just as brilliantly taken, but this time it was more crucial. Having conceded this goal, meant, of course that Benfica had to attack with all the power at their command, and that is considerable. Every member of this forward line played against England in the World Cup semi-final at Wembley two years ago. But, in concentrating on attack, they left a defence thinly stretched, and once Best was right through only for Henrique to race from his goal and slide the ball away. yards outside his penalty area. Now it was Eusebio's turn, and back came Aston to thwart him. Benfica seemed just a little jaded as their attempts to neutralise United's goal were swept away. It was understandable, perhaps, for the best they had produced was not good enough. United had one anxious moment midway through the second half when the wily Simoes turned on all his grace to send over a looping centre to Torres, but the ball again was prodded away from him by Dunne, who was having a splendid match in United's defence. But this was United's night. They would not be denied. Back they stormed, and Kidd, on this his 19th birthday, might well have had a chance to celebrate it with a goal, but he was brought down by Humberto. Best, with a shrug of the hips and a twinkle of the toes, made a mockery of any preconceived plans to mark him. In the last ten minutes he burst through and shot,. Henrique blocked that shot, which went to Sadler, and this time Henrique's body was in the way. But this Benfica side are vastly experienced in European Cup football. And in finals, too. This was their fifth final, and, nine minutes from the end all their experience showed. They drew level with a goal by Graca. Augusto sent over the ball Torres nodded it down and Eusebio, full of guile, deceived the defence with him. It opened up the gap for Graca, who, with only a narrow angle of the goal to aim at, shot and scored. United's defence, which had held the twin threat of Eusebio and Torres so well, began to creak. And Eusebio, one of the finest forwards in Europe, was just the man to exploit it. Twice he burst through in the closing minutes, and twice Stepney saved his shots, the last a fierce one from close range. And, though Best once again wriggled through, the match was destined for extra time. No more dramatic opening to extra time could be imagined. United swept forward and twice in two minutes they scored. I the third minute, Stepney's clearance was headed on by Kidd to Best. And here was Best seen at his most brilliant. He took the ball round the defenders, and round the goalkeeper too, before popping it in the net. Then it was Kidd's turn. This came in the fifth minute. Sadler had a part in that goal. The first attempt at a header was beaten out by Henrique, but back it came for Kidd to head in. And United were not finished. One shot bounced on the bar before, in the tenth minute, Bobby Charlton scored again, and the creator of this goal was Kidd. It was Kidd's pass which Charlton turned into the net to complete the discomfiture of Benfica, who surely did not know quite what had hit them in this sudden burst of attacking play. Manchester United: Stepney, Brennan, Dunne, Crerand, Foulkes, Stiles, Best, Kidd, Charlton, Sadler, Aston. Benfica: Henrique, Adolfo, Humberto, Jacinto, Cruz, Graca, Coluna, Augusto, Torres, Eusebio, Simoes. Referee: C. La Bello (Italy) Reference: guardian.co.uk

EPL 2006 - 2007: Don't Panic Yet, We Still Lead By 3 Points

Hello and Good Day. I have to admit that my mood is really down right now...But as a real fans, we just need to get behind the team, no matter how bad the team was. And it is not the time to panic yet. We have built a gap to compensate for games like this. Man Utd as usual need a loss to keep them focused. Sometimes, its not wrong to commit a mistake...but the team have to admit and learn something from this losing. The good news is, we still lead the table by three points. End of Story. Bring on Roma.

Fact: DO NOT refer our club as Man U

We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. But Not 'Man U' Have you noticed that quite a number of United fans refer Manchester United as Man U. Do you know that calling United as Man U is like calling an African American nigger. (just an example, no offence to the African American). This is the information taken from official United forum under the legend thread. Right Folks here we go once again and for all....... Man U is not a term real/ true United fans refer themselves to... Why??? This term is mostly only used by other supporters as a complete and utter insult. In case anyone on this board is not aware rival supporters used to sing a song about Munich and it goes Man U Man U went on a plane Man U Man U never came back again... Now if thats not getting your blood boiling nothing will..I started this thread way last year because after being on the board for some time I found more and more people refering to us as THAT name. We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. We do not have any songs with THAT name in them nor will you be able to buy any official merchandice using that term, it is not printed on any scarves or badges, also I was at the Reading game and there is no way did that song ring out around the ground. Now I have been a "United" supporter all my life I am 44 and have never used that phrase to describe the name of my team. It even has annoyed me to write about the song with the name in it, but thought I had to just to get my point over to people who have never heard it (real United fans forgive me please ) You don’t use the phrase Man C Leeds U Aston V etc etc So dont use M** *. Like the song goes Theres Only One United so people will know who you support when using this term..All said whenever someone calls us M** * I simply correct them.. And I think this should be implimented on this board..So come on lads lets educate the ones that need it and keep That name away form our club and this board..The term Utd is the proper abbreviation for the word United and nothing else..Why can some people not just accept this and getover themselves....and if anyone can remember the Scousers chanting and it pains me even to type this but for educations sake. Man U Never Intended Coming Home (notice the first letter of each word from the phrase means MUNICH) Hope true United fans will stop refering United as Man U Remember: We are UNITED, MAN UTD, MANCHESTER UNITED, RED DEVILS. But Not 'Man U'

Champions League 2006-2007: We were playing against 12 men

Sir Alex Ferguson last night claimed Manchester United were playing "against 12 men" in an outburst against the German referee Herbert Fandel, which could result in further recriminations from Uefa. Ferguson was incensed by Fandel's performance at the Stadio Olimpico and may have talked himself into trouble after claiming that "a good referee" would not have sent off Paul Scholes. "Considering we played with ten men - mostly against 12 men - for over an hour, this is a good result for us," he said. "I don't think we got a decision all night but that is European football, I'm afraid." Fandel has been one of Ferguson's least favourite referees since he officiated their Champions League tie against Porto in 2003 and, in the eyes of the United manager, allowed Jose Mourinho's players to get away with some of the worst gamesmanship he has ever seen in a European tie. Ferguson remonstrated with the fourth official, Peter Sippel, on several occasions during the 2-1 defeat and later complained that Fandel was not equipped to take control of such a big match. "I can't have any complaints about [Scholes's] first booking but I do have complaints about the second one. In a big game like that, a good referee would not have sent him off, " said Ferguson, before turning his attention to the Roma defender Cristian Chivu, who appeared to give Fandel the thumbs up when Scholes was shown a second yellow card. "In my opinion Chivu got Scholes sent off because of his reaction to the referee. The referee told us before the game that if anyone attempted to get another player booked they would be sent off themselves. But that wasn't the case at all and it left us in a very difficult position." Down but not out, Ferguson believes it would be wrong for Roma to consider themselves favourites to progress to the semi-finals. "I think 2-1 is a good result," he said. "We're experienced enough to know that playing at home is a big advantage when you are in Europe. Over the years there have been some great games back at Old Trafford and we are in for another one now. We have come out with a good result here and if we score at Old Trafford we will go through. The away goal is invaluable in these two-legged fixtures and at Old Trafford I think we can get a team out, providing we get no more injuries [against Portsmouth] on Saturday, that will be capable of winning this game. "We have been impressed by Roma from what we have seen of them this season. We knew it would be tough, and it was tough. They made it difficult for us because they had an extra player but in the end it's a good result for us." Ferguson identified Wayne Rooney for special acclaim after the striker had scored his first Champions League goal in 18 matches. "The great thing is that Wayne is only 21 yet he showed fantastic composure in front of goal. It would have been easy for him to rush his shot but he took it down and took his team before picking out his spot." Rooney later described it as "one of the hardest games" he had ever been involved in but he, like Ferguson, believes 2-1 is a result that can stand in United's favour. "It was a tough job but we're happy with the result," he said. "We knew once we got the away goal that it would be very tough for Roma to come to Old Trafford. We have the home advantage next week and it's not a bad position to be in." Reference: guardian.co.uk

Champions League: Roll of Honour

Finals from 44 years of European competition. 1956 REAL MADRID 4 - 3 Reims 1957 REAL MADRID 2 - 0 Fiorentina 1958 REAL MADRID 3 - 2 AC Milan (aet) 1959 REAL MADRID 2 - 0 Reims 1960 REAL MADRID 7 - 3 Eintracht Frankfurt 1961 BENFICA 3 - 2 Barcelona 1962 BENFICA 5 - 3 Real Madrid 1963 AC MILAN 2 - 1 Benfica 1964 INTERNAZIONALE 3 - 1 Real Madrid 1965 INTERNAZIONALE 1 - 0 Benfica 1966 REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Partizan Belgrade 1967 CELTIC 2 - 1 Internazionale 1968 MANCHESTER UNITED 4 - 1 Benfica (aet) 1969 AC MILAN 4 - 1 Ajax 1970 FEYENOORD 2 - 1 Celtic (aet) 1971 AJAX 2 - 0 Panathinaikos 1972 AJAX 2 - 0 Internazionale 1973 AJAX 1 - 0 Juventus 1974 BAYERN MUNICH 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid (replay, after 1-1 draw) 1975 BAYERN MUNICH 2 - 0 Leeds United 1976 BAYERN MUNICH 1 - 0 St Etienne 1977 LIVERPOOL 3 - 1 Borussia Moenchengladbach 1978 LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 Brugge 1979 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 - 0 Malmo 1980 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 - 0 Hamburg 1981 LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 Real Madrid 1982 ASTON VILLA 1 - 0 Bayern Munich 1983 HAMBURG 1 - 0 Juventus 1984 LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 Roma (aet, Liverpool won 4 - 2 on penalties) 1985 JUVENTUS 1 - 0 Liverpool 1986 STEAUA BUCHAREST 0 - 0 Barcelona (aet, Steaua won 2 - 0 on penalties) 1987 PORTO 2 - 1 Bayern Munich 1988 PSV EINDHOVEN 0 - 0 Benfica (aet, PSV won 6 - 5 on penalties) 1989 AC MILAN 4 - 0 Steaua Bucharest 1990 AC MILAN 1 - 0 Benfica 1991 RED STAR BELGRADE 0 - 0 Marseille (aet, Red Star won 5 - 3 on penalties) 1992 BARCELONA 1 - 0 Sampdoria (aet) 1993 MARSEILLE 1 - 0 AC Milan (Marseille subsequently stripped of title) 1994 AC MILAN 4 - 0 Barcelona 1995 AJAX 1 - 0 AC Milan 1996 JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Ajax (Juventus won 4 - 2 on penalites) 1997 BORUSSIA DORTMUND 3 - 1 Juventus 1998 REAL MADRID 1 - 0 Juventus 1999 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 1 Bayern Munich 2000 REAL MADRID 3 - 0 Valencia 2001 BAYERN MUNICH 1 - 1 Valencia (aet, Bayern won 5-4 on penalties) 2002 REAL MADRID 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2003 AC MILAN 0 - 0 Juventus (AC Milan won 3-2 on penalties) 2004 AS Monaco FC 0 - 3 FC PORTO 2005 AC Milan 3 - 3 LIVERPOOL (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties) 2006 Arsenal 1 - 2 BARCELONA Reference: guardian.co.uk

Scholes keeps United hurtling on title tracks - Is He Human? Hes So Damn Good

Ferguson described it as a "performance of champions" and the Stretford End sang: "We want our trophy back." Manchester United's ninth championship in 15 seasons is now so close that Chelsea's habit of scoring late winners has become no more irritating than a bothersome fly. Sir Alex Ferguson's players are so exuberant, their football so thrilling, it seems inconceivable that the Premiership trophy will not be prised, finger by finger, from Jose Mourinho's grasp. Chelsea's durability prolongs the intrigue but United answered some important questions on Saturday and all that can shipwreck their season now is what Ferguson knows as a "Devon Loch moment". Strange things can happen in football but such a collapse is scarcely conceivable. This is not a team that shows any vulnerability to losing nerve or direction, even when the pressure is close to intolerable. If there was going to be a moment when United might crack, it arrived after that jolting two-minute spell when Nemanja Vidic departed with a dislocated shoulder, which could keep him out for the remainder of the season, and Matt Derbyshire stabbed Blackburn into the lead. This, before an increasingly alarmist crowd, was the point when United could either fold like a house of cards or reach their point of maximum expression. They took the route of champions, always assured, totally at ease with their vision of themselves at the top of the hierarchy. Not once did United send forward hopeful balls or try to score from improbable angles. Never did they rush or force the play when they could rely on their ability to pass and move. Ferguson later described it as the most accomplished performance of the season, although it would have been more accurate if he had focused simply on the second 45 minutes because it has been a long time since Old Trafford was bewitched by such an exhilarating period of slick, attacking football or, indeed, that the stadium's acoustics have sounded so good. This was the Premiership at its most thrilling and, after the drudgery of England's internationals, an antidote for those who have come to see the beautiful game through tired and jaded eyes. Of Ferguson's side the only player not at his optimum was Wayne Rooney. Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, to name but three, played with such verve and vigour the visitors from Roma will have returned to Italy with a dossier that presumably has a skull and crossbones on the front. United have shown themselves to be intrepid travellers and, if Scholes in particular can sustain this level of excellence in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg, United have an outstanding chance to prolong their hopes of emulating the 1999 treble. Scholes it was who instigated United's comeback, his splendid goal breaking Blackburn's resolve after 61 minutes, and it is easy to imagine Steve McClaren watching Match of the Day from behind his sofa. How McClaren must regret Scholes's decision that he wants no part in the pantomime of the England national team. Blackburn are robust opponents - entitled to be irritated by the assumption they will provide no more than walk-on parts in their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea - but Mark Hughes was wrong when he said the score flattered their hosts. United could have amassed a record Premiership score to go with another record crowd had Brad Friedel not been in such outstanding form and Rooney been less generous. Rooney's performance could be summed up by the moment, in first-half stoppage time, when he was offside, having run clear, but decided he wanted to reacquaint himself with the art of finishing anyway, if only to see the ball caress the back of the net. His first effort hit Friedel's legs. His second struck the goalkeeper's shins and bounced away again. Friedel barely bothered to move for either shot. In mitigation Rooney's head never went down and he made a significant contribution in the second half. Yet compare and contrast with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scoring United's fourth goal barely five minutes after entering the field as a substitute. Solskjaer accepted his solitary chance with the look of a man for whom nothing could be more natural. Rooney still conjured a couple of moments of brilliance but there is evidence, too, that he is not as immune to insecurity and self-doubt as was once perceived and it is a legitimate cause for concern. Others in red radiated confidence. If points were awarded for pass completion, Michael Carrick might be runaway favourite for player of the season. Rio Ferdinand snuffed out the threat of Derbyshire and Benni McCarthy and Wes Brown's form means the news of Vidic's injury may not be so debilitating. Giggs's name will also be circled in red in the Roma scouting report while Ronaldo was the usual blur of pyrotechnics, crossing for Carrick to make it 2-1 and setting up Park Ji-sung for the third with a free-kick that rebounded off Friedel. Ferguson described it as a "performance of champions" and the Stretford End sang: "We want our trophy back." Man of the moment: Paul Scholes For his demonstration of midfield expertise, passing the ball beautifully and scoring the equaliser in United's resurgent second half just as the crowd was growing restless, if not anxious Best moment The way he wriggled away from two attempted challenges, remaining composed and controlled, and picked out his spot before firing in the goal that began United's comeback. Title run-in Manchester Utd Apr 7 Portsmouth (a) Apr 17 Sheffield United (h) Apr 21 Middlesbrough (h) Apr 28 Everton (a) May 5 Manchester City (a) May 9 Chelsea (a) May 13 West Ham United (h) Chelsea Apr 7 Tottenham (h) Apr 18 West Ham United (a) Apr 22 Newcastle United (a) Apr 28 Bolton Wanderers (h) May 6 Arsenal (a) May 9 Manchester United (h) May 13 Everton (h) Mind the gap - coming from behind to win No team has ever surrendered a lead of six points at this stage of the Premiership season. Only two teams - Arsenal and Manchester United - have led the league at the end of March and been caught. End of 2002-03 season Pld Pts Man United 38 83 Arsenal 38 78 On April 5 of 2002-03 season P Points Arsenal 31 66 Man United 31 64 Sir Alex Ferguson's side picked up six wins and one draw in their final seven fixtures. Arsenal won three, drew three and lost one. April 5 proved a turning point: two Ruud van Nistelrooy penalties paved the way for a 4-0 win over Liverpool, while an own goal from Arsenal's Kolo Touré resulted in a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. End of 1997-98 season Pld Points Arsenal 38 78 Man United 38 77 On March 31 of 1997-98 season Man United 31 60 Arsenal 29 57 Manchester United entered March leading Arsenal by 11 points but had played three games more than their rivals. By April Arsène Wenger's team, on 60 points, trailed United by three points but had two games in hand. United stumbled in mid-April, drawing 1-1 with both Liverpool and Newcastle United. Arsenal extended a winning streak to 10 games, culminating in a 4-0 victory over Everton on May 3 - captain Tony Adams scored a late fourth - when they are crowned Premiership champions. The north London side became only the second team to record a second league and FA Cup double. Reference: guardian.co.uk