Another Narrow Win for United: Manchester United (1) v Middlesbrough (0)

As expected, Evans took on the center back role with Rio out for a back spasm and Berbatov partnered up with Rooney up front. United starts out convincingly especially when Ronaldo had a chance for an early goal on the 7th minute after some great work from Park to cross the ball inside the box. Unfortunately, Ronaldo miss cues his shot. Maybe it was the soaking wet pitch which put him off. The Ballon D'Or winner again miss a chance with an off target header on the 10th minute. He then puts one wide from a left side free kick on the 14th minute after Park was brought down by Riggott.

Park gets another free kick on mere minutes later after Pogatetz pushed the Korean from behind. The setpiece went horribly wrong for United, however, Ronaldo manages to get another free kick at the same spot after an obstruction by a Boro player. Ronaldo releases a fierce shot, but it was too straight at Turnbull. The red devils seems to be missing on Hargreaves for setpieces.

21 minutes in, Alves made a great dummy to himself and sent Rafael and Vida chasing for dead. He manages a shot towards United's goal mouth and Van der Sar was left exposed. It was a great move by the Boro striker but fortunately for United, the shot went sky high. Seconds later, Ronaldo gets his next miss shot after a great low cross from Rooney. The United no.7 skews it wide yet again.

United was in control of the game and on the 29th minutes, Ronaldo yet again had a great chance of putting the Engliosh champions ahead. It was a well driven low shot, but again, it went too straight at Turnbull. United's next chance went to Rafael when he lets fly a half volley and puts it wide on the sidenetting. Turnbull had to make a save just before the half was over. Rooney's drive was hard enough to make some bruising, but Boro's goalie was brave enough to parry the shot away.

It was United who had the better chances during the first half, but no one made any descent chance count. It stood at nil all at the break.

Both teams started out convincingly in the second half, although no one really stood out and made anything significant. The gaffer started to realise this and brought in some experience just to mix things around. I don't blame him. Scholes and Neville comes on for the hard-working Fletcher and the kid from Brazil, Rafael da Silva.

Park, whose workrate was amazing in this match almost gave United the lead in the 64th minute after releasing a low drive just inches outside the box. Turnbull again manages to block the shot. Minutes later, it was Ronaldo's turn to test the keeper yet again. Wide this time. The crucial moment came when Carrick found some room on the left flank to deliver a cross which ended up reaching Berbatov's half volley towards Turnbull's corner top left post. It left the keeper flat footed and after 69 minutes, United went 1-0 up.

United almost made it 2 up after a neat low cross by Neville finding Park just mere inches to the goal line, who simply missed the opportunity to put the ball past Turnbull, instead finding the crowd. Seconds later, Ronaldo yet again finds an opening and blasts the ball towards Boro's goal mouth. But Turnbull stood up to the task and parried the ball away to safety. It was all United from this stage on, with Park with another chance to double it up for the reds, curled a shot but the ball simply did not bend quite enough. It's all Park, Ronaldo, Park, Ronaldo and then came Carrick in the mix. Off a corner, the ball came out to Carrick and he measured his shot. Took his chance but it just did not dip quite fast enough.

Fergie probably had just about enough with United's consistent misses. Giggs was brought on for Ronaldo and opted for cautious. It was Park again who had the biggest opportunity of the night to add to his goal tally after a neat one-two, but just like the other previous chances, he scuffs the shot wide. Containment was the tactic for United once Giggs was in. It proved vital as United sealed another win, staying in contention for the title.
Final Score
Man Utd 1 : Middlesbrough 0

Here's the goal video highlights by Berbatov.

Rio's back in the treatment room

Rio Ferdinand will miss the match-up against Middlesbrough tomorrow after suffering a back spasm during the pre-match warm up when they visited Stoke City. Jonny Evans came in as a last minute replacement for that match and is expected to start again.

The gaffer confirmed thta, “Rio won’t play against Middlesbrough,”.

“He had a back spasm again. We have to get to the root of this; he’s had this back problem too many times, so we want to get to the bottom of it.

“First of all, we’ll give him complete rest, but I think he’ll be okay in about 10 days.”

Rio is expected to return to the field for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Derby County on 7 January.

Rooney on the Defense

Wayne Rooney has launched a fierce defence of his style of play, and insisted: ''I always feel in control.''

The England International is one of United's top player but he has been regarded to many as one player who does not know how to keep cool. Critics has launched attacks on him again after the Aalborg Goalie incident that Rooney threw an obvious elbow at Abdoulaye Faye during their EPL match at Stoke.

But the 23-year-old told the Sunday Mirror: ''I don't think there is a problem with my temperament.

''I don't accept that I need to learn to count to 10 in certain situations because I always feel in control of myself.

''I do get stuck in during matches, but I like to think that I keep calm both on the pitch and off it.

''It's people who don't know me who like to have a go at me. But I don't give them a moment's thought because they're just not important to me.

''I wouldn't like to let my family or my friends down and as long as they're proud of me that's all that matters.

''People who know me will tell you that I am a quiet and shy person at heart.''

Narrow Win For United - Stoke City (0) v Manchester United (1)

Despite Berbatov being declared fit to play, the gaffer opted not to start the Bulgarian, instead opting for a Rooney-Tevez partnership. There were early signs of scare for United, once when Jonny Evans (who was a last minute replacement for Rio when the England International pulled out after having a sore back during warm up) was somewhat dreaming and incidently gave Fuller a chance to release a shot towards Van der Sar's goal post but rocketed the ball sky high instead.

It was a frustrating first half for United with Stoke putting up a stiff defensive line.

Inside 15 minutes, Fuller then had another chance of giving Stoke City the lead, but big old VDS made a brilliant run out of his post to clear the ball. It was United's turn to press on and Rooney almost made it 1-0 to the visitors, connecting a cross by G. Neville. Sorensen, Stoke's goalie had a different idea and manages a save without a hassle.

United starts the second half with majority of the possesion. No descent chances however with no one really producing that final pass inside the box. 57 minutes on, Scholes drives a low shot forcing Sorensen to stretch. Seconds after, Fuller had a similar chance and a similar shot. The big Dutch goalie was pushed for a reflex save.

Rooney was a lucky guy when the video replay suggests that he threw an elbow at Stoke's skipper. Amazingly, the assistant referee, who was literally 2 feet away from the incident, saw nothing.

A second yellow card to Wilkinson on the 72nd minute left Stoke City with ten man. After being busy marking Ronaldo on the left flank, giving the Ballon D'or winner a handful of tackles, Ronaldo had enough and sucked the Right Back in for a tackle against him. Wilkinson fell for the bait and the referee had no choice but to show the red.

United push on, with the never say die attitude. Persistence paid off when Neville had a chance to produce a cross on the 83rd minute, it was really an aweful one, but Berbatov manages to control the ball and squares it right in the front of the goal. Then comes Tevez with a pretty much reflex shot, and GOAL!. The only one for the game and it was enough for United to seal the deal.

Final Score : Stoke City (0) v Manchester United (1)

Berba Fit To Play

Looks like everyone including Berbatov are fit to play tonight after coming back from the far east. United is expected to win comfortably despite an away game at Stoke. With Stoke's current form (lost against Bolton 3-0 recently), the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney and Berbatov will be in content to be the night's hero.

Stoek however, will be releaved that Sorensen will be back for the match despite unavailable to play against Blackburn. The Goalkeeper had a scan after a pre-match injury forcing him out of the game. Scans revealed that there were no serious repurcussions.

Fergie thinks that Stoke will come out all blazing, but with United's defense covered despite having to lose Patrice Evra who faces a 4 match ban handed down by the FA over the clash at Stamford Bridge. John O'Shea is expected to fill in the role.

No January Transfer Says Sir Alex

It seems the boss feels that United has the winning squad and there is no need for new signings. In his recent press interview, the gaffer said "I do not think there will be any January transfers. I am happy with what I have got.

"We are probably going to bring back a couple of young players who have been on loan. That may just give us extra protection.

"We took 23 players to Japan and they are very substantial players. I would be happy to play any one of them.

"Winning the competition was a great boost to the club and the players. It was a great achievement and the important thing was they played well.

"They showed good enthusiasm through the matches and good concentration. We have come through it well."

I have to admit, despite a major blow with Hargreaves sidelined, some minor injuries and bans, United do have a strong squad. There may not be any need to sign anyone till next season. The current team is improving their form betweem matches and with United travelling to Stoke City, we may just see a thrilling 'more than one goal' match.

Manchester United: Proud To Be Champions of The World

"Delighted and Proud" was the words of Wazza after scoring the only and winning goal in the Red Devils's Club World Cup final win over Ecuador's LDU Quito in Yokohama.



Despite having Vidic sent off in second half for alledgedly elbowing Claudio Bieler, the Reds continued to put on pressure at the Ecuadorian Champions. Rooney curled in a beautiful placement grounder after some descent patient play by United.

Rooney told Five: "It's fantastic. It's a great achievement by us. We are really delighted and proud that we are the world champions."

United captain for the night, Rio Ferdinand said: "Now we can say we are the best team in the world.

"We knew they could create problems but I think today we kept them down to a minimum of chances."

Sir Alex Ferguson believes a disciplined system and a desire to win were key factors in United's historic Club World Cup triumph in Japan.

Rooney paid tribute to the undying fans - “We’ve been amazed by the amount of fans over here,” he admitted after the game. “So many have travelled from England and there are also thousands here in Japan. We’re the best team in the world and they’re the best fans in the world.”

Sir Alex was also in high praise over the massive red devils army's support - "The support from the fans was fantastic and we'd really like to thank everyone for that. It was a great tournament, and one I'll look back on fondly in the future."

LDU Quito VS Manchester United 21st Dec 2008 Club World Cup Final

1st Half
United started out convincingly with their typical sleek passing. The most notable chance was by Tevez who almost sent United leading 1 goal up thanks to some skillful moves by C.Ronaldo. Rooney had the same chance minutes later when a marvellous through ball in the air met by the No.10 but he spoiled the opportunity by overhitting his lob towards goal. Park had a magnificient shot in the 34th minute after some sleek 1-2-3 passing by Rooney and Tevez. Cevallos (LDU's Gk) however made a great save. Tevez then again had another go at Cevallos on the 40th minute, but again it was straight at the goalie. Nil all at the half.

2nd Half
49th minute - Vida sent off. A silly move by the big Serbian. After making a tackle, Vidic reacted by elbowing LDU's forward. The gaffer brought on J. Evans for Tevez who despite having a good night, had to be sacrificed. C.Ronaldo had a marvellous effort stopped just outside the LDU's penalty box 9 minutes in the second half. At the other end, Manso's long range effort was parried away by VDS after United had a penalty rejected when JS Park was brought down in the LDU's box.
GOAL!!!!!! 73rd minte - First blood from the Red Devils. United persevere with some slow but accurate build up, with the end product coming from Rooney after Ballon D'Or winner Ronaldo provides the assist. A right foot shot from the left side of LDU's box directed at the bottom right corner of the post was enough to see the night's first goal (and probably the only goal for the night).
It was clear to see that Fergie was satisfied with the 1 goal lead and wanted to employ further defense by bringing in G.Neville and D.Fletcher, who comes in for Rafael and Ando respectively.
Nerves within the United players grew especially when the Argentine Manso lets fly another long range effort only to be denied by VDS. United kept their composure and it finally paid off with the match ending in United's favour.
Final Score
LDU Quito 0 - Manchester United 1


~Video presented by Ten Sports~
...Hail Ten Sports!!!!...

Gamba Osaka 3 v Manchester United 5

Gamba Osaka: Yamazaki (74), Endo (85), Hashimoto (90)

Manchester United: Vidic (28), Ronaldo (45), Rooney (75, 79), Fletcher (78)

YES!! I GOT UNITED - Mourinho

The 'ARROGANT' Inter Milan coach basically said "Oraits!!! Sia dapat ManYoo..Jaga-jaga lah kamurang..my team will beat you"....so to speak...lol.

Which professional coach would admit to wanting to draw up with another world class football team in the round of 16? No one...well Mourinho alone of coz.

Mourinho, who led Porto to victory over United on the way the European title in 2004, said: "My wish has been granted. I want to face the best and Manchester is a team of champions with a super coach like Alex."

That should not be the way a top class Manager should act. However, he has a point and the history to say it all. He's gone over Sir Alex in the past, 2 years in a row for that matter. So he kinda has the right to be a B*****, so we have to be prepared. All we can hope for is that we keep our injury list to a minimum of 'Zero'.

FA Disciplinary Process Erratic - G.Neville

Gary Neville is basically pissed at the english FA over Evra's ridiculous 4 match ban. He commented:

"I gave up years ago trying to be a voice, trying to bring reason to certain things.

"You need consistency, which means you need the same people sitting at hearings all the time, professionals who understand the game, who understand the passion of the game, the human element of the game.

"You need sensible people but that doesn't always happen."

The United Skipper compares the whole disciplinary system by the FA to a lottery. "You haven't a clue what you're going to get when you go down there," he said.

All Heads Up - Rio

Manchester United will not be complacent when it comes to Sunday's Club World Cup final against LDU Quito, says Rio Ferdinand.

Rio, who is expected to be featured at the heart of United's defense tomorrow night, is staying cautious. The big defender also thinks that Wayne Rooney can become United's Top Goal Scorer for this season, maybe not matching Ronaldo's 42 goals last season, but at least 25-30 goals.

Wayne Rooney, who scored 2 superb goals against Gamba Osaka few days back should be fit enough to start for the Finals. Berba however is tipped to be on the bench despite battling a virus.

Introducing Sabah's Man Utd Supporter's Site!!

Welcome, welcome and welcome to all you red devils fans out there. This page was set up for you as we try to deliver the most latest news and video highlights of the best football team in the whole galaxy. From personalities news to scoreline to goal highlights. So invite yourself, invite your friends, invite your mama and dad, hell bring everyone, even random ones... 2007-08 was our season of glory. Let 2008-09 be another prestige one for us. Let's start with the World Club Championship!!

So we hope you will enjoy this. For the r.devils's fans by r.devils's fans. Peace out!!!!