Champions League, Manchester United 3-2 Ac Milan

Rooney trumps Kaka to give United edge

Wayne Rooney brilliantly trumped AC Milan's Brazilian star Kaka to fire Manchester United to an exhilarating 3-2 victory in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final here on Tuesday.

The victory was all the more remarkable given the hosts were outplayed at times by a mesmeric Milan outfit, who bounced back in superb style from Ronaldo's fourth-minute opener and were never likely to be the powderpuff opposition Roma provided in the last round.

Brazilian striker Kaka looked to have put Milan firmly in the box seat as he first cancelled out Ronaldo's opener and then fired the visitors into the lead before half time. Rooney restored parity just ahead of the hour mark, before sending the majority of the 73,000 fans crammed into the stadium into raptures with a wonderful solo goal with seconds remaining. It was not quite as majestic a performance as two weeks ago, when United trounced Roma 7-1, but no less satisfying; rather than the free-scoring fluid football witnessed on that magnificent evening a fortnight ago, this victory was steeped in courage, grit and determination.

As is their want when faced with Italian opposition at Old Trafford, United took an early lead and there was little surprise as to the identity of the scorer and after much UEFA deliberation, Ronaldo was credited with the opener after just six minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo used all of his height to rise and meet Ryan Giggs' corner with a header that hit Dida's shoulder, sending the ball looping goalwards. Dida tried to get back, but only succeeded in nudging it over the line under pressure from Gabriel Heinze.

Kaka confirmed that was a one-off with the first of his two strikes on 19 minutes. It was a brilliant goal and one that embodied all that is good about the silky Brazilian - not only did he show his abundant pace and skill, but he also displayed his coolness in front of goal, bursting onto Clarence Seedorf's through ball to leave both Michael Carrick and Heinze for dead, before slotting across Edwin van der Sar.

Kaka was undoubtedly the star of the show in the opening 45 minutes, and his second gave Milan the lead going in at the break, although this time he was gifted a shooting opportunity, when Heinze and Patrice Evra collided on the edge of the box. Kaka simply strode forward and confidently slotted home. At 2-1 up, Milan threatened to swamp United as their retention of possession and passing began to highlight just why they are such a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

United never gave up hope, and Rooney's 59th minute strike against the run of play kept alive their interest in this tie. The England striker finished well, but it was all about Paul Scholes' scooped pass through, which baffled the Milan defence and played his team-mate in on goal. Dida did his best to make the save, but the ball looped over the line to set up the stage for Rooney's winner. Giggs was the provider, lacing a pass through for Rooney to run onto and take on a first time shot. The surprise and accuracy of his effort caught out Dida at his near post and gave United a slight advantage ahead of next week's trip to Italy.

Manchester United's second half performance had possibly deserved the victory, and after the equaliser, the hosts poured forward in search of a winner. Fletcher came close on 63 minutes only to see Dida pull a flying save right out of the top drawer, before Giggs flashed a free kick inches wide of the post and Ronaldo hit the side netting.

For Milan, Kaka posed a constant threat, while Alberto Gilardino toiled up front on his own to no avail. Coach Carlo Ancelotti's main striker in Europe has struggled all season and on this evidence, is some way off discovering his form. More worrying news for coach Carlo Ancelotti was that Paolo Maldini and Gennaro Gattuso had to be substituted, and both players will now face a race against time to be fit for the second leg in eight day's time.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Brown, Heinze, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Smith, Solskjaer, Dong, Richardson, Eagles, Lee.

Booked: Evra, Giggs.

Goals: Ronaldo 6, Rooney 59, 90.

AC Milan: Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Maldini (Bonera 46), Jankulovski, Gattuso (Brocchi 52), Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Kaka, Gilardino (Gourcuff 84).
Subs Not Used: Kalac, Cafu, Inzaghi, Favalli.

Booked: Kaka, Bonera.

Goals: Kaka 22, 37.

Champions League, Manchester United 3-2 AC Milan extended highlights:

Player Ratings: Manchester United - AS Roma

Manchester United:

van der Sar - 6 - It was not the busiest night for the Dutchman and he wasn't convincing, although anything was going to be an improvement from his weekend fiasco.

O'Shea - 7 - Mr Versatile did his job very well for United at full-back as he provided plenty of cover for the wave and wave of attacks.

Brown - 7 - A potential weak link following the loss of Nemanja Vidic to injury, but he can't be faulted on a night like tonight.

Ferdinand - 7 - Another player keen to improve on the weekends performance and he did just that, while also offered a surprise attacking option with the occassion run through the middle.

Heinze - 7 - The Argentine completes the set of defenders that did their job without being spectacular, but on a night like tonight it is the attacking six that are going to get all the praise.

Ronaldo - 9 - Is there a better player in the World at the moment? If there is I have not seen him in action! Just majestic from the winger, who plays football as if it were art. There are few better sights in football than when Ronaldo is running at speed at defenders, although for Roma it is a sight that will give them nightmares for years.

Fletcher - 8 - In for Paul Scholes, which is not an easy thing to do, but in a totally different way he was just as effective. The Scot worked so hard for his team and will have won over many critics with a fine and gutsy display.

Carrick - 9 - Two sensational goals from a player who is now truly at home at his level. There will be nobody questioning his price tag if he continues to show he has goals in his game. He could have had a third and it would have been deserved.

Giggs - 9 - The Welshman may be the veteran of the outfield players, but the way that he plays the game is so energetic it defies his years. However, his choice of passes is where he shows his experience.

Rooney - 8 - The striker was asked to play out wide and support from the flanks which is not his strongest position, but he was a tireless performer and still arrived with a strikers goal. Excellent performance.

Smith - 8 - United would admit they would rather still have Henrik Larsson or even Luis Saha, but Smith was another player that showed his worth with extra work rate and few would deny his well taken first half goal was well earned.

Roma:

Doni - 4 - Most of the goals were such good finishes that he can't be expected to have saved them, but nonetheless Doni's lack of saves to shots is very poor. He should be more angry with the players ahead of him.

Panucci - 4 - Vastly experienced international, but made to look like a school boy as United used all the tricks in the books to get past him with their various attacks.

Mexes - 3 - Shocking display from the Frenchman who was reduced to show his lack of class with petty fouls in the closing stages.

Chivu - 4 - The Romanian will have been wishing his mask would have covered his entire face so nobpdy would recognise such an uncharacteristic display.

Cassetti - 4 - Ronaldo will have given Cassetti nightmares for years to come, but hopefully he'll then learn how to deal with the wing wizard.

Wilhelmsson - 5 - Marginally more industrious in midfield, but too often poor distribition cost his side dearly. A shadow of what he is capable of.

De Rossi - 6 - Not the worst performance from the Italian despite the outcome, but his lack of support from midfield options was telling. He also scored with a nice finish.

Vucinic - 4 - Totally overrun in midfield and unable to exert any real authority on the game.

Pizarro - 5 - At times he was involved in decent link up play, but so often the final ball was lacking and there wasn't the commitment to get back and deal with United's pacy attacks.

Mancini - 5 - Similar to above, but with even less involvement.

Totti - 7 - Probably the only Roma player that can be proud of their display, as at least the skipper showed commitment. At times it looked as if he was playing on his own and he may have done better if he wass.

For match report and highlights please click here.

Champions League, Manchester United 7-1 AS Roma (agg 8-3)

Manchester United seven wonders destroty Roma!

A scintillating display by Manchester United saw them tear Roma apart to reach the Champions League semi-finals. Manchester United obliterated Roma and all but erased the reputation of Serie A. No one believed it possible to treat an Italian club quite like this. The victors, nonetheless, will give more thought to their immediate future than to this contribution to the lore of European football!!

A goal behind from the first leg, Sir Alex Ferguson's men blew their opponents away with four first-half strikes from Michael Carrick, Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Further efforts after the break from Ronaldo, Carrick and Patrice Evra completed a remarkable 8-3 aggregate success for a United team who will fear neither prospective semi-final opponent, AC Milan or FC Bayern München, after this display.

England international Michael Carrick, receiving the ball from Cristiano Ronaldo 25 yards out, curled a delightful chip over the stranded Alexander Doni in the visiting goal to send the home fans into raptures and sends their hopes soaring. Minutes later a second goal followed from Alan Smith - only in the side as a replacement for injured Louis Saha and a surprise selection ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at that – and then immediately the third goal went in, first-leg hero Wayne Rooney bagging it from close range.

Ronaldo added two of his own either side of half time while another from Carrick and a seventh strike from substitute Patrice Evra completed the rout, Daniele de Rossi grabbing a stylish consolation!!!

The game began at 100 miles per hour, United with the majority of the ball as an electric Old Trafford roared them on. However the first three shots were directed at the goal of Edwin van der Sar. First David Pizarro sent one a few yards wide, which did not especially trouble the Netherlands international, before Francesco Totti unleashed a snaking grass-cutter fractionally past the post that certainly had him worried. The Red Devils' defence learnt their lesson and made sure to close down the playmaker, doubtful until just before kick off, at every opportunity.

Mirko Vucinic had a wayward attempt in the eighth minute, followed three minutes later by Carrick's sublime opener. It was the crucial goal that on many recent European nights had evaded Sir Alex Ferguson's team and sent them out of the competition; on this occasion it served as the catalyst for a phenomenal passage of play that ensured their progression.

In the 17th minute Smith was rewarded for his industry up front when a Gabriel Heinze pass towards the centre of the field was completely missed by Cristian Chivu in a moment of madness and the blonde striker finished coolly from 18 yards. It evoked memories of his winner in the Stadio Olimpico for Leeds United against Lazio back in 2001; if possibly not for ardent Red Devils fans.

Only two minutes afterwards the score was 3-0 as Smith played in Ryan Giggs, who had popped up on the right wing. Attacking the by-line, he fed the ball to the edge of the six-yard box where Rooney had made a run to meet it and hit the back of the net via the inside of the far post.

Still, at that point two goals for the second-placed Serie A side would have put them through and so it was important that the Premiership leaders, beaten by Portsmouth in the league at the weekend, balance attack with defence. They achieved that as Mancini and Totti were frustrated and Montenegro international Vucinic barely got a kick in the final third.

Emotions boiled over at one stage in the first half when Smith was booked for a late tackle on Chivu and then felt wronged when Marco Cassetti was not punished for a blatant off-the-ball kick, while Rio Ferdinand was also shown a yellow card. The fourth goal arrived two minutes before the break when Ronaldo, along with Giggs a constant threat on the counter, bore down on the penalty area and smashed a low shot inside the near post.

The Giallorossi had another nightmare start to the second period when Carrick, who worked tirelessly off the ball throughout the match, passed to the veteran Welsh wing wizard on the left. He low first-time cross was left by Smith and missed by Doni before Ronaldo stuck it away for an incredible fifth goal to pep up the atmosphere once more.

The scenes of jubilation in the stands were the main show from that moment on as Roma struggled to break down a dense United defensive unit; until Carrick took possession from Heinze around the hour mark. He opened up his body and picked out the far top corner with another goal of the very highest quality. Smith attempted an outrageous chip on the bouncing ball from the corner of the box which landed on the roof of the net before Totti crossed to De Rossi, who turned in a volley from ten yards that on another occasion would have had the Italian fans shouting the house down.

Alas for them it meant absolutely nothing in the circumstances and Evra even cancelled it out with a cracking low shot inside the near post from the right with his natural left foot as Doni anticipated a drive to the far upright!!

Totti tried his utmost to score in a match that he described beforehand as more important than last summer's World Cup final victory for Italy over France, though whether he feels the same way now it has ended in such a way is debatable.

Manchester United were deserved winners, Roma swept away by their attacking ferocity early on – perhaps something lacking in recent seasons of failure in Europe.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Heinze, O'Shea (Evra 52), Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick (Richardson 73), Giggs (Solskjaer 61), Rooney, Smith.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Dong, Cathcart, Eagles.

Booked: Smith, Ferdinand.

Goals: Carrick 12, Smith 17, Rooney 19, Ronaldo 44, 49, Carrick 60, Evra 81.

Roma: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Cassetti, Wilhelmsson (Rosi 88), De Rossi (Faty 86), Vucinic, Pizarro, Mancini (Okaka Chuka 90), Totti.
Subs Not Used: Curci, Defendi, Ferrari, Taddei.

Booked: Cassetti, Mexes.

Goals: De Rossi 69.

United's seven wonders match highlights:
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Champions League, AS Roma 2-1 Manchester United

Roma beat ten-man United

Roma beat Manchester United 2-1 in their Champions League quarter final first leg after a goal from sub Mirko Vucinic. A deflected Rodrigo Taddei goal put the hosts in front before United - who played for 58 minutes with ten men after Paul Scholes was sent-off - equalised through Wayne Rooney.

The Giallorossi began at a frantic pace, forcing a corner within the first minute. Francesco Totti's delivery was only half cleared and the ensuing shot from Taddei almost fell for Christian Panucci. David Pizarro's suspension had elicited a midfield reshuffle, with Christian Wilhelmsson patrolling the right flank, Mancini the left and Taddei operating centrally behind Totti, as Simone Perrotta dropped deep.

The switch seemed to disturb United as Scholes conceded two free-kicks on the edge of the box early on. The first was curled fractionally over by Cristian Chivu, the second drilled low by Totti and pounced on by an alert Edwin van der Sar. United's new-look defence, which had Wes Brown and John O'Shea filling in for the injured Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidić, settled after a nervy start, but the Premiership leaders were far from their fluent best. Indeed, aside from a Ryan Giggs free-kick headed over his own bar by Perrotta, United barely threatened in the opening period. Their growing frustration was epitomised by Scholes, who picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Totti in the 34th minute.

Roma immediately looked to capitalise on their numerical advantage but Perrotta was cautioned for simulation on 42 minutes, ruling him out of the second leg. They finished the first half strongly, however, Van der Sar pushing Taddei's shot around the post only for Roma to score from a quickly-taken corner seconds later. Totti threaded a pass through for Mancini in the left channel and the Brazilian's cutback found Taddei whose strike deflected off Brown and past Van der Sar.

Giggs moved into central midfield after the break yet the Italian team were buoyant and nearly scored again on 48 minutes. Totti led a lightning counterattack, springing forward and feeding Perrotta on the right, whose cross reached Taddei but this time Van der Sar was equal to the Brazilian's low effort. Just when it looked like Roma would take charge, however, Cristiano Ronaldo fired a warning to the home side, breaking free before hitting a tame attempt at Doni. That salvo gave United hope and they levelled through Rooney on 60 minutes, the England striker controlling Ole Gunnar Solskjær's cross on his chest and taking his time before slotting home emphatically.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti reacted by sending Vučinić on for Wilhelmsson, and the change paid instant dividends. The Montenegrin international had already seen one effort saved when he rifled a shot past Van der Sar after the Dutchman had parried Mancini's stinging drive on 66 minutes. Roma finished on top as Perrotta volleyed wide from an acute angle and Totti narrowly missed the target moments later, but United resisted to limit the damage to a 2-1 deficit.

Roma: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Cassetti, Wilhelmsson (Vucinic 62), Taddei (Rosi 82), De Rossi, Perrotta, Mancini, Totti.Subs Not Used: Curci, Faty, Defendi, Ferrari, Okaka Chuka.

Booked: Perrotta.

Goals: Taddei 44, Vucinic 67.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Heinze, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Brown, Ronaldo, Giggs (Saha 77), Carrick, Scholes, Rooney, Solskjaer (Fletcher 72).Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Smith, Dong, Richardson, Eagles.

Sent Off: Scholes (34).

Booked: Scholes, Solskjaer, Heinze.

Goals: Rooney 60.

Champions league, AS Roma 2-1 Manchester united extended highlights:

Romans crank up pressure!

Roma stars Amantino Mancini and Christian Panucci have added coals to the fire of Wednesday's Champions League quarter final against Manchester United by branding Cristiano Ronaldo a 'diver'.

Brazilian Mancini, himself blessed with fantastic dribbling skills, has warned the Portuguese flyer that he will face tougher defenders than he is used to when the two sides meet at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, and that any showboating will be met with disdain.

Mancini said: "Ronaldo is almost perfect in the art of dribbling but the Italian defenders are harder than anywhere else and he will be taking a big risk if he ties any exhibition stuff.

"I've watched Premier League matches and he is protected by the referees. I don't think he will be on Wednesday."

Ronaldo has already been on the receiving end of some stark warnings of late, most notably from Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen who predicted the youngster would leave the field of play on a stretcher during a Euro 2008 qualifier last weekend.

But the 22-year-old seems to feed off such adversity and he has displayed a knack for nonchalantly shrugging off such threats; he scored twice against Belgium as Portugal won 4-0.

Such ability leaves Roma defender Panucci in no doubt as to just how dangerous the hot tip for this season's Player of the Year award is, although the former Chelsea player has urged the referee to stand up to Ronaldo's perceived penchant for over-simulation.

"Ronaldo's class is unquestionable," the Italy international said. "But I believe he abuses his dribbling talents and always exaggerates his falls. A lot will depend on the referee in Roma.

"Ronaldo will not be daring enough to do it because he knows we will not fall for his tricks."

Doubts over Louis Saha

Manchester United striker Louis Saha is nearing a complete recovery from injury, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson may decide not to risk playing the Frenchman against Roma on Wednesday.

Manchester United striker Louis Saha is nearing a complete recovery from injury, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson may decide not to risk playing the Frenchman against Roma on Wednesday.

Saha has been sidelined for the past five weeks with a hamstring injury but has now pulled through and is thought to be fit enough to sit on the bench for United's Champions League quarter final clash in Rome.

But with a packed fixture list from now until the end of the season, Ferguson is believed to prefer to err on the side of caution, and Saha is set to be left behind in Manchester as the Premiership leaders jet off to the Italian capital.

Should Saha stay, he will continue his programme to achieve match fitness in a reserve game against Blackburn on Thursday, leaving him ready for selection for the weekend's clash with Portsmouth.

With United still chasing silverware on three fronts, fixtures are piling up for Ferguson's side, and the clash with Pompey is closely followed by the return leg against Roma at Old Trafford next Wednesday.

In Saha's continued absence, Ferguson is likely to deploy Ole Gunnar Solskajer in an attacking partnership with Wayne Rooney after the Norwegian made a successful return to action from injury with a goal in Saturday's 4-1 win over Bolton.

Totti warns Ferguson

You Will find out who I am, Totti warns Ferguson!!

Not mentioning Francesco Totti when listing Roma's best players is tantamount to treason in the Eternal City.

And Sir Alex Ferguson's exclusion of the exalted number 10 among the players Manchester United most fear has added spice to Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, first leg here on Wednesday. Romans are up in arms that Ferguson, when asked which Roma players he most admired, allegedly overlooked Totti and cited midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Mancini as their key men.

And on Sunday, Totti had a stark warning for the Manchester United manager.
"I accept Ferguson's opinion of me, and I hope to make sure he remembers my name," Totti told Sky Sports Italia.

Totti also took a swipe at England and English football, saying he has never been tempted to play in the Premiership.

"I've never liked English football, even though many great players play there," said the 30-year-old Italian World Cup winner.

"I don't like English football, and I don't like England where the weather is miserable."

Premiership, Manchester Uniuted 4-1 Blackburn

Scholes fires Manchester United closer to title

A moment of genius from Paul Scholes sparked a magnificent second-half revival from Manchester United which allowed them to move another mighty stride closer to completing their Premiership title dream with a 4-1 home win over Blackburn.

United central defender Nemanja Vidic was forced off with a broken collarbone and the home side then fell behind when Matt Derbyshire slotted home. But United dug deep and Paul Scholes slalomed into space and fired in before Michael Carrick sidefooted in.

Park Ji-Sung pounced to add a third and an Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer tap-in completed United's comeback to leave them needing five wins for the title.

Scholes' goal came from a rare Blackburn mistake as defender Christopher Samba dallied on the ball on the edge of the Rovers area and was stripped of it by Scholes. The former England midfield player still had much work to day but skipped past Ryan Nelsen and Stephen Warnock before beating the American keeper with a superbly-driven shot.

Manchester United, clearly sensing victory, pressed on. In the 66th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo might have edged United in front as David Dunn gifted him a chance only for Friedel to make a superb save as the Portuguese winger bore down on goal. Even more incredibly, Ryan Giggs had an open goal before him as he met Ronaldo's 67th minute left-wing cross but battered his shot against the cross-bar with such force that it rebounded to safety.

Cristiano Ronaldo once more caused panic inside the Rovers box, his cut-back ran to Carrick, who had enough composure virtually to pass the ball into the same corner Scholes had launched his shot into earlier. Even with victory within their grasp, United refused to relent and when Friedel failed to hold a stinging Ronaldo free-kick seven minutes from time, Park raced in to tap home.

There was still time for one more too as Park's cross evaded Rooney but fell nicely for substitute Solskjaer, who finished off with ease.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson:
"The intensity of our game was fantastic but so was the support - that put us over the line.

"The players were all talking about it in the dressing room - they couldn't believe the volume of noise.

"The great thing we showed was the composure to not lose our heads, keep our nerve and keep on playing and by doing that we kept on making chances."

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes:
"United will not be denied now, I think they will win the title comfortably.

"For 60 minutes we were really in the game. The crowd were anxious and I felt we were going to capitalise on it.

"But they were able to galvanise themselves and show why they are champions-elect. This year, they have played the best football."

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (O'Shea 28), Heinze, Ronaldo (Solskjaer 84), Carrick, Scholes, Park, Giggs (Smith 84), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Richardson.

Booked: Heinze.

Goals: Scholes 61, Carrick 73, Park 83, Solskjaer 90.

Blackburn: Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Dunn, Kerimoglu (Peter 74), Mokoena, Pedersen, Derbyshire, McCarthy (Roberts 69).
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Nonda, Henchoz.

Booked: Dunn, Pedersen, Emerton.

Goals: Derbyshire 29.

Premiership Manchester United 4-1 Blackburn highlights and goals:

FA name semi-final venues

Old Trafford and Villa Park have been confirmed as the venues that will play host to this season's FA Cup semi-finals.

As expected, the Football Association have scheduled Blackburn's match with Chelsea at the home of Manchester United.

The game will kick off at 4pm on Sunday, April 15 and will be televised live by Sky Sports.

Watford will face United at Aston Villa's home ground the previous day, kick off at 5.30pm, with the BBC providing live coverage.

FA Cup, Manchester United 1-0 Middlesbrough

Ronaldo Wins It For Red Devils

A second-half penalty won and converted by Cristiano Ronaldo sent Manchester United through to the FA Cup semi-finals where they will meet Watford next month.

The otherwise outstanding Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate brought down Ronaldo from behind as the Portuguese winger cut in on goal along the by-line from the left in the 76th minute.

Ronaldo coolly converted the penalty kick to clinch the tie for United.

Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer twice denied Wayne Rooney in one-on-ones when the England striker was clean through as United applied pressure in their quest to keep alive the dream of another treble.

The closing 15 minutes after the goal became quite heated, with four bookings and a sending off for disgruntled Boro players. But it could not prevent United joining Arsenal on a record number of 25 Sem-Final appearances.

Substitute James Morrison was red-carded for a nasty lunge at match-winner Ronaldo.

Victory was deserved for United, as they should the greater ambition to win. Boro appeared to have come for a draw and penalties - they way they got through the previous two rounds.

But United were not interested in extra time or a shoot-out, and had Boro on the back foot for most of the game. As a result, the visitors' goal attempts were confined to speculative efforts from distance that posed little threat to home keeper Tomasz Kuszcak.

It made for a frustrating evening for Boro's main striker, Mark Viduka, while at the other end Woodgate led by example to repel Ronaldo and Rooney.

Just before half-time, though, Rooney was played through by an astute Ryan Giggs pass, and it took a magnificant save from Schwarzer, diving at his feet, to thwart him.

Middlesbrough's best chance arrived ten minutes into the second-half, when Viduka worked an opening for Stewart Downing, only for the winger to slice the ball wide.

Ronaldo then hit the outside of the post from a tight angle before Schwarzer again enied Rooney, this time with his foot.

However, the Australian keeper stood no chance when Ronaldo sent him the wrong way with a deftly-placed penalty.

The award of the spot-kick seemed straightforward enough - Ronaldo was upended by Woodgate in the England defender's one (costly) error of the night. But it angered Woodgate's team-mates, with George Boateng booked for shoving a ball-boy and Morrison sent packing for his challenge on Ronaldo.

That triggered an ugly melee in which Rooney, already booked, was lucky not to have been further disciplined.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Carrick, Giggs, Richardson (Park 60), Smith (O'Shea 71), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Heaton, Cathcart, Eagles.

Booked: Smith, Rooney.

Goals: Ronaldo 76 pen.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor (Huth 88), Cattermole (Morrison 62), Boateng, Arca (Rochemback 69), Downing, Yakubu, Viduka.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Lee.

Sent Off: Morrison (90).

Booked: Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Boateng, Rochemback.

FA Cup, Manchester United 1-0 Middlesbrough, Ronaldo's goal:

Premiership, Manchester Utd 4-1 Bolton

Rooney and Park on song

Manchester United signalled their intention not to let anything as trivial as a mounting injury list derail their treble drive as they smashed four past Bolton for the second time this season to triumph 4-1 at Old Trafford. Park Ji-Sung and Wayne Rooney both scored twice as Sir Alex Ferguson's men surged to a victory which leaves them requiring a maximum 18 points from their last eight games to end a four-year title drought.

After half an hour of the onslaught it would have been difficult to know who was sitting most uncomfortably, Sam Allardyce or Steve McClaren - who had taken the opportunity to survey the start of a crucial weekend for him in the Old Trafford directors' box.

The game was only 10 minutes old when the England head coach's day took a serious downturn as Neville lay on the ground in agony after his left ankle crumpled under a challenge from Gary Speed. Neville could put no weight on his leg as he was helped to the touchline and the word swiftly came out that he could not continue.

Already the chances of the United skipper being fit for international duty in Israel next Saturday appear slim to non-existent, so McClaren, who had spoken of the need for experience in Tel Aviv, may end up turning to 18-year-old rookie Micah Richards.

If there is any comfort for McClaren, it is that England are not facing Portugal next week because, with Ronaldo in this mood, they would be virtually unbeatable. Having already suffered heavily at United's hands once this season, Allardyce was keen to avoid a repeat.Yet, after Bolton had received a major let-off when Park skied over from three yards, the visitors were well and truly flattened by a big red steamroller driven mercilessly by Ronaldo.

The opener came from an innocuous beginning as Wayne Rooney won a header with Tal Ben Haim close to halfway. Ronaldo was onto the loose ball in a flash, darted not just to the by-line but down it, then picked out Park with a fine cut-back which invited the South Korean's precise finish.A capacity crowd was still catching its breath when United scored one of those breakaway goals which have been such a hallmark of their success down the years.

Breaking out of their own area as they half-cleared Ivan Campo's long throw, the Red Devils streamed forward.In the end only Ronaldo and Rooney were required to make contributions as the pair exchanged passes twice in a run which took them 80 yards downfield before Rooney beat Jaaskelainen with an impudent chip to register the 50th goal of his United career.

For a while it seemed Bolton would be humiliated in a manner seldom seen since Allardyce took charge seven years ago. It was almost as if the visitors were so fearful of Ronaldo they dare not go near him, offering the winger a suicidal amount of space to run into every time he got the ball.

Jaaskelainen was spooked enough by his presence to allow a relatively weak shot to slip from his grasp just before the half hour, the rebound rolling kindly for Park to tap home his second.From that point on it was a damage limitation exercise for Bolton, with Ferguson feeling sufficiently comfortable about his side's position to remove Giggs and - to a standing ovation - Ronaldo from the fray long before the end.

Only Jaaskelainen's save prevented Ronaldo getting his own name on the scoresheet for the 18th time this season, but the winger's exit at least allowed Alan Smith to experience Premiership combat for the first time since he suffered those horrific injuries at Liverpool in February last year.

He was soon celebrating too after setting Rooney free with a lobbed pass which allowed the United forward to outpace Ben Haim before belting an unstoppable volley past Jaaskelainen.The goal involved precisely five touches from the moment the ball left the United area to it entering the Bolton net.

It took Rooney's tally for the season to 15, five of which have come against Allardyce's team, who bagged a late consolation when Gary Speed slotted home from the spot after Nemanja Vidic had harshly been ruled to have fouled Abdoulaye Faye.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:

"The resilience of this team is not going to be put back at all. "I'm very pleased. It is a terrific result for us against a Bolton team which is a very good team and make you work all day. "Four goals at home this time of year is great."

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce:
"I can't understand how we have conceded three goals from our dead-ball situations.

"We have to get the basics right and play the percentage game as we have not the same quality as them United.

"We have gifted Manchester United three goal. I am angry with us not doing those things right."

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Neville (Brown 11), Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo (Smith 70), Carrick, O'Shea, Park, Rooney, Giggs (Richardson 56).
Subs Not Used: Heaton, Evra.

Booked: Richardson.

Goals: Park 14, Rooney 17, Park 25, Rooney 74.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Faye, Gardner, Nolan, Campo (Thompson 78), Speed, Davies (Teymourian 52), Anelka, Pedersen (Diouf 28).
Subs Not Used: Walker, Giannakopoulos.

Booked: Campo, Gardner.

Goals: Speed 87 pen.

Premiership, Manchester Utd 4-1 Bolton highlights and goals:

FA Cup, Middlesbrough 2-2 Manchester United

Ronaldo keeps United's FA Cup treble dreams alive

Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty earned Manchester United a replay after Middlesbrough threatened a shock in the FA Cup quarter-final at the Riverside.

Wayne Rooney gave United the lead, drilling low past Mark Schwarzer. Boro equalised when Lee Cattermole fired in just before half-time. Terrible defending from United saw George Boateng head Boro in front after the break. However, a handball by the Dutchman in the penalty area led to Cristiano Ronaldo's equaliser from the spot.

Manchester United suffered a blow before the kick-off when goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar sustained a calf injury and had to be replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak.

The youngster was soon in action as he saved a Stewart Downing effort after the England winger had been put through by an intelligent pass from Julio Arca.

But Manchester United took the lead on 23 minutes when Rooney shot low past Schwarzer after collecting a pass from Ryan Giggs. It was a deserved advantage for United who had looked the more threatening. Rooney had already fired just wide after some superb build-up play involving Gabriel Heinze and Henrik Larsson, playing his last game for the club before returning to Sweden.

Ryan Giggs almost doubled the lead as he shot left-footed against the far post following a Gary Neville cross. So close for United.

Boro made it 1-1 just before the break. Kuszczak couldn’t properly clear the ball, Arca headed it back into the danger zone and Cattermole controlled and volleyed expertly into the net.

Things got worse for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team just the other side of half-time when Boateng rose completely unmarked to head Downing’s corner past Kuszczak. Dreadful defending from United who left the Dutchman all alone.

Manchester United were refused a penalty when Rooney went down under a challenge from Stuart Parnaby. Manchester United levelled on 66 minutes when the ball struck Boateng’s raised arm in the area. Ronaldo drilled the resulting penalty low past Schwarzer.

Jonathan Woodgate did well to block from Giggs at the death and the tie will now go to a replay on March 19.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole (Morrison 80), Boateng (Euell 89), Arca, Downing, Yakubu, Viduka (Lee 89).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Xavier.

Goals: Cattermole 45, Boateng 47.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Larsson.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Park, Smith, Richardson, Eagles.

Booked: Larsson.

Goals: Rooney 23, Ronaldo 68 pen.

FA Cup, Middlesbrough 2-2 Manchester United highlights & goals:

FA Cup, Boro V. Manchester United Preview

Henrik Larsson plays his last game for Manchester United as they travel to Middlesbrough for their FA Cup quarter-final clash at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

With Louis Saha (hamstring) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (knee) out injured, Larsson will start alongside Wayne Rooney up front for United. Chinese striker Dong Fangzhuo has also been called into the United squad for the first time, and is expected to take a place on the bench, alongside Alan Smith.

Defender Mikael Silvestre is set to be on the sidelines for about three weeks after suffering a dislocated shoulder, and Darren Fletcher (ankle) also definitely misses the clash.

Middlesbrough have yet to win a match inside 90 minutes in the competition this season, and will need strikers Yakubu and Mark Viduka to continue the run of form that has seen them account for 9 of their 12 Cup goals so far.

"Without question, this is the biggest game of the season," said Boro boss Gareth Southgate. "The next game is always the biggest, but the opportunity to get into the semi-final is a great carrot for us.

"I've told the players, we don't have to be a better team or a better club than them, we just have to be better than them for 90 minutes on Saturday."

Defender Robert Huth played 45 minutes in a reserve team game on Wednesday as he continues his comeback from a broken foot, but the Germany international is not expected to feature on Saturday.

Midfielder Fabio Rochemback also played 90 minutes in that game, and could be fit enough for a place on the bench.

UEFA Chmapions League draw result

Quarter Finals will be played on 03/04 and 10/11 of April:

AC Milan Vs. Bayern Munich

PSV Vs. Liverpool

Roma Vs. Manchester United

Cheslea Vs. Valenica

Champions League, Manchester 1-0 Lille

Larsson bows out in style

Henrik Larsson bowed out of Old Trafford on Wednesday with a reminder of why Manchester United had been so desperate to keep him until the end of the season as Sir Alex Ferguson's side stumbled into the last eight of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Lille. It was the perfect farewell gift from the veteran Swede, who is due to head for home next Wednesday, having completed a successful 10-week loan stint from Helsingborg.

Manchester United had two good chances in the first half but Wayne Rooney's shot was blocked and John O'Shea hit the bar. Lille grew in confidence but failed to capitalise as Jean Makoun wasted a header from six yards and Peter Odemwingie's header rattled the post.

Larsson sealed victory in the 72nd minute when he headed home Cristiano Ronaldo's cross from the left.

Larsson might have marked the occasion with a goal after ten minutes, Larsson's exemplary first touch letting him down for once after Paul Scholes defence splitting pass found him in a couple of yards of space on the edge of the area.

Normal service was resumed five minutes later when a half-volleyed flick from the outside of his boot sent Scholes into the area. The midfielder duly chipped to the back post for Rooney, whose volley was bravely blocked by the Lille captain, Gregory Tafforeau, resulting in a corner that John O'Shea headed on to the bar.

Lille's Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva did well to hold a deflected shot from Scholes after a neat exchange of passes with Larsson but the biggest cheer of the first half was generated by the midfielder's attempt to take a quick free-kick, echoing the manner in which Ryan Giggs scored the first leg winner.

Giggs, watching from the stand, enjoyed the joke but once the free-kick was finally taken, Ronaldo's effort was sent straight into the Lille wall, as was a second attempt he was accorded because the visitors had not retreated the full ten yards.

Lille almost punished Manchester United at the start of the second half, when Peter Odemwingie's header beat van der Sar but came back off the post.

On the touchline, the mood of an increasingly irate Ferguson would not have been improved by the sight of Nicolas Plestan scything into Wayne Rooney from behind. The challenge earned the French defender a yellow card and most of Old Trafford breathed a collective sigh of relief when the England forward quickly got to his feet.

Manchester United were in desperate need of an injection of quality and, as so often this season, it was Ronaldo who provided it. Having show-boated his way through the preceding 70 minutes,Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly produced an unstoppable burst down the left flank before picking out Larsson on the edge of the six-yard box with a deft cutback.

It left Larsson with the simple task of steering his header beyond the hopelessly exposed Sylva.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Carrick, Scholes, O'Shea, Ronaldo (Richardson 82), Rooney (Park 82), Larsson (Smith 74).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Heinze, Brown, Giggs.

Booked: Ronaldo, Richardson.

Goals: Larsson 72.

Lille: Sylva, Chalme, Tavlaridis, Plestan, Tafforeau, Makoun, Dumont (Fauvergue 74), Keita, Obraniak, Michel Bastos (Debuchy 46), Odemwingie (Mirallas 74).
Subs Not Used: Malicki, Youla, Franquart, Lichtsteiner.

Booked: Makoun, Chalme, Tafforeau, Plestan.

Champions League Manchester United 1-0 Lille highlights and Larsson's goal:

Champions league, second day results

Milan 1-0 Celtic

Arsenal 1-1 PSV

Manchester United 1-0 Lille

Bayern Munich 2-1 Real Madrid

Full reports and videos will be added tonight!

Uefa Champions league, first knockout round, second leg

Uefa Champions league, first knockout round, second leg schedule.

Matchday 8 - Tuesday, 06 March:

Lyon 20:45 Roma
Liverpool 20:45 Barcelona
Chelsea 20:45 Porto
Valencia 20:45 Inter Milan

Matchday 8 - Wednesday, 07 March:

Milan 20:45 Celtic
Arsenal 20:45 PSV
Manchester United 20:45 Lille
Bayern Munich 20:45 Real Madrid

For the Cmapions league Full coverage please click here
First day matches reports and videos are now available click here now!

Premiership, Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United

Late O'Shea show keeps Manchester United on target

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United have got lucky in the Premiership title race after his 10-men snatched a dramatic 1-0 win at Liverpool on Saturday.

Manchester United were under pressure for long spells of the second half at Anfield and were clinging on for a point after Paul Scholes was sent off with eight minutes remaining for aiming a punch at Xabi Alonso. But John O'Shea fired home from close range in the 90th minute after Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina spilled Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick.

John Arne Riise was within inches of putting Liverpool ahead after 26 minutes, sending a low, driven free-kick narrowly wide. Manchester United escaped again four minutes later when Craig Bellamy robbed the uncertain Nemanja Vidic, but his cross flashed along the six-yard line with Dirk Kuyt unable to apply the final touch.

Liverpool were rarely troubled, although Jamie Carragher had to intervene bravely to deny Rooney as he shaped to shoot inside the area. The momentum was all with Liverpool as the second half started - and they did everything but score as United were pinned back.

Steven Gerrard shot over from 12 yards, and Bellamy forced a save from Van der Sar low down before having a close-range effort ruled out for offside. Riise then fired a rising drive just over the top from 25 yards as Liverpool dominated a strangely lack-lustre United.

The game had become a disappointing stalemate, with United replacing an ineffective Henrik Larsson - on his final Premiership appearance before returning to Helsingborg - with Louis Saha. And Manchester United suffered a blow with 18 minutes left when Rooney limped off with a gashed leg and injury to his knee after a high challenge with Carragher.

Saha was at the centre of penalty claims with 12 minutes left when he tumbled under a challenge from Daniel Agger, but referee Martin Atkinson was unmoved.

Manchester United then threatened a smash-and-grab when the previously unemployed Reina needed to scoop away a header from Ronaldo. Scholes and Alonso had been involved in a succession of spats, and Scholes saw red after he raised his hand in the direction of the Spanish midfield man though no contact was made.

Van der Sar then produced a pivotal moment, diving acrobatically to his left to palm away Crouch's shot.

And just as United seemed happy to settle for a point, Reina dropped Ronaldo's free-kick at the feet of O'Shea, who slammed his finish into the roof of the net.

Manchester United's Boss Alex Ferguson:

"Without question this is a massive result for us," Ferguson said. "We were very lucky today. Liverpool upset our rhythm a bit and we had a lot of narrow escapes."

"But that happens in championships. Last week at Fulham was a great example of that when we broke away and scored in the last couple of minutes. Today we've broken away and scored in the last minute or so."

"You need that bit of luck to win a championship, there is no question about it and we've got that in the last couple of weeks."

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko (Crouch 79), Gonzalez (60 Aurelio), Kuyt, Bellamy (Pennant 69).
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Hyypia.

Bookings: Alonso 41, Carragher 72.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (Silvestre 63), Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney (O'Shea 73), Larsson (Saha 67).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Brown.

Sent off: Scholes 86.

Bookings: Carrick 43, Neville 81.

Goal: O'Shea 90.

Premiership Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United extended highlights:

English Premier League, Liverpool Vs Manchester United preview

Liverpool are unbeaten at home in the Premiership this season, but have not won against United at Anfield in the league since November 2001. Rafa Benitez’ side have not scored in their previous four league meetings with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who won 2-0 at Old Trafford in October.

Liverpool:

RETURNING: None

OUT: Luis Garcia (Knee), Harry Kewell (arthritis)

DOUBTFUL: Peter Crouch (broken nose)

Statistics: The Reds extended their unbeaten home league record to 30 games after their 4-0 win over Sheffield United last week.

MANAGER'S QUOTE: "A perfect week for us and our supporters, and our players are enjoying playing football. We had to change seven players which can be a bit risky. Sometimes it's a risk but I always say the same thing - you have to have faith in your squad" - Rafa Benitez after his side's win over Sheffield United.

Manchester United:

RETURNING: Gary Neville (rested)

OUT: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (knee), Darren Fletcher (ankle)

DOUBTFUL: None

Statistics: United have won three and drawn one of their previous four visits to Anfield. Ryan Giggs is set to make his 700th appearance for the club.

MANAGER'S QUOTE: "The fans at Reading were fantastic. The support they gave us, both there and at Fulham, was absolutely unbelievable. There were only 4,000 of them at Reading, but the volume was incredible. If only we could get 17 times that amount of noise from those at Old Trafford" - Sir Alex praises United's travelling support.

FA Cup Fifth round replay, Reading 2-3 Manchester United

Match Full Report and Highlights.

Reading were the width of a crossbar away from completing one of the finest comebacks in FA Cup history at the Madejski Stadium as they went down 3-2 to Manchester United. Reading boss Steve Coppell began the game with an aggressive looking forward line of three including Irish international Kevin Doyle, making his first start in over a month after overcoming a hamstring injury.

With just a minute gone Reading's boss was considering a rethink as Gabriel Heinze put United into the lead inside two minutes. Few minutes later it was far too simple for Saha to dartbetween De la Cruz and Bikey before finishing with an excellent shot. The Frenchman has been downgraded since Henrik Larsson arrived, but the latter will be going back to Sweden in a couple of weeks and the dynamism of Saha at the Madejski Stadium wasencouraging for United as they contemplate the run-in to the Premiership. Sir Alex Ferguson had another jolt of satisfaction here in the sixth minute. Richardson slung the ball to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the right and the craftsman finisher squeezed a shot just inside the far post.

The three goals sparked Reading into life and they gave themselves a spirited chance when Ivar Ingimarsson headed a John Oster corner into Dave Kitson who nodded home at the far post.
With their lead cut Manchester United then retreated further and further into their shells allowing a rejuvenated Reading to take the game to them and even though the second half struggled to match the spellbinding opening of the first the number of passes by red shirted players that were going astray gave the home side increased initiative.

Substitute Glen Little's cross had Leroy Lita in its sights on 78 minutes only for Wes Brown to pull off a fantastic defensive header to deny the England under-21 international at the far post.
The introduction of Rooney was Ferguson's attempt to kill off the game but Reading continued to press forward with intent and when Sidwell bundled his way into the penalty area to set up Kitson, Van der Sar was called upon to pull off a dramatic save.

The Royals finally had their goal when de le Cruz found Lita who stretched back largely unchallenged to head past the United keeper and despite Brynjar Gunnarsson crashing an effort against the crossbar in the final seconds Ferguson was able to relax and turn his attentions to Anfield on Saturday.

FA Cup, Reading 2-3 Manchester United Highlights and Goals