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04/03/2008 10:37, Report by Adam Bostock

Transfer Rumours: Feb-Mar

The transfer window may have long since slammed shut but still the rumour mill touts players for a future move to Manchester.

A link with Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni follows the more-publicised speculation surrounding Lyon striker Karim Benzema and his team-mate in midfield Hatem Ben Arfa.

Watch this space for more rumours as the season enters its final phase...


ARRIVALS
Player NameCurrent ClubPositionFeeCarlos KameniRCD EspanyolGoalkeeperNot statedRead the rumour
Hatem Ben ArfaOlympique LyonnaisMidfielderNot statedRead the rumour
Karim BenzemaOlympique LyonnaisStriker£30millionRead the rumour

DEPARTURES
Player NameLinked WithPositionFeeCristiano RonaldoBarcelonaWinger£40millionRead the rumour

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06/03/2008 06:39, Report by Ben Hibbs

Fletcher comes to the fore

Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Darren Fletcher’s patience and determination to be an important squad member for United after turning in another impressive performance, this time against Lyon in the Champions League.

Fletcher went about his work quietly but effectively, breaking up Lyon attacks and displaying his wide range of passing, reason enough for Sir Alex to feel justified in leaving Paul Scholes on the bench.

“It was a big decision because Scholes’ performance against Fulham was vintage,” he said. “If the game had been on Wednesday I would have played him. But I had to ask the question with it being three days after the Fulham, especially given the time he has been out injured and his age.

“Darren came in to do a job, which he did very effectively. He's not easy to play against. I wouldn’t like to play against him. He has such a long stretch, which means he can close players down quickly and he wins possession without conceding many fouls. That was important to us, because Juninho’s ability from set-pieces could have been a threat to us.”

The 24-year-old really grasped his chance in the 4-0 FA Cup win over Arsenal. Before then he had made just six starts all season – in part due to injuries. Ever since, he has been outstanding.

“Darren emerged from the Arsenal game with great credit, and since then he's come into the frame,” said the boss. “It’s a great credit to the lad and the patience he's shown.

“He shows something we always admire at this club: true professionalism. That’s why you give players good contracts. You hope they get the first part right and obey the laws of being a professional. He is a very good example of that.”

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04/03/2008 23:40, Report by Steve Bartram

Carrick supports rotation policy

Michael Carrick feels the benefits of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad rotation system are plain to see, after United booked a berth in the last eight of the Champions League on Tuesday.

The England midfielder played a key role against French champions Lyon alongside Darren Fletcher and Anderson, a totally different central midfield to the Paul Scholes-Owen Hargreaves axis which started Saturday's win at Fulham.

With such a range of quality options throughout the squad, Carrick is confident that the Reds have a vitality and quality which bodes well for the season's run-in.
"It's going really well," he told MUTV. "It's brilliant when you're winning. Everyone looks really good and is hitting good form, and as long as it keeps working I think we're all happy.

"Even with the different players everyone gels really well, and hopefully that's going to benefit us in the final stages of the season when the really big games turn up."
Having secured passage through the quarter-finals in Europe and clawed back most of Arsenal's lead in the Premier League title race in the last fortnight, United's attentions switch to FA Cup duty this weekend.

Only Portsmouth stand between the Reds and a fourth semi-final in five years, but Carrick expects a stern test from Harry Redknapp's side.
"It'll be tough," he said. "They've been in good form away from home this season. They've got a lot of pace and attacking threat, but if we are on our game then we should win."

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04/03/2008 20:45, Report by Ben Hibbs

Sir Alex left frustrated

Sir Alex Ferguson was disappointed that his side did not take advantage of second-half chances to kill off the tie against Lyon, despite being pleased at reaching the last eight.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 30th goal in 30 games was enough to send the Reds through 2-1 on aggregate. But Sir Alex feels it should not have been such a tight and tense finish to the match.

"We should have made more of the chances and the possession we had in the second half," he told ITV Sport.

"We made it difficult for ourselves. But we're into the next round and that was, of course, the object of the exercise.

"Defensively we did very well. I don't think Lyon really had any chances in the game. That is a plus for us."

Ronaldo's fantastic goalscoring record was one of the most pleasing aspects of the victory, which sees United in the last eight draw on Friday 14 March.

"It's a fantastic record," added the boss. "For a wide player to do that is incredible. He drifts into the middle at times, as he did tonight. He took the goal very well. We're very pleased, it's a great contribution."

The game also saw another impressive feat - a tenth straight home win in the Champions League.

"It's a marvellous record, and I think it equals a record held by Juventus," said the boss. "The supporters have a lot to do with that. They were fantastic again tonight."

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04/03/2008 21:35, Report by Steve Bartram

Rio won't get carried away

Rio Ferdinand conceded that United were short of their best against Lyon on Tuesday evening, but was delighted simply to have sealed a berth in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo's goal gave the Reds a narrow 2-1 aggregate win over the French champions, and the England international defender admits that each tie will be tricky in the latter stages as the cream of European talent comes together.
"These nights are always tough," Rio told MUTV. "You've got to defend well as a team and then take your chances when they come. We did that, maybe could have finished the game earlier, but we'll take what we're given.
"It's tough every year, there are always good teams. This is the Champions League and we expect tough games, whatever part of the competition we're in. As long as we're in the next round we're happy, and that's what we are."
The Reds now move onto FA Cup duty against Portsmouth in Saturday's next match, but Ferdinand is ignoring the inevitable talk of repeating 1999's Treble.
"We'll take each game as it comes. Today it's the Champions League, Saturday it's the FA Cup and the following game is in the league so it's just each game as it comes.
"Last year we got caught a little bit with injuries and stuff, but we've got a lot of numbers at the moment with great quality, and long may that continue."

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04/03/2008 21:28, Report by Steve Bartram

Gunners go through

Two late goals from Arsenal’s star men saw reigning European champions AC Milan upset in the San Siro, ensuring at least two English sides in the quarter-finals.
Cesc Fabregas struck from distance after 84 minutes, before Emmanuel Adebayor slotted home a breakaway second in injury time to send Arsene Wenger’s side into the final eight.
Tuesday’s other match involving British opposition saw Celtic predictably ousted by tournament favourites Barcelona, who led 3-2 from their first leg victory at Parkhead.

Already massive underdogs going into the tie, Gordon Strachan’s side were dead and buried after Xavi’s early goal for the Catalan giants, who strolled through with something to spare.
The game of the evening was between Sevilla and Fenerbahce in Spain. The Spaniards matched their visitors' 3-2 first leg lead after 90 minutes, before the Turks prevailed 4-2 on penalties.

Champions League Last 16Results - Tues 4 March
AC Milan 0 (0) Arsenal 2 (2)
Barcelona 1 (4) Celtic 0 (2)
Man United 1 (2) Lyon 0 (1)
Sevilla 3 (5) Fenerbahce 2 (5)*
*Fenerbahce win 4-2 on pens

Fixtures - Weds 5 March
Chelsea (0) v Olympiakos (0)
Porto (0) v Schalke (1)
Real Madrid (1) v Roma (2)

Fixture - Tues 11 March
Inter Milan (0) v Liverpool (2)

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Papers: Ronny best in show
05/03/2008 10:05

Ronaldo magic steals the show
For Cristiano Ronaldo, the Champions League remains the one territory he has not truly conquered during his short, startling career. Maybe this is his time. Having failed to reach his customary high standards in crucial ties against teams such as AC Milan and Porto in previous seasons, United's talismanic forward still has much more to offer his team on the grandest stage in club football.
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail

The Sun says Sir Alex Ferguson roared 'bring it on' at the thought of facing an English side in the Champions League last eight. "It could well happen - and I would really enjoy that," he said.

The paper also says that Reds goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo was the hero of Old Trafford once again with his 30th goal from his last 30 starts.

The Daily Mirror pays tribute to Darren Fletcher's recent performances, saying the Scottish midfielder has come of age.
Round up by Ben Hibbs

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04/03/2008 21:00, Report by Ben Hibbs

Report: United 1 Lyon 0

United may not have been at their flamboyant best, nor even their most devastatingly ruthless, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal three minutes from half time was enough to see the Reds through to the Champions League quarter finals.

Ronaldo's 30th of the season gave the Reds a tenth straight Champions League win at Old Trafford. Lyon, solid and tactically tight but, to their detriment, unadventurous, set the tone for this game. But United broke the mould – if only once – in a game of few chances.

It’s always difficult to second-guess Sir Alex’s team selection, especially with the multitude of options available to him. But the Reds boss still managed to spring a surprise by picking a side that did not contain three of his most experienced outfield players. Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves both took up places on the bench, while a calf injury ruled Ryan Giggs out.

At the start of the season, it might have been difficult to picture a midfield trio of Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Anderson playing in such a critical last 16 second leg tie. But, that in itself is a signal of how strong United’s squad is.

Crucially, no player in Sir Alex’s front six had played the full 90 minutes against Fulham on Saturday. It’s a freshness that the United boss has sought in recent weeks.

The Reds started brightly enough in the opening minutes. With Sir Alex opting again for a 4-5-1 formation, Ronaldo and Nani pressed forward, Rooney worked tirelessly, while Anderson pushed ahead of Fletcher and Carrick.
Karim Benzema again looked dangerous when given space, and Juninho had a few early free-kicks to test United’s rearguard. But the Reds, marshalled by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, looked solid. More and more the game was played out tactically; Lyon content not to concede, looking for a breakaway; United probing for a way through but not going full pelt with a valuable away goal in their armoury. It was less the clichéd chess match, more who blinked first.

Fortunately for United, it was Lyon. The French side failed to clear Anderson’s shot on 42 minutes, and Ronaldo’s delicate touches eight yards out drew him clear of Francois Clerc, and his shot sneaked inside Gregory Coupet’s near post.

Lyon’s game-plan changed very little in the second half, keeping it tight and hoping to snatch a goal on the counter. United chose a similar tactic, hoping to draw Lyon out. After 65 minutes Nani had a shot that arrowed narrowly over, but other than that United were quiet in front of goal until the final 15 minutes.

The introduction of Carlos Tevez, United's scorer in the first leg, in place of Anderson may have seemed a bold attacking move. But he was instructed to drop deep and keep possession, providing an outlet on the break.

United, though in control, were not home and dry. Substitute Kader Keita found space in the Reds’ penalty area and struck the post on 74 minutes. But it was a rare breakthrough. The Reds weren’t without chances to put the game out of reach. Rooney latched onto Hatem Ben Arfa’s mystifying back-pass, but he couldn’t beat Coupet. Then Nani burst down the right channel
and elected to cross the ball when he should have shot.

With ten minutes remaining, Lyon boss Alain Perrin brought on Fred and went to a more attacking 4-4-2 formation, but in the end their own negativity had worked against them and time ran out.

For United this may not have been a resounding victory, but against well-organised and tactically stubborn opponents, it was a professional job well done.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo (Hargreaves 90), Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (Tevez 70), Nani; Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Saha, Park, Scholes, O'Shea.

Booked: Evra, Nani

Olympique Lyonnais: Coupet; Clerc, Squillaci, Cris, Grosso; Govou (Keita 68),
Juninho Toulalan, Kallstrom (Fred 79), Ben Arfa; Benzema.
Subs not used: Vercoutre, Bodmer, Delgado, Mounier, Boumsong.

Booked: Grosso, Squillaci

Attendance: 75,521

wlt1110

06/03/2008 19:46, Report by Steve Bartram

Reserves: United 2 Boro 1

Ben Foster completed 90 minutes on his return from knee surgery on Thursday evening, as United's Reserves registered a hard-fought win over Middlesbrough's second string with goals from Sam Hewson and Chris Eagles.

The England international goalkeeper turned in a solid display and showed no apparent ill-effects of his first competitive outing since his final loan appearance for Watford 10 months ago.

Foster was rarely tested by Boro's forwards in a scrappy match, but looked alert and was sharply off his line on a number of occasions. When he was finally beaten, it was by a controversial second half penalty from Boro's Graham Owens.

That spot kick cancelled out Hewson's fine opener for United, a goal which was the outstanding moment in a scrappy first 45 minutes. The Reds' skipper was on hand to convert after Danny Welbeck had fired Chris Eagles' neat pass goalwards.

Ten minutes after the break, Owens rattled the frame of Foster's goal with a superb 25 yard free-kick, but the Reds goalkeeper almost had a hand in United doubling their advantage six minutes later.

Foster picked out Danny Welbeck with a mammoth clearance and, although the England youth striker managed to head past goalkeeper Brad Jones, his effort was cleared off the line by Seb Heinz.

The visitors were handed a route back into the match on 68 minutes when Danny Simpson was harshly ruled to have handled inside the area, and Owens hammered the spot kick in off the bar.


Hewson then lashed a volley just wide and Eagles drove wide from 25 yards as United sought to regain their lead. Eagles' effort proved to be a valuable sighter as, six minutes from time, he had a more successful effort from similar range.

Picking the ball up from substitute Anton Bryan, the winger worked his way infield and, ignoring the runs of Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, lashed a superb 30 yard effort in off Jones' left-hand post.

It was the latest in a long line of special goals from Eagles this season, but he almost topped the lot three minutes later. From a free-kick 25 yards out, Welbeck flicked the ball up for Eagles to volley, and Jones had to fling himself to his left to claw the ball round the post.

Eagles then slipped a fine cross back to Welbeck in injury time, but the promising young striker could only clip his shot wide of the near post.

The two goals were enough in the end, however, to register a first win in four games for the Reserves, while Foster provided the evening's main positive with a long-awaited return to action.

United: Foster; Simpson, Pique, Chester, Eckersley; Cleverley, Hewson, Possebon (C Evans 75), Eagles; Fagan (Bryan 78), Welbeck.
Subs not used: Zieler, Lea, James.

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06/03/2008 08:32, Report by Steve Bartram
Ronaldo targets trophies

Cristiano Ronaldo is delighted with his goalscoring form - but admits it will count for nothing if United fail to win any silverware this season.

The Portuguese winger hit his 30th goal of the season against Lyon on Tuesday but, rather than focus on personal plaudits, he is focused solely on a collective strong finish to a promising campaign.

"At the moment I feel very good," he told MUTV. "I've scored a few important goals and I want to keep going like that. I want to score more goals.

"But the most important thing is for the team to win games and trophies. We're playing really well and we're in three competitions. Now we need to be strong for 15 more games to finish the season."

Next up for United is Saturday's FA Cup visit of Portsmouth, and Ronaldo feels home advantage gives the Reds a great chance of reaching next month's semi-finals at Wembley.

"Portsmouth are a strong team and always difficult to beat," he said. "But we are playing at home, and I think we have a great chance to go through to the semi finals."

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06/03/2008 08:11, Report by Ben Hibbs

Rooney a Red for life

Wayne Rooney is so committed to United that he cannot see himself ever being lured away to any of Europe's top clubs.

The 22-year-old striker has confessed his love of playing for the Reds and doesn't foresee a time when he will ever decide to leave.

Of course, things can rapidly change in football, but Rooney feels the lure of the Premier League and the chance to win trophies with United makes Old Trafford feel more and more like home.

"I have no desire to play abroad," he says. "I love playing for Manchester United and I'm pretty sure that will never change.

"Our game in England has improved so much in the past few seasons I think we have proved now that we have the best league in the world. We attract the best players and, in my eyes, it's by far the best league. It is up to other players if they decide to play abroad but, for me, English football is better than anything else."

Rooney's claims can be substantiated by the fact that English clubs make up almost half of the teams remaining in the Champions League.

"It'd be nice if all the English teams could stay apart," he said. "It would be better for English football if we all progress."


While the United striker is keen for United's English counterparts to do well in the Champions League, he is desperate that the Reds prove to be a force in Europe this season.

"Last season we had injuries and a few tired players, but this is a bigger squad and, hopefully, the rotation policy will help," he added.

"If we get to the last four again, we should be a lot fresher because a lot of the players won't have played as many games as they did last season.

"But if we want to win the Champions League we'll have to improve on the performance against Lyon. We got a bit edgy in the second half. We're looking for better performances than that."

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06/03/2008 08:00, Report by Nick Coppack

Vidic: Derby defeat inspired us
Nemanja Vidic says losing to Manchester City on derby day may, in retrospect, have yielded a number of positives.

While the Serbian centre-back says February's defeat was hard to stomach, he admits it “came at the right time”.

“Look at us now,” Vidic told Manchester United Radio. “We’re playing better than ever and we’re only point behind Arsenal in the league. I think losing to City was a wake-up call and helped us realise that if we don’t play to our best then we won’t necessarily win.”

Since that loss, United have chalked up four victories and a draw in Europe away from home. The team have closed the gap at the top of the Barclays Premier League to just one point, qualified for the quarter finals of the Champions League and now face Portsmouth in the FA Cup sixth round.

“We’re doing well right now and I hope we’ll keep this momentum going,” Vidic says.

“I want to play in the big games and win trophies; that’s why I’m at Manchester United. Every game is crucial now and it’s important we keep our shape and don’t lose too many goals.”

Keeping it tight has been a major feature of United’s play this season and Vidic’s partnership with Rio Ferdinand has widely been hailed as the best in the league.

Even so, 26 year-old Vidic says there’s no room for complacency.

“You can always get better and Rio and I are always looking for ways to improve. If something happens in training and we find ourselves in a situation we’re not familiar with, we’ll discuss it and try and sort it out. If you want to play well then you must be willing to work hard and improve.”

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06/03/2008 08:15, Report by Gemma Thompson

Ronny tally 'incredible'

United legend Paddy Crerand hailed Cristiano Ronaldo after his 30th goal of the season ensured United's place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The winger struck his 30th goal in as many games against Lyon on Tuesday night and it was enough to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory for the Reds.

Ronaldo is now withing two goals of George Best's record and Crerand is backing the 23-year-old to keep up his remarkable scoring trend.

"It’s an incredible feat for any player, let alone a winger, to score 30 goals in a season," Paddy told ManUtd.com.

"You’d be delighted as a striker to hit that amount of goals, so for Ronaldo to do it is fantastic.

"The amazing thing is he isn’t finished yet, there’s a lot more to come from him.

The Reds winger is not only prolific, his goals also tend to come at crucial times, which makes him even more a prized asset going into the final stages of the campaign.

Crerand added: "He’s popped up with important goals at important times and I'm sure he'll continue to do that between now and the end of the season."

'And he's not finished yet...'Ronaldo hits 30

Sporting Lisbon 0-1 United (1)
Birmingham 0-1 United (1)
United 4-0 Wigan (2)
Dynamo Kiev 2-4 United (2)
Arsenal 2-2 United (1)
United 4-0 Dynamo Kiev (1)
United 2-0 Blackburn (2)
United 2-1 Sporting Lisbon (1)
United 2-0 Fulham (2)
United 4-1 Derby (1)
United 2-1 Everton (2)
Sunderland 0-4 United (1)
West Ham 2-1 United (1)
Aston Villa 0-2 United (1)
United 6-0 Newcastle (3)
Reading 0-2 United (1)
United 3-1 Tottenham (2)
United 2-0 Portsmouth (2)
Newcastle 1-5 United (2)
United 1-0 Lyon (1)

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06/03/2008 09:08, Report by Ben Hibbs

Villa match could move

Fans should be aware that United's Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday 30 March could be brought forward to the Saturday due to European commitments.

The Reds booked a place in the Champions League quarter finals with Tuesday's victory over Lyon.

Sir Alex's men will find out their last eight opponents in the last eight draw, which takes place on Friday 14 March.

Quarter final first leg ties are to be played on Tuesday 1 or Wednesday 2 April, and if United are drawn to play on the Tuesday then the Villa match will move to Saturday 29 March.

ManUtd.com will keep you up to date with any fixture changes as and when they are announced.

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06/03/2008 10:10, Report by Adam Bostock

Fans ponder Euro draw

Victories for Chelsea, Roma and Schalke mean six of United's possible seven opponents in the Champions League last eight are now confirmed - with Inter Milan v Liverpool still to be decided. But who would you like the Reds to be drawn against? That's one of the topics currently being discussed on our message board...

Red Veteran
"My preferences are in the following order - favourite first: 1. Schalke, 2. Fenerbahce, 3. Liverpool (assuming they go through), 4. Arsenal, 5. Chelsea, 6. Roma, 7. Barcelona."

NelsonPuah
"Definitely Roma. SAF probably knows them inside out after United played them four times recently and have managed to beat them convincingly at home and draw away. What tops my day, beside United advancing to the quarter finals, is seeing Real Madrid eliminated. Heinze and Van Nistelrooy won't get their dream of facing United."

Diana Tryphonos
"I would prefer Schalke or Fenerbahce, I think they would be easy. I also prefer Chelsea - Olympiakos were too easy for them..."

Mihovil Bicanic
"It's just important for us to have the 1st leg away. We can beat anybody."
Red United
"I predict a Schalke draw, but personally I would like to knock Barca out. Here are my predictions for the draw: United vs Schalke, Arsenal vs Roma, Chelsea vs Barca, Liverpool vs Fenerbache."

Read the full thread and add your comments at www.manutd.com/messageboard.