Expectations were huge when Berbatov signed for United from Tottenham Hotspur on September 1 in a deal worth just under £31million.

The Bulgarian striker had established himself as one of the Premier League's most dangerous attackers during his time at White Hart Lane. His partnership with now-Liverpool hitman Robbie Keane produced 88 goals in two seasons, and Spurs - currently bottom of the table - are clearly missing Berbatov's flair and goalscoring prowess.

The former Bayer Leverkusen player is just beginning to hit his stride at Old Trafford, and Van der Sar believes he will prove an invaluable asset as the Red Devils attempt to defend their English and European titles.

"Berbatov has added qualities we didn’t have before," the Dutch goalkeeper told The Sun.

"We mostly played with Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney up front but, with Berbatov, we’ve more possibilities. He is tall and can be reached through the air."

The Manchester United forward started the season in lacklustre fashion, leading many to question his worth to the Red Devils' XI, much less Fabio Capello's England set-up.

Now, though, Rooney has hit his stride in a big way, smashing three in his last three United appearances.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Rooney's return to form has coincided with the introduction of Berbatov to the side.

"The mere fact he is at Old Trafford should take me onto a different level," he told the club's official website. "I am not guaranteed my place in the side anymore."

"More than anything I like playing just off a front man. It's probably because I get on the ball more. I don't like to be out of the game too long.

"Some centre-forwards can stay up front, not touch the ball and just look to score goals. I don't really enjoy doing that. I like to be involved in the game. Mainly at United I have been used in different roles but maybe the fact Dimitar has arrived will bring some continuity to my game."

Rooney went on to admit that competition for places brings the best out of him.

"I like to play under pressure," he added. "The other week when the manager left me out against Bolton, I was disappointed. I just wanted to get on the pitch as quickly as I could and show him what I could do. I like to prove people wrong if I can."

Tiền đạo Bulgaria, người đã ghi hơn 27 bàn thắng ở giải ngoại hạng Anh trong hai mùa giải cuối cùng chơi cho Tottenham, cho tới thời điểm này đã được ra sân trong bốn trận gần đây nhất của United.

Tuy nhiên, anh vẫn chưa một lần lập công ở giải nội địa mặc dù đã 2 lần tìm thấy mảnh lưới đối phương trong trận đấu với Aalborg ở Champhion League tuần trước.

[b]Trong khi một số người hâm mộ United đặt ra nghi vấn về sự ăn ý giữa Berbatov với Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo và Carlos Tevez, một số khác cho rằng tiến đạo Bulgaria cần thêm thời gian để thích nghi.

Park Ji-sung đồng ý với quan điểm thứ hai. Ngôi sao người Hàn Quốc nói: "Berbatov là một sát thủ thực sự. Cả hai bàn thắng của anh ấy trong trận đấu với Aalborg tuần trước rất đẹp và anh ấy có thể ghi ít nhất 25 bàn thắng cho chúng tôi mùa giài này."

"Anh ấy sẽ dần bắt nhịp với lối chơi chung của toàn đội và tôi hạnh phúc khi có một đồng đội như Berbatov."

(Theo MUSVN)

 Morten Gamst '32
 Christopher Samba '85

'30 Wes Brown 

'64 Wayne Rooney 
'29 Darren Fletcher 

A goal in each half ensured Manchester United claimed all three points against Blackburn at Ewood Park. Wes Brown and Wayne Rooney did the damage as the champions cruised past Paul Ince’s men.

The pre-match hype had surrounded Paul Ince taking on his former side and Sir Alex Ferguson certainly had a surprise up his sleeve for the Rovers boss.

Wayne Rooney, taken off in midweek through injury, was in the starting lineup as the champions sought to take three points from Ewood Park for only the second time in eight visits.

Yet the visitors started sloppily and Rovers certainly had the better of the opening half an hour.

Whilst Vidic came close from a corner for United early on it was Matt Derbyshire who really should have opened the scoring.

Brett Emerton caught the United defence napping with an intelligent pass which Derbyshire ran onto before hitting a lot shot across the goalkeeper Van der Sar. The Dutchman could only parry his effort but fortunately for him Ferdinand was on hand to clear the danger ahead of the incoming Santa Cruz.

The chance sparked the champions who came close at the other end. Berbatov sliding in Darren Fletcher whose drilled shot across goal was inches wide.

As the visitors grew into the game a sense of foreboding began to fall around a rain-soaked Ewood Park.

Just before the half hour some slick passing by the Red Devils culminated in Berbatov squaring the ball to Giggs whose shot was fingertipped superbly onto the bar by goalkeeper Brown.

It was to prove only a momentary reprieve for Ince’s men however. Minutes later a short corner by United fell to Rooney whose cross to the far post was nodded in by Wes Brown.

His namesake in the Rovers goal howled his protests and replays showed Vidic jumping with the Blackburn keeper may have committed a foul but referee Steve Bennett waved the complaints away.

Yet from then on Ince could have few objections over the scoreline as United took full control. With ten minutes to go before half time Rooney had the chance to double his side’s lead after being put through in the area.

The England striker attemped to dink it over Brown but the goalkeeper recovered well to keep the deficit down to one.

Right on half time it was Ronaldo’s turn. Patrice Evra haring down the left wing found Ronaldo close to goal but the Portugese transpired to mis-hit his shot wide.

The second half became something of a procession for the visitors and with Santa Cruz hobbling off injured for the home side, the situation looked bleak.

It was to prove the case and just after the hour mark United doubled their lead. A break for United found Ronaldo running at Olsson on the right.

The Portuguese winger simply flew past the the left black and picked out Rooney who made no mistake firing it past Brown to give the champions a deserved 2-0 lead.

From then on it was simply a question of how many United might score as they completely dominated the game against a beleagured Rovers.

Rooney came close, dinking a lob over the bar before Berbatov was denied by the quick thinking of Brown, rushing out of his goal to deny the Bulgarian.

However, it was substitute Tevez who came the closest of all. The Argentinean firing a low shot against the post after being set up by Ronaldo.

In the end the champions failed to extend their lead but Ferguson will depart Ewood Park pleased with the performance and delighted with a rare three points snared from Blackburn, much to Ince’s dismay.

Blackburn Rovers: Brown; Ooijer, Samba, Nelson, Warnock; Emerton, Tugay, Olsen, Pedersen; Santa Cruz, Derbyshire.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (O'Shea 71); Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs (Tevez 66); Rooney (Park 77), Ronaldo, Berbatov.

Tiền đạo Bulgaria đã lập một cú đúp trong chiến thắng của Quỷ Đỏ trước Aalborg và, trong khi anh thừa nhận rằng chiến thắng của đội bóng quan trong hơn thành thích cá nhân, anh đang đặt ra mục tiêu sẽ tiếp tục 'nhả đạn' bắt đầu từ chuyến hành quân tới Blackburn cuối tuần này.

"Những bàn thắng rất quan trọng với tôi," anh phát biểu.

"Tôi thật sự rất vui mừng khi đã làm được điều đó. Tôi đã ghi bàn với sự giúp đỡ của đồng đội và tôi nghĩ chúng tôi đã chơi tốt trận đấu tối hôm đó. Trận đấu tiếp theo của chúng tôi diễn ra vào ngày thứ Bảy và tôi hi vọng sẽ lại tiếp tục ghi bàn."

"Công việc của tôi là ghi bàn, hay tạo cơ hội cho đồng đội ghi bàn, nhưng điều quan trọng nhất là toàn đội giành chiến thắng. Áp lực luôn luôn tồn tại và tôi hi vọng sẽ vượt qua những áp lực đó với sự giúp đỡ của đồng đội."

(Theo MUSVN)

ถ้าพูดถึงตำแหน่งศูนย์หน้าของทีมฟุตบอล หน้าที่หลักของตำแหน่ง คือทำหน้าที่ยิงประตูเป็นส่วน
ใหญ่ ยิงประตูทีมคู่แข่งให้ได้มากที่สุด ยิงเยอะกำไรไปเกือบครึ่ง แต่ถ้ายิงไม่ค่อยได้อาจจะมีตำ
แหน่งไม้ตีพริกพ่วงท้าย อิ อิ อิ

หลังจากที่สองกองหน้า สองหนุ่ม  มาจากสองประเทศ ที่ถูกจับตามองในขณะนี้ของพรีเมียร์ลีก
อังกฤษ ตั้งแต่ย้ายมาอยู่กับสโมสรใหม่ในสังกัด ยังยิงประตูไม่ได้ เอ๊... เป็นเหมือนกันทั้งสอง
คนเลย (รักกันจัง)

ใช่แล้วครับ ร็อบบี้ คีน และดิมิตาร์ เบอร์บาตอฟ สองศูนย์หน้าจากลิเวอร์พูลและแมนยู อดีต
เพื่อนรักคู่ขาเก่า (อย่าคิดมาก) จากทีมไก่เดือยทอง ซึ่งตอนนี้กลายมาเป็นคู่แข่งกันซะแล้ว
ในสภาพแวดล้อมที่เปลี่ยนไป

พอย้ายออกจากสเปอร์แล้ว สองคนนี้มีอะไรที่เหมือนกัน ตัดกันไม่ขาดยังไงไม่รู้ นัดกันยิงประตู
ไม่ได้พร้อมกันซะอย่างนั้น (คงไม่ได้เตี้ยมกันนะ) ทำเอาบรรดาสาวกของทั้งสองทีม เริ่มหงุด
หงิดกับการเฝ้ารอ ว่าเมื่อไหร่พวกมันจะยิงกันซักทีสองทีนะ เฮ่อ... ยิ่งตั้งความหวังไว้สูงกับค่าตัว
ที่แสนจะแพง พร้อมกับฟอร์มการเล่นที่ผ่านมากับสเปอร์ของคู่นี้เด็ดดวงเหลือเกิน ไม่งั้นไม่ซื้อ
มาแพงขนาดนั้น จริงไหมท่านเซอร์ ท่านราฟา

และแล้ว... ตาข่ายกระจุย เบิกฤกษ์ ปิ่นสินชัย (งงอะจิ) กันทั้งสองหนอ เมื่อคืนวันอังคารและวัน
พุทธ ที่ผ่านมา ในการแข่งขันศึกยูฟ่า แชมเปี้ยนส์ ลีก เบิร์บจัง เด็กผี ซัดไป สองเม็ด เรียกได้
ว่าถูกใจพี่ขอเบิ้ล ส่วนคีนน้อย ไม่น้อยหน้าหรือกลัวหน้าจะน้อย ซัดไปหนึ่งตุงเป็นน้ำจิ้ม ให้
แฟนๆ หงส์สบายใจขึ้น

เรียกได้ว่าเปิดซิง ยิงให้ทีมใหม่กันสองเกลอ ไม่ใช่สองแถว คลายความกดดันให้กับตัวเองเป็น
ที่เรียบร้อย ปิดฉากข้อครหาและเสียงบ่นต่างๆ ที่ช่วงนี้ เริ่มได้ยินถี่ขึ้นของแฟนบอลทั้งสองทีม

ไม่รู้ว่าสองคนนี้นัดฉลองดื่มเบียร์เคล้า ฟิซแอนด์ชิพหรือเปล่า กับประตูเปิดซิงของทั้งสองคนกับ
ทีมใหม่ อิ อิ อิ คงต้องคอยดูกันต่อไปว่าประตูแรก ในพรีเมียร์ลีกของทั้งสองคนจะมาถึงในคืนนี้
หรือไม่ โปรดติดตามกันต่อไป To be shoot to goal...

Thank You For Image : http://www.gettyimages.com

I am sure he will continue to progress and will play a great role for Manchester United this season.

Berbatov đã làm rung lưới đội bóng Đan Mạch hai lần trong hiệp thi đấu thứ hai, quá nhiều niềm vui cho huấn luyện viên Sir Alex Ferguson và các đồng đội của anh.

"Quả là rất tốt đối với Berba khi anh ấy có bàn thắng đầu tiên cho United, và anh ấy cũng thi đấu rất xuất sắc," Ronaldo phát biểu. "Ghi bàn luôn là điều tuyệt vời với các tiền đạo, nó giúp cho bạn cảm thấy tự tin. Mọi người đều biết anh ấy là một cầu thủ xuất sắc. Phong cách của anh ấy khác với Carlos Tevez và Wayne Rooney nhưng sau hai hay ba trận chúng tôi đã hiểu ý nhau hơn. Anh ấy là một cầu thủ tuyệt vời và anh ấy đã giúp cho đội bóng rất nhiều."

Việc Berbatov có được bàn thắng đầu tiên cùng với sự lấy lại phong độ của Ronaldo và Rooney - cầu thủ đã thi đấu hết sức ấn tượng trước khi bị thay ra vì một chấn thương mắt cá, chắc chắn là một dấu hiệu tốt cho các vòng đấu tiếp theo của Quỷ Đỏ.

"Điều quan trọng nhất đó là chiến thắng," Ronny thêm vào. "Đây là chiến thắng đầu tiên của chúng tôi ở đấu trường Champions League mùa này và chúng tôi hi vọng sẽ tiến vào vòng đấu loại trực tiếp với vị trí đầu bảng - điều đó sẽ mang lại lợi thế cho chúng tôi.'

"Chúng tôi đã trình diễn một thứ bóng đá đẹp và 3-0 là một kết quả xứng đáng. Toàn đội đã bắt đầu thi đấu ngày càng tốt hơn trong hai ba trận gần đây."

Ronaldo, cầu thủ vẫn đang tìm kiếm lại sự nhạy bén của mình sau ca phẫu thuật mắt cá chân hồi đầu mùa giải, khẳng định anh sẽ toàn tâm toàn ý thi đấu cho United mặc cho một mùa hè đầy biến động với những thông tin anh sẽ rời khỏi Old Trafford. "Tôi cảm thấy rất thoải mái," anh nói. "Tôi cảm thấy mọi thứ tại câu lạc bộ đều tuyệt vời, tôi hạnh phúc ở đây và tôi muốn mọi thứ vẫn sẽ tiếp tục vốn như nó vẫn thế."

(Theo MUSVN)

You can guarantee that when Paul Ince took over the Blackburn Rovers job from Mark Hughes, games such as this Saturday’s against the club he represented with such distinction during his playing career was one of the first he looked for when the fixture list was released.

Indeed, the concept of even facing the Premier League and European champions must have seemed a long way away this time last season when he was guiding Milton Keynes Dons to the Football League Two title. Ince, though, has taken the giant leap to the Premier League in his stride if recent results are anything to go by.

Beginning with a barnstorming opening-day victory at Goodison Park against Everton, ‘the Guv’nor’ should be very pleased indeed to see his Rovers team sitting in a comfortable seventh place in the table after claiming further wins at home to Fulham and away at Newcastle United.

The ex-Inter Milan player has also, importantly, managed to add some further quality to the Blue and Whites squad. His signing of Paul Robinson seems to have re-invigorated the much-maligned goalkeeper, right-back Danny Simpson has been an astute loan singing from this Saturday’s opponents, whilst the Latin flair and technical skills of Chilean Carlos Villanueva has lit up the Rovers attack.

Such an impressive start to his Premier League career has certainly allowed Ince to cast aside any of the doubts that were sent his way upon his ascension to the Ewood Park hot-seat.

However, there aren’t many bigger tests for a manager than when Manchester United come to town.

However, Ince has inherited a team that has performed well above expectations against the Red Devils in recent years, with Rovers pinning back United’s title hopes last season in a hard-fought 1-1 draw as well as recording a David Bentley-inspired 4-3 win in 2006.

If the former Reds idol can continue this impressive run on Saturday, then you can be sure that Sir Alex Ferguson will have to crack a wry smile at yet another one of his protégés coming back to haunt him.

There are some players who have an uncanny knack of finding the back of the net every time they walk onto a football pitch, whilst there are others who seem to be in a constant cycle of hot and cold spells when it comes to getting their name on the score-sheet.

That Wayne Rooney seems to fit so firmly in to the latter category will make the news of his potential absence from this game even harder to take for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Rooney had looked to be coming back to his effervescent best in the Red Devils’ last two games, scoring a beautifully crafted goal against Bolton Wanderers and setting United on their way to an elementary 3-0 Champions League win against Aalborg with an uncharacteristically composed finish.

Furthermore, the mid-week jaunt in Denmark dealt a much more serious blow to Ferguson’s playing stock with the news that Paul Scholes will be out of action until 2009 due to the knee ligament damage he picked up in an innocuous challenge against AaB. The Oldham-born playmaker may not be the player that he once was, but anyone who saw his cameo appearance against Bolton Wanderers couldn’t have failed to recognise the quality and finesse that Scholes adds to the United midfield.

This latest injury will also exacerbate a problem position for United this season due to the continuing fitness issues for Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves, as well as the poor form of Anderson since his return from Olympic duty with Brazil. Blows such as these though will have been compensated by Dimitar Berbatov’s two goal salvo against the Danish champions.

The tall Bulgarian will be an important figure if the Red Devils are to come away from Ewood Park on Saturday with all three points.

Victories against their North West neighbours have though been scarce in recent years, a fact that Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt be aware of when he rues the loss of his inspirational No. 10 for this match.

Blackburn Rovers (last 5 games):

27/09	v	Newcastle United	Barclays Premier League	A		1	2
24/09	v	Everton	Carling Cup	H		1	0
20/09	v	Fulham	Barclays Premier League	H		1	0
13/09	v	Arsenal	Barclays Premier League	H		0	4
30/08	v	West Ham United	Barclays Premier League	A		4	1

Manchester United (last 5 games):

30/09	v	Aalborg BK	UEFA Champions League	A		0	3
27/09	v	Bolton Wanderers	Barclays Premier League	H		2	0
23/09	v	Middlesbrough	Carling Cup	H		3	1
21/09	v	Chelsea	Barclays Premier League	A		1	1
17/09	v	Villarreal	UEFA Champions League	H		0	0

Blackburn Rovers

Rovers will be without the services of Paul Robinson (calf) as he is still a week away from a return to action. The ex-Tottenham man joins long-term injury absentee David Dunn (shin) on the Ewood Park treatment table. Defender Danny Simpson will also be in the stands for this game - he is ineligible as he is a loan signing from Manchester United. Australian international Vince Grella (calf) should though be available to Paul Ince for the visit of the Premier League champions.

Squad: Brown, Bunn, Nelsen, Samba, Warnock, Emerton, Ooijer, Pedersen, Grella, Andrews, Treacy, Olsson, Tugay, Villanueva, Derbyshire, Santa Cruz, Roberts, Fowler.

Manchester United

The ease of the Red Devil’s mid-week victory in Denmark has come at a cost with Paul Scholes (knee) out of the first-team frame until January. The veteran player joins team-mates Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Michael Carrick (ankle) on the sidelines to leave Sir Alex Ferguson short of central midfield options. There is better news for Gary Neville, however, as he should return for the short trip to Blackburn after being rested against Aalborg. Wayne Rooney (ankle) does though remain a serious doubt for this game after his early withdrawal against the Danish champions. Injuries to goalkeepers Ben Foster (knee) and Thomas Kuszczak (knee) will mean that Ben Amos retains his place on the United bench.

Squad: Van Der Sar, Amos, Rafael Da Silva, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Giggs, O'Shea, Nani, Anderson, Park, Fletcher, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez.

Blackburn Rovers

After being sporadically linked with United over the summer, Roque Santa Cruz will want to show Sir Alex Ferguson his true worth. The Paraguayan powerhouse was a constant thorn in the side of the Red Devils when the two teams met at Ewood Park last season, giving Rovers the lead with a trademark header, and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic one of the toughest tests they received during United’s glorious campaign. A repeat of such a dominant display will give Paul Ince every chance of claiming his first major Premier League scalp. 

Manchester United

With his two goals against Aalborg in mid-week, Dimitar Berbatov started to pay back the huge transfer fee that brought him to the club. Strikes against Danish minnows will, however, be quickly forgotten by an expectant United following if the Bulgarian doesn’t continue to get his name on the Red Devils’ score-sheet. Football fans are a notoriously fickle bunch though, and if the ex-Tottenham man caps off a promising week with a match-wining strike against Blackburn Rovers you can bet that any of their initial misgivings will be quickly forgotten as they celebrate another three points.

Ewood Park has never been a fruitful hunting ground for Manchester United, with one win in their last three visits to Blackburn standing testament to this fact.

The task for Sir Alex Ferguson has also grown even harder in the last few days with Paul Scholes’ worrying knee injury and the fitness doubts surrounding a rejuvenated Wayne Rooney.

Bearing this news in mind, Rovers manager Paul Ince should have his troops fired up on Saturday to give his former manager’s charges a real test of their Premier League winning credentials.

Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Manchester United

"Everything is like Ryan Giggs once said. He was here from the beginning and he doesn't want to be anywhere else. I am here. I don't want to go anywhere else. I find myself sitting at home sometimes, thinking: 'Hey, I am at Manchester United!' I am the happiest guy. It is a wonderful thing. But you must keep fighting in every game."

Reading this made me realize why the manager is the best in the world and how someone with the quality and the history of sulking like Berba wants to ensure that he cements a place here in the united 'folklore' within 5 weeks of joining the club. These days though there is no point in relying on such statements coz most of them mean almost next to nothing. (Ronaldo saga anyone!!!)

The more interesting part of the interview was Berba's reply to why he did not celebrate the goal:

"I didn't celebrate my first goal because I was still angry and disappointed with myself over the first one I missed. I was embarrassed. For a guy who has been bought for all this money, I must take these chances so that is why I was angry."

There are two things that I observed from these words:

1) The man has high expectations from himself and his mentality reminds me a little of Roy Keane. Roy had habit of sulking if things were not going his way and being extremely harsh on himself for they way he performed and this guy's the same. HE's going to be another Alex Ferguson favourite and I expect SAF to use all this self-criticism to make Berba grow in stature both as a team player and as a professional.

2) HE is very very aware of the price that has been paid for him and it has given him an added burden to perform. It would be interesting to see how long he remains under this burden as it will test the character of the man. From his interviews, I seems that he loves challenges but this will help him show us his individuality in dealing with the challenge that every successful united transfer has to go through.

Hope his goals keep coming and he develops in a manner which is Cantonna-esque

Ojo con su segundo gol (el tercero del partido)

Editado: Pincha para ver el vídeo

]]> http://redevils.wordpress.com/?p=2292 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:59:05 +0000 Peter Liaros http://redevils.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/man-united-3-def-aalborg-bk-0/  Andreas Johansson '52
 Karim Zaza '54 Action '22 Wayne Rooney 
'38 Rafael Da Silva 
'55 Dimitar Berbatov 
'79 Dimitar Berbatov 

Manchester United cruised past Aalborg BK to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Energi Nord Arena in Denmark.

In an end-to-end first half, Dimitar Berbatov missed a glorious opportunity to hand United an early lead. However, Wayne Rooney was able to slot the visitors ahead after being played through on goal by substitute Ryan Giggs as the reigning European champions assumed control of the game.

A shocking error from Thomas Augustinussen allowed Berbatov to volley home his first United goal after the break before the Bulgarian tucked home his second from Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross to seal the three points. United could have scored more than three in what was a comfortable evening for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

On-loan from Southampton, Polish international Marek Saganowski was selected to play as a lone striker for Aalborg, who fielded a five-man midfield as they looked to snuff out United’s creative threats.

18-year-old Brazilian Rafael Da Silva was handed a surprise first European start for United at right-back. The starlet was preferred over Wes Brown, with Gary Neville left at home with fitness concerns. Portuguese internationals Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani were named on either wing for United in a 4-4-2 formation, with Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney leading the line up-front. John O’Shea was preferred to Darren Fletcher in midfield.

In a lively opening ten minutes, it was the visitors who wasted an excellent opportunity to make an early breakthrough. Aalborg goalkeeper Karim Zaza took too long to clear the ball and Ronaldo got a touch to his scrambled clearance. The ball scooped upwards and landed at the feet of Berbatov, who could only volley wide from eight yards with the goal gaping.

Paul Scholes had to be replaced by Ryan Giggs in the 15th minute after a clumsy challenge from Thomas Augustinussen, before Rafael surged forward at pace and had a shot well saved by Zaza.

The opening goal came on 22 minutes. After good work from Nani, he played the ball to Giggs, who found himself in space in the centre of the pitch. The Welshman slotted a superb pass through to Rooney, the England international in oceans of space due to the lacklustre Aalborg defensive coverage, and the former Everton man comfortably slotted past the onrushing Zaza into the left corner of the net.

Kasper Bogelund was set free after Ronaldo lost the home full-back moments later, but was denied the opportunity to shoot by an excellent Rio Ferdinand tackle. Nonetheless, United were warned to stay on task.

Ronaldo had a deflected effort spilled by Zaza in the 33rd minute before the Danes cleared, but the Aalborg players, particularly Michael Jakobsen, were furious with the winger for playing on while defender Michael Beauchamp lay injured in the penalty box.

The lively Rafael received a booking for a miss-timed challenge, before testing Zaza with an audacious left footed chip as he approached his first European start with great endeavour.

Jeppe Curth struck narrowly over the bar just before the break, but it was United who went into the half-time break with the advantage after comfortably having the better of the first period in what was an entertaining first 45 minutes. 

It didn’t take long for United to snuff out any threat of a home comeback after the break. Just ten minutes into the second half, Berbatov struck to score his first goal for the club. Augustinussen miss-controlled the ball to give the Bulgaria international a chance just as easy as the one he somehow missed just minutes into the game. The defender’s touch scooped up into the air and allowed the striker to volley home past an out of position Zaza from the edge of the box.

Giggs hit the side netting from a tight angle as United continued to control proceedings. Curth then struck wide with his left foot for the home side after a surging run forward by Andreas Johansson.

Johansson flashed a shot across the face of goal for Aalborg before substitute Carlos Tevez superbly beat three players for United before squaring the ball unsuccessfully for Ronaldo, when it would probably have been better to shoot.

The Argentinean then struck narrowly over after a purposeful run with fifteen minutes left on the clock. Kasper Risgard shot straight at Edwin van der Sar but it was soon to be 3-0 to the visitors.

Giggs passed to Tevez, who in turn found Ronaldo wide on the right. Ronaldo flicked the ball over Pedersen and aimed his cross at Berbatov. The striker then showed great technique to guide the bouncing ball home.

Berbatov attempted to return the favour to the Portuguese winger by sending the former Sporting Lisbon star through on goal, but he was unable to beat Zaza to add a fourth.

United had to settle for three in the end and they will be hoping this win kick-starts their season as they sit on top of Group E.

Aalborg BK: Zaza; Pedersen, Beauchamp (Caca 38), Olfers, Bogelund; Risgard, Johansson, Augustinussen, Enevoldsen; Curth, Saganowski.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Rafael (Brown 66), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes (Giggs 16), O'Shea, Nani; Rooney (Tevez 59), Berbatov.

Guardian: "For half an hour or so, Berbatov offered the first peacock-like spreading of his feathers since his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur."

Telegraph: "There was much satisfaction at the continuing integration of Dimitar Berbatov. Ferguson said: 'You don't need to pass him in space all the time. You can pass to him when he's marked. He's brilliant at that. His touch was fantastic at times.'"

Sunday Times: "Despite never looking like he was trying that hard, the 30m striker produced some sublime touches."

Sir Alex: "When we understand how good Berbatov is we'll improve."

When people look back on the defining moments of United’s season in May, they very well might point to the excellent goal that Wayne Rooney scored against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday as a turning point in the Reds’ campaign.

The day itself had started badly for the ex-Everton man as he was surprisingly deposed to a place on the Red Devils’ bench. However, upon his 71st minute arrival in to the game as a substitute for Carlos Tevez, Rooney played like a man determined to quell the barbs that his critics had directed his way in the last few weeks.

He began linking up with his team-mates in trademark style as soon as he entered the fray, with a skilful back-heel from Cristiano Ronaldo providing the England international with just the opportunity to score his first goal of the season for United with a wonderfully weighted shot in to the bottom corner of Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s net.

This strike should not only act a triumph for Rooney on a personal level, however, as the implications that this could have for the team as a whole will whet Sir Alex Ferguson’s appetite.

Never mind Cristiano Ronaldo’s unbelievable 42-goal haul; Rooney was so often the inspiration behind the Red Devils’ double-winning campaign, and while United have struggled so far this year, so has Rooney.

This symbiotic relationship between club and player should now operate to the benefit of the Red Devils after the morale-boosting events of the weekend, with Danish side Aalborg BK now finding themselves next in the firing line as the two sides meet on Tuesday night.

United will though be aware that their last trip to Denmark ended in one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history as they went down 1-0 to FC Copenhagen in the 2006/07 edition of the competition.

As such, the Red Devils may very well need Rooney to be at his tigerish best once more if they are to avoid another embarrassing Scandinavian set back.

There is surely no other sport on the planet which would pit the Premier League and European champions against a team that needed an extra-time goal in their last match against lowly Danish second-division opposition to secure victory?

However, the footballing hands of fate have created such a contest this week when Aalborg BK face the glittering array of stars that comprise the Manchester United side.

Whilst no one would dispute this assertion, the plucky 0-0 draw that the side from Denmark picked up two weeks ago against Celtic shows that surprise results can indeed happen. Anyone watching that match would have seen a team which was good value for their point, with even Hoops midfielder Barry Robson’s missed penalty acting as a reward to AaB for an otherwise excellent showing. Bruce Rioch’s side must repeat dogged play like this on Tuesday evening if they are to stand even the smallest chance of denying the Reds their first Champions League victory of the season.

Regrettably for the AaB fans, such solidarity has rarely been on show in the club’s defence of their Danish Superligaen title so far. A rearguard that was so resolute at Celtic Park has instead leaked goals at an alarming rate domestically, with their last two league fixtures being a 3-0 reversal to Danish champions-elect FC Copenhagen and a 2-0 defeat to AGF Aarhus.

The loss of inspirational USA international defender Danny Califf to rivals FC Midtjylland has been the root cause of this problem, with the clubs defensive woes reaching its crescendo this weekend in the cup game against Brønshøj BK. That match saw Aalborg scrape through 3-2 against opposition which even the Manchester United U-18s would pulverise.

A repeat of this kind of performance will see the Premier League glitterati put up a cricket score. However, if the European arena can again inspire Aalborg to defy the odds, then the Red Devils could very well be in for another disastrous night in Denmark.

26/09	v	Bronshoj BK	Ladspokal Cup	A		2	3
21/09	v	FC Copenhagn	Superliagen	A		3	0
17/09	v	Glasgow Celtic	UEFA Champions League	A		0	0
13/09	v	AGF Aarhus	Superliagen	H		0	2
31/08	v	Sonderjyske	Superliagen	A		1	2

Manchester United (last 5 games):

27/09	v	Bolton Wanderers	Barclays Premier League	H		2	0
23/09	v	Middlesbrough	Carling Cup	H		3	1
21/09	v	Chelsea	Barclays Premier League	A		1	1
17/09	v	Villarreal	UEFA Champions League	H		0	0
13/09	v	Liverpool	Barclays Premier League	A		2	1

Aalborg BK

Lasse Nielsen could move in to the Aalborg defence to replace the suspended Michael Jakobsen for the visit of Manchester United. Australian centre-back Michael Beauchamp is available for selection after the red card he picked up against Celtic was correctly transferred to his team-mate. Danish international right-back Kasper Bøgelund (hamstring) is a serious doubt for this game after being forced to come off at half-time during AaB’s match at the weekend.

Squad: Zaza, Stenild, Pedersen, Beauchamp, Bøgelund, Olfers, Due, Johansson, Augustinussen, Saganowski, Curth, Caca, Bræmer, Sørensen, Nomvethe, Risgård, Enevoldsen, Nielsen, Schwartz, Kristensen.

Manchester United

The list of absentees at the heart of the United midfield has grown with the addition of Owen Hargreaves (knee) to a treatment room that also contains his England team-mate Michael Carrick (ankle). The ex-Bayern Munich man has been ruled out after a flare-up of his long-standing tendonitis problem. In better news, Edwin Van der Sar should be between the posts once again for the European champions after his successful recovery from the knee injury he picked up against Chelsea a week ago.

Squad: Van Der Sar, Kuszczak, Amos, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, O'Shea, Evans, Rafael Da Silva, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov, Manucho.

Aalborg BK

The decision to rescind Michael Beauchamp’s red card against Celtic will provide a major boost to Aalborg’s hopes on Tuesday night. The Australian international had cut an imposing figure at the heart of the AaB defence before his unfortunate sending off, with his large frame helping to repel the Hoops forwards with ease. Such physical prowess will be needed once again if another unlikely result is to be obtained by the Danish champions.

Manchester United

After finally getting off the mark for the season at the weekend, Wayne Rooney will be determined to kick start the Red Devils’ Champions League campaign against Aalborg. The England man’s 20-minute cameo against Bolton thrilled the Old Trafford crowd and visibly inspired his team-mates. With United now looking to register their first Champions League win of the season on Tuesday, this return to form for Rooney should spell trouble for the Red Devil’s opponents.

It really is hard to see a repeat of Manchester United’s previous problems in Denmark in light of Aalborg’s struggles this season.

Bruce Rioch’s team needed extra time at the weekend to beat lower league opposition, whilst at the same time Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were announcing their return to form for the Red Devils with their match winning performance against Bolton Wanderers.

Such results show the gulf in quality to be so vast that if United don’t emerge from the Energi Nord Arena with all three points then one of the biggest shocks in Champions League history will have had to occur.

Aalborg BK 0-3 Manchester United

The Bulgarian striker made his £30.75m move from Tottenham with just minutes to spare before the transfer window closed, and many United fans were expecting more from their new prize signing.

Berbatov played his third game for United yesterday against Bolton in their Premier League clash, and again failed to score for his new club.

Speaking to the Sporting Life, Berbatov said, "I really wanted to score a goal," he admitted. "Three points for the team are more important and that is fine because it was a good performance.

"We were the better team and deserved the win but I had my chances and I will score in the games to come."

Many feel that Berbatov has upset the balance of the United squad, and with Wayne Rooney having to make do with a substitute’s role against Bolton, some feel that Berbatov was the wrong choice for United’s attack.

However, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes they signed the right player for the club, and that it will only be a matter of time before Berbatov is firing on all cylinders for the Red Devils.

"His touch is fantastic," commented Ferguson. "Dimitar will feel better when he scores but once the players understand how good he is, we will improve.

"You don't need to pass the ball to him in space all the time. You can pass when he is marked.

"He is brilliant at that and produced some great moments."

Patrice Evra has publically backed the club’s new signing, and believes that he just needs some encouragement to kick start his Man United career.

Evra said:

"Berbatov is a very good player. But this is a new thing for him and he needs to play a lot of games.

"Everybody needs to help him give his best for Manchester United."

 Cristiano Ronaldo '60
 Wayne Rooney '77

'22 Johan Elmander 
'27 Gavin McCann 
'38 Kevin Davies 

Two goals in the second half gave Manchester United the win over Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford. A contentious penalty, converted by Cristiano Ronaldo, and a Wayne Rooney effort ensured victory for the Red Devils.

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to the Manchester United first-team with a goal-scoring performance, although there were some doubts about the legitimacy of the awarded penalty kick that gave his side the lead.

Jlloyd Samuel appeared to play the ball as Ronaldo attacked him in the box, but the Portuguese fell under pressure from the Bolton defender.

Ronaldo dusted himself down and converted the kick to break stubborn Trotters resistence as Rob Styles made a debateable call from Bolton's perspective.

To that point, the guests' 4-5-1 had stifled United's quest for a goal, with the first half's best opportunity going to Fabrice Muamba of Bolton. The England under-21 international somehow fired of-target with the goal at his mercy.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side enjoyed the lion's share of the chances in the opening period, but could not force the Bolton door down with Jussi Jaaskelainen in tremendous form in goal.

He saved smartly from Dimitar Berbatov, Ronaldo and Anderson in the first half to shut out the Champions, but was helpess to prevent the opener from the spot in the second.

Wayne Rooney, introduced as a substitute, put the result beyond reasonable doubt when he added a second goal to hand United a two-goal advantage.

Bolton will no doubt feel hard-done-by as a result of the contentious nature of the opener, but on weight of chances, United deserved the win - by hook or by crook.

Bolton started strongly, with Ricardo Gardner and Kevin Nolan going close with long range strikes early on.

Kevin Davies then bought a corner from Patrice Evra, from which Elmander directed a header over the bar.

The visitors maintained the pressure through the opening stages; United however, managed to get their first meaningful effort of the encounter in the tenth minute through Cristiano Ronaldo, and forced a wasted corner.

The same player went close with a drive three minutes later after a combination between Anderson and Berbatov on the edge of the box, but Bolton held firm.

The hosts gradually found their way on top and ratcheted up the pressure on the Trotters with Jaaskelainen having to save smartly from a Berbatov header on the quarter hour mark.

Park Ji-Sung should have put his side in the lead seconds later after Jaaskelainen spilled a Tevez shot. However, the Korean could only fire wide.

Patrice Evra was finding some space down the left flank but his crosses were invariably blocked out by the man-heavy Bolton backline.

Ronaldo went close again on the 25 minute mark with a free-kick from the edge of the area; however, his effort was well fielded by Jaaskelainen.

As Bolton sunk under the weight of United pressure, Anderson delivered a corner for Nemanja Vidic but United’s woes in front of goal continued as the Serbian could only head over.

The visitors threatened to take advantage of United’s poor shooting through Kevin Nolan on the half hour after Vidic’s header found only Gardner who prompted his captain to fire over the bar.

After Ronaldo wasted another free-kick, Anderson tested the impressive Jaaskelainen’s reflexes with a long-range drive that was tipped over.

Untied continued their strong showing as a Berbatov lay-off found Rio Ferdinand whose effort was repelled by the Finn again.

However, the best chance of the half fell to Fabrice Muamba of Bolton. The midfielder had the goal at his mercy from eight yards but contrived to put the chance off target as the sides went in level.

The guests once again started brightly from the whistle, and Ricardo Gardner going close in the 48th minute. United replied through the menacing Ronaldo, whose low drive struck the post as Jaaskelainen was beaten.

The winger was in fine form, as he won a corner through a shot following a United breakout in the 55th minute.

Gretar Steinsson was to be the hero for Wanderers on the hour; Ronaldo’s drive was goal bound before the Icelandic international put himself in the way.

The game’s true turning point came just moments later with the award of Ronaldo’s penalty. Despite Jlloyd Samuel winning the ball in the box, Ronaldo went down under the slight weight of the challenge and earned a dubious spot-kick. He converted smartly to give his side a debateable lead.

Bolton responded positively initially, with Davie forcing a save from Edwin Van Der Sar as United were forced to keep the back-door shut.

After Ferdinand had a shot blocked down in the box, Sir Alex Ferguson introduced Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes from the bench, and the former had an instant effect.

After Ronaldo’s impudent back-heel, Rooney was left in the clear to cut inside and curl United into a decisive lead.

Despite a brave front, Bolton were left short-changed from this fixture as third United substitute Nani tried desperately to add his name to the score sheet during the closing stages, which would have left the result looking extremely flattering for the hosts.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo (Nani 80), Fletcher, Anderson (Scholes 71), Park; Tevez (Rooney 71), Berbatov

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, A O’Brien, Samuel; Davies, Muamba, McCann, Nolan, Gardner (Smolarek 73); Elmander (Vaz Te 67)

It has long been known that Sir Alex Ferguson relishes having four quality forwards to choose from in order to launch a successful assault on all fronts.

In his most famous year - the treble winning season of 1999 - Ferguson had Andy Cole; Dwight Yorke; Teddy Sheringham; and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the books, and is now boasting an equally talented line-up of Dimitar Berbatov; Wayne Rooney; Cristiano Ronaldo; and Carlos Tevez to choose from.

"The aim of the game is to win and I think I have a better squad than last season now that I’ve brought Berbatov in," Ferguson is quoted by Premiership Latest as saying. "That was the right thing to do if I can get a 1 per cent improvement. No matter if it’s 1 per cent or 10 per cent, it’s an improvement we’re looking for. Berbatov was signed for that reason."

When asked whether all four of his big-name forwards would receive game-time together he said:

"I suppose you could play all four of them but you’d have to sacrifice elsewhere. It was hard to leave players out in the 1999 side when I had four fantastic strikers. No matter what combination I chose, I was always having to disappoint two."

"There were a few occasions when I played [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer out wide but in the main you’re going to disappoint someone," he concluded.

Whilst it is hard not to be dubious when it comes to considering omens, United’s glorious 2007/08 campaign got off to a faltering start before it kicked in to life around this time last year with a 4-0 home thrashing of Wigan Athletic.

For those of a mystic persuasion though, it is hard to not see signs of history repeating as United struggle to gain any momentum once again after a series of poor results in the early weeks of the season.

To increase the feeling of déjà vu, North West opposition in the guise of Bolton Wanderers are also entering the Theatre of Dreams at a time when the Reds are desperate for a sacrificial lamb to give themselves a kick start.

Indeed, shambolic defending at Anfield, insipid attacking play against Newcastle and Villarreal, plus a no show in the UEFA Super Cup final had been all United had to show for their season until last weekend. However, a rallying display against ‘Big Phil’ Scolari’s Chelsea saw the Red Devils be the better side for large parts of a game that ended 1-1 after Salomon Kalou’s 80th minute equaliser.

If United play anywhere near as well on Saturday then the kind of winning run needed to ignite this Manchester United side could very well begin in earnest.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s midweek start against Middlesbrough should also add some much needed dynamism to a United attack that has struggled in his absence. The Portuguese has been sorely missed, with the Red Devils taking until last Tuesday’s Carling Cup fixture to score more than one goal in a game.

Such offensive impotence has not been on show at title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal. As such, the Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges must swiftly re-discover the cavalier attitude of 2007/08 if any more major silverware is to be added to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet come the end of May.

There weren’t many teams that beat Manchester United last season. To the joy of the Bolton Wanderers faithful, however, the Trotters were one of the few sides that did. That the 1-0 win over the Premier League and European Champions at the Reebok Stadium wasn’t a fluke result adds even more to the achievement.

Although normality was resumed when the two sides met at Old Trafford with the Red Devils easing to a 2-0 victory, the Bolton players should be able to draw on the confidence that home win created when the teams meet on Saturday.

Manager Gary Megson should also be able to point to Bolton’s promising performance last weekend against Arsenal. The Trotters took the lead in the game through a Kevin Davies header, and matched the Gunners in a heated contest that finally ended 3-1 to the North London club.

The tenacity that flows through Bolton was again on show against Arsene Wenger’s side, with a trademark challenge from goal scorer Davies sending Gael Clichy to the floor and the Arsenal bench up in the air in anger.

The post match comments of club captain Kevin Nolan condoning such play certainly didn’t help matters, and there can be little doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson will be watching out for any wild tackles after Rodrigo Possebon’s unfortunate incident against Middlesbrough in midweek.

As Bolton fans will be aware though, the return of Johan Elmander and Matt Taylor to the Bolton line-up will add some much-needed quality. These two players have more than enough to make their mark on this game in a much more civilised way than Davies did against Arsenal, however, and could help Bolton repeat the famous win they recorded against United last year.

Manchester United (last 5 games):

23/08	v	Middlesbrough	Carling Cup	H		3	1
21/09	v	Chelsea	Barclays Premier League	A		1	1
17/09	v	Villarreal	UEFA Champions League	H		0	0
13/09	v	Liverpool	Barclays Premier League	A		2	1
29/08	v	Zenit St. Petersburg	UEFA Super Cup	N		1	2

Bolton Wanderers (last 5 games):

20/09	v	Arsenal	Barclays Premier League	H		1	3
13/09	v	Fulham	Barclays Premier League	A		2	1
30/08	v	West Bromwich Albion	Barclays Premier League	H		0	0
26/08	v	Northampton Town	Carling Cup	A		2	1
23/08	v	Newcastle United	Barclays Premier League	A		1	0

Manchester United

The Old Trafford crowd can expect the big hitters of the first team to be unleashed by Sir Alex Ferguson for the visit of Bolton after the reserves mid week Carling Cup exertions. Serbian centre back Nemanja Vidic will undoubtedly be part of the squad after his one game suspension was served against Chelsea. This leaves Michael Carrick (ankle) and Edwin Van Der Sar (knee) as the only star names left on the Old Trafford treatment table.

Squad: Kuszczak, Amos, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Rafael Da Silva, O'Shea, Fletcher, Hargreaves, Scholes, Anderson, Ronaldo, Giggs, Park, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Manucho

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton expect club record signing Johan Elmander (hamstring) and ex-Portsmouth player Matt Taylor (broken toe) to be fit for the short trip on the M61 to the Theatre of Dreams. Promising centre-half Gary Cahill will also join this pair in the Wanderers team after the completion of the three-match ban he picked up against Northampton Town in the Carling Cup.

Squad: Jaaskelainen, Al Habsi, Steinsson, Shittu, Taylor, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Hunt, Joey O'Brien, McCann, Smolarek, Riga, Muamba, Vaz Te, Nolan, Cohen, Gardner, Elmander, Davies, Helguson

Manchester United

After marking his first start of the season with a goal, Cristiano Ronaldo will now be ready to start taking main stage in United’s charge up the table. The Portuguese international isn’t firing on all cylinders just yet, but you can be sure that his speed and outrageous skill means that the Bolton defence will be in for a testing afternoon on Saturday.

Bolton Wanderers

For Bolton to stand any chance in this game then Fabrice Muamba’s ball-winning skills will be vital. The ex-Arsenal player will need to call on all the lessons he learnt from Patrick Viera to ensure he is a constant thorn in the side of United’s classy midfield. If this happens then the foundations of a potential upset could very well be laid by the England U/21 international.

With United’s world-class squad finally coming together as we enter the last days of September, it really is hard to see Bolton taking anything from this game.

Bolton may have been impressive during their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, but it will take a lot more than that if they are to repeat the previous season’s victory over the Red Devils.

Manchester United 3-0 Bolton Wanderers

Manchester United splashed nearly record Premier League clash, £30.75m, for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov.  Sir Alex presumably plucked the traditional #9 the team “lacked” last season, when they won the Premier League and Champions League double.  But, will this move  become a financially crippling mistake?

Berbatov is a tremendously skillful player.  But, he’s not a pure Ruud Van Nistelrooy-style fox-in-the-box target man.  Berbatov plays best on the ball, creating opportunities, not capitalizing on them.

Manchester United have those players already, however, with Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez.  Moreover, those players offer additional benefits.  Ronaldo’s pace terrorizes opposing defenses.  Tevez and Rooney have high workrates and track back.  Berbatov neither has pace nor tracks back.  When he doesn’t have the ball, he might as well plop down and have a cigarette.

The strength of last season’s attack was its unpredictability.  Six players shuttled back and forth between the front line and midfield.  With Berbatov thrust into a lead-striker role, Man U become much easier to defend and, consequently, less effective.

Berbatov can be a liability, which showed against Chelsea.  He can’t contribute in other facets of the game.  He’s also neither energetic nor a game changer.  When the team need’s a pulse injection, he’s flat-lining.  Among those four attacking players, he should be the first dropped from the team.  

That’s not what you expect from a £30.75m investment.

 John Obi Mikel '67
 Salomon Kalou '80

'18 Park Ji-Sung
'35 Paul Scholes
'41 Rio Ferdinand
'58 Gary Neville
'59 Dimitar Berbatov
'79 Wayne Rooney
'86 Patrice Evra
'90 Cristiano Ronaldo

Chelsea had to come from behind in the highly-anticipated clash between last season’s Premier League runners-up and reigning champions Manchester United, a match that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

In a fast-paced clash at Stamford Bridge, the visitors took the lead in the 18th minute as Park Ji-Sung following up Petr Cech’s parry and slotted the ball home, before substitute Salomon Kalou headed his side level with 10 minutes remaining.  

Sir Alex Ferguson surprisingly opted to drop Carlos Tevez to the bench, with the Argentinean joining Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the many attacking options the Premier League champions could call upon.  

Similarly, Jonny Evans retained his place in the line-up ahead of Wes Brown, while Chelsea were dealt a major blow prior to kick off as Deco injured himself in the warm-up, meaning Michael Ballack had to step in to take the Portugese international’s place.

Both teams looked lively in the early exchanges, with the visitors belying suggestions that they would look to sit back and absorb the pressure as Darren Fletcher had an effort blocked and then fired wide early on.  

The Red Devils went close to breaking the deadlock after ten minutes in an astonishing run of play. Cech’s clearance reached only as far as Dimitar Berbatov 40 yards out, and the Bulgarian’s volley found Wayne Rooney on the edge of the box. The England striker’s own volley then flew just wide in what would have been an extraordinary goal.  

There was to be a further injury blow for The Blues as Ricardo Carvalho had to be replaced by Alex due to suspected ligament damage, and with the hosts having to reorganise themselves once again, United pushed on.  

Nicolas Anelka’s wayward ball was collected by Berbatov, who in turn played in Rio Ferdinand of all people, and the defender’s subsequent effort required the full attentions of Cech who tipped it over.  

The pressure finally paid off for Ferguson’s men, and it came courtesy of some fine link-up play between the blossoming Rooney-Berbatov partnership. Patrice Evra burst down the left, played the ball into the middle which saw the two Red Devils strikers bamboozle The Blues’ defence, and it was eventually played into the six yard box. While Berbatov’s initial effort was saved by Cech, the Chelsea goalkeeper couldn’t keep hold of it, allowing Park to fire home the rebound.  

The home side rallied in the hope of finding an equaliser, and they were almost gifted one as Gary Neville’s tame headed backpass towards Edwin van der Sar was collected by Florent Malouda, but the Frenchman’s shot was blocked by the visitor’s goalkeeper to hand his team-mate a reprieve.  

However, the Dutch shot-stopper forced the Red Devils into a change of their own as he sustained an injury, with Ferguson having to call upon the services of Tomasz Kuszczak, and he was immediately required as he collected Frank Lampard’s blocked shot.  

Chelsea were beginning to gain a foothold of processions, Alex being the next in line to shoot on goal from 25 yards out, and while the Brazilian’s effort was parried by the Poland international, Ferdinand was the first to the ball and he cleared.  

The visitors had a glorious chance to extend their lead as Rooney picked up the ball on the right and played it to Berbatov’s feet, and all the Red Devils’ forward needed to do was find Park with a simple lay-off for a great opportunity. However, the Bulgaria hit-man played a sloppy ball behind the midfielder, and the chance went begging much to the fury of Ferguson on the touchline.

As expected by the home crowd, Didier Drogba was introduced to proceedings just two minutes into the second half as Malouda made way, and he immediately made his presence felt with aerial battles against Evans and then Kuszczak.  

United were still dangerous on the break and, as Chelsea committed men forward, it allowed Rooney to dispossess John Obi Mikel and burst forward in a move that eventually saw goalscorer Park fire well over from 20 yards. 

Ferdinand was in imperious form as he cut out a dangerous ball from Joe Cole in a piece of defending that could quite easily have ended in an own goal, and shortly after Ronaldo was added to the game in a bold move by Ferguson – the visitors had three forwards in the game, despite their 1-0 lead.  

Chelsea were still toiling and a superb interchange between Drogba and Ballack saw the latter play an inch-perfect ball over-the-top for Joe Cole to run onto, but his shot - in what was a guilt-edged chance to equalise - was straight at Kuszczak who collected it comfortably.    

Anelka had another half-chance to volley his side level, but his connection with the ball from 12 yards was weak and the ball dribbled wide, and events took a turn for the worse as the Frenchman missed failed to convert an effort into the open goal.  

Joe Cole, who was increasingly influential as the game progressed, got beyond Evra and played in a dangerous ball which evaded Kuszczak but Anelka, unmarked at the far post, unbelievably failed to find the net. Scolari had his head in his hands, and it was no surprise as another chance for Chelsea went begging.  

The Premier League champions responded with an opportunity of their own which could have sealed the points, Ronaldo crossing in from the left towards Rooney at the back post, but the former Everton man could only find the side-netting.  

Chelsea finally found a way through the stern United defence, but it was a goal that will have left Ferguson seething with his players. Kalou, introduced with 15 minutes to go, rose highest to meet a free-kick and head into the back of the Red Devils’ goal, despite the forward being surrounded by a host of opposing players. 

After an initial lull following the equaliser, The Blues had a chance to seize the lead as Kalou’s shot was deflected just over by Neville after a rapid counter-attack, and then it was United’s turn to go close as Alex dived in superbly to block Fletcher’s goal-bound shot.  

There were to be no further clear-cut chances for either side as the final minutes were played out, and as the final whistle was blown, both manager’s will have been satisfied with the point – Scolari after staring defeat in the face for so long in the game, and Ferguson having seen his players perform to a much higher standard after last weekend’s defeat. 

Chelsea: Petr Cech, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho (Alex '12), Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa, Frank Lampard, Florent Malouda (Didier Drogba '46), Deco, Michael Ballack (Salomon Kalou '74), John Mikel Obi, Nicolas Anelka, Joe Cole.

Manchester United: Edwin van der Sar