The hosts, celebrating the 25th anniversary of winning the European Cup Winners' Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson, piled plenty of pressure on the Champions League holders, and were unfortunate to see a first-half goal from Darren Mackie ruled out for offside.

United's class told in the latter stages of the first half and much of the first, however, and Carrick moved the visitors ahead by converting a penalty before Rooney powerfully headed home after the interval.

Rooney could have buried the hosts single-handedly inside 10 minutes, as he twice shot straight at goalkeeper Jamie Langfield and also had a powerful far-post volley blocked by a defender.

Although Aberdeen struggled to contain Rooney and the vibrant Ryan Giggs, they still probed menacingly during the opening exchanges, and Jeffrey De Visscher came close to opening the scoring before Mackie slid a finish past Ben Amos, only to see his effort chalked off by a linesman's flag.

The sell-out crowd had to wait until just before half-time to see the first goal, when Rooney was brought down inside the area by Langfield after a superb through-ball from Carrick. Rooney opted to let his England cohort take the spot-kick and, just as he did in Moscow, Carrick sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put United ahead.

Immediately after the interval United's could have been doubled, but substitute Chris Eagles sidefooted Darren Fletcher's teasing leadcross over the bar from close range. The hosts, for their part, could have drawn level shortly afterwards, but Amos made a superb fingertip save from Jamie Smith's inswinging effort.

Rooney and Giggs continued to terrorise the Dons' defence, however, and the latter almost headed home the former's cross, only for substitute stopper Bertrand Bossu to brilliantly tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Twenty minutes from time, Rooney went one better by powerfully heading United's second goal. Darren Fletcher took Carrick's pass in his stride and curled in a teasing right-wing cross, which Rooney glanced emphatically into the far corner.

Danny Simpson had a long-range shot well held by Bossu and Eagles saw his chip deflected just past the post as United finished in the ascendancy, and held firm to post an impressive start to the new season preparations.

United: Amos (Woods, 73); Neville (Simpson, 46), Brown (J Evans, 61), Vidic (O'Shea, 46), Silvestre; Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes (Gibson, 61), Martin (Eagles, 46); Rooney (Hewson, 73), Giggs (Campbell, 61).

Watch him sprint and power himself into the air to win a header.  It's riveting stuff, but you can't help but physically wince.    He has a huge leap, and though not the the tallest of defenders, he is stunningly strong and brave attacking the ball   Vida's power has made him a cult figure among the United faithful.   But that reputation has come at some cost to the player. 

This season, I'm wondering if we'll see a slightly different player than we have in the past two and a half years.

Vidic has suffered two serious concussions in the past season.   The first was in October 2007,  when Vidic was taken to hospital  after a blow to his head early in the first half of  the Premiership win over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford.   Our defender took a whack to his cheekbone during an aerial challenge with Marcus Bent.   Characteristically, Vidic tried to play on, but had difficulty with his vision, and after consultation on the sideline with Sir Alex and the medical staff, was forced to leave the game.  He was on the injury list for over two weeks at that time. 

The second incident was in May at Stamford Bridge when his face connected with Didier Drogba's knee in a challenge to clear the ball.   The blow sent one of Vidic's teeth slicing through his lip, and bloodied and obviously woozy, he was stretchered off.  The concussion put the defender onto the injury list for another couple of anxious weeks. 

Vidic said at the time in an interview with The Mirror,  "I am coming to realise that when I challenge for the ball I have to be better at protecting myself from injury.

"I don't protect myself enough. I leave myself too open for players to kick me and when I challenge for headers I don't tend to raise my elbows for protection - and in English football that can be a big problem.

"In the last four months I have had two concussions and a knee injury - and that is not good for me.

"I don't think about protecting myself because I am an honest guy. I am aggressive on the pitch, but I always go to try to win the ball. Maybe because of that I am getting hurt."

While we can applaud Vidic's courage and aggressiveness - long may it continue - we have to be concerned at the same time about the history of concussion that our player has sustained.  (And though I'm not positive,   I understand that Vidic suffered concussions previous to his arrival at Old Trafford, during his European playing days.)

A concussion is a cumulative injury.  It's not a simple knock on the head and a headache. The more of them a patient suffers, the more prone he is to suffer additional concussions, with worsening effects.  The most serious consequence is permanent neurological damage.

I found some interesting guidelines for physicians who are treating athletes with concussion, from the American Academy of Family Physicians.  To suffer two serious concussions in a professional athlete's season is considered grave.  Three concussions calls for immediate termination of the season.   (Can you imagine our Champions League final in Moscow without Vidic?  I can't.)

Of course this is nothing that the United medical staff are not fully aware of and have discussed with Nemanja.   No doubt the coaching staff are working with him on ways to protect himself in the future. 

But still I worry.  And perhaps because of my familiarity with professional hockey here in Canada, I worry more than an English supporter might.   Concussion has prematurely ended the playing careers of literally dozens of professional hockey players here in North America.

I'd like to know what you think.  Are you worrried about our Serbian centerback?  Will we see a change in Vidic's physical playing style this season?  If so, do you think that change will be for the better or worse?

Although his current deal still had another year to run, there was some doubt about the future intentions of the former Monaco left-back, who joined United in January 2006.

Evra has made himself a key member of Sir Alex Ferguson's outstanding defence at Old Trafford, and now joins team-mates Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick innhaving recently signed new long-term deals.

"Patrice has been a key part of the club's success in the last two seasons," said Ferguson.

"He has developed into one of the best full-backs in world football and his infectious personality has helped to build the incredible team spirit that exists at Old Trafford."

The 25-year-old attacking right-back is one of the hottest properties in Spain and has been courted in the past by some of Europe’s top clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Chelsea.

But according to the Manchester Evening News, United currently lead the queue for the South American star ahead of Barca, with Alves told he will be allowed to leave if the price is right.

Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido has claimed that he has already rejected three offers of £20 million for Alves, as a bidding war looks set to begin.

"The storm that is pre-season has begun and Alves has been put on the market without Sevilla doing so," he said.

"We respect his decision. But if we do not receive a substantial offer for him he will stay with us as he still has four years to complete on his contract.

"Many English and Italian clubs have asked after his availability but we have rejected a number of offers. And we have rejected offers of more than €25 million.

"Sevilla will not reduce the player's value, as we do not need the money. However, we will not reject offers when there is a chance to grow as a team.

"Our aim is to enter into the Champions League and every other available competition. So we have to think about the most beneficial option for the team."

The right-back position is one of the European Champions' prime areas of weakness at the present time, particularly due to the uncertainty over Gary Neville's future, with the United captain having made just one appearance last season with continued injury concerns.

Wes Brown was outstanding as cover during Neville’s absence, but is now needed to cover for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the centre of defence after the departure of Gerard Pique to Barcelona in deal reportedly worth an initial £5 million last week.

Alves’ club and international team-mate Luis Fabiano is also reported to be interesting Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie is searching for a prolific and reliable replacement for Louis Saha, who is still interesting West Ham United, with the Upton Park side lining up a £5 million offer for the players services.
 
However, on Fabiano, Del Nido sounded a lot more confident of keeping the player.
 

"He is nearer to staying with us. But a final agreement is still far away,” he revealed.

"However, if he stays it is clear that he will become one of the best paid players of the squad."

A crushing loss for me and my fellow Chelsea supporters yesterday, going down on penalties 6-5. While some may argue it was John Terry's blown penalty that would have won it, you can't blame him too much because he kept out a goal earlier. However, Didier Drogba, who has bitched all season after the firing of the beloved Jose Mourinho, is the real culprit. Drogba didn't show up all game. Until this:

That's a right, a weak cheek slap. Vidic violently grabs Drogba's arms, and Drogba weakly retaliates. Now, you just don't hit someone, you're going to get sent off. But ask yourself, which action would you prefer to have done to you?

Manchester certainly seemed to have the Duke Men's Basketball bias all game. For this equation however it went, Respected manager+historic team+well regarded English players= Did Makalele literally just get a yellow card for doing nothing but getting in Paul Scholes' way?

Regardless, Man U created more chances, and if it weren't for the unmatched skill of Petr Cech, the game would have been over long before penalties. Congratulations to the champions, good luck next year, and don't fire Avram Grant!

Update: As is so common these days, YouTube removed the video of Drogba slapping Vidic. In a related story, ESPN can kiss my ass--its not like they were going actually use that video to make money

Tor

Edwin van der Saar: Hielt in der zweiten Halbzeit den Angriffswellen Chelseas stand. Rutschte beim Gegentor auf glattem Rasen. Einer von sechs Elfmetern gehalten, ein zweiter ging an den Pfosten. Solide, aber nicht überragend.

Abwehr

Wes Brown: Der Glatzkopf machte in der Abwehr ein gutes Spiel, gewann in der Defensive viele Zweikämpfe und konnte sich auch immer wieder ins Angriffsspiel einschalten. Wurde in der Nachspielzeit zu Gunsten von Anderson ausgewechselt (taktischer Wechsel fürs Elfmeterschießen).

Rio Ferdinand: Mit gewohnt direkter Spielweise und Stärke in den Zweikämpfen ein Turm in der Abwehrschlacht Manchesters in der zweiten Hälfte. Hielt trotz Wadenkrämpfen in der 70. Minute bis zum Abpfiff fünfzig Minuten später durch.

Nemanja Vidic: Neben Ferdinand souverän in der Innenverteidigung. Gute Raumaufteilung zwischen ihm und Ferdinand, die Abstimmung passte.

Patrice Evra: Sorgte immer wieder für Zug nach vorne. Viele Dribblings, viele Pässe, viele Aktionen in der Offensive. Hinten eher selten gefordert.

Anderson: Taktischer Wechsel in Bezug auf das Elfmeterschießen. Traf.

Mittelfeld

Owen Hargreaves: Spielte überraschend. In der ersten Halbzeit immer wieder im gegnerischen Strafraum, wurde aber oft zu hoch angespielt. Ab der 45. Minute dann defensiv gefordert. Traf im Elfmeterschießen.

Paul Scholes: Blutete früh aus der Nase und hatte damit eine Zeit lang zu kämpfen. Kluger Ballverteiler im Mittelfeld, jedoch mit wenig Offensivdruck. Ging in der 87. Minute für den offensiveren Ryan Giggs.

Michael Carrick: Dynamisch zu Beginn, später ruhiger. Oft im Halbfeld unterwegs. Ordentliche Partie. Traf im Elfmeterschießen.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Sprühte in der ersten Hälfte vor Kreativität. Trotz jungen Alters der Mittelfeldmotor von Manchester, dominierte den Spielrhythmus. Des Widerspänstigen Zähmung misslang am Ende: Verschoss seinen Elfmeter, weil er Petr Cech vorführen wollte.

Ryan Giggs: Kam in der 87. Minute für Paul Scholes. Vor allem im Sturm aktiv, rutschte jedoch an einigen guten Möglichkeiten vorbei. Verwandelte den für Manchester entscheidenden Elfmeter sicher.

Sturm

Wayne Rooney: Ein Schatten seiner selbst. Ohne gute Torchance. An der Entstehung des Führungstreffers beteiligt, aber oft nicht im Zentrum des Spiels. Machte in der 102. Minute Platz für Nani und war mit sich selbst unzufrieden. Wurde aber auch konsequent von Chelseas Abwehr in Schach gehalten (oft vier Verteidiger gegen die beiden Manchester-Stürmer)

Carlos Tevez: Ließ sich im Gegensatz zu Rooney öfter ins Mittelfeld fallen, um an Bälle zu kommen. Spielte den Ballverteiler, als er merkte, dass es für ihn als reiner Stürmer nicht lief. Ein sehr gutes Spiel, vor allem in der ersten Halbzeit! Traf im Elfmeterschießen.

Nani: Blutjung und sehr dynamisch. Wurde in der 102. Minute eingewechselt und orientierte sich eher Richtung Mittelfeld. Belebende Dribblings, immer wieder schöne Einzelaktionen. Sorgte dafür, dass ManUtd in der Nachspielzeit noch Offensivaktionen zustande brachte. Traf im Elfmeterschießen.

FC Chelsea

Tor

Petr Cech: Gewohnt überzeugend im Tor. Hielt in der ersten Halbzeit immer wieder den Manchester-Sturm auf. Beim Gegentor machtlos. Lag beim Elfmeterschießen oft in der richtigen Ecke.

Abwehr

Michael Essien: Beim Gegentor inkonsequent gegenüber Cristiano Ronaldo. Man merkte, dass er normalerweise nicht in der Abwehr, sondern im Mittelfeld spielt. Steigerte sich später.

Ricardo Carvalho: Verteidigte mit allen Mitteln - nicht immer mit fairen. Einer der Stützpfeiler von Chelseas verändertem Auftreten in der zweiten Halbzeit.

Ashley Cole: Sein Einsatz war wegen einer Knöchelverletzung fraglich, er spielte allerdings durch. Ordentliches Spiel, aber nicht mehr. Traf im Elfmeterschießen.

John Terry: Der Kapitän trieb seine Mannschaft nach der Halbzeit immer wieder nach vorne. Wille zum Sieg erkennbar, schaltete sich aber nicht so oft vorne ein. Verschoss den Elfmeter, der die Entscheidung für Chelsea hätte bedeuten können (weggerutscht auf nassem Rasen).

Mittelfeld

Michael Ballack: Von unglaublichem Siegeswillen getrieben. Der beste Spieler von Chelsea auf dem Feld. Suchte und gewann Zweikämpfe, stoppte ab der Halbzeitpause Cristiano Ronaldo. Traf im Elfmeterschießen sicher. Nach Abpfiff untröstlich. Für mich Man of the Match.

Joe Cole: Baute in der zweiten Halbzeit gewaltig Druck auf die ManUtd-Defensive auf. Ansonsten funktionierendes Rädchen im Chelsea-Mittelfeld. Ging in der 99. Minute für Nicolas Anelka.

Frank Lampard: Erzielte den Ausgleichstreffer alleine vor van der Saar. Machte eine gute Partie. In zweiter Halbzeit weniger Einzelspieler und mehr Teil des Teams. Traf im Elfmeterschießen.

Claude Makelele: Wichtig für das Funktionieren des Mittelfeldes, aber wenig Einzelaktionen. Für ihn kam in der Nachspielzeit Juliano Belletti (taktischer Wechsel fürs Elfmeterschießen).

Florent Malouda: Interpretierte seine Rolle als Bindeglied zwischen Mittelfeld und Sturm sehr ansprechend. Oft am Ball. Suchte die Duelle mit dem Gegner. Sehr dynamisches Spiel! Ging in der 92. Minute, für ihn kam Salomon Kalou.

Salomon Kalou: Brachte frischen Wind in die Nachspielzeit. Dribbelstark, gern am Ball. Traf im Elfmeterschießen.

Juliano Belletti: Taktischer Wechsel fürs Elfmeterschießen. Er traf.

Sturm

Didier Drogba: Kam selten zum Zuge. Von der Manchester-Defensive fast abgemeldet - aber eben nur fast. Wurde oft in Doppeldeckung genommen. Besser als auf der anderen Seite Wayne Rooney, aber schlechter als Tevez.

Nicolas Anelka: Kam in der 99. Minute für Joe Cole. Wirkte behäbig, etwas zu bullig für das Spiel. Unterstützte und entlastete Drogba. Verschoss den entscheidenden Elfmeter.

 Paul Scholes '22
 Cristiano Ronaldo '26
 Rio Ferdinand '43
 Nemanja Vidic '111
 Carlos Tevez '116
 

 Carlos Tevez (1-0)
 Michael Carrick (2-1)
 Cristiano Ronaldo (2-2)
 Owen Hargreaves (3-3)
 Luis Carlos Nani (4-4)
 Luis de Abreu Anderson (5-4)
 Ryan Giggs (6-5)

'21 Claude Makelele
'45 Ricardo Carvalho
'45 Frank Lampard
'116 Michael Ballack
'116 Didier Drogba
'118 Michael Essien

(1-1) Michael Ballack
(2-2) Juliano Belletti
(2-3) Frank Lampard
(3-4) Ashley Cole
(4-4) John Terry
(5-5) Salomon Kalou
(6-5) Nicolas Anelka

John Terry and Nicolas Anelka were the villains, and Edwin Van der Sar the hero, as Manchester United beat ten-man Chelsea on penalties to win the Champions League after a dramatic evening in Moscow.

The Premiership's top two met at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in what was the first ever all-English final in Europe’s premier club competition.

Man United, who were going for the double, were pinning their hopes on destiny, as it had been 50 years since the Munich Air Disaster, and 40 years since their first European Cup triumph, when the legendary George Best inspired them to a 4-1 win over Eusebio’s Benfica.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who won this competition in 1999, had the luxury of a full squad to choose from. A forward trident of Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez was unleashed, while Owen Hargreaves was preferred in midfield to Anderson.

Chelsea were playing in their first-ever final and boss Avram Grant also had a full squad to select from. Captain John Terry recovered from a dislocated shoulder to play, as did Didier Drogba from a knee complaint, while Ashley Cole took his place at left back despite receiving a heavy knock to the ankle following an idiotic training ground tackle by Claude Makelele on Tuesday evening. Florent Malouda won the nod over Salomon Kalou.

There was a nervous and disjointed start to the game as neither side were able to string any passes together. Hargreaves had the first attempt of the match with a mis-hit cross that was plucked out of the near post by Petr Cech.

On 15 minutes Ronaldo skipped past Michael Essien on the left, and his cross was just too high for Hargreaves at the back post.

The game needed spicing up and Paul Scholes and Makelele clashed heads in the middle of the field, and both were somewhat harshly booked. Scholes cut open his forehead, but he continued after treatment.

On 26 minutes Man Utd took the lead, and it was Ronaldo who got the goal. Wes Brown played a clever one-two with Scholes down the right, and lofted a ball towards the far post. Ronaldo lost Essien and powered in an unstoppable header into the corner, with Cech merely a statue. It was Ronaldo’s first-ever goal against Chelsea.

Chelsea tried to hit back immediately and Michael Ballack thumped the ball over the bar from 30 yards.

The Blues tried to up the tempo, and Van der Sar was forced into a fine save on 34 minutes as Rio Ferdinand headed back towards his own goal under intense pressure from Ballack.

United then immediately launched a lightning fast counter-attack and Ronaldo crossed for Tevez to head towards goal but Cech produced a brilliant save. The ball came out to Carrick on the edge of the box, and again Cech was forced into a brilliant stop, this time one-handed, to keep Chelsea in the game. From the resulting corner Ronaldo headed over.

The game was now much more entertaining, but in truth all the quality was coming from the team in red, as Chelsea’s ball retention was very poor.

On 42 minutes Man Utd missed another fine chance to add a second, as Rooney flashed a low ball across the box, and Tevez was inches away from getting his foot to the ball.

Moments later Chelsea were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box following a Ferdinand foul, but Ballack smashed the ball over.

Right on the stroke of half time and Chelsea were level courtesy of an outrageous piece of luck. Essien, who had been dreadful all half, scuffed a shot from 25 yards which took a double deflection off Vidic and Ferdinand, and fell invitingly into the path of Frank Lampard's trademark run, and the midfielder turned the ball past Van der Sar, who had lost his footing.

There was still time for Ballack to fire yet another long-range shot over as the teams went in level at the break. After a sterile opening 20 minutes it had ended up being an exhilarating half of football, but United would have been regretting not taking their chances to score a second at 1-0.

Into the second period and Malouda immediately tried his luck, but his effort was well off target.

On 53 minutes Patrice Evra found acres of space behind Essien and chipped up a cross to the back post, but the danger passed.

Essien may have been struggling defensively in his unusual right back role but he was doing well going forward, and on another raid he cut inside onto his left foot and fired not too far over. Van der Sar had lost his footing again, so if the shot had been on target it would certainly have been a goal.

Chelsea were much better in the second period, really stamping their authority on the game. Drogba headed over from a corner, while Ballack had his umpteenth long shot of the game, this time firing wide.

The Blues were dominating possession. Lampard saw a shot deflected over on 65 minutes, and from the resulting corner John Terry headed over.

Ferdinand required treatment for cramp, and in a rare second half United attack, Carrick lashed the ball wide via a deflection. Ronaldo danced past Essien down the left but then overplayed and sliced wide.

The pitch surface was becoming something of a problem, with players slipping all over the place. Malouda asked for a penalty following a Ferdinand challenge, but the referee didn’t want to know.

On 77 minutes Chelsea were agonizingly close to finding the goal that their second half performance probably deserved. Drogba picked the ball up 25 yards out, and curled the ball majestically towards goal, only to see his shot crash off the far post with Van der Sar beaten.

Drogba had another chance soon after as Malouda crossed from the left into the six yard box, but the Ivorian was denied by a crucial tackle from Nemanja Vidic.

Down the other end Tevez ambitiously had a pop from fully 30 yards but Cech watched it fly wide.

Drogba fired off target twice, before Alex Ferguson made the first change of the game, introducing Ryan Giggs for Scholes on 86 minutes. The remaining minutes of the 90 produced little of note, and the game moved into extra time.

Just three minutes into extra time, and Chelsea were again desperately unlucky not to go ahead, hitting the woodwork for a second time. Ballack laid the ball to Lampard inside the box, and the former West Ham man turned and crashed a shot against the bar. Joe Cole then hashed the rebound over.

Substitute Kalou rolled Brown beautifully and laid the ball off to the onrushing Essien, who nearly got in on goal. Grant then made an attacking change, introducing Nicolas Anelka for Joe Cole.

Bang on 100 minutes Man Utd had a glorious chance of their own. Evra burst past Makelele after another Essien mistake, and cut the ball back to Giggs, but with the goal seemingly at his mercy, Terry somehow made a miraculous headed clearance off the line.

The desperately disappointing Rooney was replaced by Nani, before Tevez cut in from the left and tested Cech. Down the other end, Carvalho rose above Ferdinand at a corner but didn’t get enough meat on his header.

Into the second period of extra time, and Ballack immediately had a shot charged down. On 111 minutes Vidic brought down Anelka outside the box, and Drogba curled the resulting free kick wide.

Both teams were now very tired, but there was a flare up in the corner between Tevez and Terry, which resulted in a mass melee. Ballack and Tevez were both booked while Drogba was shown a straight red card, in what could be his final-ever game for the club, for slapping Vidic around the face.

The action was still not over. Ashley Cole and Nani required treatment after another clash of heads, while Tevez flicked a header wide. Right on 120 minutes Juliano Belletti and Anderson were both brought on for their respective sides, presumably in order to take penalties.

Rio Ferdinand won the toss of the coin, and opted for Man Utd to go first in the shootout.

Tevez stepped up first and sent Cech the wrong way. Ballack was next up, shooting powerfully past Van der Sar. Carrick buried his spot-kick, as did Belletti with his first touch of the game. The first miss of the shootout came from Ronaldo, who stuttered in his run-up but Cech dived to his right to save. Lampard then put Chelsea 3-2 ahead. Hargreaves levelled things up with an emphatic shot into the top corner. Ashley Cole was the next up, and Van der Sar got a strong hand to the ball but couldn’t keep the ball out. Nani then knew that he had to score to keep United in it, and he did it just. Thus it was all up to John Terry to win the Cup for Chelsea, but he blew it for his side, incredibly hit the post after seemingly losing his footing. Anderson scored the first penalty in sudden death, meaning the pressure was all on Kalou. The Ivorian sent Van der Sar the wrong way to make it 5-5. Giggs was next up and he was also successful. Another substitute Anelka never looked like he was going to score, and Van der Sar saved to his right, as United won 6-5 on penalties.

Man Utd are Champions of Europe!

And this morning, her only way of describing everything in the Russian capital was "absolutely brilliant". This is meant to be a journalist to a decent level? I mean, if shrill, annoying laughter and not really adding anything to the coverage is what is passing for journalism these days, we can forget it.

So, why am I bringing this up? Well, she's a Chelsea fan, going on the cheering she received while talking to their fans and the subsequent booing from the United lot. All good fun, but her annoyance, added to the fact I can't really stick Chelsea, made me hope Sir Alex Ferguson's team emerged victorious from the final.

It was a game I feared could go the way of last year's FA Cup final, with one goal the difference in a dour, tactical struggle. But it was anything but as England's top two served up a final that thrilled and spilled up until 1.45am Moscow time.

Ferguson went with a bold team selection, going with his three main attackers in Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney from the start. For Avram Grant, Didier Drogba started up front with Joe Cole and Florent Malouda deployed on the flanks.

And it was United who made the fastest start, with Ronaldo in particular tormenting auxillery right back Michael Essien early on. And it was the Portugese who fired the Reds in front after 26 minutes. An inswinging cross from Wes Brown was met by him and he flashed a header past Petr Cech for goal number 42 of a remarkable season.

United's dominance continued, and they could've been 3 goals up at half time. A sweeping counter-attacking move saw Rooney feed Ronaldo, whose cross was met by Tevez but as his header was saved, Michael Carrick then saw his effort on the rebound clawed away by Chelsea's number 1. And four minutes from the interval, Rooney's low ball across the box was inches away from being poked home by Tevez.

And Chelsea made them pay right on half time, as Lampard stroked home after the ball broke to him after deflecting off Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic after Essien had had a shot. All square at the break and for as good as United were in the first half, Grant's team were in the second period as they piled the pressure on.

They pushed forward and their midfield of Claude Makalele, Lampard and Michael Ballack exerted the same power and poise that United's trio of Carrick, Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes had in the first half. They poured forward and Drogba came so mighty close when his curling effort from around 25 yards smacked the post and rebounded to safety.

Ferguson made his first move, bringing on Ryan Giggs for Scholes and the new record appearance holder for the Old Trafford club was to have an impact on proceedings, but not before the game had moved into extra time and Lampard hit the crossbar with an excellent shot on the turn.

United then went close as a brilliant dart into the box from Patrice Evra saw the ball cut back to Giggs, but his shot was miraculously headed off the line by Blues skipper John Terry.

With tiredness, physically and mentally, proving to be a factor, it boiled over with four minutes of extra time remaining after Chelsea felt Tevez had been unsporting after a break in play for treatment to be given to players for cramp. In the melee, Drogba slapped Vidic and referee Lubos Michel was correct in ordering him off, even though he wanted to argue about it, as he'd done with every other decision.

The game moved onto penalties and it was level at 2-2 when Ronaldo stepped up, but hesitancy in his kick saw his effort saved by Cech. With the score at 4-4 but with Chelsea having the final kick, Terry stepped forward but, agonisingly for him, he slipped as he made contact and sent the ball wide of the post.

The tension by now was unbelievable as sudden death kicks were needed. Anderson and Kalou scored to make it 5-5 before Giggs stepped up to score for United. It was down to Nicolas Anelka to save Chelsea, but instead Edwin Van Der Sar did so for United and they won their 3rd European Cup in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Despite hoping for a United win rather than Chelsea, it was hard not to sympathise with Terry especially, who was heartbroken at the end, his slip proving crucial. Drogba's stupidity didn't help them come the shoot-out but it was Ferguson's night as he cemented his place as Manchester United's greatest ever manager.

A fantastic achievement by United, and it was fitting that Giggs should net the winning penalty as he broke Bobby Charlton's appearance record. It was also fitting that United won the cup 50 years after the Munich Air Disaster, which wiped out many of the 'Busby Babes' team.

For Fergie, he is the top manager in Europe once again and as he said, United don't do it the easy way. Ronaldo was so close from going from hero to zero, and his collapse into tears at the end showed he knew it. Chelsea can feel hard done by, but in my opinion United have been better over the tournament.

Undoubtedly, it was a tremendous game and one which actually lived up to its billing for a change. I wonder if Ms Phillips' will still be banging on about the better hotel for Chelsea this evening, as United parade the European Cup in their "lesser" surroundings.

Nhà vô địch sẽ chạm trán với đối thủ cạnh tranh nguy hiểm nhất - Chelsea ở Moscow và với một danh hiệu đã giành được, trung vệ này cho biết các cầu thủ đều đang rất phấn khích trước cơ hội đoạt thêm một cú đúp đáng nhớ.

"Sẽ rất tuyệt khi bạn giành được một chiếc cúp - chúng tôi đã chơi vì điều đó suốt mùa giải,"  Vidic nói."Giờ đây chúng tôi đã cảm thấy tốt hơn và bị ít sức ép hơn so với cách đây vài tuần ."

"Ở thời điểm này, chúng tôi đang hướng tới Moscow, chiến đấu với tất cả những gì tốt nhất mà mình có và mong chờ chiếc cúp Champions League lần thứ hai sau chín năm. Việc chơi cho United và giành những danh hiệu là một điều lớn lao và tôi tự hào vì được là một phần của đội bóng."

Cùng thay nhau ngự trị trên đỉnh vinh quang của nước Anh bốn năm gần đây, United và Chelsea đều hiểu rõ từng góc cạnh của đối thủ. Cuộc đối đầu giữa hai đội luôn diễn ra vô cùng căng thẳng, và Vidic cho rằng những tình huống rất nhỏ sẽ chọn ra kẻ chiến thắng giữa hai đội bóng thêm một lần nữa vào thứ Tư.

"Những điều nhỏ nhặt sẽ quyết định ai giành chiến thắng trong trận đấu," anh nói. "Tôi không nghĩ trận đấu sẽ có nhiều bàn thắng, nhưng chúng tôi cần phòng ngự tốt và sau đó, tôi chắc rằng chúng tôi có các cầu thủ đủ khả năng để ghi bàn vào lưới Chelsea."

"Chúng tôi biết họ sẽ thi đấu như thế nào và họ cũng hiểu cách chúng tôi chơi bóng. Hai đội đã từng đối đầu trong những trận đấu lớn từ vài năm gần đây và tôi không nghĩ rằng sẽ có quá nhiều bất ngờ diễn ra vào thứ Tư tới."

(Theo MUSVN)

Barcelona have made signing a new central defender a priority after Gaby Milito's injury and have now allegedly succeeded in brining back the highly promising 21-year-old, who United rather controversially lured away from them in 2004.

Despite being rated as one of the most gifted young defenders in Europe, it appears as though the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson cannot break up the rock-solid partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will force the 21-year-old to look elsewhere for first-team football.

The reports are also being echoes in Spain. El Mundo Deportivo claim a four-year contract will officially be signed at Camp Nou once the small matter of the Moscow showdown in the Champions League is out of the way.

All this would go against the recent suggestion of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson that Pique will be a more prominent player for the Red Devils next season.

"I can see him playing 25 to 30 games," Sir Alex was quoted as saying last week. "He's becoming a really good defender. It'll be hard with Rio and Vidic but you need good players."

Drogba has come under heavy criticism ever since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2005 for going to ground too easily.

And Vidic has reiterated the point, claiming the Ivorian’s gamesmanship is much a psychological nuisance as a physical one.

"Sometimes he [Drogba] goes in very strong and sometimes he pretends he is weak," said the Serbian. "He plays with your mind and tries to make the defender think about the next tackle.

"He can pretend he fell down to win a penalty, but referees know that. The Champions League final is a big game and I’m sure the ref will know his job."

But he added: "He’s a great player and he’s a top scorer. It’s a hard job to stop him."

The last man to publicly criticise Drogba’s antics was Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, and the hitman duly responded by scoring during the second leg of the Champions League semi-final to knock the Reds out and help Chelsea progress to the final.

Vidic may have pre-emptively suffered the former Marseille man’s retribution, however, having suffered a knee to the face as they tussled during United’s visit to Stamford Bridge last month.

But the 26-year-old holds no grudge, even claiming his own lack of awareness was partly to blame for the incident.

"He went for the ball and I don’t think he wanted to kick me," Vidic said. "It’s in the past and I don’t think about what happened in the past.

"I don’t know if he said sorry. I remember nothing from those first five seconds after it happened, but he didn’t need to apologise. When a player doesn’t mean to kick me yet it happens, I understand that.

"In the past four months I’ve had two concussions and that’s not good. I don’t protect myself. I leave myself too open for players to kick me or hurt me.

"I’m not saying they want to – it just happens – but maybe I need to work on my protection. I put my head in, but don’t also put my elbows and hands in to protect myself. I want to win the ball and don’t care how and maybe because of that I get hurt."

Despite his recent injury problems, Vidic remains fearless on the pitch, yet he insists he is no hard man.

"I never feel afraid," he said. "Nobody has ever died on the pitch because of a challenge.

"Everyone puts me among the hardest players, and says forwards when they play me need to protect themselves, but that’s not true. I don’t try to hurt people and I don’t want to go around saying I’m tough.

"I go in aggressive, yes, and try to win every ball, but I’m not anything special."

David James, Portsmouth (GK) He was calm, collected and competent.  Unfortunately he didn't bring back the slicked doo.

Gael Clichy, Arsenal (DL) Good defender.  Great going forward.  Provided the width Arsenal needed.

Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United (DC) He is a phenomenal defender, when not out "merking" his pals.

Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United (DC) The brains behind Rio's braun.

Bakary Sagna, Arsenal (DR) Consistent, confident and composed, basically everything Eboue was not.

Ashley Young, Aston Villa (ML) He managed to save some of his pace and ferocity for his on the field endeavors.

Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal (MC) Fabulous as usual.

Javier Mascherano, Liverpool (MC) He maybe the best midfield stopper in the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United (MR) 31 goals.  20 more than any other midfielder.  Pretty, Pretty Pretty good.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsenal (FC) He improved his finishing from poor to below average, but still got in position to score 24 goals.

Fernando Torres, Liverpool (FC) The difference between Liverpool and a mid-table finish.

I am adamant that if last year's Manchester United would have remained unchanged, we would likely have finished 2nd or even 3rd. The real shining success from this season is a tough thing to pinpoint precisely, but I think Fergie's astute signings are the main talking point of the season, despite the incredible emergence of Cristiano Ronaldo as a genuine contender for best player in the world. More on him later, but first, let me explain my hypothesis.

Our early 2000's team blew pretty hard despite the presence of some bigger names and some success on and off the field. The Van Nistelrooy years stand out to me as an era of poor signings that, while they may have been skilled players, didn't fit into the United system and the likes of Seba Veron, Kleberson, Djemba X 2, Diego Forlan and Liam Miller all proved to be floppish. While I'm not doubting the ability of some of them (namely Forlan and Veron, Miller is still shite though, Djemba has dropped off the face of the earth) these were the wrong types of signings.

The players that Fergie picked up this year all added a different element to the team, without detracting from our overall style of play. Each of the players are extremely dynamic and while regular readers will know my thoughts on Nani (who I think needs more composure to compete at the highest level) each of these four have played a key part in United's campaign, thus far. While I'm on the topic of Nani, he did singlehandedly deliver three points early on in the season for us in the match against Middlesbrough. While his actions the other week against West Ham were not the type of football I like to see played at United, the lad obviously has the skills to pay the bills. He needs to spend more time soaking up advice from top pro's like Giggs, Scholesy and Ronaldo in order to reach that level of maturity and composure necessary to compete in the big games. Look at what happened to Rooney this year, Nani needs a dose of that. But watch this video as testament to Nani's gamebreaking ability.

Oliveira Anderson has provided something unique for United this year- an element of the unexpected. In retrospect, he was our mystery player this year- nobody knew much about him coming in. People had seen a bit of Nani and people more or less knew what to expect from him. Anderson was a different deal altogether. I expected the young Brazilian to come in and act like, as one of my readers predicted, "THE creative midfielder." Anderson adapted quickly to the pace and hard-hitting nature of the EPL and he shined as a box-to-box midfielder with vision and guile. Like Tevez, he possesses a low center of gravity and this makes him hard to knock off the ball and also gives him the ability to creep up on opposing players and quickly snake the ball from him. He was much more defensive and mentally aware than any of us predicted at the start of the season. While he finished goalless, his contribution was telling in that other teams still haven't quite figured out how to deal with Anderson. He will wear a United shirt for many many years.

Somebody's put together a little Anderson tribute here. I think it's fitting. Give it a look.

As a Canadian, seeing Owen Hargreaves take to the pitch in a United uniform always fills me with pride. Watching this good old boy from Calgary AB out there kicking ass in the name of Man United is one of the greatest pleasures I have. I admire the man's commitment and professionalism and while he grew up playing for Bayern, he brings the grit and get'er-done mentality that Canadians bring to everything they do. He is our ambassador to England and the Premier League and I think he is an excellent example of the type of versatility Man U have lacked in previous seasons. He is Phil Neville times three. All the versatility and ability to slot in basically anywhere, but he brings free-kicks and hard, lazer-guided tackles to the fore whenever he steps over the white lines. Hargreaves delivered the points at Arsenal and while he was hampered by injury all year, Hargreaves stepped up when he was called upon. Something that can do every Canadian proud.

This will go down as one of the greatest United freekicks of all time. I was shitting myself when he scored this one. These three points made the difference and Hargreaves fucking delivers.

And now, we've got Tevez. What more can you ask for from a player? While he isn't a 30 goal a season man in the vein of Torres, old Michael Owen or Ronaldo, him and Man United formed a symbiotic relationship this year. Manchester United has brought out the best in Carlos Tevez and Carlos Tevez has helped Manchester United get better. Everybody said that him and Rooney were too similar to succeed and that turned out to be one of the talking points of the season. Him and Rooney are similar, and contrary to predictions, it made them a better strike force. They can track each others runs expertly and both can drop deep, while both can play as out and out strikers. Tevez's versatility is one of the things that allows Man United to play the free-flowing attacking game that we all know and love. He is short, stout, and has the heart of a lion. It's an honor to watch this man go to work in the service of our team. He is on course to be a Man United legend and I have a feeling that he's a favourite in the dressing room.

He has a habit of scoring important goals. Case in point:

Now that I've addressed my four reasons why we won the title, let's get to the season's other main talking point- THE EMERGENCE OF CRISTIANO RONALDO AS THE BEST FOOTBALLER IN THE WORLD. I will argue it with anybody. Nobody plays the game like this guy and what he accomplished this season helped him break the bank, win the the title and shock the world. Over 40 goals from a right-winger is absolutely unprecedented in English football and I will also defend my theory that Ronaldo is blurring the lines between midfielder and striker. He alternates a Jeckyll and Hyde-style double-bill as a winger and old-fashioned center forward, scoring goals for fun and making opponents trip all over themselves. Always labeled as a one-trick pony thirty seconds away from a shampoo commercial, Ronaldo grabbed the team by the scruff of the neck and delivered the goods. This guy is the one who will sell "soccer" to America, not David Beckham. People in North America want to see goals and they want to see exciting stuff. Ronaldo plays football from another planet and the Glazier's know that he is their best chance at selling the game to the North American audience once and for all. That is why this guy is going nowhere.

Here's a few highlights from this season to whet your whistle. I'll have a full bio and review on him coming up in a few days.

The other main point worth mentioning is our defense. The central partnership of Rio and Vidic has been absolutely unparalleled in recent memory and the two will be operating in tandem for almost a decade, they're flanked by Wes Brown, who finally emerged as the top player we all knew he was (particularly in the second leg against Barca), and Patrice Evra- a more complete version of Roberto Carlos. These guys and Van Der Sar are the unsung heroes of the season. Like they always say- offense wins games, defense wins championships.

And that's exactly what our boys did today. Ryan Giggs scoring to put the icing on the cake as he matched the all-time appearance record for the team is a story that you just can't make up. I think you can't forget how important it was that Chelsea slipped up against Bolton when it mattered most. That gives us the big mo' going into the Champions League Final.

Drink up United fans- it's been a long season and we've delivered the goods.

Bring on Moscow.

 Wilson Palacios '71
 Emile Heskey '71
 Antonio Valencia '77

'14 Paul Scholes
'33 Cristiano Ronaldo
'58 Wayne Rooney
'80 Ryan Giggs

Manchester United survived a very tricky first half thanks to some pluck and some luck, and then came into their own in the second half to win their tenth title of the Premier League era.

In what was a dramatic and controversial match, United produced a sensational second half attacking performance to seal the retention of their Premier League crown after being made to work very hard by Steve Bruce’s side.    

Wigan started brightly and the home side had a legitimate claim for a penalty turned down when Rio Ferdinand seemed to block a Jason Koumas shot with his arm, before Cristiano Ronaldo gave the visitors the lead from a penalty that was given after Wayne Rooney was brought down. Paul Scholes was then fortunate to escape a sending-off after a cynical challenge shortly after being booked.    

United however, were sensational in the second-half providing attack after attack after the difficult first period. Chris Kirkland delayed the inevitable with a string of excellent saves before substitute Ryan Giggs, on the day he equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s appearance record, sealed the league triumph with a cool finish to spark wild celebrations and cap a glorious day for Manchester United. 

As a result the Red Devils have secured their tenth title in the Premier League era and their seventeenth League Championship of all time, moving them just one behind Liverpool’s record of eighteen triumphs. It is the first time that the Old Trafford giants have lifted back-to-back titles since 2001. 

United fielded what many believed to be the strongest side available to them. Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic, who were both rated as major doubts ahead of the game, started the match as United returned to a more attacking 4-4-2 formation. Carlos Tevez partnered Rooney in attack, supported by Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji-Sung from wide positions.

Wigan made one change to the side that defeated Aston Villa last weekend. Kevin Kilbane was ruled out with a back problem, so Honduran defender Maynor Figueroa was given a baptism of fire at left-back – his first Premier League start. Emile Heskey and Marcus Bent led a strong-looking side up-front. 

The ground was comfortably sold out and there was a frenetic atmosphere inside the JJB Stadium as the match kicked-off simultaneously with events at Stamford Bridge. 

There was an early scare for United when the usually unflustered Ferdinand rushed a clearance that found Latics midfielder Michael Brown, who managed to hit the target with a scuffed shot. Indeed, the home side started superbly and Jason Koumas should have done better with two separate strikes from long-range. It was a fast start from Steve Bruce’s men that certainly showed the defending champions that they would not be in for an easy afternoon. 

The home side were defending in numbers and breaking with pace as United struggled to assume control of the game in the first fifteen minutes, with Paul Scholes booked for a foul on Wilson Palacios. Wigan had a legitimate penalty claim turned down when Koumas again struck from distance and had his effort seemingly blocked by Ferdinand’s upper arm, although it would have been difficult for referee Steve Bennett to spot in real time. 

The visitors had their best effort at goal from the first half hour when Ronaldo’s 35-yard free-kick took a wicked bounce to test Chris Kirkland in the home goal. Better was just around the corner when United were awarded a penalty when Boyce collided Rooney after a goal-mouth scramble, Boyce got nothing of the ball and although it was a tough call, it was hard to argue against the award.  

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and calmly sent Kirkland the wrong way to give him his forty-first goal of the season and United a lead that it was hard to argue they deserved. Paul Scholes then committed a cynical foul on Palacios and having already been booked and should have been sent off after what was a moment of madness, a lucky escape for the experienced midfielder. Wigan were still unrelenting in threatening the Red Devils in search for an equaliser, with Antonio Valencia looking particularly threatening and at half-time the Latics could consider themselves very unfortunate to go in behind. 

The start of the second half was delayed so that kick-off at Stamford Bridge could take place at the same time. When the game did get back underway Kirkland again thwarted Ronaldo with a save from another powerful free-kick from distance. United then pressed for a second goal that would seal the title. Carlos Tevez sent through Scholes, who looked set to cut-back to the onrushing Ronaldo before being hacked down by Titus Bramble. Bramble got nothing of the ball, and it was this time it was Wigan who were on the fortunate side of a refereeing decision.  

Ronaldo then came inches away from a second as his header crept past the post following a corner. Moments later, Rooney’s purposeful run took him past Boyce as he cut inside before striking towards the bottom corner. Somehow, Kirkland produced a sensational save to deny him as United turned the screw.

Rooney’s frustration then got the better of him, as he was booked for dissent after another controversial incident inside the box saw the England international call for a hand-ball from Boyce.    

Kirkland then saved again, this time from Tevez’s low strike as United piled on the pressure after an incredible fifteen minute blitz after half-time. News quickly broke that Chelsea had taken the lead over Bolton, as Owen Hargreaves then took to the field replacing Scholes as United looked to safe-guard their one goal advantage. Ryan Giggs then took the field to equal Sir Bobby Charlton’s appearance record.    

With twenty minutes remaining Heskey almost threw the title race in Chelsea’s favour as his header was narrowly over the bar. Vidic then had a header narrowly wide from a Rooney corner.    

The Premier League title was sealed for the Manchester giants when Wayne Rooney played a through ball to Giggs, who found a gaping gap in between Scharner and Bramble of the Wigan defence and calmly slotted the ball past Kirkland in a glorious moment for United that sparked wild celebrations.    

There were a couple of tense moments for the Red Devils defence in the closing ten minutes through Antoine Sibierski and Maynard Figueroa attempts but United held firm and secured the victory that handed them the title. The final whistle brought remarkable scenes of celebration from players, management and fans alike as United prepared for the trophy presentation after a fantastic afternoon of sporting drama.

The match was settled by a double from Michael Ballack either side of a Wayne Rooney goal, and it put Chelsea on level pegging with the Red Devils, which is how they remain with just one game to go in the title race and United leading on goal difference.

It was after the game, where frustrations of letting their lead slip boiled over for United. Their substitutes were warming down on the pitch after the game as Chelsea ground staff got to work. When they ran across a prohibited area they were asked to move and refused. With just two minutes left to go of their warm down, it was thought it could have been finished without incident, but it was then when Patrice Evra rushed from one end of the pitch to the other to confront Chelsea ground staff as a brawl broke out.

Punches were thrown, but stewards eventually managed to separate the groups, and the inquest has been ongoing ever since.

Evra insists he was racially abused, which is what prompted him to react as angrily as he did. The Frenchman maintains he did not hear the remark himself, but at least one team-mate and member of the coaching staff did, and have gone on record stating as such. Chelsea staunchly deny any wrongdoing.

Groundsman Sam Bethell is the individual accused of making the remark, as each side are preparing their reports to submit to the FA as they decide the best course of action. CCTV footage has been used to attempt to decipher the details of what occurred just before the incident.

The Blues are asserting that United have even changed their story up to four times on the day of the incident, a claim the Red Devils deny.

The FA will rule on the incident in the coming weeks, most probably after the Champions League final. It is unlikely Man United will be able to prove the racial abuse occurred, and in fact Evra himself is more likely to face punishment for his physical involvement in the incident.

In better news, as the title race winds down this Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson will be able to count on Nemanja Vidic, who returns from injury, as they make the trip to Wigan Atletic.

Wayne Rooney, however, remains a doubt. It is thought he may be rested purely as a precaution, so that he does not miss the Champions League final against Chelsea, in Moscow, on May 21.

Bộ đôi này đã lần lượt được thay thế trong trận thua Chelsea - Vidic bị đau từ một chấn thương ở vùng đầu và Rooney thì đang phải vật lộn với một va chạm ở vùng hông.

Cả hai cầu thủ này đều đã phải ngồi ngoài trong chuỗi trận thắng của United trước Barcelona và West Ham, nhưng rất có thể họ sẽ trở lại trong màn trình diễn của Quỷ Đỏ trên sân JJB vào chủ nhật tới, trận đấu quyết định đến chức vô địch của họ.

"Tôi nghĩ rằng Vidic đang có cơ hội rất lớn để trở lại," Sir Alex phát biểu trên kênh MUTV sau trận thắng 4-1 của United trước West Ham.

"Tình hình của Wayne vẫn đang tiến triển rất tốt. Lẽ ra anh ấy đã có mặt trong đội hình gặp West Ham, thế nhưng chúng tôi nghĩ rằng hình như vẫn còn hơi sớm. Chúng tôi sẽ làm những điều tốt nhất có thể để mang anh ấy trở lại vào chủ nhật tới."

(Theo MUVN)

Rooney đã phải vật lộn với một chấn thương hông gặp phải trong trận hòa 1-1 tại Ewood Park vào tháng trước.

Mặc dù vậy anh cũng đã có mặt tại London nhưng đã phải ra sân giữa chừng trong trận đấu đó và sau đó đã phải ngồi ngoài trong trận đấu bán kết lượt về Champions League, trận đấu mà United đã giành thắng lợi 1-0 trước Barca vào thứ ba vừa rồi.

Sir Alex nói rằng chấn thương của Rooney đang tiến triển rất tốt, thế nhưng với việc trận chung kết Champions League đang tiến rất gần, HLV của United sẽ không thể nào mạo hiểm được.

"Wayne sẽ có mặt trên băng ghế dự bị," Sir Alex thừa nhận tại cuộc họp báo trước trận đấu.

"Thế nhưng chúng tôi vẫn còn một trận chung kết vô cùng quan trọng để có thể nghĩ về điều đó và chúng tôi sẽ không vội vàng về trường hợp của cậu ấy."

Vidic, trong lúc ấy, sẽ chỉ kịp hồi phục cho trận đấu gặp Wigan vào chủ nhật tuần tới sau khi sẽ phải trải qua một vài ngày tiếp theo để có thể hồi phục từ sự chấn động kéo dài sau pha va chạm ngẫu nhiên với Didier Drogba vào cuối tuần trước.

Sir Alex cũng đã xác nhận về trường hợp của Patrice Evra, người đã gặp phải chấn thương trong thời gian thi đấu của trận gặp Barca, anh ấy sẽ trở lại trong trận đối đầu với Hammers.

(Theo MUVN)

Rooney and Vidic are two big question marks. Vidic's absence has shown just how important he has become to our team. Ferdinand gets most of the credit, but Nemanja seems to be the one that makes the real difference. He isn't as error prone as Rio and knowledge that he is guarding the backline seems to give players like Ronaldo, Rooney and Hargreaves the ability to get forward and create scoring chances. That's been our biggest problem the past few games. If United can go out tonight and create 15 really good scoring opportunities, we will convert two of them and win the game. United have to attack and not leave it to the second half.

The optimal scenario, for me anyway, is for us to snake an early goal and then draw Barcelona onto us, but we will need somebody up front to hold up the ball and wait for the defenders. Barcelona play a real pressure-cooker style of defense with men closing you down on the ball as soon as you get it. In terms of positional sense and man-marking Barca aren't as good, but they close down well and it seemed to affect us in the last game. Barca will definitely be up for this one, the Champions League is really all they have left at this point.

Ronaldo shouldn't start up front, he needs to come in off the wing. I think Tevez can really be the game-breaker today. He is the footballing equivalent of a power forward in basketball (albeit he's about 5" 8). His presence can upset defenders and draw them out of position. Additionally, he boasts the best ability in the league to go from top speed to a complete stop and he uses this to his advantage in games when he sets the tone. Tevez can Barca a new asshole with his runs and ability to hold up the ball. Working closely in tandem with Anderson, whose battling presence will be required to stifle Barca's midfield, Tevez will create opportunity for Ronaldo to arrive late in danger areas and play the crucial ball at the crucial moment. At least that's how I see it anyway.

I don't see it going to extra time. Worst case scenario is Barca scoring early and then parking 10 men behind the ball. Don't know if they'd be able to hold that, but I'm also unsure whether we could score two. An early goal will set the tone tonight. I just hope we're the ones that get it.

What an absolutely stunning game !!

A MAGNIFICENT ADVERT. FOR THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - Adam Stanford eat your heart out - I bet you are feeling like a man who has been caught with his knickers on his head - If football can serve up games like that, no matter how many bean counters you bring in, or oceans of money you pump into cricket - IT CAN NEVER REPLACE THE 'BEST GAME IN THE WORLD'.

Chelsea BEAT Man - chest - er - United

A magnificent spectacle.

An exhilarating contest.

Nerve-racking, enthralling, thrilling, captivating, joyous, all encompassing - What a match !!

It is 4:00 a.m. on a Monday morning. I am a little low on adjectives. However, reminiscing about the win over the Mancs at the Bridge, will more than cover that front.

We began the game with full force. We needed the win and were hungry for it. Chelsea's domination was established early on with the full pitch press, the Mancs did not know what hit them. Early on, the game had a nasty moment - an injury to Ivan Drago - which left him woozy and leaking blood. I personally dislike ruffians like Drago, but any injury is bad and injuries are one of few downsides of this sport. Attack after attack, Chelsea's relentless pressure had the Reds reeling and scrambling for desperate clearances. Some inaccurate final balls and the post were the only things that kept parity. However, a breakthrough was inevitable. In the 45th minute, Chelsea's German Bomber - Micheal Ballack torpedoed the ball into the back of the net after an inch perfect Didier Drogba cross.

The second half began with that team from Manchester trying to effect a comeback. For the first 10 minutes of the half Chelsea were forced to soak the pressure, with the Mancs finding their rhythm and carving out some half chances. However, just as Chelsea were finding their feet after the restart a BIZARRE error by Ricardo Carvalho, one of the club's best players this season, gifted a goal to the limping Rayne Woozy.

The goal galvanized the team and tables turned once again with Chelsea in the ascendancy. Avram Grant made the changes and brought on the attackers. Old red face did quite the opposite, and much like his team selections, got the substitutions wrong as well. The beaters were on for the Mancs to force out a draw. The introduction of Cristiano "tap tap" Ronaldo was NULLIFIED by Ashley Cole's IMPRESSIVE defending. He owned the No.7 Manc, much the same way Ballack owned Van der Sar. With Chelsea piling on the pressure, Micheal Carrick was caught unlucky in the 85th minute and handed the blues a penalty.

Everybody and anybody who was watching the match would have been gripped by the overwhelming tension as Ballack sized up the spot kick. Trust a German to score from the spot. He did just that. A BULLET SHOT past the hapless Van Der Sar. Nerves of steel and as cold as ice. Such PERFECT PRECISION makes you wonder whether Germans are humans or plain robots.

With their season and grip on the title threatening to slip away, the Mancs sparked into action. Goal line clearances from the brilliant Ashley Cole and our 30 million pound striker Andriy Shevchenko, who was bought to bang in the goals instead of saving them, saw us through to the finish line.

Liver-fools beware. The season just got interesting. May the best team win.

Los jugadores del Manchester United, Wayne Rooney y Nemanja Vidic serán duda en el partido de vuelta de las semifinales de la Champions ante el Barcelona y que tendrá lugar en Old Trafford. El delantero sufrió una lesión muscular y en los próximos días se sabrá si podrá estar o no en este decisivo partido previo a la gran final europea.

Rooney sufrió un tirón durante el partido de este sábado ante el Chelsea en Stamford Bridge. Poco después de marcar el gol del empate (al final venció el Chelsea por 2-1), el delantero tuvo que ser sustituído por Cristiano Ronaldo . Todavía no se conoce si el inglés podrá o no estar ante el Barcelona pero de confirmarse esta noticia, sin duda sería un penoso contratiempo para las aspiraciones del equipo de Alex Ferguson.

Por otro lado, el defensa central  Nemanja Vidic también tuvo que ser  sustituído ante el Chelsea tras un recibir un durísimo rodillazo de Didier Drogba. Tras el impacto, el jugador, que además se hizo una brecha, estuvo durante unos momentos inconsciente y tuvo que ser retirado de inmediato por los servicios médicos del club. El jugador del United dejó su sitio en el campo a Hargreaves.

Fuente: Marca

"Đó là 1 điểm sống còn," trung vệ người Serbia phát biểu trên kênh MUTV sau khi trận đấu kết thúc tại Blackburn.

"Tại trận đấu cuối cùng trong ngày chúng tôi đã bị dẫn 1-0, trận đấu chỉ còn lại 10 phút và chúng tôi đã ghi được bàn gỡ hòa. Thế nên chúng tôi rất vui."

"Chúng tôi đã có đến 3 hoặc 4 cơ hội trong hiệp 2 và có lẽ chúng tôi nên làm tốt hơn trong một vài tình huống, thế nhưng bạn có thể thấy được sự chắc chắn từ Brad Friedel."

Mặc dù đã để mất 2 điểm nhưng United hiện vẫn đang dẫn đầu bảng xếp hạng, dẫu rằng trong trận đấu tối thứ 7 vừa rồi dường như United đã phải rời sân Ewood Park với hai bàn tay trắng.

Tuy vậy Vidic đã nói rằng anh tin vào United, đội luôn chơi trên sân khách với tinh thần rất cao.

"Chúng tôi đã để thua 1 bàn từ khá sớm nhưng chúng tôi vẫn luôn tin rằng chúng tôi sẽ ghi được bàn thắng và thật sự đã có kết quả. Những trận đấu tại Blackburn luôn rất khó khăn, đó không phải là một màn trình diễn xuất sắc thế nhưng chúng tôi đã có được một kết quả tốt.

"Chúng tôi vẫn còn ba trận đấu trong mùa này và mục tiêu của chúng tôi là phải thắng cả ba trận đấu đó nếu như chúng tôi muốn vô địch."

Năm nay 26 tuổi; người đã từng phải rời sân trong trận đấu ở Roma vào ngày 1 tháng 4 với chấn thương đầu gối; nói rằng anh đã cảm thấy rất ổn trong lần xuất hiện đầu tiên sau bốn trận vắng mặt.

"Vâng, tôi cảm thấy rất ổn," Vidic nói. "Tôi cảm thấy đầu gối mình hơi nhức trong ngày hôm nay nhưng bây giờ thì tôi đã sẵn sàng cho trận đấu tiếp theo."

(Theo MUVN)

Đó là thông tin mới nhất từ Sir Alex trong cuộc họp hàng tuần tại trung tâm Carrington vào trưa thứ 6 vừa rồi, và theo lời của ông thì Nani cũng sẽ có mặt trong đội hình vào ngày thi đấu sắp tới.

Vidic đã gặp phải chấn thương đầu gối trong trận đấu với Roma vào ngày 1 tháng 4 vừa qua, và điều đó đã khiến anh phải ngồi ngoài trong trận đấu lượt về tại Manchester, cũng như trong hai trận đấu United gặp Middlesbrough và Arsenal.

Có thêm một tin tốt lành về Darren Fletcher, người đã gặp phải chấn thương trong khi thi đấu cho đội tuyển Scotland ở loạt trận giao hữu vào tháng 3 vừa qua. Tiền vệ 24 tuổi này đã trở lại tập nhẹ và sẽ tập luyện bình thường vào thứ 2 tới.

"Đó đều là những tin rất tốt," Sir Alex phát biểu.

"Với sự trở lại của những cầu thủ còn lại (trước đó là sự trở lại của Gary Neville và Mikael Silvestre) sẽ mang lại cho chúng tôi những vị trí tốt nhất."

Không có thêm tin gì mới trong cuộc họp từ Sir Alex, tuy nhiên. Hai tiền vệ Anderson và Owen Hargreaves đều đang gặp vấn đề trước trận đấu với Blackburn vào thứ 7, trong khi Louis Saha vẫn đang trải qua sự khó chịu về chấn thương gân kheo mà anh mắc phải.

(Theo MUVN)

Ferdinand đã phải khâu ba mũi ở chân phải ở thời gian nghỉ giữa hiệp trong trận thắng Roma 1-0 vào thứ tư vừa rồi. Chấn thương này hoàn toàn không liên quan đến những vấn đề khiến anh phải rời sân trong trận đấu với Middlesbrough tuần trước. Những tin tức mới nhất cho rằng hậu vệ 29 tuổi này đã không còn cảm thấy khó chịu từ vết thương cũ nữa.

Vidic, cộng sự của Rio ở vị trí trung vệ, người đã phải rời sân ở hiệp 1 trong trận đấu lượt đi trên sân Roma 10 ngày trước, được dự đoán rằng sẽ mất từ hai đến ba tuần để hồi phục, và dường như anh sẽ trở lại sớm hơn dự kiến.

"Vidic đang hồi phục rất tốt," Sir Alex Ferguson nói.

"Anh ấy không thể có mặt vào chủ nhật nhưng anh sẽ trở lại trong trận đấu với Blackburn."

Nani, cầu thủ đang gặp một vài vấn đề về bắp đùi, đang rất cố gắng để có thể thi đấu trong trận gặp Arsenal, và anh chắc chắn rằng mình sẽ hồi phục hoàn toàn để đối đầu với đoàn quân của Mark Hughes tại Edwood Park.

Trong khi đó, Gary Neville sẽ đấu tranh cho vị trí của mình ở đội hình 1 sau lần xuất hiện của anh vào thứ 4 vừa rồi. Thế nhưng Sir Alex đã thừa nhận rằng sự cạnh tranh cho vị trí ra sân sẽ là rất khắc nghiệt với "những cầu thủ đang chơi rất tốt ở hàng hậu vệ". Ông nói thêm: "Tuy nhiên, thật là tuyệt vời khi có được sự trở lại của anh ấy."

Hiện tại chỉ còn lại hai trường hợp chấn thương là Darren Fletcher (đầu gối) và Louis Saha (gân kheo), cả hai đều đang hồi phục rất tốt và nhiều khả năng họ sẽ sớm trở lại trước khi mùa bóng này kết thúc.

(Theo MUVN)

Ég hef áður lýst yfir hrifningu minni á Nemanja Vidic hér á blogginu og honum til heiðurs hafa stuðningsmenn Man Utd samið lag. Þetta lag skal sungið við laglínu Volare með Gipsy kings og textinn er svona:

Nemanja vóóóó

He comes from Serbia

He'll fucking murder ya!

Sannarlega orð að sönnu. Ég hef líka tekið saman árangur bæði Man Utd og Barcelona í meistaradeildinni þar sem þessi lið munu mætast í undanúrslitum. Ef við byrjum á Man utd þá var þeirra riðill svona skipaður:

Man utd

Roma

Dynamo Kiev

Sporting Lissabon

Man utd vann 5 leiki og gerði eitt jafntefli. Í fyrstu útsláttarumferð fengu mínir menn Lyon. Gerðu jafntefli á útivelli en unnu á heimavelli. Í næstu umferð fengu þeir Roma. Unnu þar bæði heima og úti.

Riðillinn sem Barcelona var í var svona skipaður:

Barcelona

Lyon

Stuttgart

Rangers

Barcelona vann einnig 5 leiki og gerði eitt jafntefli. Í fyrstu umferð fengu þeir Celtic og unnu bæði heima og úti. Í næstu umferð fengu þeir Schalke og aftur unnu þeir bæði heima og úti.

Athyglisvert er að velta fyrir sér hvaða leið bæði liðin hafa þurft að fara til að komast í undanúrslitin og lengi mætti deila um það hvor leiðin var erfiðari. Barcelona hefur unnið 9 leiki og gert eitt jafntefli á meðan Man Utd hefur unnið 8 leiki og gert tvö jafntefli.

Eitthvað að pæla í fyrir komandi rimmu en fyrsti leikur þessara liða er einmitt á afmælisdegi mínum þann 23. apríl n.k.