Cristiano Ronaldo

MANCHESTER: A Paul Scholes wonder goal was enough to put Manchester United into the Champions League final. With Wayne Rooney injured and unable to play, Cristiano Ronaldo had to fill in at striker.

Barcelona looked dangerous a few times in the first half. Dazzling runs from Lionel Messi caused a few problems but the United defense was always up to the task. Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to find his form throughout the match. He looked frustrated throughout and was not able to catch his rhythm.

Against the run of play, the Barcelona defense was unable to clear a ball on which Paul Scholes pounced and smashed a curling shot into the top right corner of the goal. Victor Valdez never stood a chance in stopping the wonderful shot.

The rest of the match was suspenseful because one goal would put Barcelona into the final. Thierry Henry entered the match during the second half but was rather disappointing. Frank Rijkaard hoped that Henry’s familiarity with Manchester United would give him an edge, but to his disappointed the Manchester United defense was able to handle Henry rather easily.

Manchester United will play the winner of the Chelsea/Liverpool tie in the final which will be played in Moscow, Russia on May 21st.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year for the second straight year.

The young Portuguese star, who has scored 38 goals in all competitions this season, has beaten out Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and David James for the award. Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was voted as Young Player of the Year.

“I feel very happy. When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honor, a pleasure.” Cristiano Ronaldo said.

LONDON: Two critical goals by Michael Ballack have put Manchester United and Chelsea on even points. United still holds the first spot with a goal differential advantage.

A questionable decision by Alex Ferguson left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for this match in order for him to be fully fit for the upcoming Champions League tie with Barcelona at Old Trafford.

Michael Ballack put Chelsea in front after he superbly headed home a cross from Didier Drogba just before half-time. United responded positively after half-time and were even after a gifted Wayne Rooney goal. Ricardo Carvalho played a lazy backpass to Petr Cech that Wayne Rooney intercepted and finished with class.

However, it was not meant to be for Manchester United on this day. With less than five minutes to go, a dubious handball call on Michael Carrick put Michael Ballack on the penalty spot. The German coolly smashed to ball into the back of the net and that put an end to the match.

United’s next fixture is the second leg against Barcelona at Old Trafford.

BARCELONA: United had what seemed like a dream start. Within the first minute, Manchester United was awarded a penalty when a Barcelona defender was deemed to have handled the ball in the area. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and the unthinkable happened. The penalty kick sailed high and wide of the goal after the Barcelona keeper was well beaten.

LANCASHIRE: A crucial last minute Carlos Tevez goal allowed United to take a critical point in today’s encounter with Blackburn. After Roque Santa Cruz put Blackburn in the lead, things started looking bleak for United.

Confusion in the box from Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand allowed to ball to pop loose in the path of Roque Santa Cruz who calmly side-footed the ball into the back of the net. The goal sent Blackburn fans into ruptures.

It took United 88 minutes to draw level. Manchester United served in a corner which Paul Scholes managed to flick on where Carlos Tevez took it and smashed it into the back of the net. What a critical goal that could prove to be with United traveling to Stamford Bridge next Saturday to face Chelsea.

Manchester United will now travel to Stamford Bridge next Saturday to face Chelsea. United currently has a three point lead and a much superior goal advantage. Therefore, even a loss will leave United at the top of the league. The title remains United’s to lose.

MANCHESTER: After a first half setback, Manchester United was able to fight back and end any championship aspirations Arsenal may have had. Cristiano Ronaldo was once again on the scoresheet for Manchester United with his 28th goal of the season.

Arsenal put United into a hole just before half time when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a header. Some blame could be put on Edwin van der Sar for not taking control of his area and letting Adebayor head the ball in freely.

In the second half Manchester United were given a penalty when William Gallas handled the ball in the area. Cristiano Ronaldo then stepped up to the spot and took his first penalty kick and buried it into the back of the net. However, since Ronaldo stopped during his run up, some Arsenal players entered the area and he was forced to retake the penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up once again and this time put it in the bottom left corner perfectly where Jens Lehmann had no chance of reaching it.

The games was tied until the 72nd minute when United was handed a freekick. While the whole Arsenal team was expecting one of Ronaldo’s patented freekicks, Owen Hargreaves struck a dipping shot right over the wall into the bottom left corner of the net. Jens Lehmann was once again left helpless.

With the victory, United are now 9 points above Arsenal and 5 points above Chelsea after their slip up against Wigan.

MANCHESTER: Carlos Tevez’s late goal gave Manchester United an important 1-0 victory. The 3-0 aggregate victory has put United through to the semi-final where they will meet FC Barcelona.

Manchester United had so much confidence that they left Cristiano Ronaldo off the pitch and still got a result. Ronaldo was rested for the important upcoming fixture on Sunday against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

United’s Champions League campaign will resume on April 23rd when the face FC Barcelona at Camp Nou.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 27th league goal in a uncharacteristically poor match for Manchester United. Wayne Rooney was able to rescue a point for United in wintry Middlesbrough after Alfonso Alves bagged two goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 37th goal in all competitions after a Ryan Giggs corner was headed to Ronaldo by Michael Carrick. Cristiano Ronaldo made no mistakes and spiked the ball into the back of the net. United had a few more chances in the opening 20 minutes but were not able to convert them into goals. A few minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo was able to beat three Middlesborough defenders; however, his shot did not hit the target and left a lot to be desired. Manchester United was punished in the 35th minute when Alfonso Alves bagged his first of two to equalize the match.

The second half did not get much better. Alfonso Alves once again punished the United defense and put Middlesbrough in front. Luckily Wayne Rooney was able to level things 16 minutes from time. United went all out for the equalizer and almost lost the game on a counter attack that Tuncay was not able to capitalize on.

Manchester United is now three points ahead of Chelsea.

ROME: Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney have put Manchester United in a comfortable position after scoring two away goals. Manchester United now look to be in great shape to advance to the semi-finals later this month.

Roma’s manager, Luciano Spalletti, hailed Manchester United as “the best team in the world” prior to kickoff. Francesco Totti was sidelined by a injury. Manchester United was able to dominate possession for long stretches in the match.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his goal by heading a ball served by Paul Scholes into the back of the net.