FOOTBALL NEWS

23/12/2007 13:08, Report by Gemma Thompson

MUTV Online: Everton action

You can watch highlights of United's Barclays Premier League clash with Everton on your PC by signing up to MUTV Online.*

Go to Match Highlights on MUTV Online to see the action from midnight GMT on Sunday.

Alternatively, supporters in the UK and Ireland can see the match in full on MUTV. You can also see what Sir Alex and his players said in their post-match interviews.

MUTV Online

Sign-up today and you'll be able to watch hundreds of United video clips on your PC whenever you like. News, interviews, highlights, reserves, academy... there's a wealth of content to select from, with new clips added every weekday and after every match.

Monthly subscriptions are also available, by credit card or (UK only) direct debit. To find out more, go to manutd.com/video or click on MUTV Online in our menu.

*Match highlights are published at midnight UK on matchdays.

FOOTBALL NEWS

Barclays Premier League
Old Trafford, 23 December 2007

MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Ronaldo 22, 88 (pen)

EVERTON 1
Cahill 27

23/12/2007 13:04

Summary: United 2 Everton 1

Cristiano Ronaldo kept his nerve to nudge United within a point of leaders Arsenal when he stepped up to score a late winner from the penalty spot.

It was Ronaldo's sixteenth goal of the season and his second of the game. He fired the Reds in front midway through the first half when he cut inside to unleash a left-foot rocket past Everton goalkeeper and his former team-mate Tim Howard.

United's lead lasted just five minutes however - Tim Cahill equalising for Everton with a header from Steven Pienaar's left-wing cross.

Pienaar turned from hero to villain for Everton in the dying moments of the match, conceding the crucial penalty with a foul on Ryan Giggs.

Full report to follow...

United: Kuszczak, Simpson (O'Shea, 45), Brown, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick (Saha, 71), Anderson (Fletcher, 86), Giggs; Rooney, Tevez. Subs not used: Heaton, Nani.

Bookings: Rooney, Evra, Anderson.

Everton: Howard; Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott; Carsley, Cahill (Anichebe, 85), P Neville, Pienaar; Yakubu (Gravesen, 76), Johnson. Subs not used: Wessels, McFadden, Nuno Valente.

Bookings: Cahill, Hibbert, Pienaar.

16/12/2007 13:00, Report by Steve Bartram

Anfield star man

Carlos Tevez struck United's priceless winner, but who was the Reds' outstanding performer at Anfield in your opinion?

The Argentine's goal capped another busy performance, while strike partner Wayne Rooney gave another fine example of hold-up play as United looked to counter-attack their hosts.

Despite a booking, Patrice Evra gave another summary of his defensive tenacity and attacking prowess, patrolling the left flank with great success all afternoon.

Just as he did at Anfield, Anderson excelled against one of the Premier League's top midfielders, with Steven Gerrard's influence greatly reduced by the fine displays from the Brazilian and midfield partner Owen Hargreaves, who provided vital needle in the centre of midfield.

As ever, Rio Ferdinand shone in the Anfield cauldron, forming an impenetrable barrier with central defensive partner Nemanja Vidic.

So, who gets your vote? Have your say at www.manutd.com/polls.

16/12/2007 12:35, Report by Steve Bartram

PAGE: 3

Report: Liverpool 0 United 1

Ferdinand or Vidic always equal to their efforts.

The hosts' need to bombard forward saw gaps begin to open up, and Rooney could easily have doubled the Reds' lead with 12 minutes remaining, but he could only divert the ball wide from Ronaldo's left-wing cross.

While he may well have done better, Rooney continued to give an outstanding display of hold-up play as United ran down the clock. The game's dying embers passed without major incident, allowing Sir Alex to savour a relatively comfortable victory in his 50th match against Liverpool.

Crucially too, in this season's title race, the result saw United move nine points clear of their hosts. From three games against their predicted titles rivals so far this season, only an injury time equaliser from Arsenal's William Gallas have prevented United taking nine points.

Liverpool: Reina; Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise (Aurelio, 80); Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell (Babel, 66); Kuyt (Crouch, 73), Torres.
Subs not used: Itandje, Lucas.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson (O'Shea, 90), Giggs; Rooney, Tevez (Carrick, 83).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Saha.

NEWS & FEATURES

Barclays Premier League
Anfield, 16 December 2007

LIVERPOOL 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Tevez (43)

16/12/2007 12:35, Report by Steve Bartram

PAGE: 2

Report: Liverpool 0 United 1

goalkeeper's misjudgements, mindful of the need for calm heads in the Anfield cauldron.

That brief slip aside, such a clinical attitude was the story of much of United's display. And, having soaked up the hosts' pressure for much of the half, they struck two minutes before the interval. Just as last season, it was a set-piece which did the damage.

The Reds committed several players into the area, all of whom were duly marked. Rooney remained outside the box, allowing him room to run onto Giggs' clever corner and drill a shot goalwards. Although the low effort was heading wide, Tevez was on hand to divert the ball into the roof of the Kop net.

Just as they did at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal last month, United had taken the lead at the perfect time. The key was to remain firm and in control for the entire second half.

Aside from an early effort from Torres, the Reds managed to keep their hosts at arm's length throughout. While it made for nervy watching, the gameplan of absorbing pressure and duly counter-attacking, Sir Alex Ferguson's side largely executed it to perfection.

Van der Sar had no meaningful shots to save, comfortably fielding long-distance efforts from John Arne Riise and Dirk Kuyt. The big Dutchman was well beaten, however, by compatriot Ryan Babel, who arrowed a 20-yard effort just wide of the post with 15 minutes remaining.

Liverpool's inability to break down the United defence saw them resort to pumping deep crosses into the area, with van der Sar,

NEWS & FEATURES

NEWS & FEATURES

Barclays Premier League
Anfield, 16 December 2007

LIVERPOOL 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Tevez (43)

16/12/2007 12:35, Report by Steve Bartram

Report: Liverpool 0 United 1

United executed the perfect contain-and-counter performance to notch a fifth win in six years at Liverpool, with Carlos Tevez scoring the only goal at Anfield.

The Argentine striker clipped home Wayne Rooney's shot after 43 minutes, while the stars of the show were undoubtedly United's backline and defensive midfielders.

Liverpool forged no clear-cut opportunities of their own, although two quickfire rare lapses from Edwin van der Sar in the first half twice saw United defenders forced into clearing the ball from their own goal line.

United's first half display was all about sitting back and inviting Liverpool onto them. As hosts, and with a six point deficit to make up, the pressure was on Rafa Benitez's side to make the early running.

Aside from a couple of early efforts from Sami Hyypia, there was little to concern United. Liverpool did force a couple of openings, but largely through uncharacteristic lapses from van der Sar.

The veteran Dutchman twice collided with his own defenders and failed to make contact with the ball, and each misjudgement ended with the ball being cleared off the line.

First Anderson had to parry away Kewell's shot - from which Fernando Torres headed the rebound woefully wide - then two minutes later Patrice Evra slid in to clear the ball to safety as it rolled goalwards off the back of Rio Ferdinand.

The England international defender was visibly irate at his

UCL Final 1999 Man Utd Vs Bayern München

FOOTBALL NEWS

Champions League, Group F
Stadio Olimpico, 12 Dec 2007

AS ROMA 1
Mancini 71

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Pique 34

12/12/2007 20:54, Report by Ben Hibbs

Report: Roma 1 United 1

This was never likely to be a game to excite the senses or engross the neutrals, but Sir Alex Ferguson can take positives from some bright performances as his young side earned a 1-1 draw in the Stadio Olimpico.

Gerard Pique’s thumping header gave United a half-time lead, but the Italians, who were largely off-colour in the first half, couldn’t afford to disappoint the home crowd and pushed men forward after the break. It worked, with Mancini striking a fine equaliser with 20 minutes remaining.

As expected, with both sides already through to the last 16 there was little resting on this tie, and the match lacked the customary cut and thrust of Champions League encounters. But, although Sir Alex took a very young squad to the Italian capital, his starting line-up certainly wasn’t bereft of first-team regulars. Captain for the night Wayne Rooney, who completed 70 minutes and looks sharp in readiness for Sunday’s trip to Anfield, partnered Louis Saha in attack. Michael Carrick, John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher and Nani were also given valuable playing time.

However, the United boss did go with a very inexperienced back four and goalkeeper. Gerard Pique and Jonny Evans, who started the ill-fated Carling Cup defeat to Coventry City in September, were again paired in central defence. Full-back Danny Simpson supported Chris Eagles on the right side for the Reds, while Tomasz Kuszczak replaced Edwin van der Sar in goal. Those five players can claim just 12 Champions League appearances between them.


performs much less frequently alongside Carlos Tevez – Rooney had two long-range efforts inside the first 20 minutes, but both were high over the bar.

Roma Giallorossi talisman Francesco Totti did have the ball in the net after 10 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside. Then, midway through the first half with Roma enjoying a five-minute spell of pressure, Kuszczak had to make two smart saves to keep the scores level. From an Antunes cross the Polish stopper desperately palmed the ball over the crossbar, before saving low from David Pizarro’s 20-yard strike.

The Italians sensed an opening and continued to press United’s young defence. Mauro Esposito could have scored had he directed his header from eight yards, but he failed to trouble Kuszczak and the Reds stood firm. Moreover, it was a Reds defender that gave United the lead. On 34 minutes, Nani swung in a corner and Pique powered home his header, his second goal in three Champions League appearances this season.

The home side could have equalised before the break when Mancini hit the bar from close range and Esposito again misdirected his header. Kuszczak, too, was proving obstructive to the home side’s advances, pulling off a fine save from Mancini’s shot.

United were deserved leaders at the break, and with Roma unable to alter the scoreline 20 minutes into the second half, Giallorossi boss Luciano Spalletti made two attacking changes to his team, bringing on Ludovic Giuly and Mirko Vucinic. However, the Reds continued to pepper Roma’s goal. Carrick and Eagles both watched long-range shots drift wide, before an

Report: Roma 1 United 1

exquisite one-two between Rooney and Saha put the Frenchman through on goal but his shot was well saved by Doni.

Rooney left the field with 20 minutes remaining, being replaced by Dong Fangzhuo. But his departure came second after Roma’s equaliser. Mancini, who has received much criticism from the home supporters for his inconsistent displays, dealt ruthlessly with the time and space he was given inside the area. Cutting inside away from substitute Wes Brown, he arced his shot past Kuszczak. Seconds later Vucinic struck the post as the home side stepped up the tempo.

Both sides had chances to win it at right at the death. First Nani raced through on goal but could only direct his shot straight at Doni. Then, after United failed to clear the ball, Vucinic blazed his shot over the bar from two yards. It was hardly a surprise that, with nothing resting on this dead-rubber of a tie, the scores ended even. The intensity of this game may be poles apart from what is expected in Liverpool on Sunday, but this young United team can be pleased with their performance.

Team Line-ups

AS Roma: Doni; Cicinho, Ferrari, Mexes, Barusso (Giuly 62); Esposito (Vucinic 62), Antunes, Taddei, Pizarro, Mancini; Totti.
Subs not used: Julio Sergio, Panucci, Juan, De Rossi, Pit.
Booked: Barusso (49)

Manchester United: Kuszczak; Simpson, Pique, Evans, O'Shea (Brown 54); Eagles, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani; Rooney (Dong 72), Saha.
Subs not used: Heaton, Lee, Hewson, Brandy, Eckersley.

Man Utd 4 - 1 Derby

FOOTBALL NEWS

“It was fantastic to captain the team. We’d love to win the Champions League this season, or at least go one step further than last year and reach the final.”

- Wayne Rooney

12/12/2007 21:01, Report by Ben Hibbs and Gemma Thompson

Rooney loves captain role

Wayne Rooney revelled in captaining United in the 1-1 draw with AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, and now the Reds striker is desperate for the Reds to reach the Champions League final.

A young United side led by Rooney protected the Reds unbeaten record in Group F, which prompted the stand-in skipper to suggest a place in the final in Moscow in May is achievable.

“It was fantastic to captain the team, and I think it was a good result and a good performance,” said the 22-year-old, who completed 70 minutes and looks sharp in time for the visit to Anfield this weekend.

United’s Champions League ambitions are now on hold until late February when the knockout matches kick in, but Rooney is unambiguous in his aims. “We’d love to win the Champions League this season," he said. "Hopefully we can go one step further than last year and reach the final.”

The United front man was impressed with the performance in Rome, particularly from the young players. “It’s a great experience for them to get Champions League football under their belts,” he said. “I'm sure it will have helped them a lot. Pique, Evans and Simmo did really well. They have great ability and bright futures ahead.

“As a team I thought we did very well and got off to a great start, putting them under a lot of pressure. Gerard Pique scored a great goal and we had a couple of chances in the second half to win it. We kept going after they scored and in the end a draw was probably

12/12/2007 22:24, Report by Steve Bartram

Sheasy a doubt for Sunday

John O’Shea is a doubt for Sunday’s trip to face Liverpool after suffering a groin strain during United’s Champions League draw with Roma.

The versatile Irishman, scorer of last season’s dramatic winner at Anfield, sustained the injury late in the first half at the Stadio Olimpico.

“He’s got a groin strain,” Sir Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports after the match. “He got it near half-time when he made a clearance near the goal-line.”

O’Shea was replaced just after the interval by Wes Brown, just moments after Jonny Evans had suffered a late challenge from Ahmed Barusso, who was fortunate to escape with just a booking.

“Jonny got an ankle knock, but was ok and was able to play on,” said Sir Alex. “The second challenge looked a bad tackle and I think he was lucky to get out of that.”

Wayne Rooney captained the Reds in Rome, but Sir Alex was otherwise able to rest a host of big-name players ahead of Sunday’s showdown on Merseyside.

“We took Wayne off with 20 minutes to go, which was perfect for him,” said the manager. “He wanted a game. He didn’t need it but he wanted it, and we were happy to let him play.”

“We’ve got a big game on Sunday, it’s a massive game. Manchester United and Liverpool derbies are always that way. The players who are at home are getting good training