Man Utd record delights Ferguson

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his pride after his side set a new Premier League record of 11 successive clean sheets.

The league leaders eclipsed Chelsea's previous tally in the 5-0 win against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

He said: "I am proud of them. They have been fantastic in this run.

"Edwin van der Sar has had a fantastic career but he was really pleased to get this record. You look at him and what happened has really thrilled him."

After Van der Sar kept West Brom at bay for 84 minutes he broke Chelsea keeper Petr Cech's Premier League record of 1,025 minutes without conceding a goal.

The Dutch keeper, who collected the match ball, said: "The most important thing is the win, but of course it is great for the team to get the record. I just needed to keep the concentration levels high and fire up the defenders and midfielders.

"We are delighted with the record because we haven't even had a settled defence, with players injured and others coming in and out."

Van der Sar and Nemanja Vidic have been the only ever-presents in defence over the 11-game run, although they will lose the Serbian to suspension next month.

United expect to discover on Friday what punishment Vidic will face for his sending-off in the Club World Cup final victory over LDU Quito in Japan.

He could get either a one or three-game European ban as Fifa have handed the matter over to Uefa, with United scheduled to face Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League.

But domestically Ferguson was pleased his side took the opportunity to improve their goal difference by thrashing a West Brom side who were reduced to 10 men five minutes before half-time by the sending-off of defender Paul Robinson for a foul on Ji-Sung Park.

Ferguson said: "The scoreline was important. We showed a ruthless streak about us, possibly for the first time this season.

"It has been a long time coming and we needed it because I think goal difference could play a part. It is a satisfying result in that respect."

West Brom 0-5 Man Utd

Dimitar Berbatov slots United ahead after playing a delightful one-two with Michael Carrick in the 22nd minute




Baggies captain Paul Robinson is harshly sent off by referee Rob Styles after a challenge on Ji-Sung Park five minutes from the break




Scott Carson drops Ryan Giggs's free-kick allowing Carlos Tevez to fire into an empty net on the stroke of half-time





United move into a comfortable lead as Nemanja Vidic glances Ryan Giggs's corner into the West Brom net in the 60th minute





Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice in eight minutes to wrap up a comprehensive win that extends United's lead at the top of the table

United thrashes West Brom

United were on their ruthless self of last season on Tuesday also they made it a record 11 Premier League clean sheets .Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after he had played a one-two with Michael Carrick.

West Brom skipper Paul Robinson was then controversially sent-off for a challenge on Park Ji-sung before Carlos Tevez doubled the advantage a minute before half-time after Scott Carson had dropped a free-kick.

In the second period, Nemanja Vidic headed the third on 60 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace on 65 and 73 minutes to seal an easy victory.

United to offer Giggs new deal

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed the club plan to offer Ryan Giggs a new contract.

The 35-year-old's current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, and the midfielder has hinted he could retire in May.

However, after continuing to impress in his 19th year at Old Trafford, Ferguson plans to extend the Welshman's stay.

The Scot said in the Sunday Mirror: "Ryan will be offered a new contract of course. He has been fantastic for us this season - he seems to be getting even better with age.

"He could win the Footballer of the Year award and it would be fitting if he did after the career he has had.

"He seems to be one of those rare people who find that age and injuries don't catch up with them."

United hit by fixture congestion

Manchester United's worsening injury crisis has not been helped with next Monday's home clash with Everton being moved forward by 48 hours.

United will now play the Toffees in Saturday's late kick-off because of Everton's FA Cup replay with Liverpool, which will be played on 4 February.

Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Park Ji-sung - who are close to returns - will lose out on two days of extra recovery.

United are missing 12 senior players for Tuesday's trip to West Brom.

Ferdinand has had a lengthy lay-off because of a back problem, Brown has been missing with an ankle injury, while a hamstring complaint has been troubling Park.

Despite United knocking Tottenham out of the FA Cup on Saturday, the mood was tempered with Danny Welbeck and Fabio limping off at Old Trafford.

The fixture list is becoming increasingly hectic for the Premier League champions with their remaining outstanding game against Fulham - originally postponed in August because of the European Super Cup - pencilled in for 17 February.

However, that will be dependent on either side requiring a fifth-round FA Cup replay.

United face a trip to either Derby or Nottingham Forest, while Fulham have been drawn away to Swansea.

In addition, the Red Devils' home match against Portsmouth on 28 February has been postponed because of their appearance in the Carling Cup final the following day.

Following Everton's 1-1 draw with Liverpool in their fourth-round FA Cup tie on Sunday, the replay will be on 4 February.

West Brom v Man Utd

Injury plagued United takes on West Brom who also had some injury concerns . United will be without 12 senior members of the squad for the match . But as we have seen Sir Alex whatever be the team he will put on the field will have match winners all over the park .Fabio (calf) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) are the latest additions to an equally long Manchester United injury list.Darren Fletcher may play at right-back and Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to shrug off the effects of a stomach bug.

Midfielder Jonathan Greening joins the injury list for West Brom boss Tony Mowbray after limping off on Saturday.Ryan Donk could be pressed into action, despite suffering a groin injury, because Abdoulaye Meite, Jonas Olsson, Leon Barnett and Neil Clement are out.

Berbatov strike sinks Spurs

Former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov netted against his old side to send Man United through to the fifth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Roman Pavlyuchenko put the visitors ahead in the fifth minute with a glancing header from a Tom Huddlestone cross.

But Paul Scholes got the equaliser for the Red Devils after 35 minutes when his long range effort was deflected by Huddlestone into his own goal.

Berbatov then got the winner a minute later with a pin-point strike after being picked out by an exquisite pass by Michael Carrick, himself a former Spurs player.

Despite having 10 senior players missing, United remain on track for an unprecedented quadruple after this victory, although for Tottenham the true test of the week will come against Stoke on Tuesday while Sir Alex Ferguson's team tackle West Brom.

Youngsters Fabio, on his debut, and Danny Welbeck both impressed, while Carlos Tevez buzzed about in his usual enthusiastic style and Berbatov, so hated by the visiting fans, seemed to have all the time in the world.
Deft header

Still, when Nemanja Vidic got himself in a muddle and allowed Pavlyuchenko to give him the slip and turn home a deft header, United must have been slightly concerned.

The trouble for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was his side still had 85 minutes to hold out, although having survived a quarter-final pummelling to emerge victorious with eventual tournament winners Portsmouth on the same ground last term, he knew it could be done.

But as the chances piled up, it was beyond imagination that Tottenham could survive. How cruel, though, that one of their old boys should wreak the havoc.

Michal Carrick's move north from White Hart Lane created none of the animosity Berbatov's did. But in the same quiet way, Carrick has gone on to become one of the most influential members of Ferguson's squad.

When he spotted Scholes lurking with menace on the edge of the box, he coolly rolled a corner into the veteran's path. The shot was pretty fierce and once it had flicked off Huddlestone, Ben Alnwick did not have a hope of keeping it out.

A minute later Carrick floated a pass over the Spurs defence. Berbatov's first-time control was awesome and his second touch was a precise shot into the bottom corner that again left Alnwick flailing.

Transformed

In the blink of an eye, or two Carrick passes, the tie had been transformed.

Not though United's injury woes as Fabio collapsed in agony in the early moments of the second period after he had landed awkwardly following an aerial duel with Spurs substitute Giovani dos Santos.

The young Brazilian hobbled off, almost certainly making it an entire team Ferguson will be missing at West Brom on Tuesday.

Fabio was replaced by Richard Eckersley, while United's next substitution heralded the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, who headed straight for the dressing room after wishing Zoran Tosic the best of luck on his debut.

At the same time, Redknapp replaced David Bentley with Jermain Defoe.

Welbeck then joined United's walking wounded late on and a late penalty shout was the best Spurs could muster.

AIG ends Man Utd sponsorship deal

The troubled US insurer AIG will not be renewing its shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester United that expires in May 2010.

AIG agreed to pay £14m-a-year for four years for the shirt sponsorship and also has a longer £5m-a-year deal to run MU Finance.

It is currently restructuring itself, having received a $150bn (£109bn) bail-out from the US government.

It is not clear whether the MU Finance deal will continue.

AIG signed a six-and-a-half year deal at the beginning of 2008 to offer insurance, credit cards and mortgages using the MU Finance brand.

Manchester United said that it had already started talking to a select group of potential sponsors.

Its spokesman added that it was normal to begin the process this early because technical issues surrounding the manufacturing of shirts meant that it has to know who will be its shirt sponsor for the 2010/2011 season by the autumn.

Last week in Macau, Manchester United chief executive David Gill said he would not be surprised if the AIG shirt sponsorship deal was not renewed.

AIG has already ended its sponsorship deal with the US Davis Cup tennis team.

United end Derby dream

Manchester United booked their place in the Carling Cup final as brave Derby's dreams of Wembley were ended at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils raced into a 3-0 lead before the interval thanks to goals from Nani, John O'Shea and Carlos Tevez to cancel out the Rams' slender advantage from the first leg at Pride Park.

But Nigel Clough's side were much improved after the interval and set up a tense finale as Giles Barnes slammed home from the penalty spot, only for fellow substitute Cristiano Ronaldo to respond with a spot-kick of his own.

Derby still refused to lie down and Barnes reduced the arrears again with a splendid free-kick in added time, but they could not snatch a dramatic third which would have seen them force extra time.

The game started at a rapid pace, with Kris Commons coming close to repeating his spectacular strike in the first leg as he unleashed a shot from 30 yards out which looked destined for the top corner before bending away from Ben Foster's goal at the last minute.

Derby were initially defending well and the only work Roy Carroll had to do in the opening 10 minutes was to pluck a deflected Ryan Giggs cross out of the air at his far post shortly after Commons' attempt.

But Carroll was beaten in the 16th minute when Nani collected Giggs' crossfield ball just inside the Derby half, advanced towards the box and rifled home a stunning strike which the Rams 'keeper got his fingers to but could not keep out.

United moved ahead in the tie for the first time just five minutes later as Tevez and Danny Welbeck combined to set up O'Shea, who was left in acres of space to slot home as Derby's offside trap fell apart with Gary Teale particularly culpable.
Delightful

Sir Alex Ferguson's side should have made it 3-0 in the 27th minute when a series of one-touch passes on the edge of the Derby box released Nani, who clipped a delightful cross in to Welbeck, but the young striker failed to connect properly from close range and Carroll was able to save.

United did not have to wait much longer for their third as O'Shea rolled a corner back to Rafael da Silva whose precision cross was headed home at the far post by Tevez with the Rams defence sleeping again.

Commons fired a free-kick well over the bar as half-time approached, before United were forced into a change with young right-back Rafael limping out of the action to be replaced by Darren Fletcher.

Clough sent on Robbie Savage for Steven Davies at half-time in an attempt to add more steel to his midfield and prevent the waves of United attacks which had been the pattern for much of the first half.

Savage's first contribution was to bring down Nani on the edge of the box with Carroll forced to scramble across his goal to keep out Giggs' resulting free-kick, while Tevez had an effort ruled out for offside soon after.

Despite their comfortable position in the tie, Ferguson elected to send World Footballer of the Year Ronaldo onto the field in the 58th minute with Giggs making way.

Derby almost found the net seconds later with Paul Green's cross from the right flank almost turned into his own net by Gary Neville, with the ball rolling agonisingly across the face of goal.

Clough was forced to make a change with Andy Todd limping out of the action and Nacer Barazite coming on, while Commons needed running repairs for a deep gash on his shin, which may have affected him as he missed his kick from inside the box moments later.

Tense

Neville made way for James Chester, with O'Shea taking the captain's armband as Ronaldo appeared unwilling to do so, before Green lashed a difficult chance well over the bar following a Derby corner from the left.

United suffered an injury blow as Jonny Evans turned his ankle while challenging Barnes, but with all their substitutes already on the field the centre-back was forced to soldier on.

Rob Hulse took advantage of some defensive hesitancy but failed to test Foster in the 73rd minute, heading narrowly over the bar from six yards out after Paul Connolly's curling right-wing cross.

Derby got themselves back in the tie in the 80th minute as Evans felled Green with Barnes stepping up to fire a cool penalty beyond Foster and set up a tense finale, with the visitors knowing one more goal would force extra time.

Carroll was forced to immediately repel efforts from Ronaldo and Nani as United went back on the offensive, with Ferguson suddenly animated on the touchline and barking orders at his side.

Barnes headed straight at Foster from Savage's cross with the massed ranks of travelling Derby fans urging their side on.

But their hopes of a dramatic comeback ended when Carroll raced from his goal to fell Tevez with Ronaldo being forced to wait before finding the bottom corner of the net as Nani limped out of the action.

Barnes reduced the arrears once again with a superb free-kick in added time, but the clock ran down on their Wembley dream, while United suffered yet another injury blow as Anderson was carried off at the final whistle.

Man Utd trio suffer injury blow

Injuries to Anderson, Rafael and Jonny Evans took the shine off Manchester United's 4-3 aggregate win over Derby in their Carling Cup semi-final.

Midfielder Anderson will need an X-ray on Wednesday to determine his injury.

Right-back Rafael (hamstring) could be out for a month, and centre-back Evans faces a week out with an ankle problem.

"We have a few injuries so it's been bad in that respect but we're in the final and we should be celebrating," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Anderson was stretchered off at the final whistle after an innocuous looking challenge from Giles Barnes.

"There is some damage. We are not exactly sure what but we will see what happens," said Ferguson.

Rafael was forced off just before half-time, while Evans had to play on for the last 15 minutes despite aggravating an ankle injury.

Ferguson added: "Evans has had a recurrence of an ankle injury that he has been holding for a few weeks, but hopefully he'll be back next week.

"Rafael has a hamstring injury and he'll be out for a few weeks."

Nani, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs also failed to complete the 90 minutes against the Rams but are not thought to have picked up any serious problems.

"There are probably six or seven of them who have picked up injuries," confirmed Ferguson.

"We finished with 10 men. But it was effectively nine, because Jonny was in great discomfort."

United defenders Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Wes Brown are already sidelined and it is unlikely Evans will be fit to face Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

But Ferguson was keen to concentrate on the positives after his young side - that contained five played aged 21 or under - saw off the Championship strugglers to book their place at Wembley.

United will face Burnley or Spurs in the final on 1 March and Ferguson says he will stick with the youngsters in that game too.

United are on the way to win third successive title

After another 1-0 late win United claimed the top spot first time this season . They were really lacking Rooney and his substitute Tevez was ineffective untill the last moment .Dimitar Berbatov proved to be the hero of the day for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, snatching a late winner to break Trotters hearts.Both sides struggled to find any fluency during the opening exchanges, with attacking endeavour thin on the ground.

As the game wore on Fabrice Muamba did test Edwin van der Sar with a dipping effort from the edge of the box, but that was as good as it got for the hosts.United sprunto life with the interval approaching but Jussi Jaaskelainen was equal to everything Cristiano Ronaldo and co. could throw at him.The second half then followed much the same pattern, with hard work failing to bring about goalscoring opportunities.

Half chances for Kevin Davies and Ronaldo came and went and the game looked destined to finish all square.Then, in the last minute of normal time, Carlos Tevez escaped his man and centred for the unmarked Berbatov to nod calmly past a stranded Jaaskelainen.


Neither side shone during a dismal opening 35 minutes of action.Faced with a Bolton side content to sit back and see what their opponents could throw at them, United's response was disappointing.Too many passes went astray, with Anderson and the normally reliable Michael Carrick among the chief culprits.

One Gary Neville pass to Darren Fletcher allowed the Scotland international to cut a cross back for Ronaldo, whose header bounced straight to Jaaskelainen. But other than that, United were bereft.Bolton were not much better, although Gary Megson seems to have unearthed an interesting character in Congo-born Portugal international Ariza Makukula, who arrived on loan from Benfica on Friday.

Anyone willing to barge straight through Nemanja Vidic must be brave and his cheery smile as referee Andre Marriner produced the yellow card suggested the Serbian's hard-man reputation was not going to trouble him.Indeed, later on Makukula caught Vidic with another high tackle that left the United man rubbing his side gingerly and by that time the burly striker had seen Van der Sar pluck one of his headers away from goal too.

Muamba had a decent shot saved by the veteran Dutchman but it was not until the countdown to half-time had begun that United came to life.

The callowness of Chris Basham's youth lured him into a tackle on Berbatov that it was unwise to make.

Quiet prior to that point, Ronaldo let fly with a vicious free-kick that Jaaskelainen did superbly to keep out.

Handful

In the flurry that followed, Anderson - who is still to score in 18 months with the Red Devils - let fly from 30 yards but Jaaskelainen was in exactly the right position to make an excellent save.

United were expected to start the second period with an extra sense of purpose.

Instead, with Makukula continuing to prove a handful, it was Bolton who set the pace.

Davies beat Van der Sar with a looping header after Jlloyd Samuel had provided the cross but the Bolton skipper turned in anguish as the ball dropped onto the roof of the net.

Finally the Red Devils roused themselves, with Ronaldo supplying the ammunition with a ferocious free-kick that Jaaskelainen bundled away and was thankful to Makukula for the clearance that followed.

It was no surprise Ferguson introduced Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes 20 minutes from time and the old stagers soon combined for a corner routine that saw the former England man's bullet strike fly wide off Gary Cahill.

If Ronaldo profited from an element of fortune last season, nothing is falling for him this year.

A third free-kick was too powerful for Jaaskelainen to hold but yet again the rebound fell Bolton's way and it seemed United would have to settle for a draw.

But, as Ferguson's teams have proved so often down the years, they can salvage any situation.

And Berbatov appears to be a very quick learner.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Davies, Basham, Muamba, Gardner (Puygrenier 83), Taylor, Makukula (Obadeyi 64).
Subs Not Used: Bogdan, Smolarek, Riga, Shittu, Sinclair.

Booked: Makukula.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Fletcher (Giggs 69), Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 69), Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Park, Nani, Welbeck, Chester.

Booked: O'Shea.

Goals: Berbatov 90.

Fergie hails unsung hero

Sir Alex Ferguson believes defensive colossus Nemanja Vidic does not get the praise he deserves.

The Serbia international has formed a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of Manchester United's defence in recent years and is widely regarded as one of the finest exponents of his trade in European football.

With Ferdinand currently out injured, Vidic has formed the cornerstone of a watertight back line which has gone nine Premier League games without conceding a goal.

A tenth clean sheet at Bolton on Saturday will equal Chelsea's top-flight record, a remarkable achievement for those Red Devils that have a tendency to slip into the shadows of their more illustrious team-mates.

"We are the kind of club where attention always goes on to the star players," said Ferguson.

"I always used to say Denis Irwin would give us eight or nine out of 10 every week, but he never got a mention when the praise was being given out.

"We all knew the value of him, and it is very much the same with Vidic. He has been a fantastic performer for us."

Vidic signed for United on Christmas Day 2005, completing a £7.2million switch from Spartak Moscow.

His introduction to life in England came around the same time as French full-back Patrice Evra, with Ferguson admitting both men took time to adjust to life in the Premier League.

"He came at a bad time," reflected Ferguson.

"He had not played since the beginning of that December and maybe he was not ready for the cut and thrust of the Premier League.

"I know Patrice thought the world had fallen in after he had made his debut - but you see him now. It is the same with Nemanja."

Bolton v Man Utd

United are just 2 points behind Liverpool and a victory on today will see them top the table .With league leaders Liverpool not playing until Monday, Sir Alex Ferguson's men could cap a significant week in the title race by going top of the pile.After the demolition of Chelsea on Sunday, United came through a stern test against Wigan on Wednesday with a 1-0 win despite not producing the flowing football that tore apart their title rivals three days earlier.Meanwhile Bolton are in the midst of a slump having lost five of their last six league games.Gary Megson's side are 12th in the Premier League table but are still just three points off the relegation places.


The win against Wigan came at a cost for the Red Devils with Wayne Rooney the latest to be sidelined.Rooney scored what turned out to be the winner against Wigan but hobbled off minutes later with a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for at least three weeks.Defender Jonny Evans and forwards Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo all picked up minor knocks against the Latics and their fitness will be assessed ahead of the game.

Defenders Rio Ferdinand (back) and Patrice Evra (ankle) both miss the game through injury, joining long-term absentees Wes Brown (ankle) and Owen Hargreaves (knee) on the treatment table.

Bolton's Gary Cahill (hip) and Gretar Steinsson (ban) may return, but Kevin Nolan (ban), Gavin McCann (toe) and Johan Elmander (hamstring) are out.

On-loan Zenit St Petersburg defender Sebastien Puygrenier is in the squad after getting international clearance and new man Ariza Makukula may play.

Injured Evra faces four weeks out

Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra could be out for up to four weeks with a foot injury.

The 27-year-old returned from a four-match ban in the 3-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday, but was injured as he set up Wayne Rooney for United's second.

"Evra will be out for three weeks, maybe four. It shouldn't be any more than that," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Fellow defender Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out for a week with back injury.

Ferdinand pulled up in the warm-up prior to United's Boxing Day win at Stoke and has not played since the Club World Cup tournament in Japan last month.

The England defender had been due to play against Chelsea but had a new spasm ahead of the league match and the 30-year-old has also missed United's last five games.

In Ferdinand's absence, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has used 20-year-old Jonny Evans to deputise.

Utd suffer Rooney injury blow

Manchester United could be without Wayne Rooney for at least three weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win against Wigan.

He was injured shortly after scoring the winner in the opening minute as United moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "With a hamstring you are looking at a minimum of three weeks.

"Hopefully it is not any longer, but there is nothing you can do about it."

United moved into second place ahead of Chelsea in the title race - and can go top if they win at Bolton on Saturday.

Rooney's replacement Carlos Tevez also took a heavy knock, while defender Jonny Evans is another injury worry for United.

"Carlos limped through the second half and Jonny limped through virtually the whole game," added Ferguson.

Manchester United v Wigan:

Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his Fifa World Player of the Year award to the crowd before kick-off




Just 54 seconds of the game has elapsed and Wayne Rooney puts United ahead




Carlos Tevez replaces the injured Rooney and goes on to miss a great chance after having skipped past Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland




Tevez's miss proves irrelevant as United struggle past Wigan to move within two points of league leaders Liverpool with a game in hand

United closes gap with leaders Liverpool to 2 points

Manchester United leapfrogged Chelsea into second place in the Premier League and within two points of leaders Liverpool after a 1-0 win over Wigan. The result also means that if United win against Bolton on Saturday they will go top with Liverpool playing Everton on Monday.

United also suffered a blow in a match which saw Rooney scoring withing within the first minute and being injured within a few minutes . As the striker is set to spend some time on the treatment table along with Evra and Ferdinand United will be without their main weapon this season for few matches . As his substitute Tevez is wasting chances which kids would even convert United will not be the attacking force as what we saw after his injury

Sir Alex Ferguson's side flew out of the traps and scored in the first minute after Cristiano Ronaldo crossed for Wayne Rooney to simply tap home.

Rooney was then withdrawn seven minutes later with a suspected hamstring injury and his replacement Carlos Tevez should have wrapped the game up when he raced through on 24 minutes.

Tevez tried to round goalkeeper Chris Kirkland but his touch was too heavy allowing Titus Bramble to get back.

Wigan, who played two up top throughout, composed themselves after their nervy start and pressurised United, especially in the second half but the home side held out for a valuable three points.

Wigan largely held their own throughout, as befits a side who have won on five of their last six Premier League outings.

What a pity for Steve Bruce therefore that Rooney had scored before his untimely exit.

The England star had already been flagged offside once as he tried to set up a Red Devils assault. But there was no debate when Michael Carrick nudged a low Ronaldo cross his way.

When Rooney tapped home from three yards, the clock was still to reach 60 seconds.

Unfortunately for Rooney, his meaningful contribution was nearly done as it was not long afterwards that he limped to the sidelines gingerly nursing a hamstring injury that triggered his immediate departure and Tevez's introduction.

It might not have been the way he wished but Rooney's absence, for an expected three weeks, offers the South American the opportunity he has been craving virtually all season.

If Tevez needed it, Ferguson delivered one final piece of advice to the South American just before the second half began, although it was presumably not to avoid a series of desperate Wigan attempts to stop him, which was the most notable feature of the first few minutes after the restart.

Slowly though, Wigan began to force the pace. Zaki emerged as more of a threat and if the rebound from a shot by the Egyptian had bounced more kindly towards Taylor, the Latics might well have been level before Maynor

Figueroa and Antonio Valencia threatened the home goal.

By that point, United had been dragged into a game they did not want, where space was at a premium and the possession they did get was squandered.

In fairness, the hosts should have had a penalty when Ronaldo's angled drive struck Lee Cattermole, part of an outstanding midfield effort that gave United far more problems than Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard provided on Sunday.

Ronaldo and Berbatov both fired just wide as a measure of their usual attacking invention returned to United ranks, although it was Wigan who finished on top, leaving Bruce to reflect on what might have been as both he - and his club - wait for their first win against the Old Trafford outfit.


Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Scholes (Fletcher 85), Carrick, Nani (Anderson 59), Berbatov, Rooney (Tevez 8).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Park, Welbeck.

Goals: Rooney 1.

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole (Kapo 88), Palacios, Taylor (De Ridder 81), Zaki (Camara 75), Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Kingson, Edman, Brown, Boyce.

Booked: Bramble, Scharner, Zaki.

Ronaldo - I'll be back

Cristiano Ronaldo admits hitting the heights of last season is a tough ask but has vowed to return to his best form in the future.

A sensational 2007/08 campaign, in which he scored 42 goals, is expected to be rewarded with the Fifa World Player of the Year award on Monday.

Ankle surgery over the summer delayed Ronaldo's start to the current season and when coupled with a public courting of Real Madrid, led to accusations he has had his head turned.

His form has rarely matched his immaculate displays of last term but a nine-goal return has kept his manager Sir Alex Ferguson happy enough.

Ronaldo, though, insists that it is inevitable a drop would follow considering the peaks he reached; claiming no player is capable of hitting such heights season after season.

Man Utd 3-0 Chelsea

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho is among the crowd as he undertakes a scouting mission to Old Trafford




Cristiano Ronaldo attempts to go on a dangerous run but gets upended by Frank Lampard




Tempers flare shortly before the half hour when Portuguese compatriots Carvalho and Ronaldo tangle and both get booked



The hosts appear to take the lead just before the break but a flag-waving assistant sees that Ronaldo's headed effort is ruled out




Fortunately for them the corner is re-taken and Nemanja Vidic arrives at the far post to head the Red Devils into a half-time lead




Rooney doubles United's advantage when he meets Patrice Evra's cross and volleys home from between Ashley Cole's legs




Dimitar Berbatov seals the win in the 87th minute as Man Utd go third

United thrashes Chelsea

United proved their class once again and have shown why they are the champions of world by humiliating Chelsea at Oldtrafford .Chelsea won't even produced a good shot . United turned up the heat on Premier League leaders Liverpool and manager Rafael Benitez as they closed the gap at the top of the table .

Before the match begins many would have thought about the formation Sir Alex put bringing on Giggs in the centre of midfield which on the opposition contained players like Ballack , Lampard and Mikel . But the 35 year once again showed why he has got a place in the team whichever be the position it is

Evera has got his revenge and a deserved one against chelsea by setting up Rooney for the 2nd goal .Any question marks that might have been lingering about Manchester United's desire and ability to regain their Premier League were answered on Sunday with an emphatic 3-0 success over rivals Chelsea. Once Nemanja Vidic opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time there was no looking back for The Red Devils. Goals after the interval from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov capped a fine display by Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

United thought they had opened the scoring against Chelsea when Ryan Giggs crossed for Cristiano Ronaldo to nod home in the middle. But the ball was not crossed from the corner quadrangle. Wayne Rooney ran over to take the corner, but after rolling the ball into the spot he immediately pulled the ball out again for Giggs. Giggs simply crossed in the ball for Ronaldo, forcing officials to say the balling was rolling before it was touched. The element of controversy died down somewhat as United opened the scoring from the corner anyway, but should their initial effort have stood?

Time for Evra to have his revenge : United v Chelsea

After the midweek shock United will be welcoming Chelsea to Oldtrafford in this highly anticipated heavy weight game . It is the perfect time for Evra to take his revenge on Chelsea as he has got a rediculous 4 match suspension for an incident at Chelsea last year . Without him United were not the kind on their attacks through the flanks . As the french man makes a huge difference . United are not taking their chances in front of the goal . After few good performances from Rafael we have seen why he is not a Neville , eventhough the guy likes to go forward he don't know how to cross a ball and he it is easy for evry one to attack through his flank because he is not keeping his position . There is a ;ot to study for him


United are really missing Hargreaves and Wes Brown .Captain Rio Ferdinand returns to the team after a four-game absence with a back injury . It is time for Sir Alex to think about the future of Tevez because he is not looking sharp , not any good effort in front of goal and don't even makiing a good pass . So Rooney and Berbatov are expected to start .

Chelsea welcome back captain John Terry for the trip to Old Trafford after he served a three-match suspension. Michael Ballack is also available after a ban and Jose Bosingwa should play despite picking up a knock, but Florent Malouda (hamstring) misses out


Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney, Welbeck, Gibson, Possebon.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Mancienne, A Cole, J Cole, Obi, Lampard, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Stoch, Carvalho, Di Santo, Deco, Mineiro, Belletti, Ballack.

Carling Cup - Derby 1-0 Manchester United

Kris Commons' fierce strike gave Derby County a shock win in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against a lethargic Manchester United side.

In front of new boss Nigel Clough, who takes charge on Thursday, Derby made a bright start and took the lead when Commons fired home after 30 minutes.

The closest United came to an equaliser was a second-half Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick that flew inches wide.

But Rob Hulse missed a golden chance to make it 2-0 when he fired over late on.

It was a humbling night for the Premier League, European and club world champions, who were deservedly beaten by a Derby side that has won only one of their last nine league games.

Following the departure of caretaker manager Chris Hutchings this week, academy boss David Lowe was in charge of the Rams for the first, and only, time.

The attention before the game was on Clough, whose legendary late father Brian took the club from the old Division Two to the 1972 League title, and Clough Jr received a rousing reception from home fans at a sold-out Pride Park before kick-off.

Clough Snr would certainly have approved of the way that Derby rose to the occasion, with the Championship side taking the game to United in the early stages.

Davies was denied by Tomasz Kuszczak when he let fly from a tight angle and, after the ball fell kindly for the former Tranmere midfielder, Nemanja Vidic did well to block his goal-bound follow-up.

Mile Sterjovski was the next Derby player to have a shot cleared off the line, when Jonny Evans hacked away his first-time effort, and Andy Todd was unlucky to see his lob land on the roof of the net soon afterwards when a poor Kuszczak punch fell at his feet.

Even those near-misses were not enough to awaken United from their slumbers and Commons' goal on the half-hour mark was fully deserved.

The United defence backed away from the Scotland international and he had time to pick his spot before blasting a ferocious left-foot shot past the despairing Kuszczak from 25 yards out.

Derby v Man Utd

With Wembley almost in sight, Derby and Manchester United meet in the Carling Cup semi-finals.

Just two games separate either side from a memorable day out at the home of English football on 1st March.

The first leg of the last four contest will take place at Pride Park on Wednesday, with the hosts desperate to take a positive result with them to Old Trafford in a fortnight's time.

The Rams will also be looking to make a positive first impression on incoming boss Nigel Clough.

The former Burton Albion coach has been confirmed as the club's new manager but will not officially take charge until Thursday, meaning academy director David Lowe is handed the task of trying to cause a midweek upset.

Their league form suggests they could be in for difficult night, though, with only one win taken from their last nine outings.

They did dispose of top-flight outfit Stoke in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, but United promise to be an entirely different proposition.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men are unbeaten in their last 14 games in all competitions and are flying high in the Premier League table.

They eased to a 5-3 victory over Blackburn in the last eight and will have their sights set on a first Carling Cup crown for three years.
Hines debut

New signing Seb Hines goes straight into the reckoning for Derby ahead of the crunch clash.

The England U19 international defender, who can play anywhere along the back line, agreed a month-long loan spell at the Rams from Middlesbrough on Monday and could make his debut given the club's defensive problems.

Martin Albrechtsen is a doubt after jarring his knee against Forest Green in the FA Cup at the weekend while Claude Davis has resumed training after his latest knee problem but will be short of fitness after almost six weeks on the sidelines.

Paul Connolly trained on Monday after missing the Christmas programme with a knee injury and could come into contention while Jordan Stewart serves the second game of a three-match ban.

Striker Rob Hulse has a slight stomach strain but is expected to be fit for Derby's first appearance in a major cup semi-final since 1976, and the club's first in the last four of the League Cup since 1968.

Tevez returns

Carlos Tevez is set to return for Manchester United as they head for the East Midlands.

Tevez has returned from a New Year trip back to Argentina, sanctioned by Sir Alex Ferguson, only for mixed messages to appear about his intentions once a two-year loan deal at Old Trafford expires this summer.

Ferguson is set to make further changes to the side that won at Southampton in the FA Cup on Sunday, with Tomasz Kuszczak, Darron Gibson and Rodrigo Possebon among those expected to be included.

Manchester United (from): Kuszczak, Foster, Amos, Neville, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Nani, Ronaldo, Anderson, Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher, Gibson, Possebon, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Welbeck.

Southampton 0-3 Man Utd

Manchester United sealed an FA Cup fourth round date against Spurs with an easy win against 10-man Southampton.

Danny Welbeck headed United in front in the 20th minute after John O'Shea's header was turned on to the bar by Southampton keeper Kelvin Davis.

Southampton's Matt Paterson then saw red for a wild lunge on Nemanja Vidic.

Nani scored from the spot after 48 minutes when referee Mike Riley harshly ruled David McGoldrick had handled, and Darron Gibson slammed home a third.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side will now face another date with their FA Cup nemesis Harry Redknapp, who ended their hopes in this competition at the quarter-final stage last year with eventual winners Portsmouth.

Spurs boss Redknapp also has FA Cup victories against United to his credit with Bournemouth and West Ham United.

For Southampton, the whole day was an education for their emerging youngsters - although they also felt they were on the wrong end of several crucial refereeing decisions.

Southampton v Man Utd

After New Year celebrations United will be kick satarting their busy schedule on Sunday when they face Southampton . The Saints, currently second bottom in the Championship, will be hoping for a similar result to when they defeated United 1-0 and last lifted the FA Cup in 1976.
Defender Rio Ferdinand could miss out again after a recurrence of a back injury kept him out of the Red Devils' last Premier League game against Middlesbrough. Jonny Evans is likely to continue to partner Nemanja Vidic on Sunday.Gary Neville could start and captain the side after replacing Rafael in the win over Middlesbrough, while midfielder Paul Scholes could start after he impressed after coming off the bench on Monday.Carlos Tevez missed the win over Boro as he was given permission to return to Argentina to deal with a personal matter and he looks set to miss the clash with the Saints.

United are undefeated in 13 matches . Southampton will be boosted by the possible return of defender Morgan Schneiderlin . On-loan defender Alex Pearce will not feature in the game. The Reading man had extended his loan with the Saints until the end of the month but Royals boss Steve Coppell had a change of heart and recalled the 20-year-old.Winger Ryan Smith could make his first start since signing permanently for the club after he was offered a six-month contract.Full-back Lee Molyneux has also signed permanently on a free transfer from Everton after impressing during his loan spell this season and is also in line to start.

United secure Partizan duo

Manchester United have secured two of their long-term targets after completing the signings of Serbian duo Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade.

United announced a couple of months ago that they had reached an agreement with Partizan for the duo, since when the Red Devils have been attempting to agree personal terms.

Rumours had suggested that Arsenal and Manchester City were ready to hijack the deal, which is reported to be worth an eventual £17million, as it was reported talks had collapsed.

However, the situation has now been resolved, leaving Tosic free to join the Old Trafford outfit next week, with Ljajic staying in Belgrade for the remainder of the season.

Despite being just 21, Tosic has already made 12 appearances for Serbia and is regarded as one of the best young wide players in Europe.

It is thought Ljajic, 17, will benefit from the stability of remaining with Partizan, with first-team opportunities at Old Trafford unlikely this term.