Manchester Utd

Man Utd 3-1 Wigan
Substitute Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in four minutes as Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to four points. Ronaldo came on at the break and headed United in front with his first touch before scoring a rebound after Chris Kirkland parried his penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after Gary Teale fouled Ji-Sung Park. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then finished with his right foot before Leighton Baines scored a late penalty for Wigan. United took to the field for the match shortly after rivals Chelsea had been held at home to Reading. It was a very different United side to that which defeated Aston Villa on Saturday - with Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Louis Saha, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs either omitted completely or relegated to the bench. Nonetheless, the home team set about their work with great intensity and were soon peppering Kirkland's goal. Park cut inside from the left flank and shot narrowly wide after three minutes, while Rooney came within inches of scoring shortly afterwards. The striker seemed certain to convert Wes Brown's low, powerful cross but the ball struck Kirkland and slowly dribbled goalwards. Kirkland scrambled after the ball and eventually cleared the danger while a disbelieving Rooney appealed in vain that it had crossed the line. The Latics keeper later saved from Mikael Silvestre and saw a Rooney strike flash just wide of his goal. Rooney, who played with great conviction, collected a Darren Fletcher through ball just after the half-hour mark and shot across goal on the turn - his effort missing by inches. But United's play had become increasingly fractured as Wigan did a reasonable job of stymieing their opponents - and the home crowd fell silent as the first half wore on. They almost had something to cheer just before the break but Kirkland held on to Solskjaer's diving header. Ferguson's decision to introduce Ronaldo for Fletcher paid dividends within two minutes of the restart when the Portugal international headed home Paul Scholes' corner. Ronaldo was left completely unmarked to score his ninth goal of the season. And Ronaldo struck again four minutes later, stroking the ball home after Kirkland parried his initial penalty kick. Teale, guilty of the crude hack that led to the penalty, was withdrawn minutes later as Old Trafford found its voice - the United supporters celebrating an extension of United's lead at the top of the Premiership. Solskjaer latched on to a Rooney header and tucked the ball across goal and into the bottom corner to further add to the party atmosphere. Matt Jackson almost pulled a goal back for Wigan but directed his header straight at Edwin van der Sar before the luckless Rooney hit the crossbar at the other end from 12 yards. Wigan scored their consolation goal with virtually the last kick of the game, Baines drilling his penalty down the middle of the goal after Silvestre had fouled David Wright. # Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson: \"I had a feeling he would change the game. \"We needed a quick response to what happened in the first half and Cristiano is in such great form, it was an obvious move. \"He lit up the crowd and got us two goals, which is just what we were looking for.\" # Wigan manager Paul Jewell: \"You cannot give any of the top teams free goals. That is two games in a row - Chelsea and Man Utd - where we have conceded from a corner. \"The disappointing thing is not that we have lost but the manner in which we conceded the goals. \"We were always going to be up against it but at least we showed a bit of spirit and got a goal.\" Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Vidic, Silvestre, Evra (Heinze 70), Fletcher (Ronaldo 46), O'Shea, Scholes (Richardson 62), Park, Solskjaer, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Saha. Goals: Ronaldo 47, 51, Solskjaer 59. Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Jackson, Hall (Skoko 60), Baines, Teale (Cotterill 52), Johansson, Wright, Kilbane, Todorov, Heskey. Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Landzaat, Cywka. Goals: Baines 90 pen. Att: 76,018. Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Man Utd look to fringe benefits
Manchester United are set to use more of their fringe players as the Premiership leaders prepare for their third and fourth games in 10 days. \"We are coming to the part of the season where we have to utilise the squad,\" said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. \"I need to show some of the players who haven't been in the team regularly that I have confidence in them. \"I also need them to have minutes on the clock in case we do pick up injuries and suspensions.\" United beat Wigan 3-1 on Boxing Day - a match in which with Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Louis Saha, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were rested or given a place on the substitutes' bench. The victory for United, inspired by a brace from substitute Ronaldo, led to Ferguson's team extending their advantage at the top of the Premiership to four points after Chelsea were held at home to Reading earlier in the day. United play Reading on Saturday - and Ferguson has warned his players of the threat posed by Steve Coppell's team. \"We have to be wary of Reading,\" he confirmed. \"I wasn't really surprised by the way they performed at Chelsea, although I was pleasantly delighted by the result. \"It just reinforced what we will have to do this weekend.\"

Bardsley returns to Old Trafford
Phil Bardsley's loan spell with Rangers has officially ended, with the right-back returning to an uncertain future at Manchester United. The 21-year-old made seven appearances for Rangers but has not featured since October, when he had a training-ground disagreement with manager Paul Le Guen. And Rangers decided against extending the loan, with winger Lee Martin likely to follow him back to Old Trafford. Bardsley has already agreed a deal to join Sunderland on loan in January.

Man Utd 3-2 Reading
Manchester United gave manager Sir Alex Ferguson an early birthday present with victory over Reading at Old Trafford. Ferguson, who is 65 on New Year's Eve, saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put United ahead from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross. Ibrahima Sonko soon headed Reading level from Nicky Shorey's free-kick after Edwin van der Sar's flap. Ronaldo restored United's lead after Solskjaer hit the post and he volleyed in his second before Leroy Lita pulled one back for Reading. Ferguson was presented with a silver trophy before kick-off to mark his 65th birthday. 606 DEBATE: Your reaction to United's victory He could add that to his eight titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups, a European Cup, a Cup Winners' Cup, an Inter-Continental Cup, a Super Cup and five Charity Shields. Not surprisingly, Ferguson restored the in-form Ronaldo to his starting line-up, and he again looked United's most dangerous attacking player as he took his tally to 12 league goals. He went close early on when he was released by Wes Brown but his shot from an acute angle was blocked by Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann. Ferguson enjoyed a birthday hug from Fred the Red Hahnemann had to be alert after fumbling a header from Ronaldo and managed to keep out Solskjaer's shot on the turn from close range. United's frustration subsided when Solskjaer lost Sonko and headed in his eighth goal of the season from Ronaldo's perfect cross on 33 minutes. Reading were behind for only five minutes when Sonko headed home after Edwin van der Sar had come out to punch Nicky Shorey's free-kick but failed to get a touch. Ronaldo headed a Carrick corner against the bar as United looked for a swift response to Reading's equaliser. It almost came eight minutes after the break when Wayne Rooney made space for himself on the left side of the box before flighting a shot narrowly over the crossbar. Substitute Ryan Giggs poked the ball into the side netting from another Ronaldo cross as United inched closer to a second goal. The inevitable happened on 59 minutes when Rooney sent Solskjaer into the left side of the box and when his shot squirmed off the far post, Ronaldo was on hand to stab in the rebound. The Royals lost the influential Graeme Murty with a groin injury and introduced Sam Sodje who amazingly only lasted nine minutes before being sent off for two bookings inside four minutes. The second looked harsh when he was penalised for pulling Rooney back when the linesman appeared to be flagging for an offside. United extended their lead to 3-1 when Giggs picked out Ronaldo who appeared to be offside when he volleyed the ball past Hahnemann for his sixth goal of the festive period. Giggs and Carrick went close to adding to United's tally before Lita pulled one back for Reading with slide-rule precision from the left to cause a few anxious moments in injury time. For Ferguson, this result was the perfect birthday present, especially as title rivals Chelsea were held to a draw by Fulham, extending United's lead to six points.

Ferguson denies Neville reports
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports that Gary Neville will be out for six weeks because of calf and knee injuries. The 31-year-old England defender is in the squad to face Newcastle on Monday. \"He's playing on Monday, so that six weeks has obviously been reduced by a miracle drug,\" joked Ferguson, who celebrated his 65th birthday on Sunday. \"This has supposedly come from a great authority. What kind of authority is it when he's going to play on Monday?\" In November, Ferguson said Neville may have to undergo surgery to cure a long-standing calf injury. Neville has missed United's last two games, with his last action coming in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa on 23 December. Ferguson has played Wes Brown at right-back for the matches against Wigan and Reading but Neville has been included in the 20-man squad to travel to St James' Park. United are six points clear at the top of the Premiership table going into the new year and Ferguson is confident his side can hold off Chelsea's challenge. \"We said at the beginning of December that if we are top on New Year's Day we will be delighted because it gives us an outstanding chance,\" said Ferguson. \"The team is playing well and we have to look forward just one game at a time. \"The influence of Chelsea and the big players they have been able to buy has made winning the league harder, there is no doubt about it. \"It has not been easy for us because they have won the league quite comfortably in the last two years. \"Chelsea have not been tested like this before but if we can maintain our consistency, we will do it.\" And Ferguson, talking after seeing his side beat Reading 3-2 on Saturday, warned his players that they would have to sharpen up defensively in the title run-in. \"The defending for Reading's second goal was the worst defending of the season by us,\" he conceded. \"Concentration levels have to be high all the time. We won't be top of the league if we defend like that.\" Meanwhile, Ferguson has recalled young striker Giuseppe Rossi from his loan spell at Newcastle and has insisted he has no plans to send him out for another loan period at Sunderland. The 19-year-old has returned to Old Trafford after making five starts for the Magpies and Ferguson wants to make sure he has plenty of cover for first-choice forwards Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha. \"I don't see why we should let anyone go who is going to be useful to us,\" said Ferguson. \"The run-in could be full of all sorts of pitfalls. We want to be prepared for it and we want to be able to handle it all, so it is good to get Giuseppe back. \"He has great talent, which is why we let him go to Newcastle. And even though he did not have a lot of games, he still comes back to us with a bit more experience and a bit of quality.\"

Newcastle v Man Utd
Newcastle may be forced to play Nicky Butt in the centre of defence after the injury to Peter Ramage at Everton. Ramage's injury has left Steven Taylor as Newcastle's only fit centre-half, with Titus Bramble and Craig Moore out. Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic return from suspension as Manchester United look to complete a 100% return over the festive period against Newcastle. Rio Ferdinand (shin) is a doubt, but Gary Neville is back, after United denied claims he needs calf surgery. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle (from): Given, Srnicek, Krul, Solano, Edgar, Taylor, Huntington, Parker, Butt, Emre, Milner, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Carroll. Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Evra, Heinze, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, O'Shea, Giggs, Richardson, Rooney, Solskjaer, Saha.

Barcelona snubbed Ronaldo chance
Barcelona rejected the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the Manchester United winger's agent. Jorge Mendes said he offered the 21-year-old to the Spanish champions before the World Cup last year. \"Barca turned him down because they told me they were considering signing Arsenal's Thierry Henry,\" Mendes told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo. \"It's impossible he will go there now because United wouldn't let him leave, not for all the money in the world.\" Ronaldo was strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford following the World Cup, where he was involved in controversy with his involvement in Wayne Rooney's sending-off in Portugal's quarter-final win over England. However, a series of match-winning displays for United this season have put paid to the speculation and Mendes added: \"Cristiano is happy in the Premiership and he will not put pressure to force a departure.\" Arsenal captain Henry considered a move away before opting to sign a new contract with the Gunners.

Man Utd v Aston Villa
Henrik Larsson is expected to make his debut for Manchester United after joining the club on loan, partnering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Tomasz Kuszczak will make his fourth appearance of the season, replacing Edwin van der Sar in goal. Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry will return after suspension but Olof Mellberg serves a one-match ban. With Thomas Sorensen still injured, Villa have been given permission to play on-loan keeper Gabor Kiraly. Man Utd (from): Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Evra, Heinze, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, O'Shea, Giggs, Richardson, Rooney, Solskjaer, Larsson, Heaton. Aston Villa (from): Kiraly, Olejnik, Hughes, Cahill, Ridgewell, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Petrov, Davis, McCann, Barry, Osbourne, Gardner, Angel, Baros, Samuel, Whittingham, Agathe, Djemba-Djemba.

Giggs eager to carry on playing
Manchester United's Ryan Giggs is keen to copy Teddy Sheringham and Gary Speed and play for as long as possible. Winger Giggs, 33, has spent his whole career at United after making his debut at 17 - playing with Sheringham at Old Trafford and with Speed for Wales. "Look at the likes of Teddy and Gary, still in the Premiership and playing well," he said at a Football Writers' Association dinner in his honour. "As long as I'm fit, the desire's there and I enjoy it, I want to carry on." Since making his first-team debut as a substitute at home against Everton in March 1991, Giggs has won a remarkable eight Premiership titles, four FA Cups, the Champions League and has become United's second highest appearance-maker after Sir Bobby Charlton. Giggs has been an integral part of the success Sir Alex Ferguson has had at the club and Giggs said the United manager had made a huge impact on his life. "The boss has been a massive influence on my career, probably the biggest influence," he confirmed. "His desire to win things is still there and we need his experience to see us through to the end of the season."

Man Utd drops down wealth league
Manchester United have dropped from second to fourth in the list of the world's wealthiest clubs, trailing Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus. United headed Deloitte's Football Money League for eight years until being deposed by Real Madrid last year. English clubs fill eight out of the top 20 spots in Deloitte's table, based on revenues generated during 2005/6. United remain the world's most profitable club, making a £49.7m profit in the year to June 2006. British presence Deloitte's figures take into account income from ticket sales, merchandising and broadcasting contracts but do not include transfer revenues and does not calculate profitability. Between them, the top 20 clubs had sales of more than £2.1bn. Real Madrid retained its crown as the world's wealthiest club, in terms of sales, despite securing no silverware for the third consecutive year. Its revenues rose to £202m from £186.2m the year before. Barcelona leapfrogged Manchester United into second place, boosted by their victory in the Champions League final, while Italian club Juventus moved up one spot to third. WORLD'S WEALTHIEST CLUBS BY REVENUE 1)Real Madrid: £202m 2)Barcelona: £179.1m 3)Juventus: £173.7m 4)Man Utd: £167.8m 5)AC Milan: £165m 6)Chelsea: £152.8m 7)Inter Milan: £142.8m 8)Bayern Munich: £141.5m 9)Arsenal: £133m 10)Liverpool: £121.7m Source: Deloitte: 2005/6 United dropped into fourth place after its revenues rose from £166.4m to £167.8m. Deloitte said it believed this fall may only be temporary as further expansion of their Old Trafford ground should significantly boost the club's match day income. "Manchester United may be in fourth position this year but with the completion of their stadium development we can expect them to move back up the list in 2006/07," said Deloitte's Paul Rawnsley. Chelsea dropped a place to sixth despite their revenues rising to £152.8m while Arsenal, helped by their appearance in the Champions League final, jumped a place to ninth. The other British clubs to make it into the list were Liverpool(10), Newcastle United(13), Tottenham Hotspur(15), Manchester City(17), Rangers(18) and West Ham(19). Galactico effect With a lucrative new TV contract coming into effect next year, Deloitte said Premiership clubs could fill more than half of the list by 2007/8. But Deloitte added that Spain's two footballing giants would not give up their positions at the top of the table lightly. "The two clubs have had contrasting strategies, with Real focusing on driving commercial revenue from recruiting its Galactico players and Barcelona having a more balanced revenue portfolio," said Dan Jones, a partner in the firm's Sports Business Group.

Real confirm interest in Ronaldo
Real Madrid have confirmed their interest in signing Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo if the Portuguese star becomes available. Ronaldo is in talks about renewing his contract, which runs until 2010, and says he wants to stay for "many years". Real president Ramon Calderon told a Spanish TV station: "We really like him but he belongs to Manchester United and they have to decide to sell him first. "If that is the case then we'll be first in the queue." Calderon, who also hopes to prise Brazilian midfielder Kaka away from AC Milan, insisted Real would not pay a £54m (80m euros) price tag reputedly placed on Ronaldo. "I don't think any player, even someone with Cristiano Ronaldo's quality, is worth that money, but we are definitely interested if Manchester United want to sell him," he reiterated. "I would love to see both Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo play for Real Madrid next season, but it won't be easy. Any big club would have this sort of objective and Real Madrid is a big club." Ronaldo, 22, has been in superlative form for United this season, scoring 18 goals including 16 in the Premiership. "It is a good sign to know I have so many clubs interested in me, such as Real Madrid," he said. "It means that I am valued. "But I am very happy where I am and I hope to stay at Manchester United for many years." United want the player to sign a new deal, which will take him up to 2012. "I have a good contract, in financial terms, but what really matters to me is to show my best form," he added. Ronaldo is currently away on international duty with the Portuguese squad. He scored twice as they beat Belgium 4-0 on Saturday, but is a doubt for Wednesday's qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade after picking up a heel injury in training. Ronaldo collided with an opponent during a practice match and left the field with an ice pack around his left foot. "At this time we don't know if he will play," said Portugal team spokesman Onofre Costa. "He sprained his heel - it doesn't look very serious but we are not sure if he will be fit."

Scholes gets one-match suspension
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will serve a one-match ban for his sending-off against Roma. Scholes went into the game with a yellow card against his name and incurred an automatic one-game ban when he was booked after 26 minutes. He was then dismissed for a second bookable offence eight minutes later. But Uefa has confirmed that despite the red card on top of the automatic ban, Scholes will only miss the return leg against Roma on Tuesday. When he returns to Champions League action, he will still be one booking away from a further ban.

Ferdinand hopeful of quick return
Rio Ferdinand will have a scan on his injured groin but the Manchester United defender is confident he will be fit to face Middlesbrough on Saturday. Ferdinand, 28, limped out of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final, joining Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, John O'Shea and Mikael Silvestre on the injured list. "I should be all right for Saturday but don't know about Tuesday against Sheffield United," said Ferdinand. Neville may be fit to face AC Milan in the Champions League on 24 April. The United skipper has been missing since suffering an ankle injury in the win against Bolton in March. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Gary has a slight chance for the Middlesbrough game but a good chance for the AC Milan game." Ferdinand's injury against Watford on Saturday meant midfielder Darren Fletcher was deployed as a makeshift right-back, with left-back Gabriel Heinze partnering Wes Brown in the centre. Ferguson could be forced to field the same back four against Sheffield United on Tuesday or he could be tempted to give 18-year-old FA Youth Cup star Craig Cathcart his debut.

Man Utd receive Ferdinand boost
Manchester United central defender Rio Ferdinand received some promising news after initial examinations on a groin injury showed no long-term damage. Ferdinand limped out of the FA Cup win over Watford on Saturday to join Mikael Silvestre, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, and John O'Shea on the injured list. The 28-year-old could now play against Sheffield United on Tuesday because of the club's central defensive problems. If not, he is expected to return on Saturday against Middlesbrough. Neville may be fit to face AC Milan in the Champions League on 24 April. The United skipper has been missing since suffering an ankle injury in the win against Bolton in March. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Gary has a slight chance for the Middlesbrough game but a good chance for the AC Milan game." Ferdinand's injury against Watford on Saturday meant midfielder Darren Fletcher was deployed as a makeshift right-back, with left-back Gabriel Heinze partnering Wes Brown in the centre. If Ferdinand does not play, the same back four could face Sheffield United or 18-year-old FA Youth Cup star Craig Cathcart may be given his debut. The strength of United's squad will be tested by the injuries but Ferdinand is confident the Old Trafford side are up to the task. "The fringe players are very important," said Ferdinand. "Look at Darren Fletcher. He was magnificent against Roma in central midfield and then he has been asked to play at right-back and looked as though he has been there all his life. "He is a fantastic all-round footballer, who is now starting to get the credit his footballing talent deserves. "The manager has said all along the players who weren't necessarily playing at the start of the season are the ones who have to come to the fore. They have done that."

Ferdinand & O'Shea fitness boost
Defensive duo Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea have handed Manchester United a boost by returning to full fitness. But manager Sir Alex Ferguson still has problems at the back after Patrice Evra limped off against Sheffield United. "Rio and John will be back on Saturday, so that should give us a bit more strength and experience in the back line," said an upbeat Ferguson. Evra will be sent for a scan on his left leg after being hurt by Sheffield United's Colin Kazim-Richards. But it already appears certain the Frenchman will miss Saturday's home encounter with Middlesbrough. Ferdinand has made a quick recovery from the groin injury he sustained in the FA Cup win over Watford on Saturday. But fellow defenders Gary Neville, Mikael Silvestre and Nemanja Vidic remain sidelined. Neville has been missing since suffering an ankle injury in the win against Bolton in March but may be fit to face AC Milan in the Champions League on 24 April. Silvestre is out for the rest of the season after dislocating a shoulder while Vidic is still nursing a broken collarbone. Against Sheffield United on Tuesday, Ferguson was forced to employ midfielders Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson as emergency full-backs. "It was a great challenge for them but they came through it well," said the Scot, whose side won 2-0 to move six points clear at the top of the Premiership.

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