Ronaldo Second As Kaka Scoops Top Award
Sun: KAKA has beaten Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo to the European Player of the Year award.
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Nev: Out Till New Year
Telegraph: Gary Neville’s injury nightmare continues after the Manchester United right-back was told he will be out of action beyond the New Year.
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Ronaldo: The New Cantona
Sun: CRISTIANO RONALDO admits he is honoured to be mentioned in the same breath as Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona.
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SAF: Ronaldo’s Best
Independent: The subject of greatest squads and players has been preoccupying Sir Alex Ferguson lately as he completes 21 years at Old Trafford.
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SAF: Thanks Ronaldo
Guardian: Sir Alex Ferguson’s unerring belief that Cristiano Ronaldo is “the best player in the world” was given further credence last night when the Portuguese winger scored with a sublime free-kick to confirm Manchester United as winners of Group F in the Champions League.
“It was a marvellous strike,” said a relieved Ferguson after watching his team come from behind to win 2-1 against Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo’s former club. The winning goal came two minutes into stoppage time and Ferguson, notoriously reluctant to single out individual players for special acclaim, could not help but eulogise about the reigning footballer of the year.
“He works very hard at that in training and it was a truly excellent strike,” said Ferguson of Ronaldo. “He’s done it before and I think he wanted to do particularly well tonight because he owes a lot to Sporting Lisbon and he wanted to show them what he can do. He was brought up by them as a young boy and I think he respects that. He has great admiration for the club.”
The splendour of Ronaldo’s goal did not, however, conceal the fact that United had produced a performance that for long spells must have dismayed their manager. Sporting, with only one away win in Europe’s premier club competition since 1970, led 1-0 at half-time, as well as having a goal dubiously ruled out for offside, and Ferguson had strong words with his players to inspire a second-half revival.
“We marginally won,” he said, sounding not altogether impressed with the performance. “I don’t think we were a great deal better than them but we certainly increased our game in the second half, with more speed and more tempo, and I think we might have edged it narrowly.”
The victory spares United from a match of great consequence when they visit the Stadio Olimpico to play Roma on December 12. Ferguson’s men play Liverpool four days later and he intends to rest his most important players from the trip to Italy.
“It’s important [to finish top] in the sense that when we go to Rome I can look at using all my squad players,” he said. “One or two won’t even travel because of the importance of the Liverpool game.”
A satisfying night for Ferguson got even better when Sporting’s coach, Paulo Bento, declared that the club would be willing to negotiate with United for the transfer of Miguel Veloso, who demonstrated his ability with an accomplished performance. “I’m sure we are going to lose him,” said Bento. “Why do I say that? Because of the quality of the teams who are wanting to sign him.”
Fletcher: My Time Will Come
Times: Darren Fletcher, who makes only his third Manchester United start of the season tomorrow, insists his time will come at Old Trafford.
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Tevez: Long Term Deal In Place
Sky: Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he plans to extend Carlos Tevez’s Manchester United stay.
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Rooney: Early Return
Sky: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful Wayne Rooney will make his injury comeback ahead of schedule against Fulham on 3rd December.
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O’Shea: New Deal
Times: John O’Shea has signed a three-year contract extension at Manchester United which keeps him at Old Trafford until 2012.
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Rooney Returns
Telegraph: Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United and England striker, will return to club training at Carrington today just 11 days after damaging his ankle, according to sources within the England camp.
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Eagles: Where Am I?
Oh Dear!
Dopey winger Chris Eagles has treated his neighbour to designer goods worth thousands of pounds after having them delivered to the wrong address.
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Ronaldo Best In Europe, Says Kaka
Sky: Brilliant Brazilian playmaker Kaka believes Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in Europe at present.
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Foster: This Season’s A Write-Off
Sun: BEN FOSTER admits he has no chance of breaking into Manchester United’s first team this season.
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Gossip: Carrick’s Spurs Return?
Telegraph: Tottenham coach Juande Ramos wants to bring Michael Carrick back to White Hart Lane in the January transfer window.
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Evans: I’m Back
BBC:Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Denmark and Spain.
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Wes Brown: New Deal
Sun: WES BROWN will sign a new four-year contract at Manchester United in the next month.
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