Witness The Moment

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Real offer £80m for Ronaldo, World Record

Manchester United have allowed talks between Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo.
From ManUtd.com:

Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

At the request of Cristiano – who has again expressed his desire to leave – and after discussion with the player’s representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.

Looks like the inevitable is happening. I always had a feeling about it. The only thing that eased my mind was when SAF said “I wouldn’t sell that mob(Madrid) a virus.” I think it’s going to be interesting to see where United go from here. Ronaldo, albeit a fussy one, will leave the Red Devils with a huge gap on the wing. I think he’s done his job here, honestly. Being with United for over 5 seasons and he’s won his share of trophies playing for United. Accolades will still come to the young man, 24, and surely he will still shine in La Liga. We shall see. I said it last year, let him go if he want’s to go. I’d rather have players on the team that want to be on the team, than a superstar who doesn’t. But in all fairness, Ronaldo has done things with Manchester United that no one else will do for a long time, respectively. And for that, I say congratulations Ronaldo. Everyone get’s what they want(ed).

Manchester United have already cashed in and sold Fraizer Campbell for, I think, £6m. And they are almost on the oust with Tevez looking more and more like going to City. It makes you wonder if United are trying to get as much money as they can to bring in, perhaps Benzema from Lyon and Ribery from Munich. United are also looking at Valencia from Wigan.

Manchester United – Champions of England!

Sh*tty game, but all that was needed was a draw and that’s what United received. Not 1 shot on target on the day, but the 0-0 draw was enough to see Manchester United to their 18th league title, equalling the record set by Liverpool.

Trophy presentations, etc… here

United 2 – 1 Wigan

United fought back from a 1-0 deficit to edge a victory over a Wigan squad set on victory at the JJB. Goals from Carlos Tevez (yet again! “fergie, sign him up!”) and Michael Carrick saw the champions place one hand on the trophy. It is not secure, but at least 1 point in our next 2 games will be enough.

More analysis later…

United 2 – 0 City

Manchester United edged just a little bit closer to the title once more. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez (don’t go Carlitos!) were enough to see United within touching distance of the EPL trophy once more. The back-to-back-to-back treble is in full force with United in pole position to put an end to all title challengers come Wednesday. My opinion? Win at the JJB and the title is yours, United!!

I have to say that Tevez has shown 100% consistency this year. He has been nothing short of amazing this term. The fact that United have not shown him any sign of a new contract on the horizon has the Argentine International giving interviews saying that his time at Old Trafford is almost over. I feel sad for him too as he has shown nothing but complete devotion to the club since his arrival 2 years ago. But at the same time, I can understand his frustration. His point is that he would like to be included more-so on the first team in the league. Most will contest that he’s had more playing time than Berbatov. But his lack of inclusion in the EPL with fergie most always choosing the pair between Rooney and Berbs has left Tevez with a sour taste in his mouth. Either way, the argument can go on and on. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens after the final in Rome.

Highlights here

United 3 – 1 Arsenal

Manchester United, how sweet are thee! The Red Devils showed just how true champions play with the absolute destruction of Arsenal at the Emirates. The game started off with Arsenal looking for an early opener but it took all of 8 minutes for United to score one instead. A goal by Park, on a mistake by the impressive Gibbs, was all-too-easy not to capitalize on. And that he did sending the 4,000 traveling band into a frenzy to put United 1-0 up on the night, and 2-0 up on aggregate. This meant that the Gunners then would need 3 goals on the night to head to Rome. Then, all Arsenal’s hopes and dreams were put to an end by a strike from none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. A free kick from 41 yards out would have had most footballers looking for a cross into the penalty area looking for someone’s head. This is what has made him the World Player of the Year. Ronaldo let loose a strike with so much venom, Almunia reacted, but could not get there in time to save.

Arsenal looked all but inspired then. Chances of heading to the Italian capital all went away with one swift, powerful kick. This put the visitors up 2-0, with a 3-0 aggregate. Oh and the night was not finished. On a superb showing of counter attacking ability the Red Devils had conceded a corner then Park, Ronaldo, and Rooney were off to the races. Clearance from the area sent Park chasing then change direction as Ronaldo arrived in time to back heel the ball back to Park who then put a through ball to Rooney whom then provided a grounded cross to the oncoming Ronaldo who placed the ball into the back of the net and thus destroying all hope, if any, for the Gunners. The play was something of brilliance, which is what United provided for 95% of the night.

The only downside to the game was a HORRIBAD call by the ref when he awarded Arsenal a penalty in the last third of the game. Thus was the sending off of midfielder Darren Fletcher. The decision was amazingly bad as you can clearly see Fletch got a piece of the ball, and Fagregas, but the ref had his mind made up. The sending off means that Fletch will miss the final in Rome. Too bad we can’t appeal because it’s completely obvious that he got the ball.

So now Manchester United will play the winner of tomorrow’s Champions League contest between Chelsea and Barcelona. Their first game ended in a 0-0 draw. The tide could go anywhere.

See you in Rome!

United 2 – 0 Middlesbrough

United cruised to a 2-nil defeat of the Boro on early Saturday morning. Middlesbrough never really tested United keeper Van der Sar but a couple of times. United’s defence was on top of their game. Goals from Giggsy (who made his 801st United appearance) and the Three-Lunged Park were enough to see the Red Devils move closer to their 18th League Title.

Highlights here

United 1 – 0 Arsenal

Manchester United had SEVERAL chances to put this one away completely, but simply could not take advantage of a struggling Arsenal. United looked very dominant in the first half but they just could not find the back of the net until John O’Shea’s opener in the 17th minute. This goal alone saw United head to the dressing room knowing that they should have had added to that tally. Arsenal never really looked a threat until the 2nd half when their play started to open up. Substitute Nicholas Bendtner(sp) had the best chance on a free kick into the area to which all he needed was to glance the ball goalwards. Instead he went at it with power and the ball flew over the goal. United will head to the Emirates for the 2nd leg of the Semi-Final. The Red Devils have played here once earlier this term and lost 2-1 with a brace from Nasri and a goal from sub Rafael Da Silva. Hopefully, they learned from that game.

Bring on Middlesbrough!

Ryan Giggs Wins PFA Player of the Year Award

Ryan Giggs has finally won the award that has eluded him in his illustrious 18-yr career. The Manchester United midfielder had never won the award, despite winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award twice, early on in his career. Giggsy had plaudits for Sir Alex Ferguson whom he has established almost a Father-Son relationship with. Ryan Giggs has been with Manchester United since the beginning of his professional life almost 20 years ago. He has re-defined the meaning to be a player. Most everyone in the game, professionally, have the utmost respect for the former Wales International. Alessandro Del Piero of Italian club Juventus has stated that he looks up to Giggs because of his professionalism and expertise. Ryan Giggs has had to re-invent himself over the years with constant changes to the squad. With the days from Steve Bruce to the days with Wayne Rooney, Giggsy has had to evolve the the pace of the game. He has done so in perfect fashion with still having the ability to make key plays. The 35-year-old does not have the legs or pace that he used to have, but still is a key component to the Red Devils midfield. Whether chasing down an opponent, or finding an open player, Ryan Giggs never ceases to amaze.

Congratulations Giggsy, you’ve truly deserved it!

United 5 – 2 Tottenham

Manchester United yet again showed why the Premier League title remains at Old Trafford for 2 years running. A shaky start by the Red Devils put them with their backs against the wall, only to let the red machine crank out goals like they were candies on a Saturday afternoon. Both Bent and Modric put the Spurs ahead by the interval, only for a bad call from ref Howard Webb to go United’s way was all we needed. Yes it was a bad call, but I don’t care… we should have had one earlier, if not sometime this season we should have had AT LEAST one back. So shutup. Ronaldo delivered from the spot with class sending Gomes diving to his left. Go to sleep! All hell broke loose as United scored 3 goals in a span of 11 minutes, with a spell of 5 goals in a total of 22 minutes! After the 2nd goal, Tottenham were shell-shocked.

Rooney scored a brace, as did Ronaldo. Berba finallly managed to get on the scoresheet to score the 5th, cherry on top if you ask me, of the game.