Boss relieved after Reading test

Sir Alex Ferguson was as relieved as anyone to hear the final whistle at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, having watched his side make hard work of a 2-0 win over Reading.

Wayne Rooney scored 13 minutes from time, with Cristiano Ronaldo adding a second in injury time. But it was by no means comfortable, Reading caused United problems all afternoon and never gave in.

“By the end we were quite happy to get through it,” admitted Sir Alex afterwards.

“Considering the number of opportunities we had, maybe our decision-making in the final third of the field wasn’t at its best. We kept making chances, but you do start to worry when the game goes on and you haven’t scored.

“You worry whether you’re going to get the goal, and it took a lovely flick from Wayne to get us in front. Credit to Reading they kept going at us. They really do make you work.”

Both sides set out with an attacking agenda, which made for an end-to-end encounter.

“It was a really open match,” added Sir Alex. “It really needed an early goal, which could have led to a lot of goals in that game. We got the goal at the right time and managed to hold on to get through.

“I wasn’t sure how Reading were going to approach it. When I saw their line-up I knew they were going gung-ho. The opportunities they had, they had a go for it.

“Kitson gave us a lot of problems, but in the main it was down to our own attacking play, which wasn’t at its best today. With a bit more care in the last third we would maybe have scored more.”

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Rooney: Royals made it tough

Wayne Rooney admitted the hard-fought 2-0 win over Reading was the hardest game he has been involved in this term.

The striker scored the game-breaking goal in the 77th minute and Cristiano Ronaldo finally killed off a resilient Royals outfit with United’s second at the death.

“It was a difficult game,” Rooney told MUTV. “You have to give Reading a lot of credit. They attacked us and it was an end-to-end game – probably the most difficult I’ve played in this season.

“But we got there in the end and we’re delighted with the three points.”

Rooney flicked home the opener well from Carlos Tevez’s astute pass, but only after the England man had spurned several earlier chances at the Madejski Stadium.

“I had a few opportunities before the goal and maybe should have done better with them,” he said. “It was a great ball by Carlos and I’m just delighted that I finished it.”

Rooney revealed his frustration at the Dubious Goals Committee’s recent decision not to credit him with the opener in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal in November.

“I don’t know who gives and doesn’t give these goals,” he said. “Over the last three years, (Chelsea midfielder) Frank Lampard has had about 50 deflected goals and never had one took off him.

“I’ve had one deflected goal and had it took off me, so maybe they need to look at the game a bit closer.”

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Rio never in doubt

Rio Ferdinand says the talent in United’s squad means he was always confident the Reds would strike the killer blow against Reading.

United missed a glut of chances at the Madejski Stadium, and it took until the 77th minute for Wayne Rooney to put the Reds in front.

Rio and his defensive team-mates managed to pick up an 18th clean sheet of the season, but he insists his faith in United’s forwards never wavered.

“You start wondering [whether you’ll score], but in the last fifteen minutes we always knew we’d get three or four more chances,” he told MUTV.

“With the talent we’ve got, you keep thinking ‘we’ll score the next one’. Rooney and Ronaldo, who have been doing so well for us lately, managed to put the ball in the back of the net.

“Getting a clean sheet is important, because if we do that then we know we’re going to have the chance to win the game. That was one of the main things for us today, keeping a clean sheet.

“We had a lot of opportunities in the first half, but we didn’t put them away. In the second half it followed a similar pattern, but we managed to get two goals later in the game.

“We were lucky that we got that today, but I think we created enough to chances [to deserve it].”

Reading certainly made United work for the victory, and it took a moment of class to undo Steve Coppell’s side.

“That was probably the hardest game we’ve had all season,” Rio added. Reading worked us very hard. They pushed us all over the pitch and we had to battle for our three points today.

“For Wayne’s goal, the ball in from Carlos was exquisite. He picked out Wazza, and he stretched his leg out and managed to guide it past the keeper. I think he took the keeper by surprise with how early he hit it, it was a great goal.”

United’s title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal also earned hard-fought away wins on Saturday. Chelsea beat Birmingham 1-0, while Arsenal defeated Fulham 3-0.

“All three of us could have dropped points,” said Rio, “but we’ve all won. We’re just pleased with our result. We’ve not conceded a goal and we’ve won the game.”

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Report: Reading (0) - United (2)

United remain top of the Premier League but the Reds made things difficult for themselves at the Madejski Stadium, leaving it late for Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to seal a 2-0 victory.

Sir Alex Ferguson will not have been thankful for his side’s profligacy in front of goal for much of the match, especially against a side of Reading’s energy, enthusiasm and unwillingness to give in.

It took 77 minutes for Rooney to put United in front with an expert flicked finish, but it should have been far more straightforward. Ronaldo’s goal deep in injury time confirmed victory, although this was a win that tested the nerves.

The game was wide open in the first ten minutes, with United picking up where they left off in the second half against Newcastle creating chance after chance.

Inside the first minute Carlos Tevez and Rooney linked up to play in Ronaldo on the right, and the Portuguese winger’s low shot was only narrowly wide.

The Reds still had to be sharp at the opposite end when Leroy Lita got in behind Rio Ferdinand after ten minutes. Edwin van der Sar saved the Royals striker’s shot, and Nemanja Vidic's brilliantly-timed sliding tackle stopped Dave Kitson passing the rebound into an empty net.

Seconds later Ronaldo sent another shot fizzing past the post, before Rooney and Tevez again combined with the Argentina international firing narrowly wide.

Sir Alex’s men rarely face teams that play an open game; it’s far more common to come up against rigidly stubborn resistance than Reading’s have-a-go outlook. Some could say it was a brave decision by Steve Coppell, simply because it can play into United’s hands.

Owen Hargreaves, making only his 11th league start, was the latest to have a go, this time from a set-piece. Ronaldo was hacked down, central to the goal, 25 yards out. Hargreaves arced in his shot, which Marcus Hahnemann brilliantly turned behind for a corner.

Reading weren’t without their moments. A weak van der Sar clearance was very nearly punished by Kitson, whose 40-yard shot had to be headed clear by Ferdinand, with Edwin stranded out of his goal.

However, as against Newcastle, United could find a way through before the interval and faced a second-half searching for a way to break their opponents down.

Two minutes after the restart, United almost got a similar response to the one against Newcastle. From a corner taken by Ryan Giggs, on for Ji-sung Park at half-time, Kitson almost headed into his own goal, but Hahnemann saved the Reading striker’s blushes.

After an hour Ronaldo had a chance to score his 23rd goal of the season. Rio burst into the box and squared the ball across goal, but it bobbled just as Ronaldo went to shoot and his shot was sent skyward. United’s frustrations continued.

Sir Alex’s side played some good, penetrative football early in the second half, but the final, crucial touch was proving elusive.

The longer the game went on the greater the feeling that Reading would deny United three points. But with little more than ten minutes left, that changed with a moment of sheer brilliance.

Tevez received the ball 35 yards from goal and picked out Rooney’s run into the box. The striker allowed the ball to drop over his left shoulder before expertly guiding the ball past Hahnemann. It was as much relief as joy for the Reds.

Carrick and Ronaldo both had chances to wrap up all three points. Carrick failed to latch onto Nani’s neat pull-back from the byline, while Ronaldo was denied one-on-one by Hahnemann.

Reading kept pushing for an equaliser and there were some desperate moments during the four minutes of added time, which ended with a United breakaway and Ronaldo running the full length of the pitch to dispatch his 23rd goal of the season.

Three points and a goal each for Rooney and Ronaldo: sounds like business as usual. But it certainly wasn’t done the easy way.

Team Line-ups

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty (c), Cisse, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Doyle, Harper, Hunt, Convey (Matejovsky 79); Lita (Long 83), Kitson.
Sub not used: Federici, De la Cruz, Rosenior.
Booked: Convey

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand (c), Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Nani 70), Carrick, Park (Giggs 46); Tevez (Fletcher 79), Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, O’Shea.
Booked: Ferdinand

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Scholes nearing comeback

United have been given a welcome boost with the news that Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Louis Saha are all close to full fitness.

Owen Hargreaves has also recovered from a knock and is available for the Barclays Premier League trip to Reading on Saturday.

Scholes has been out of action since October after injuring knee ligaments before United's Champions League clash with Dynamo Kyiv. He returned to training over Christmas and will be checked out by United's medical team next Thursday.

If given the go-ahead, he will start full training and could be available for the FA Cup fourth round clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday week.

“We are waiting for clearance from the medical staff next Thursday," assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said on Friday.

“We think the medical staff will give Scholes clearance to start full training. If he does get the all-clear he can play immediately. It’s a possibility [he could be involved against Tottenham], or at least he will probably be on the bench.”

The influential midfielder has been training for a number of weeks now and is said to be in excellent shape. “His fitness is fantastic," added Carlos. "He’s training like an 18-year-old. He’s very excited, he can sense that he’ll be back soon."

Neville, meanwhile, could fly out with the squad to Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening for their four-day training camp.

The Reds' defender made his second comeback in the Reserves last week after ten months on the sidelines with ankle ligament trouble. He felt his hamstring in the match against Everton and was forced off at half time.

But Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaching staff will make a decision about the skipper after training on Friday. If he's left behind, he will play for the Reserves against Bolton next Wednesday.

Saha is also ahead of schedule in his race to overcome a knee complaint. The striker missed United's 6-0 demolition of Newcastle last weekend with the knock and the club confirmed he would be out for around three weeks.

But Queiroz says is a step ahead in his rehabilitation and is likely to be back "earlier than expected".

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Vidic: Ronaldo still improving

Nemanja Vidic reckons Cristiano Ronaldo is producing his best form ever this season, but says the in-form Reds winger is still improving.

If Premier League defenders think they’ve got it tough having to face Ronaldo talents, spare a thought for United’s Serbian centre-back who comes up against the Portuguese wing wonder every day in training.

But it is on the training ground against the likes of Vidic and Rio Ferdinand that Ronaldo has been able to hone his talents.

The 22-year-old winger is a notoriously hard worker in training, the fruits of which can be seen on the pitch, with 22 goals already this season, just one short of his tally last term.

Vidic believes Ronaldo's performances have lived up to, and once again surpassed, all expectations.

"We are very strong with him in our side," Vida told MUTV. "Last season was great for him, he scored so many goals and played so well.

"But he was under big pressure to improve again this season and, up to now, he has been great in the games and also in training.

"You always need to improve at this club. Everybody has sides to their game that they can improve and he has tried to fix his in training."

The question is, still a number of years short of reaching his peak, how much better can Ronaldo get?

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Giggs has a case for defence

The spotlight may seem permanently fixed on Cristiano Ronaldo and the Reds’ attacking exploits lately, but Welsh winger Ryan Giggs is calling for recognition for United’s defenders.

Six second-half goals against Newcastle last weekend showed how quickly and easily United can turn on the style going forward, but it stole the limelight from yet another water-tight defensive performance.

The Reds are yet to concede a goal in 2008, making it 17 clean sheets in all competitions this season, and Giggs is in no doubt the solid defensive underpinning is fundamental to United's position as league leaders.

"The way our defence is playing at the moment is really helping us,” Giggs told MUTV.

“We have had so many clean sheets this season and you need that foundation to go out and play with flair."

But the 34-year Welshman says United’s defence will have to be on top form to keep Reading out at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Steve Coppell’s side have managed to pick up three draws in five meetings with United in the last two seasons in the league and FA Cup. Giggs says the Reds defence will be just as important in keeping Reading out as United’s forwards will be to breaking the home side down.

“Reading are a team that won't just sit back and defend,” he added. “They will go out and try to score goals so hopefully it will be an open game.”

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Carlos: Reading never rest

Assistant manager Carlos Queiroz says United’s players must remain switched on for the full 90 minutes against Reading, as Steve Coppell’s men will not give the Reds a moment’s peace.

United travel to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday looking for a fourth straight win in 2008, but the Reds are unlikely to be allowed to steamroller their opponents like against Newcastle last weekend.

Having said that, Queiroz says there is no shortage of confidence in the United camp after hitting six second-half goals against the Magpies.

“Reading will make it a difficult game for us,” he told reporters on Friday. “We saw them against Tottenham and it is a team that never rests.

“But we are very confident. If we can repeat the same kind of performance as we did against Newcastle, we will have a good chance to win the game.

“Reading were very good at home last season. They have not achieved the same level of results this season, but most of the points they have picked up have come at home.

“They are very difficult to play at home. We experienced that last season. Steve Coppell is doing a fantastic job there, the team is very well organised with a great attitude.”

Reading have already admitted they fear the devastation the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney can cause. But Queiroz says the Royals have some goalscoring threats of their own.

“They have good build-up play and they know how to score,” he added. “Their two forwards, Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle, have both been doing well and scoring goals. It will be really tough.”

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Stoke swoop for Shawcross

Stoke City claim to have completed the permanent transfer of United defender Ryan Shawcross in a deal initially worth £1million.

The 20-year-old defender has been in superb form on loan at the Britannia Stadium this season, scoring an amazing seven goals, and the Potters moved swiftly to secure his signature amid interest from other clubs in the Premier League and Championship.

As well as the initial £1million fee, United are reportedly set to reap up to the same amount again dependent on appearances and the possibility of Stoke winning promotion.

Potters manager Tony Pulis told the Sentinel: "Four clubs from the Premiership and Championship were chasing him, so to win the race is a tremendous result for us.

"I think a big factor in our favour was how happy Ryan is here, so the dressing room deserves a big pat on the back. If the spirit in there hadn't been so good, he might have been tempted to go elsewhere.

"He's a big, likeable lad who everyone seems to have taken to since he has been here. Despite coming from Manchester United, there has been no 'big-time Charlie's airs' about him. He's simply got his head down and worked hard with the rest of the lads. He' been a credit to himself and to Manchester United.

"He's still only a lad of 20 who's going to be a bit naive and will make mistakes. But what we have bought is potential because over the next two years he will develop into a top, top defender."

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Saha's goals mission

Louis Saha is determined to fire United to glory this season and finally overcome his injury nightmare.

The Reds' striker has started just eight games this season after being dogged by setbacks throughout the campaign. He did, however, make a successful return to goalscoring form during United's Boxing Day victory over Sunderland.

And despite missing out the Reds' 6-0 victory over Newcastle last weekend, the 29-year-old says he is now ready to put his injury problems behind him and make an important contribution to the Reds' cause.

"It's great to score goals. I'm a striker and that's my job and now I want to concentrate on scoring more goals for the team," he told United Review.

"I'm very hard on myself and always want to do better, so I'm not very satisfied with how the season has gone so far on a personal level.

"I know I can do better, and hopefully I showed that against Sunderland. The manager's always shown a lot of faith in me and that gives me a lot of confidence.

"I'm definitely getting there [with overcoming injuries]. I played two full games in a row over Christmas and that was the first time I'd done that for a while.

"So things are improving and I'm looking to play even more. My target now is to stay fit and keep finding the back of the net."

With United well placed in the league, through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League and into the fourth round of the FA Cup, Saha believes 2008 could be another successful year for the Reds.

"We think it'll be and we hope it'll be, but we have to make sure we finish the season well," he insisted. "From this point, we have to be very clinical in terms of results."

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Interview with Legend : Peter Schmeichel

United's former goal keeper Peter Schmeichel enjoyed eight glory-laden years with the Reds. We caught up with the Great Dane at a feelfootball.com coaching event in Manchester to discuss if the current crop has what it takes...

What have you made of United’s performances so far this season?

It’s starting to smell of big times again. I know we lost against Bolton but defeats give you a reality check and United know they need to keep working hard. Traditionally United are a stronger team come the latter part of the season and I think things look good. My main concern is when the big players are absent. I don’t believe we can play without Wayne Rooney or Nemanja Vidic. They are too important for us. Carlos Tevez is a great signing and one year down the line he and Wayne will be perfect together. But I still believe we need another striker. For me, Vidic has been the key to the defence. And he’s made Rio [Ferdinand] into a top class player. I thought Rio was a very good player before, but since Vidic has arrived they’ve got a settled partnership and Rio has developed brilliantly, just like Vidic.

Sir Alex recently commented that this is the strongest squad he’s ever had. You’ve been part of great United squads – how does this one compare?

The history of the club is something that is constantly breathing down your neck when you’re a United player. That history and the expectation level makes you go that one step further than any other player at any other club in the world. When I first joined, the history we had to deal with was the Busby Babes, 1968 and the fact that we hadn’t won the title for over 20 years. The desperation to win it was incredible and we all felt that. The current squad did brilliantly to win it last season and they have a great chance to go on to big things, but they have history on their shoulders as well because they have ’99 to contend with which is a hell of a year to compete with. So, of course, the manager has got to go out there and say they’re the best squad he’s had. He has to make the players believe that and that’s a good way of doing it. He said it in the past when I was there and after I left. What he’s saying is I’m extremely happy with what I’ve got and I love to work with these players. If Sir Alex is happy United will win matches which is the most important thing.

Is winning a second European Cup something that niggles away at Sir Alex?

Yes definitely. There's no reason why he couldn’t have won a second one, but once you get down to the last four like United did last season it becomes a lottery. And things just haven’t gone their way at the important times in the important games. They have a great chance to win the Champions League every season and I'd love to see them do it this time round.

Ferdinand and Vidic have been compared to Bruce and Pallister…

I definitely see similarities. I loved playing behind those two and for me Rio and Vidic are on a par with them. Brucey had a great heart and Pallister was superb on the ball and you see similar aspects in Rio and Vidic. The game has changed so much since I played – it’s a lot quicker nowadays and there are even more skilful players around these days. That’s why Rio and Vidic are so impressive.

What have you made of the progress Ronaldo has made since he joined United?

He’s been outstanding. He is up there as one of the five best players in the world. He’s learnt that the game is not all about doing fancy tricks, you need to do them at the right time. He’s found the perfect balance now of proving hugely effective by scoring and making goals, whilst still being able to throw in the odd trick and entertain the crowd. I believe Sir Alex is probably one of the few managers in the world who could manage a player like Ronaldo. Had Ronaldo been anywhere else I think he would be a different player – I’ve no doubt about that. Sir Alex is hard enough to put him in his place, but he’s also soft enough to encourage him as well.

There’s an interesting battle developing between United and City at the top of the table…

It’s fantastic for Manchester to see the two teams so close to each other. Obviously with my son Kasper being at City I want them to do well, but United are my team and I always want them to win. City have done brilliantly to stay up there for so long, but I can’t see them being there for the duration. The problem they have is despite doing so well this season, they still went to Chelsea and lost 6-0. It’s something that Sven [Goran-Eriksson] still needs to work on and it can take years to do that. In terms of the title race itself, it looks like it’ll be strongly contested by United and Arsenal, but I wouldn’t discount Chelsea either – they may still have a shot at it. Liverpool have an outside chance, but I don’t believe they’re as strong as United and Arsenal.

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Kuszczak aiming for the top

Tomasz Kuszczak says he’s pleased with how he fared over the festive break when he stepped in for first-choice stopper Edwin van der Sar.

Van der Sar returned from injury in the Reds’ recent FA Cup win at Villa Park but Kuszczak remains braced for a recall.

“It’s a difficult position I’m in because I know Edwin is number one,” the Polish goalkeeper told Manchester United Radio.

“But every day I’m ready for training and I approach every game ready to play. It’s important to me to play as many games as I can.

“It was a good exam for me over Christmas and I think I did quite okay. I certainly did my best and I tried to help the team win our games.”

Although Kuszczak is acutely aware of his understudy status, he insists being at Old Trafford is beneficial to his career.

“Every single game I play for United is a step forward,” he said. “I feel more comfortable and confident each time I play and that’s what a goalkeeper needs. The Champions League experience has been very good too, so I think I’m on the way up.”

Van der Sar may be Sir Alex’s current first choice but Kuszczak says he hopes to one day dislodge the Dutchman from the number one spot.

“I’ll do everything I can to push Edwin for the jersey and I think that helps both of us. We have a good relationship and there’s healthy competition on the training field.”

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Brazilian twins set for switch to United

Manchester United are preparing to announce the signing of Fabio and Rafael Silva, Brazil’s answer to the Neville brothers. The 17-year-old twins, who are identical, are scheduled to arrive in Manchester on Monday to join United in a joint £5.2 million transfer from Fluminense, a deal that has been two and a half years in the planning. Like Gary and Phil Neville, the Silva brothers are full backs, with Rafael operating on the right flank and Fabio on the left, even though both are right-footed. They caught Sir Alex Ferguson’s eye in a youth tournament in Hong Kong in 2005, during United’s preseason tour to Asia, and signed precontract agreements with the Barclays Premier League club when they turned 16 in July 2006. Initially the plan was for them to move to Manchester this summer, but the deal has been brought forward now that they have received the necessary paperwork. The twins excelled for Brazil in the Under-17 World Cup finals in South Korea last August, with Fabio, the captain, finishing as his country’s leading scorer.

Oliver Kay, The Times.

The Sun and The Telegraph say that Real Madrid will not give up their interest in Cristiano Ronaldo as they plan to shatter the world transfer record to bring the winger to Spain this summer.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror reports that some United fans are "furious" with the proposed move to search fans for drugs at this weekend's clash with Reading at the Madjeski Stadium.

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Brown's England ambition

Wes Brown is determined to feature in Fabio Capello’s plans when the new England boss picks his first squad on 31 January.

The 28-year-old defender has been almost ever-present in the Reds’ defence this season, making 20 league appearances in the absence of regular right back Gary Neville. Now he wants to be involved when England play Switzerland in a friendly at Wembley on 6 February.

Brown played just five of England’s 18 matches under Steve McClaren and was an unused substitute on a further six occasions.

But his form for United this term has been top-drawer and he may well have done enough to catch Capello’s eye.

“Hopefully that’s the case,” Brown told Manchester United Radio. “If I can stay in the United team and continue to play well then hopefully I can get an England call up.”

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Carrick eyes front-runner role

Michael Carrick says United’s challenge now is to remain top of the league until the end of the season.

The Reds midfielder had arguably his finest game of the season in the 6-0 hammering of Newcastle on Saturday evening. The win moved United above Arsenal on goal difference at the Premier League's summit, and Carrick says the Reds are determined not to let the advantage go.

"Before we played Newcastle we knew Arsenal had drawn and that if we won we would go top," Carrick told MUTV.

"It is nice now to be sitting on top of the pile. Hopefully we can stay there, but that’s up to us. That’s the hard part. We managed to do it last season and hopefully we can do it again.

"I am sure we will if we keep playing like that. We want to get the momentum again and hopefully stay there for the rest of the season."

United currently have 51 points from 22 games, three less than last season’s total at the same stage. The Reds took 35 points from a possible 48 in the final 16 matches of last term’s title run-in, and may have to go close to that total again this time around. That means the Reds may have to pass the 85-point mark to retain the title.

Carrick is certain the Reds can deliver successive titles if United take all the good elements of the second-half performance against Newcastle into the crucial forthcoming months.

"We just have to do the right things in games," he added. "As long as we try to do that we’ll win a lot of games. When it does click, teams struggle to cope with us. When we play to that standard we will beat anyone and cause anyone problems. Hopefully that continues."

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Gilberto Reds link

Man Utd deal on cards says Hertha's Gilberto

Hertha Berlin's Gilberto has emerged as a candidate to give United extra cover at left back. The 31-year-old's agent Alexandra Martins claimed agreement with United was close after talks on a new deal at his German club broke down over his demand for £1.75million a year. Gilberto's contract runs out at the end of the season and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to snap up the tough-tackling left-sided defender or midfielder. Gilberto said: "I have received offers from England, Portugal and Brazil. I have become accustomed to winning trophies with Brazil and would like to do the same at club level." Hertha general manager Dieter Hoeness said: "Trying to extend his contract is a priority for us."
Daily Mail

Meanwhile the Daily Mirror reports that Cristiano Ronaldo is assuring Sir Alex Ferguson that he does not need a rest. This time last year, Ronaldo set off to Dubai for a five-day break but he has no plans to do so this year as he wants to play every game.

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Transfer Rumours: Jan 08

Klaas Jan Huntelaar is being touted by various UK newspapers as the most likely United signing should Sir Alex Ferguson dip into the market during the January transfer window.

The Dutch striker has been linked with a move to United on numerous occasions but speculation is heating up that Huntelaar will sign for the Reds.

Rumours still abound that Berbatov may come to OT while Hertha Berlin’s Gilberto and Lyon’s Benzema have expressed an interest in joining United.

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill have both insisted Ronaldo is going nowhere despite Real Madrid’s interest but debate still remains over Wes Brown’s future.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar is being touted by various UK newspapers as the most likely United signing should Sir Alex Ferguson dip into the market during the January transfer window.

The Dutch striker has been linked with a move to United on numerous occasions but speculation is heating up that Huntelaar will sign for the Reds.

Rumours still abound that Berbatov may come to OT while Hertha Berlin’s Gilberto and Lyon’s Benzema have expressed an interest in joining United.

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill have both insisted Ronaldo is going nowhere despite Real Madrid’s interest but debate still remains over Wes Brown’s future. Read More..

Boss applauds "incredible" Ronny

Sir Alex Ferguson described Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring this season as “fantastic” and “incredible” after the Portuguese winger shifted his tally for the campaign up to 22.

That figure puts him one behind last season’s total of 23, and a remarkable ten more goals than he had scored at the same stage last season.

“It’s fantastic, incredible in fact,” Sir Alex said after the game.

“We wondered at the start of last season whether he could match last season’s tally of 23. You had to say ‘why not?’

“I expected him to score more this season because he works so hard. That’s why there were no bets this season, all bets are off with Ronaldo,” he joked.

“[His first hat-trick] was always coming. He’s been close on a number of occasions but today he capped a really fine display with the hat-trick. We’re all delighted for him.”

But this was more than just the Ronaldo show. Carlos Tevez grabbed two goals, while Rio Ferdinand chipped in with another.

Likewise, it wasn’t just about the goals, it was another sterling defensive display, which Sir Alex feels could be the foundation for retaining United’s title crown.

“Our performance last week at Aston Villa in the cup was carved out of a magnificent defensive display,” he said. “It gave us the energy to go and win the game in the last 20 minutes. It was the same against Newcastle.

“You have to have good home form,” he added, alluding to United’s 11 wins from 12 at Old Trafford. “We’ve lost three games away from home, but the reason we’re top of the league is because our home form has been so good.

“It’s a hard league. You saw the results with Arsenal and Liverpool drawing, teams are taking points off one another.

"We expected it to be tough. Teams well below the top four are spending a lot of money on their squads. There is a drive for teams to improve themselves and stay in the Premier League. The points total could be lower this year.”

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Ronny revels in 'special day'

Cristiano Ronaldo was predictably elated to finally score his first United hat-trick in Saturday’s destruction of Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Having struck braces on 13 separate occasions for the Reds, the Portuguese winger finally bagged a match ball with a second half treble against the Magpies, taking United back to the top of the Barclays Premier League in style.

“I’ve said before, if I score two in every game then I’m very happy,” he told Setanta Sports. “But I’ve looked for a few years to score three goals for this massive club and I’m very proud.

“It’s a special day. I’m happy of course to win the game and to go top of the league, I think this is most important. It is also important to score, to help my team and today I’m very proud and happy.”

With United rampant in retaking top spot, Ronaldo is keen for the champions to kick on and stay in top form as the title race unfolds over the coming months.

“It’s important to stay at the top of the table,” he said. “If the team plays like that, in the second half, I’m sure we are the best team. But you need to keep going like that. It’s a good moment for the team and for the players.”

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Simmo: A lesson learned

Danny Simpson was a picture of delight after his superb cameo role in United's thrashing of Newcastle.

The 21-year-old defender's last outing saw him substituted at half-time against Everton after a below-par display, but he bounced back in style with a fine showing in the final half hour.

"[After the Everton game] I spoke with the players and the manager said: 'Well, you've got to learn from things like that,' Simpson told MUTV.

"It didn't go too well and it's a test of character. Some people fold. You can hide or get on with it and prove next time that you're a United player and you can do well for the team."

Simpson twice came close to opening his goalscoring account with decent shots, only to be foiled by Shay Given and a deflection respectively.

"I feel on top of the world at the moment, I'm just a bit gutted I didn't score," he admitted. "I was a bit disappointed with the first one, I thought it had gone in but I turned round and he'd got a touch.

"The second one, I just tried to get a clean strike on it but it was just a bit unlucky. How many chances do I need? Wayne said that every time I play he seems to be setting me up, but if I keep making the runs when I'm playing, surely it'll come soon."

United's devastating second half display took them back to the top of the Premier League after Arsenal's shock draw with Birmingham, and Simpson admits that no team could cope with United on such form.

"Newcastle came here and it's not an easy game, even though they're not doing too well at the minute," he said. "Whereas Arsenal, at home to Birmingham, everyone expected them to win.

"They lost points there, then we just had to go out and do our job and the second half was magnificent. Playing like that, we'd beat any team in Europe."

Danny also found time to express his sympathy for former colleague Alan Smith, who was sent off by referee Rob Styles in injury time for dissent.

"It's the end of the game," Simpson reasoned. "He used to play for the club, he's getting beaten 6-0, it's the last minute. You've got to understand he's not going to be happy, but Alan was just a bit frustrated."

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