Another Big Week

Once more we find ourselves in the winner's circle with Wayne Rooney claiming the ball for his strike for the only goal in the team's first win since 2002 at Stamford Bridge. Due to work, I was unfortunate to watch the game live and report on it like I said I would, but I did get home and was able to watch a replay of the match!

Manchester United 1 - 0 Chelsea



The stage was set, the teams lined up on their respective sides of the pitch. It was one of the biggest games in the line up of the Champions League, easily out-shadowing the Barcelona match being played at the same time.

Having not won in Stamford Bridge since 2002, it almost looked like Manchester United were going to sit back and try and defend as long as they possibly could for a draw, then letting the teams meet up again at Old Trafford the next week.

Well, Wayne Rooney had other ideas. As his first-time effort simply tapped the base of Petr Cech's left-hand post and rolled gently into the back of the Chelsea net, he again ran towards the camera.

This time, he stopped well short, slid to his knees and waited to be mobbed by ecstatic team-mates. They had every right too, especially Ryan Giggs given his great first-touch ball.

Having watched Michael Carrick deliver a pinpoint crossfield pass that was sensational in itself, Ferguson could only sit back and admire Giggs' sublime first touch, which took him careering past the stranded Jose Bosingwa, and the coolness of his second, which left Rooney with a tap-in.

It was a glorious goal for Rooney, who had to yet again prove himself to the media after his hat-trick swear during the West Ham Premier League match.

But on the other side of the pitch, things looked great for most of the game, sort of at least. Fernando Torres yet again failed to produce anything at all, yet a couple of attempted run ins, only to be shut down by the Red Wall of Defense.

Didier Drogba on the other the hand looked a lot like his last season's performance, running the length of the pitch and making spectacular attempts on goal. The only thing that could have added to his delightful form would have been a goal, which Chelsea heartily deserved near stoppage time when Patrice Evra sent Ramires tumbling but referee Alberto Mallenco failed to award what seemed to be a clear penalty.

In the end though, there was still time for a Torres yellow card for diving under Valencia's challenge, adding the cherry on top of Chelsea's home loss to Manchester United and slipping behind 1-0 on aggregate. To win, they will have to travel to Old Trafford and win 2-1, which they have done during the Premier Leaague Season. Otherwise, Sir Alex's men look keen to move onto the next stage.

Goalie Trouble?

In related news to the Champion's League Match, Edwin Van Der Sar has stated that he has not suffered another injury relating to his recent injury on his groin in which he sat out for the West Ham game.

Here is the ESPN article;

Edwin van der Sar insists he has not suffered a recurrence of his groin injury after Nemanja Vidic was forced to take over goal kicks during Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League victory over Chelsea.

Van der Sar was left out of the team for Manchester United's 4-2 win over West Ham on Saturday as a precaution after sustaining a groin problem, and Tomasz Kuszczak - who took his place at Upton Park - was sent to warm up on two occasions at Stamford Bridge.

However, Van der Sar - who was booked for time-wasting when Vidic went to take a goal kick - has suggested the problem was caused by cramp.

"When I dived to save a shot from Torres, I went 105% for my take-off," he said. "My calf gave way a little bit and I ended up with cramp.

"I didn't train a lot in the last couple of weeks, so maybe it was a bit of tiredness or something."

Manchester United play Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday before hosting Chelsea for the second leg of their Champions League tie on Tuesday.

Wayne Rooney's Ban



It's been almost a whole week since his hat-trick swearing, and finally Rooney met with the FA to appeal his two match ban. With most of the media strongly standing behind him, Rooney went in feeling proud of his hat-trick either way it would turn out.

I am sure you could only guess what happens next. The FA bluntly ignored anything Wayne had to say, and then they showed him the door, telling him they'll happily see him on the pitch in two games.

Sadly, this means the striker will miss Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham as well as the FA Cup semi-final against City next weekend.

Rooney said through his spokesman, Ian Monk: "I am gutted to miss two matches, one of which is an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. I am not the first player to have sworn on TV and I won't be the last.

"Unlike others who have been caught swearing on camera, I apologised immediately. And yet I am the only person banned for swearing. That doesn't seem right."

Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to ESPN about all of this, including a superintendent who claimed that Rooney COULD have been arrested for the way he swore at the cameras.

Now Ferguson has accused superintendent Mark Payne of courting the limelight with his assessment of the situation. "Everyone has an opinion today," he said.

"There is an issue in the modern world of a need to be noticed. There is a wee guy, sitting down there in the Midlands, probably never been recognised in his life, managed to elevate himself to whatever it is in the police force.

"Have you ever seen Wolverhampton on a Saturday night? Do police ever arrest anyone for swearing on a Saturday night? Deary me. That is a good one."

Ferguson has also expressed sympathy with referee Lee Mason, who he feels was pressurised in the wake of the West Ham fixture. "The one I feel sorry for is Lee Mason," he said. "He has put himself in a terrible position. He has been put under pressure. There is no doubt about that.

"It is hard to imagine the referee would send a player off for scoring a hat-trick. But he has now put himself in the spotlight. If he doesn't send a player off for swearing the question will be, has he got double standards.

"It is a very difficult position the lad is in. I feel for him. I really do. I don't know where his career is going to go now. I think he was put under pressure."

Rooney was unsuccessful in his bid to overturn the suspension, and Ferguson has suggested his plea for a rethink was a futile exercise. "We put an appeal in, and the lad's wrote and apologised for swearing, but obviously I don't think we expected to get a result, to be honest with you," he said.

On the injury front, Ferguson has received a boost with the news that Rafael da Silva, who was carried off in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Chelsea, will be fit for the Old Trafford return on Tuesday. The United boss also suggested he would reshuffle his pack against Fulham on Saturday, with one eye on the Chelsea clash.

"Rafa won't be fit tomorrow, he's got bruising and we sent him for a scan, which showed no ligament damage," Ferguson said. "No knee damage at all, so I think he'll be good for Tuesday. John O'Shea and Wes Brown are fit again. Anderson played last night [for the reserves] and will be available for tomorrow. There will be some changes."

Gary Neville granted Juventus testimonial

Retired Manchester United defender Gary Neville will be rewarded for his 18 years of service with a testimonial against Juventus at Old Trafford on May 24.

Neville, 36, hung up his boots in January following a series of injury problems and a lack of form during the first half of the season. His final game at West Brom saw him fortunate to escape a red card for the second time this term.

The veteran full-back had intended to play a testimonial fixture at the start of the season but was forced to put the game back due to the impossibility of finding a suitable date.

During his heyday Neville was one of the best right-backs in England and his difficult last few games will not be allowed to overshadow a fabulous career, which began with a debut against Torpedo Moscow as a 17-year-old.

By the time he retired, Neville had made 602 appearances for the club he supported all his life, won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League in 1999. In addition, Neville won 85 England caps.

"I am delighted to be given this game by the club,'' Neville said. "It is going to be a very emotional night for me, especially as I pull on that red shirt once more in what will be my last game for the club.

"I intend to savour every moment and I hope the fans can share in my special night.''

Neville has pledged to use the proceeds to support sustainable projects within the community, an issue close to his heart, and also has plans for supporter initiatives at home and abroad.

"Gary has been a loyal servant of Manchester United and this is a fitting tribute to honour Gary and his career,'' said Sir Alex Ferguson. "It also gives the fans the opportunity to show their admiration and appreciation for a player who is very much one of them.

"We have had many great games against Juventus in the past and I am sure this will be another memorable night.''

From ESPN

He was asked about the possibility of a treble this season;

“I was at the Chelsea game last month and it took the wind out of our sails for a few days,” said Neville.

“We played really well and deserved better. Things like that happen, but nobody panics, especially the manager. The team are experienced enough to know there will come a point in the season when you have a little setback.

'But our form in the last few weeks seems to be getting there. The concentration is getting higher and higher and you can see that in the level of performance and ­determination.

“We went 2-0 down at West Ham last weekend but I just knew we’d win. It didn’t surprise me in the slightest that we turned the game around.”

Fullham v Manchester United Preview by ESPN

Sir Alex Ferguson has assured Chris Smalling he is not going to be forgotten but feels Rio Ferdinand proved on Wednesday night why he was immediately drafted back into the Manchester United starting line-up.

Ferdinand had been missing for nine weeks with a calf injury sustained in the warm-up to United's shock Premier League defeat at Wolves.

Yet Ferguson still had no hesitation in pitching the deposed England skipper straight into the white-hot atmosphere of a Champions League quarter-final.

It was harsh luck on Smalling, whose performances in Ferdinand's absence had shown a maturity that belied his 20 years.

But Ferdinand has the class and experience to make a difference.

And in silencing Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres, he did exactly that.

"It was a terrible for me to explain to Chris Smalling that he wasn't playing given the way he has performed for us this season,'' said Ferguson.

"He understood. He is part of the squad and he won't be forgotten.

"But it's Rio's experience isn't it. He has such composure. He talks to players.

When Antonio Valencia went to full-back he was talking all the time. He was phenomenal.''

Ferguson must now decide whether to give Ferdinand a second start in four days against Fulham and risk a reaction ahead of Tuesday's second leg with Carlo Ancelotti's men.

With the Manchester derby FA Cup semi-final to follow that, it is a crucial time for United, and their veteran manager realises he must get major decisions correct.

"Picking the right team is always an issue when you have a run of important games,'' he said.

"You are dependent on your squad, not on your team.

"Yes, there will be changes of course. We picked a team for obvious reasons on Tuesday but it could be a different team next Tuesday.

"That is the great value of having a good squad.

"But a lot of things help us (against Fulham).

"The fans were fantastic on Tuesday and they will be again. They know the importance of being united at this time.

"That will be a really good thing for us.''

Fulham manager Mark Hughes does not expect Manchester United to take their eye off the ball but will be ready to exploit any opportunity if they do.

The Red Devils will be without Wayne Rooney as he serves the first of a two-game ban following Football Association sanctions after he swore into a TV camera during last week's win at West Ham.

England striker Rooney will also miss the FA Cup semi-final showdown against Manchester City at Wembley, but kept Sir Alex Ferguson's men on course for a potential treble with a crucial away goal in the midweek Champions League quarter-final first leg win at Chelsea.

With United still fighting on all three fronts, it is likely Ferguson will rotate his squad for the match against the Cottagers, who have been beaten nine times away this season.

However, Hughes believes his old club will not lose any focus as they look to extend their seven-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the table.

"Past experience suggests that won't be, but we have got to be ready if they are not on their A game. If they are not then we have a chance to win the game. We are looking to be positive,'' said Hughes, whose men have moved away from the relegation zone following a run of just two defeats in the last 11 Premier League games.

Hughes had two successful spells at Old Trafford as a player and believes his old club continue to show the true spirit of champions, while other sides like Arsenal and Chelsea fail to make the most of any opportunities presented.

"As the season progresses towards the business end, United are getting stronger and stronger,'' said the 47-year-old former Wales manager.

"They understand exactly what needs to be done and are going about their business in a fantastic manner and sweeping everyone aside.''

Hughes knows better than most the aura which surrounds United when they play at Old Trafford, with visiting teams sometimes appearing beaten before they step off the coach.

However, the Fulham manager expects his squad to be fully prepared for what awaits them.

"The quality of the opposition you are against and the stage can undermine the confidence of the players going there, the history of the club and the support they have around them - come 3pm on a Saturday, sometimes that can be too much for players,'' he said.

"I don't anticipate for one moment it will be too much for my players because we are enjoying what we are doing at the moment, so we are very positive we can go there and get a good result.''

Final Words

It'll be a interesting couple of matches. We are playing Fullham this weekend, with a Tuesday clash against Chelsea again, this time at Old Trafford. I will be trying to report on the Fullham game, but I will most likely be working so I doubt it.

Tuesday's game I will be reporting live for, giving you guy's up to date stats and my own view of the game. Until then, leave a comment below on what you think about the FA and how they continue their campaign against Manchester United.