Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

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Man Utd 2-1 Sporting Lisbon: Late Ronaldo stunner
Reuters


Cristiano Ronaldo saved the best until last to down his old club for the second time this season and secure a top seeding in the Champions League knock-out phase for Manchester United.



Ronaldo and Anderson celebrate the Portuguese's late free-kick.


After his one-man mission to inflict more damage on Sporting Lisbon appeared certain to end in frustration, Ronaldo stepped up to drive home a 25-yard free-kick in the second minute of stoppage time.


The Portuguese outfit must be sick of the sight of the man they nurtured through his formative years.


It was Ronaldo who settled the previous meeting between the sides in September and his sixth goal of United's European campaign will offer Sir Alex Ferguson some much-needed breathing space in his team selection for the final 'dead-rubber' against also-qualified AS Roma in a fortnight.


Given the potentially explosive trip to the Stadio Olimpico comes just five days before a blockbuster Premier League encounter with Liverpool at Anfield, Ferguson wanted his side's Champions League status wrapped up.


The Scot looked like being frustrated, having only Carlos Tevez's leveller to show for their second half efforts after a woeful opening period saw Abel put the visitors in front and had them threatening what would have only been United's eighth home defeat in European competition.


Instead, Ronaldo produced a touch of class when it mattered and not surprisingly, Tomasz Kuszczak was the first one to congratulate him at the final whistle.


Kuszczak's blunder may not be dissected in quite the same manner as Scott Carson's inexplicable failure to keep out Niko Kranjcar's speculative shot at Wembley last week but if anything, the ramifications could be more serious, for the player at least.


Regular number one Edwin van der Sar is close to signing a one-year contract extension and England international Ben Foster has advanced sufficiently in his recovery from cruciate knee ligament surgery to at least be present on United's training ground, even if a first-team appearance is not expected until March.


However, with United out of the Carling Cup and needing to make up points on Arsenal in the Premier League, there is not that much room for experimentation


So, with every opportunity counting for the Poland star, it is little wonder he was left shaking his head in despair as he reflected on his mistake.


Abel deserves plenty of credit for the way he spotted the opening, then curled a superb shot in at the near post with the outside of his left foot from the right touchline.


However, Kuszczak could not escape blame, for it was his blatant anticipation of a cross which provided Abel with the space to finish.


Prior to the goal, the game had been memorable only for the appearance of a rodent sniffing around the Old Trafford pitch.


Abel's effort should have freshened United up, instead they just shrank into their shell and were fortunate Sporting did not double their advantage as Liedson was probably just onside when he was flagged off after turning home Anderson Polga's through ball.


Even Ronaldo became becalmed against his old club after previously appearing to be on a one-man scoring mission, darting through the visitors' defence on three occasions, without finding the finish.


Neither could Louis Saha get a decent connection on his shot when Ronaldo set him up with an impudent back-heeled through ball.


Just as at Bolton on Saturday, too many red shirts operated way below optimum levels and Ferguson must be concerned at the stuttering manner in which side have returned from their international break.


The United boss made his feelings on the first half debacle clear by introducing Ryan Giggs, who celebrates his 34th birthday on Thursday, and Tevez at the interval.


Tevez had the major impact, although United had to wait for their equaliser. Saha, who had an evening to forget, spurned a glorious chance when he delayed far too long after being set up by Ronaldo, while Nemanja Vidic nodded Giggs' corner wide.


The breakthrough eventually came thanks to Patrice Evra's scampering left-wing burst. Tevez knew little about it as Ronaldo's mis-hit shot from Saha's lay-off arrived at his feet but a firm deflection off the South American was enough to see United level.


Miguel Veloso, apparently a Red Devils transfer target, would have impressed most observers with an effective midfield display.


The Portugal international might even have capped his night with a goal too, only for his 20-yard strike to whistle just over.


The unedifying sight of Evra being booked for a blatant dive was not one which would appeal to Ferguson's sporting instincts but in the end Ronaldo gave the home fans something more palatable to remember.

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Ferguson relieved to claim top spot

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was relieved to see his Jekyll and Hyde team clinch top spot in their Champions League group with a narrow 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo's injury-time rocket of a free-kick against his former club won the match for the Red Devils, who improved markedly after the break following a dismal opening period.

The win made it nine straight home victories in the competition and continued their perfect record in Group F.

It also clinched top spot and, perhaps most importantly in the context of their season, made next month's final game at Roma a dead rubber.

With a visit to arch-rivals Liverpool to follow just four days later in the Barclays Premier League, it means he can send out a virtual second string against the Italians to ensure his men are ready for Anfield.

'It is important in the sense that when we go to Rome I will be able to use all my squad,' Ferguson said. 'One or two might not travel because there's an important game coming up against Liverpool.

'But we'll still play a team we hope can win the match.'

Ferguson was also left to wonder at Ronaldo's winner - barely deserved given United's stuttering display.

'It was a marvellous strike,' he said. 'He's done it before, he works very hard at that but it was a truly exceptional goal.

'I think that he always wants to do well against his old club because he owes a lot to Sporting Lisbon - they found him as a boy, he respects that and has great admiration for the club.'

Ferguson added: 'We just marginally won it. We were not a great deal better but increased our game in the second half, more speed and tempo, and managed to just edge it.'

It had seemed an unlikely victory at half-time after a woefully out-of-sorts United lurched into the break a goal down.

Tomasz Kuszczak, brought in for the rested Edwin van der Sar, did himself no favours by allowing Abel's cross-shot from only a couple of yards inside the right touchline to beat him at the near post in the 21st minute.

Liedson had a second ruled out harshly for offside soon afterwards, but it was Ferguson's introduction of Carlos Tevez at the interval which swung the match back in United's favour.

The Argentina striker poked home an equaliser on the hour mark as United belatedly found their feet, before Ronaldo's injury-time belter settled matters at the last.

Sporting manager Paulo Bento admitted his side had struggled to deal with United's second-half onslaught - and then admitted he fully expects to sell midfield instigator Miguel Veloso to the Red Devils, or another European giant, at the end of the season.

'I'm sure we are going to lose him because, taking into account the names of teams we are hearing about, we have no worries about losing him.'

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Ronaldo, Anderson back Veloso for Man Utd


Manchester United midfielder Anderson has told Sporting Lisbon's Miguel Veloso will be very welcome at Old Trafford.

After last night's 2-1 Champions League victory, Anderson said: "Veloso is a great player, the world knows that. Coming to Manchester, he will be well received. Everyone will help him reach his best here."

The Brazil international added: "My adjustment to English football has gone well. We're winning - and that obviously helps."

United ace Cristiano Ronaldo also said: "Manchester United always has it's doors open to great players. Veloso is a great player."

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Ronaldo tells Man Utd: Don't forget Moutinho

Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted of their interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho.

Asked about United's interest in Miguel Veloso, Ronaldo replied: "He's a great player. But so is Moutinho and Manchester United are always interested in great players."

On last night's 2-1 win, Ronaldo added: "In the first game, in Alvalade, I scored and now I've scored again. It hurts a little to score against your old team, but I'm a footballer and this is my job.

"Sporting were very good in the first-half, United were a bit too relaxed. But in the second 45 we dominated and were worthy winners.

"I think if it wasn't facing Manchester United, Sporting would have won tonight."

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Sporting Lisbon chairman angry with Man Utd's Queiroz over Veloso comments


Sporting Lisbon chairman Soares Franco has hit out at Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz for confirming their interest in Miguel Veloso before last night's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
"It was ethically highly reprehensible," said Franco. "I was disappointed that Carlos Queiroz would talk directly about Miguel Veloso. He should know the player is fully dedicated to Sporting and will remain our player."


Veloso favours Man Utd move

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso admits he favours a move to Manchester United if he must leave his Portuguese club.
Veloso said: "It's normal that I want to progress and even more so as I am young.

"If a great offer came from England it would be impossible to turn it down, but for now my head is 100 per cent focused on Sporting.

"Yet I'm not going to hide the fact that playing alongside Cristiano (Ronaldo) and Nani is one of my dreams."

Reports suggest a deal could be done as early as January, with the player valued at around £17 million.

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Kanchelskis: Man Utd will be too strong for Arsenal


Manchester United legend Andrei Kanchelskis has backed his old club to beat Arsenal for the Premiership title this season.

He said: "I've watched United on television this season, and they've been doing very well," Kanchelskis said. "They lost at Bolton, and they've got a lot of injuries at the moment, but they've still got a good chance of winning the league.

"Of course, it will be difficult, because Arsenal are a very good team, with quality all the way through. But when United played at The Emirates earlier this month, they should have won the game.

"I think it will come down to a straight fight between United and Arsenal. And in that fight, I would say that United have a very good chance of winning.

"But I don't think Chelsea will be serious contenders this season. After losing Jose Mourinho and bringing in a new coach, they are going through a transitional stage. For me, they have left themselves with too much to do."

On comparisons with United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Kanchelskis told the Manchester Evening News: "I'm just an ex-player, that's a question you would need to put to a coach. What I will say is that Cristiano Ronaldo is now a much, much better player than he was when he first arrived, because he has learned to play for the team.

"During his first season, he seemed to be playing for himself too much; there were too many tricks. Football is about 11 players, not one.

"But now he has developed as a player, and you can see the effect he has on the field for United."

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RUDE AWAKENING FOR UNITED
Sporting Lisbon took a shock lead against Manchester United in Tuesday's Champions League fixtures through scorer Abel (R), celebrating here with possible United transfer target, Miguel Veloso.

BACK IN THE GAME
Carlos Tevez celebrates scoring the equaliser at Old Trafford in the Group F game over the Portuguese side who needed a win to have any chance of progressing to the last 16.

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RONALDO TO THE RESCUE
Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a superb freekick in the 90th minute to give United a 2-1 win. It was the second time in two games against Sporting Lisbon that he had scored against his old club.

The GOALS

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Ronaldo happy to take King Eric's crown

After attracting comparisons with Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo has stated it is an honour to even be placed in the same bracket as the Manchester United legend.

Ronaldo’s celebration after striking a superb late free-kick against Sporting on Tuesday brought to mind the swaggering arrogance of Cantona at his best as Sir Alex Ferguson’s new attacking talisman brought Old Trafford to its feet.

In much the same way that United’s fans idolised Cantona despite some controversial moments, Old Trafford has also been a pillar of strength for Ronaldo despite him being made public enemy number one after England’s 2006 World Cup exit.

The reigning Footballer of the Year has now claimed nine goals in his last eight games and admits he is revelling in the comparison with the legendary Frenchman.

“It’s great to be compared with a player of Cantona’s reputation because he was so important for United,” said Ronaldo.

“Cantona was a great player, a fantastic player. I’ve seen tapes of him playing for United in the past and I enjoy watching him a lot because he was such a fantastic footballer.

"He’s a great guy and I enjoyed meeting him. I know what he meant to United and what he helped achieve in his time at the club.

“I’m a big fan of Cantona, not just because of what he achieved as a player, but because of the person he is.

“He always speaks well about the United team and the players. It is an honour to be talked about alongside him.

“But every player is different. Cantona had a different style to me, I have a different style to him. But it’s great to be compared with him. Things like that give me extra motivation to work hard and become a better player.”

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Carrick's Euro warning

MICHAEL Carrick has warned that United's Euro challenge won't begin in earnest until February.

The Reds will know the strength of their Champions League knockout stage task on December 21 when the draw is made for the next round.

But having finished top of Group F, the Premiership champions have at least manoeuvred their way clear of some of the biggest guns in the tournament.

A 100 per cent record so far in the opening five fixtures has installed United as second favourites behind 2006 winners Barcelona.

However, Carrick insists that the possible road to Moscow in May is going to be full of examinations for the Reds.

"A 100 per cent record is something to be proud of. We set out to top the group and we have managed to achieve that," said the midfielder.

"We have done a little part of the job but the biggest tests are still to come. The hard work starts in the spring.

"The job has been done so far but we will see how the draw goes. We will have to be at our best when the competition starts again after Christmas. Winning is such a nice habit to get into. We have managed to do that of late. We had a bit of a blip on Saturday at Bolton but that happens.

"We had that last season. It is how you bounce back. We have managed to bounce back with a win against Sporting and hopefully we can carry it on."

United had to endure a below-par first half and going a goal down before managing to overturn Lisbon's lead with goals from Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It was a strange game. The first-half was tough. It wasn't quite happening for us. But that happens sometimes," added Carrick.

"Thankfully, we created enough chances to win the game in the second-half.

"It looked like it was going to end in a draw. We really wanted to win the game, finish top and put the group to bed. It was just a little bit frustrating. I thought we did enough to win. We just left it late."

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Man Utd long-term concerns over Neville, Brown

Manchester United are concerned over Gary Neville's fitness problems.

Neville was again withdrawn from last night's reserve-team game against Sunderland, though he is training with the first team squad.

The Times says Neville's problems are a cause for concern in the long term for United, particularly as Wes Brown, his stand-in, has yet to agree a new contract. Brown's present deal expires at the end of the season and, in theory, he would be free to sign a precontract agreement with an overseas club from January 1 if nothing has been agreed.

United maintain that this will not happen and are aware that the defender wants to stay, but sources at the club have indicated that the parties remain some way off an agreement.

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Rooney poised to tackle Cottagers

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is set to return to the Red Devils side for Monday's televised Old Trafford clash with Fulham.Rooney has missed three games, plus two England internationals, since suffering a freak ankle injury in training but should resume his productive partnership with Carlos Tevez as United look to atone for last week's surprising defeat at Bolton.

Sir Alex Ferguson reports no fresh injury concerns from the midweek win over Sporting Lisbon so Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves, Edwin van der Sar and Wes Brown are among those set for recalls.

Kick-off is at 8pm.

United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Pique, Simpson, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Tevez, Rooney, Saha.

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As all our big competition won over the weekend, we gotta WIN this 1..

Man Utd v Fulham

Old Trafford
Monday, 3 December
Kick-off: 2000 GMT

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is set to return to face Fulham after recovering from his ankle injury.

Rooney will link up with Carlos Tevez up front and United could give recalls to Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves, Edwin van der Sar and Wes Brown too.

Fulham full-back Moritz Volz will not play despite a reserve outing after his shoulder, groin and foot problems.

Phillipe Christanval, Kasey Keller, Lee Cook, Ian Pearce, Brian McBride, Simon Elliot and Jimmy Bullard are also out.

Rooney hands United boss Sir Alex Ferguson a major boost after they slipped up with a 1-0 defeat at Bolton last weekend in the Premier League.

The England striker has missed three United matches and two England games since suffering the freak injury in training.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Pique, Simpson, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Tevez, Rooney, Saha.

Fulham (from): Niemi, Warner, Baird, Omozusi, Hughes, Stefanovic, Bocanegra, Konchesky, Davies, Davis, Murphy, Dempsey, Kamara, Kuqi, Healy, Bouazza, Smertin, Leijer, Seol, Volz.

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"Wayne has been training with the first team and has a few extra days to prepare, so I think he will be ready. He won't need any encouragement to play that is for sure.
"His endurance work is fine and his fitness levels are good. He has not even been out for a month so I wouldn't imagine it will take him a long time to get his rhythm."

"You do miss these players. You cope but you still miss them. Wayne was on a good run of form before he got injured and hopefully he can continue it."

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez:
"It's the biggest ground in the country, they are the champions, and the quality of the players on show is terrific. It's a great challenge, I'm looking forward to it.
"I was lucky enough as a player to walk out of there a couple of times as a winner, so I know what it's like.

"Taking my team back there , my first time as a Premier League manager, I'm looking for us to have a go."

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester United defend their unbeaten home Premier League record against a Fulham side still searching for a first away win.

United have lost just two Premier League fixtures this season; Fulham have won two.

Prior to securing top spot in their group in the Champions League on Tuesday, United lost 1-0 away to Bolton. They have not suffered back-to-back defeats in 95 Premier League fixtures since April 2005.

The Red Devils are pursuing a seventh home League win on the bounce against the Premier League draw specialists in Fulham, who've finished all square on seven occasions.

Fulham made their Premier League debut at Old Trafford in August 2001. They twice led the defending champions but eventually succumbed by the odd goal in five, and have only managed to arrest maximum points from the Red Devils once in 11 subsequent attempts.

CLUB FORM
MANCHESTER UNITED

Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Last weekend's 1-0 loss at Bolton ended a 10-match unbeaten sequence in the Premier League.

2. Last lost successive league games on 9 and 20 April 2005, away to Norwich and Everton.

3. Failed to score in one of the last 11 in all competitions (v Bolton).

4. Conceded just seven Premier League goals in 14 outings; that's one every three hours. Only Liverpool have shipped fewer - six.

5. Opened the scoring in an unrivalled 10 Premier League matches this season, eight of which were won and two drawn.

6. Won the last six in league and cup at home, since losing 0-2 to Coventry in the third round of the Carling Cup on 26 September.

7. One of six Premier League clubs still holding an unbeaten home record.

8. Won the last six Premier League matches at Old Trafford against Tottenham, Sunderland, Chelsea, Wigan, Middlesbrough and Blackburn, keeping clean sheets in five of them.

9. Conceded only one home goal in this Premier League season (v Middlesbrough); the best home defensive record in the highest league.

10. Three pre-Christmas Premier League fixtures remain; against Derby (h), Liverpool (a) and Everton (h).

FULHAM

Club stats
Fixtures
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won one of 11 in all competitions.

2. Won four of 31 Premier League matches in 2007 - one of the last 12; 3-1 against Reading on 3 November.

3. Won three of 19 league matches under Lawrie Sanchez.

4. The current tally of 13 points after 14 matches is their lowest ever to this stage of a Premier League campaign.

5. Still the strongest first-half club in the Premier League, leading in seven and drawing in six of their 14 games at the break.

6. Cannot close out games. Lost the lead eight times in league matches this season and beaten in an unequalled three games in which they held the lead; against Arsenal (a), Middlesbrough (h) and Aston Villa (a). Dropped an unparalleled 17 Premier League points from winning positions.

7. Yet to beat a top-half club. Drawn three and lost four of their seven fixtures against clubs currently in the top 10.

8. Drawn 50% of their league games; seven of 14.

9. The highest placed of seven clubs still without an away win in the Premier League. On the longest current streak of 23 matches without an away victory, picking up 11 points from a possible 69 since the 1-2 defeat of Newcastle at St James' Park on 9 September last year. Won two of the last 44 league games away from Craven Cottage.

10. This is the first of back-to-back league fixtures in the north-west; must visit Everton after this, before pre-Christmas home clashes with Newcastle and Wigan.

KEY PLAYER NOTES
MANCHESTER UNITED

Cristiano RONALDO is Manchester United's top scorer this season with 11 goals (netted in his last 12 appearances).

RONALDO is also the leading Premier League marksman with six.

The Portugal World Cup star has scored five Premier League goals against Fulham; four in three appearances against them.

Ryan GIGGS is one short of 100 career league goals.

Rio FERDINAND is the only remaining player to have started all of Manchester United's Premier League matches this season.

Edwin VAN DER SAR will be keeping goal against his former club. The 37 year old Holland international made 154 appearances (127 in the league) for Fulham from August 2001, before signing for United in June 2005.

Louis SAHA will be facing a former club. The 29 year old France international made 143 appearances (117 in the league) and scored 63 goals (53 league) for the Cottagers between June 2000 to his £12.8m move to Old Trafford in January 2004.

If on the field from the outset:-

When he returns from injury and next plays from the outset, Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.

Chris EAGLES will be making his 50th club league start (Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday).

FULHAM

Clint DEMPSEY and David HEALY are Fulham's joint top scorers with four goals each; only DEMPSEY'S are all Premier League goals.

If selected:-
HEALY will be facing a former club. The 28 year old Northern Ireland international was a Manchester United trainee, making three appearances before joining Preston for £1.5m in December 2000.

Diomansy KAMARA will be making his 100th English league appearance (Portsmouth, West Brom and Fulham).

If on the field from the outset:-

Shefki KUQI will be making his 200th English league start (Stockport, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich, Blackburn, Crystal Palace and Fulham).

HEAD TO HEAD
The Cottagers' only points in six Premier League trips to the Theatre of Dreams came in a 1-3 victory on 25 October 2003, when Lee Clark, Steed Malbranque and Junichi Inamoto were their scorers.

The last two matches between the Red Devils and Fulham at Old Trafford have produced 12 goals with 4-2, and 5-1 victories for the home side.

Fulham were one of 12 clubs Manchester United 'doubled' last season, while United were one of three to do the double over the Cottagers last term.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Man Utd 31 wins, Fulham 10, Draws 13
Prem: Man Utd 8 wins, Fulham 1, Draws 3

at Man Utd only
League (inc PL): Man Utd 22 wins, Fulham 2, Draws 3
Prem: Man Utd 5 wins, Fulham 1, Draws 0


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 5-1 Fulham
20 August 2006 - Ref: Andre Marriner
Man United scorers: Saha 7, Pearce 15 og, Rooney 16, Ronaldo 19, Rooney 64
Fulham scorer: Ferdinand 40 og

REFEREE
Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)

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A day after being named the second-best player in Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo has the chance to strut his stuff against Fulham.

Ronaldo was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or award behind Milan playmaker Kaka following an exceptional year, and has hit his stride this season with 11 goals in his last 12 games.

The winger's partner in crime Wayne Rooney is set to return after his latest injury lay-off, giving Alex Ferguson the rare luxury of a selection dilemma up front.

Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Louis Saha are all fit, and the Frenchman could find himself relegated to the bench.

Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves, Edwin van der Sar and Wes Brown could all return after Ferguson fielded a weakened team against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

United find themselves under pressure, after wins for Chelsea and Liverpool saw them relegated to fourth in the Premier League table over the weekend.

Fulham have major injury problems of their own, with Jimmy Bullard, Brian McBride, Kasey Keller, Ian Pearce, Phillipe Christanval, Lee Cook and Simon Elliot all injured and Moritz Volz lacking match fitness.

Lawrie Sanchez's men will be looking to keep things tight early on - the last time they visited Old Trafford they were 4-0 down within 20 minutes.

However, Fulham have conceded 32 goals in 15 games, making their defence the second-worst in the division ahead of Derby.

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Man Utd 2-0 Fulham: Ronaldo bags a brace



Cristiano Ronaldo emphasised his claims to be the best player on the planet with a match-winning double for Manchester United against Fulham.




Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first goal

It was the 11th time Ronaldo has scored twice in a game for the Red Devils - but his wait for a hat-trick goes on after referee Rob Styles booked the Portugal winger for diving rather than awarding what seemed a certain penalty when he fell over Antti Niemi's body as he pursued a Ryan Giggs' through ball.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo's efforts were enough to see United reclaim second spot in the Barclays Premier League with their seventh straight home win - three points adrift of Arsenal, who also have a game in hand.

Having finished runner-up to Kaka in the voting for the prestigious Ballon D'Or this week, Ronaldo is expected to occupy the same position when FIFA host their world player of the year awards in Zurich later this month.

Other than winning the Champions League with United, or Euro 2008 with Portugal, it is difficult to know what more Ronaldo can do to impress the judges.


• Fergie points finger at Niemi Having netted a phenomenal 23 goals last season, the former Sporting Lisbon star is already up to 13 this term and few would have been better than his opening salvo here.

When Steven Davis inexplicably nodded what should have been a clearing header straight back into his own penalty area, Nemanja Vidic climbed high enough to nod the ball into Ronaldo's path.

From 10 yards, the winger let fly with a thunderbolt volley Niemi had no chance at all of keeping out.

It was the only thing Niemi did not keep out during an outstanding first-half performance as the Finland goalkeeper proved a particularly frustration for Carlos Tevez.

After denying Tevez with one excellent point-blank save, Niemi pulled off an even better one midway through the opening period after the Argentinian nipped in front of Dejan Stefanovic to reach Ryan Giggs' near-post cross.

True, Tevez's shot struck Niemi flush in the face but no matter. Any part of the body will do.

Tevez was denied again in stoppage-time; Niemi alive to his disguised curling shot to the near post as Wayne Rooney waited for a deeper cross.

On his return to action following an ankle injury, Rooney flitted in and out of the contest, scuffing one effort after being sent through by Rio Ferdinand and another after the interval when Ryan Giggs had set him up.

He also lost his rag with Ronaldo at a failure to supply a simple pass instead of embarking on a series of tricks and left the pitch in a bad mood as well after a couple of borderline offside decisions had gone against him.

At times, United were so much in command it was too easy and as a consequence, passes went astray, offering Fulham hope of avoiding what should have been inevitable defeat.

Danny Murphy, twice the scorer of matchwinners on this ground for Liverpool, forced Edwin van der Sar into a low save and also curled a 20-yard shot just wide.

It was Shefki Kuqi who had the best chance though, arriving unmarked to meet Simon Davies' cross, yet failing to keep his header on target.

Not much changed immediately after the break but any lingering fears of points being needlessly tossed away were dismissed by Ronaldo's second.

Premier League defenders know all about Ronaldo's dancing feet but his heading ability was recently likened to that of 'King' Denis Law by Ferguson, whose words were proved unerringly accurate as he rose to meet John O'Shea's cross and glance it into the bottom corner.

United really should have won by more but after Rooney missed his golden chance, referee Rob Styles booked Ronaldo for diving as he tumbled over Niemi, who had come sliding out to block after the winger had been sent through by Louis Saha.

Whilst it was true no contact had been made, it was only because Ronaldo had taken evasive action and Sir Alex Ferguson's fury on the touchline was understandable.

Niemi denied Ronaldo by more legitimate means not long afterwards before keeping out further efforts from Giggs and Saha to keep the score respectable.

• Fergie points finger at Niemi

Sir Alex Ferguson accused Fulham keeper Antti Niemi of conning Rob Styles into booking Cristiano Ronaldo for diving at Old Trafford tonight.

'There is no question their goalkeeper conned the referee,' fumed Ferguson. 'His action forced the referee to book Cristiano.

'Why would he want to go down? He was on a hat-trick, he had gone round the keeper and he was brought down. It was a ridiculous decision.'

Ferguson feels the ruling is a legacy of Ronaldo's early days at United, when he was branded a diver after a series of theatrical falls.

'There is this perceived idea of Cristiano that he is going to dive,' he said. 'It is quite unfair because he is nothing like that now. He is more mature and a magnificent footballer. He was one on one and he could not get out of the way.'

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez was quick to defend Niemi, although he attempted to side-step the issue over whether Ronaldo had dived or should have been awarded a spot-kick.

'Antti was trying to tell the referee he had not touched Ronaldo - and he hadn't,' said Sanchez. 'Maybe if Ronaldo had dragged his feet, he would have got a penalty but he didn't, he sprawled over him. Is that a penalty or not? I don't know.

'But if he had gone straight over the top, he probably would have scored.'

Sanchez's argument is unlikely to cut any ice with Ferguson, who watched Ronaldo miss out on a hat-trick after scoring twice for the 11th time in his United career.

Although Niemi's legitimate heroics were largely responsible for keeping the score down, the two goals Fulham conceded were totally self-inflicted.

It was Steven Davis' wayward clearing header that provided Nemanja Vidic with the opportunity to set up Ronaldo for his brilliant first-half volley.

Then Dejan Stefanovic completed lost the former Sporting Lisbon player in the second period as he nodded home John O'Shea's cross for his 13th goal of another incredible campaign.

Having finished runner-up to Kaka for the prestigious Ballon D'Or at the weekend, Ronaldo could not have done much more to impress the voters for FIFA's world player of the year prize later this month.

His efforts saw United complete their seventh straight home win, which allowed them to move back into second spot, three points adrift of leaders Arsenal, who head a title race that is turning into a rare old scrap.

'I said at the start of the season that after finishing so far behind last year, Arsenal and Liverpool wouldn't want that again,' observed Ferguson, who confirmed both Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand had been forced off after a stomach virus hit the United camp this week.

'We expected improvement from them both. Arsenal are doing very well, Liverpool are winning a few games and Chelsea's form since they lost to us has been very good.

'I think you are going to get that now. It is going to be a real battle for the league.'