Cristiano Ronaldo who's he? AC Milan's Kaka, Gattuso and Seedorf are just magnifico

Cristiano Ronaldo who's he? AC Milan's Kaka, Gattuso and Seedorf are just magnifico



A Milan fan basks in the glory of one of the great displays of the season as the Rossoneri prepare for a repeat of the 2005 Champions League Final.

What a demolition! AC Milan played fantastically well to storm into the Champions League Final and end Manchester United's hopes. I predicted 3-1 to the Rossoneri, but I'll take 3-0.

Before the semi-finals, two names were being spoken about - Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. Now we need to talk about Kaka and Gennaro Gattuso. Talk about heart! Kaka running around, scoring and stirring the crowd, and Gattuso, making Ronaldo look like he hadn't seen a football before and firing up the team.

Manchester United were supposed to be able to score at least one goal while Milan were supposed to struggle to score. But the Italian side simply enforced themselves on their opponents, who were never allowed to play their own game and were helpless when the Rossoneri had the ball. Milan double-marked Ronaldo, yet none of the other United players could find any space.

And what are Milan feeding to Clarence Seedorf? Since scoring against Bayern Munich, he has really picked up his game and his clever header back to Kaka, who finished neatly in the bottom right-hand corner, was fantastic to watch. He followed up with a goal of his own, displaying strength and balance to retain the ball under pressure from two United players and then get his shot off.

I did start to feel a little nervous as Milan started to retreat into their own half again in the second period, but this time their was no injury to Gattuso and fellow midfielders Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini and Seedorf did really well.

When Alberto Gilardino came on late and scored, the Manchester United players knew they were done. They started playing a bit dirty, something Gattuso refused to accept - picking up a yellow card for his sins.

But Milan deserved their victory. They were the better side for large portions of both legs and played with fantastic heart to come back from a deficit twice. All credit to United, though; they played with great spirit despite having many injuries and also needing to focus on the Premier League.

Ronaldo Earns Larsson Praise

Ronaldo Earns Larsson Praise



Henrik Larsson has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo, and has insisted that his former Manchester United teammate deserves his Player of the Year awards.

"I was pleased to see Cristiano Ronaldo pick up the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards in the English Premiership," he told manutd.com.

"Since he is being talked about as the greatest player in the world it's not a surprise that he got those awards.

"He definitely deserves them. Having played together at Manchester United I have nothing but admiration for him.

"He has tremendous skill and also puts in a lot of hard work. He's a fantastic player and it's amazing to think that he will only get better."

The former Barcelona and Celtic striker also praised the rest of the side for their efforts over what has the makings of a very successful season, but admitted that the Portuguese was the cherry in the pie, so to speak.

"There are a number of players at United who could have won the award, because there is so much talent in the side, but Cristiano does stand out a bit," continued the Swede.

Cristiano Ronaldo voted PFA player of the year in England

Cristiano Ronaldo voted PFA player of the year in England




Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo won two player of the year awards voted for by his fellow Premier League players on Sunday.

Ronaldo won the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year and young player of the year at a dinner in London. He's the first man since Aston Villa striker Andy Gray in 1977 to win both awards in the same season.

Ronaldo beat Chelsea striker Didier Drogba for the honor, with United teammate Paul Scholes finishing third. The other contenders were United winger Ryan Giggs, Liverpool midfielder and last year's winner Steven Gerrard, and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The 22-year-old Portugal international has been a key member of United's side this season as they bid to repeat their 1999 treble of English Premier League, European Champions League and English FA Cup trophies. He's scored 21 goals for United so far this season.

Ronaldo's future at United was uncertain at the beginning of the season after he clashed with United teammate Wayne Rooney in the World Cup quarter-final match between Portugal and England in July. He publicly considered leaving but was persuaded to stay.

"Everything is right this season and I am really enjoying it," said Ronaldo, who signed a five-year contract on April 13.

"I am still young and I am learning more every day. I have much time to learn more and improve myself. I try to improve all aspects of my football not only in training but also in games."

Ronaldo is the first United player to win the senior award since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002. Rooney has won the young player of the year award the past two seasons.

Ronaldo Pens New Five-Year Contract

Ronaldo Pens New Five-Year Contract





Cristiano Ronaldo has ended speculation about his future by signing a new five-year contract with Manchester United. The winger had been linked with a move to Barcelona; but has spoken of his delight at finally agreeing terms at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo has committed his future to Manchester United by signing a lucrative new five-year contract.

The Portuguese international had been strongly linked with a summer move to Barcelona; but speculation suggesting that the winger was set to leave Old Trafford has been squashed with the news that Ronaldo has penned a new deal reportedly worth £25million.

"I am delighted. I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson about my future and everyone knew that I wanted to stay," said the 22-year-old.

"I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season."

Ronaldo has been on superb form for United this season and the news will come as a massive boost

Champions League: Man. United's Cristiano Ronaldo Right Up There - Ancelotti

Champions League: Man. United's Cristiano Ronaldo Right Up There - Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti is confident about Milan's Champions League prospects despite being in the mix with three in-form English teams.

"We have had great results up until now and we are in the top four in Europe, with really strong sides out of the competition," said Ancelotti."


Now we have as much of a chance to win the Champions League as anyone else."


Asked about the presence of three English teams, he responded: "It's a cycle, in 2003 there were three Italian sides in the semis, there have been Spanish, now it's the English who have made the difference through their great investment."


Manchester United are very strong, very fast and use the characteristics of their players very well."We have to stop them playing on the counter-attack and in the semi-finals of the Champions League experience, and the ability to control the game count for a lot."


Cristiano Ronaldo?

He's one of the best players in the world."

Delighted Cristiano Ronaldo Explains Red Devil Decision

Delighted Cristiano Ronaldo Explains Red Devil Decision



Portuguese international number 17 and Manchester United number 7 Cristiano Ronaldo explained the factors behind his choice to sign a new five-year deal at Manchester United, rather than listening to the increasing crescendo of sirens from abroad.

The new deal will see him at Old Trafford until 2012, putting a bolt-gun to the head of months of increasingly frothy speculation linking him to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as Inter Milan.“Everything is sorted,” Ronaldo beamed. “I want to stay and I think I’m at the right club. This is why I signed in the first place and the big reason is to win trophies.”

“Of course the club, the boss, the staff, everything is great and I’m happy at the club. The supporters have also helped me so much,” added the smiling wingman.

When asked what made it the right club for his future he was quick off the mark. “Everything. I am happy here with my colleagues, my friends and my Coaches and have improved a lot here because I arrived here young, at 18 years old.”

“I think I have learned so much and I still can learn. Everyone has helped me. I am in a good moment and I want to keep going like that and I can’t think of a better place to be”, he explained to Portugal’s Golorama.Both Barcelona and Real Madrid had unveiled interest the 22 year-old, but the player says he always turned a deaf ear.

“I never really thought about it. I spoke with David Gill (United chief executive), my agent and with the gaffer. We spoke about the contract every week.”

“The media speak about what they want, this is normal. But the boss knew because I told him every time that I wanted to stay here. Now we’ve finished the deal and I want to stay because this is the best club in the world any player could dream of.”

Manchester United: Denis Law Puts Cristiano Ronaldo On Par With George Best

Manchester United: Denis Law Puts Cristiano Ronaldo On Par With George Best



The superlatives just keep coming for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese winger has been on fire this season, and hit his 21st goal of the campaign in Saturday's excellent 4-1 defeat of Watford in the FA Cup semi-final.

His manager Sir Alex Ferguson, chuffed to bits at having tied the coveted star to a new five-year deal at Old Trafford, has been gushing with praise, hailing th player as the best in the world at the moment. The likes of Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs have been quick to echo the boss's view, while Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti reckons Ronaldo is right up there with the world's best.

And talking of best, United's legendary striker from the 1960s, Denis Law, has now paid Ronaldo the ultimate compliment by bracketing him with the late George Best (pictured).Best is firmly entrenched in Old Trafford folklore as one of the - if not the - greatest players ever to pull on the Red Devils' shirt. And Law - revered as the King of Old Trafford - who played alongside Best in Sir Matt Busby's brilliant and buccaneering side of the 1963-68 era as part of the "holy trinity" of Best-Law-Charlton, says of Ronaldo:"The way he's playing he could go on to become United's greatest player. He's so exciting."Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme, Law added: "And when you have Rooney with him as well, that's a formidable duo. They could go on and win everything."It's very difficult to compare Ronaldo and George Best, but if Bestie played in this team, they'd be on a par."Law went on to say he felt that United could win three trophies this season."This team has got everything. There's a great chance they can do the Treble."They're in the final of the FA Cup, I think they're a certainty to win the league so it's a matter of if they play well in the Champions League semi-final against Milan."