Rooney’s Red Mist

If the Rooney family wasn’t in the spotlight enough due to Wayne Rooney Sr. being arrested earlier in the week for sports betting then junior added to it by being sent off for England in their 2012 Euro qualifier against Montenegro.

Just when you thought the England and Manchester United forward had matured he shows his immaturity once again as his judgment was clouded with red mist after losing the ball, he then proceeded to make reckless kick out on Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic.

Rooney’s Hair

A few days ago i heard that Wayne Rooney was going to do a hair transplant, i thought this must be some sort of joke or poor rumor but apparently it wasn’t as the Manchester United and England striker confirmed it via his twitter account.

Rooney said: “Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25 why not? I’m delighted with the result.

It’s still a bit bruised and swollen when it dies down u will be first to see it. Anyone recommend any good hair gel. Haha”

Paul Scholes: The Ginger Prince Retires

“I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour. This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing. To have been part of the team that helped the Club reach that 19th title is a great privilege.”

“I would like to thank the fans for their tremendous support throughout my career, I would also like to thank all the coaches and players that I have worked with over the years, but most of all I would like to thank Sir Alex for being such a great manager, from the day I joined the club his door has always been open and I know this team will go on to win many more trophies under his leadership.” – Paul Scholes

Here’s some quotes that fellow footballers said about the legendary Ginger Prince…

Pele: “If he was playing with me, I would score so many more.”

Zinedine Zidane : “My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation.”

FC Barcelona: 2010/11 UEFA Champions League Champions

Congratulations FC Barcelona!

It was a match with huge build up and high expectations, FC Barcelona were heavy favorites to lift the trophy and they did just that. Goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi & David Villa were enough to see the Catalan Giants lift and impressive 4th Champions League title. Today’s game was a rematch of the 2009 final at Rome in which Barcelona defeated United 2-0 with goals from Samuel Eto’o & Lionel Messi.

This encounter was played at the famous Wembley Stadium infront of 87,695 screaming fans, the last time these two teams played they broke the record for TV viewers for a sporting even out doing the Super Bowl, the viewing audience for to was a record of 300 Million viewers.

19: Are You Watching Merseyside?

Are you watching Merseyside?
Are you watching Merseyside?
Are you watching Merseyside?

Manchester United Are Champions For A 19th Time!

Many journalists had written United off to win the English Premier League title this season due to the lack of spending they did in the transfer market last summer and the amount of spending their title rivals did, some of them went as far as predicting that United would miss out on a top four finish all together. Only two new players were added to the squad for the upcoming 2010-11 season, the little know Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Chris Smalling.

Winning title 19 was always a dream of manager Sir Alex Ferguson who made it clear when he said: “My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch, And you can print that.”

This famous quote came to be when football analyst Alan Hansen said: “You don’t win anything with kids”  and considered getting a struggling Manchester United back in title as the greatest challenge of  Fergie’s career, United were six points behind leaders Arsenal who had won the league and finished ten points ahead of United.

Many trophies later and he’s done just that, knock Liverpool right off their fucking perch. Title 19 didn’t come easy as on a few occasions United had fell behind in some key matches and had to claw themselves back into the match to get a positive result. Matches against Stoke City, Aston Villa, Blackpool, City are games that all United fans will remember and question, what if? Those were some memorable matches and shall not be forgotten by any United fan who witnessed them via television, radio or internet.

The memories that have been taken from those matches are priceless, Chicharito’s backwards header and game winning goal against Stoke City, United’s comebacks against Aston Villa & Blackpool and Rooney’s outstanding bicycle kick against noisy neighbors City. The title race came down to the final matches of the season after months of battling with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea & Manchester City.

A two horse race between United and Arsenal slowly became three as both United and Arsenal were dropping points and outgoing champions Chelsea were taking advantage of this and eventually crept right back  into the race. United had all but squandered their lead completely and were just three points ahead of Chelsea with the Blues coming to Old Trafford the following weekend. United went on to win the match 2-1 despite some dodgy officiating by Howard Webb

There are a few players that deserve honorable mentions and played a huge part in helping Manchester United get this record achievement, Ryan Giggs, Edwin van Der Sar, Nani, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov & Antonio Valencia. While United were dealing with an out of form and sometimes injured Wayne Rooney it was Nani who was the driving force for United in many matches with his goals and assists.

While Manchester United fans all around the world are celebrating a triumphant 19th title Liverpool players past, present and their supporters are somewhere weeping as if their entire world has crumbled beneath their feet as their rivals rise above them in titles.

Rooney Helps United Across Stamford Bridge

Wayne Rooney’s 24th minute goal was enough to get Manchester United a 1st Leg victory over their English counterparts at Stamford Bridge. A man that was once having a bad spell on and off the pitch has now seemingly dusted himself off and is back on his game, Rooney has been banging in the goals lately for United and his performances on the pitch has gotten better and better and he now looking like the Wayne Rooney of last season.

The Reds’ welcomed back into action goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and defender Rio Ferdinand who had been out of action for two months. The match didn’t start out to brightly for Wayne Rooney who was taken out by Michael Essien in the 3rd minute with a studs up challenge, Rooney lay on the pitch in pain but recovered from the knock. Surprisingly the Chelsea midfielder escaped punishment from a challenge worthy or a caution.

The Manchester United & England striker got his revenge in the 24th minute when he opened up the scoring after Michael Carrick played a nice pass far left to Ryan Giggs who controlled the ball and got pass Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa in the process and played the ball back to a wide open Rooney who side footed the ball off the far post and into the net giving United a 1-0 and a vital away goal.

United held on to win the match from Rooney’s goal and will now look to progress into the semi-finals stage of the Champions League when they play Chelsea FC in the return leg of the tie at Old Trafford. This was United’s first win over Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge since April of 2002

Rooney Inspire Amazing United Comeback

Wayne Rooney’s second half hat-trick kept Manchester United’s title hopes on track at Upton Park. The England international who has had a rough season after performing so well last season looked to have found his goal scoring touch once again.

In the first half United dominated the possession but it was West Ham United who enjoyed the first 45 minutes of this dramatic match. Mark Noble gave the Hammers a 2-0 lead by converting two penalties, the first of which was for a handball on United left back Patrice Evra and the second from a foul committed by United captain Nemanja Vidic on Carlton Cole.

The first penalty decision was fairly called as Patrice Evra clearly handled the ball intentionally after Carlton Cole popped the ball in the air, Mark Noble stepped up and slotted home the penalty in the 11th minute sending stand in goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak the wrong direction. On the second penalty the referee Lee Mason got it all wrong but in fairness to him it was a decision he had to make in a split second on a play that would’ve needed instant replay to have the decision overturned but there’s no instant replay in football, well atleast the real football. Nemanja Vidic’s foul on Carlton Cole was just on the outside the penalty area but the West Ham striker fell into the area and was rewarded with a penalty kick which Mark Noble stepped up and blasted into the net pass the outstretched hand of Tomasz Kuszczak giving the Hammers a 2-0 lead at home.

The second half of the match saw United making a few changes with Patrice Evra being subbed off and replaced by Javier Hernandez, the left back position was then filled in by Ryan Giggs. The Reds’ came out  for the second half determined to get something from this match to keep their title rivals at bay, United started passing the ball around the pitch much better than they did in the first half and were creating problems for the Hammers.

United got a lifeline in the 65th minute from a sweetly struck Wayne Rooney freekick, in the 73rd minute he was on the score sheet again this time he received a long pass from Antonio Valencia and touched it pass a West Ham defender then fired the ball into the goal to bring United level.

With 17 minutes of normal time remaining United were on the up while West Ham’s defense started to look shakier by the minute, now with the match even on the scoreline at 2-2 United pressed forward in search of a game winning goal while the Hammers were hoping to hold on for a valuable point in their fight to avoid relegation. This day was to be United’s day though as the Reds’ completed a remarkable comeback when they were rewarded a penalty of their own as Matthew Upson was judge to have handled the ball intentionally after Fabio had made a nice run into the box and tried to play the ball back to a teammate. Rooney stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted home the ball to complete his hat-trick and an amazing comeback and second half hat-trick.

The scoring wasn’t over there as Reds’ continued to push forward and cause further damage to an already demoralized West Ham team and were rewarded once again when Ryan Giggs fired a shot across the box which traveled pass one defender and through the legs of two West Ham defenders to an onrushing Javier Hernandez who slid in to knock the ball into the net, it was game over after that. That goal not only sealed an amazing comeback but also pushed West Ham down into the relegation zone. A match like this is sure to help Manchester United in their hopes of winning a record 19th league title.

Chicharito Edges United Past Marseille

United got off to a high tempo start attacking Marseille the moment the match started, Fergies men had the hunger in their eyes to move put their French counterparts away early. Barely five minutes into the match and United got the opener after some lovely ball movement which saw Wayne Rooney play a nice pass across the box out the reach of Marseille goalkeeper Stevem Mandanda and it was side footed home by the young Mexican Javier Hernandez to give United a well deserved lead.

The Red’s were doing a nice job passing the ball around the pitch and the movement of the players were causing plenty of problems for Marseille most notably by Chicharito.

It wasn’t completely one way traffic as Marseille were getting chances and could’ve easily had two goals but failed to capitalize on the few chances they got and had to go into the half 1-0 but not out of the tie.

The second half of the match saw Marseille on the front foot and they started creating opportunities to get an equalizer but the United defense were holding their ground. The French outfit continued pushing forward to get an equalizer knowing that if the match finished at 1-1 they’ll be through on the away goals rule.

The match was growing more and more nervy as the scored stayed at 1-0 while the French side were creating chances but the Hernandez looked to have put the tie to bed in the 72nd minute after Ryan Giggs played a ball across the box to the wide open Mexican to slot the ball home.

The tie wasn’t over and Marseille kept pressing forward and got their goal in the 82nd minute when a corner kick was swung in and United defender Wes Brown could only manage to head the ball into his own net. The Reds’ seemed to be a bit off balance from the goal knowing another Marseille goal would mean that they will have to win the match but the Reds’ held on and were able to get their win and move onto the next round where they will most certainly come up against tougher opposition.

It wasn’t a totally joyful night as United’s injury worries continued as they lost both John O’Shea and Rafael Da Silva to hamstring injuries.