The stage is set for the return to Old Trafford of Cristiano Ronaldo after Real Madrid were drawn against Manchester United in the last 16 knockout stage. Jose Mourinho’s Real have had an indifferent season so far with intense pressure from the Spanish media following an indifferent season while Barcelona have raced into a virtually […]
Europe
United thoughts on derby
MAN UNITED 0, CFR 1907 CLUJ 1. Manchester United’s thoughts were clearly elsewhere – on Sunday’s Manchester derby – as they completed their Champions League group phase with a disappointing home defeat against Cluj. With qualification to the knockout phase already assured, this was a dead rubber against the Romanian champions as far as the […]
Misfiring City’s Euro exit
BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1, MANCHESTER CITY 0 Manchester City have exited the Champions League at the group stage for the second time in two years, becoming the first English side to fail to pick up any wins from their six group stage games as they didn’t even qualify for a place in the Europa League. A […]
City find Madrid the ‘real’ deal
MAN CITY 1, REAL MADRID 1 Manchester City’s exit from the Champions League was sealed with their failure to beat Real Madrid in their final home game in Group D. And City manager Roberto Mancini admitted they were punished for earlier mistakes and they must learn from them. He said: “We didn’t lose tonight. We […]
Fergie’s eye on the future
GALATASARAY 1, MAN UNITED 0 Sir Alex Ferguson clearly had one eye to the future as he fielded his third youngest Manchester United starting line up for a Champions League match. Already assured of top spot in Group H, the Reds’ manager decided to experiment in Istanbul against Turks Galatasaray. There was no Rooney, van […]