[EPL] Man Utd v Middlesbro'
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Title Will Satisfy Sir, So Long As Boro Don't Cripple Ronnie
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he "fears the worst" from Middlesbrough when they renew hostilities at Old Trafford on Saturday. Boro have already had three acrimonious duels with Manchester United this season and are nursing a major sense of injustice over Cristiano Ronaldo in particular.
James Morrison was sent off for brutally hacking Ronaldo down late on, with skipper George Boateng following up by claiming the United man would "get hurt" one day if he carried on producing his party tricks against irate opponents. With four wins from his side's final five games required to clinch the title, Ferguson has no intention of resting his star man. But the United boss is concerned at the tactics Boro may use to stop him.
"I am fearing the worst about what could happen," declared Ferguson. "There is a paranoia about the boy and I think Middlesbrough will be aggressive tomorrow. "We have important games coming up and I don't think they will be messing around." Ferguson reiterated his concern at the Football Association's lack of response to Boateng's comments, which he believes have cast a shadow over the game. "It was very provocative and I am surprised the FA didn't write to Boateng about it," he said.
"I don't think Cristiano will be too bothered but it has set a different tone tomorrow, which could be a problem." With a Champions League semi-final against AC Milan looming on Tuesday, Ferguson knows he cannot afford to be without Ronaldo, who is expected to be crowned PFA Player of the Year on Sunday evening.
But he will place his trust in Chris Foy, ironically the referee who took charge of the initial meeting at the Riverside in which Ronaldo went down under Mark Schwarzer's challenge, to stamp out any excess physicality on Boro's part. "I have not thought about leaving Cristiano out," said Ferguson. "We have got to try to win the league and we need our best players on the pitch.
"I am sure he won't be affected by what has been said because the fantastic thing about him is that he is prepared to hold the ball at any given moment and wants to attack defenders. "Then it is up to the referee to control the game and decide whether players are kicking him or fouling him." -
no fear ronaldo aint fletcher... he is quite well built
anyway im surprised the FA aint cautioning boateng... these kind of comments arent warranted. hope the ref does a good job
hope ronny isnt kicked out of the game by thugs like the loser morrisson. -
vs
Man Utd v Middlesbro
Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Patrice Evra are all fit for Manchester United after recovering from minor knocks. Park Ji-Sung is still out with a knee injury and Louis Saha has a hamstring problem, but Nemanja Vidic will return to training from injury on Monday.
Cristiano RONALDO is United's top scorer with 21 goals. Of those 16 are in the Premiership, which leaves the Portugal World Cup star three behind Chelsea's Didier Drogba at the head of the race for the Barclays Golden Boot. RONALDO needs a double to total 50 goals for the Red Devils.
Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca is short of fitness after a groin tear. A back injury means Abel Xavier is rated as doubtful, although Robert Huth is available and striker Mark Viduka has recovered from a stomach upset.
Aiyegbeni YAKUBU is Middlesbrough's top scorer with 16 goals - 12 in the Premiership.
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LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 0-0 Middlesbrough
1 May 2006 - Ref: Chris Foy
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Middlesbrough 1-2 Manchester United
2 December 2006 - Ref: Chris Foy
Middlesbrough scorer: Morrison 66
Man United scorers: Saha 19 pen, Fletcher 68
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
at Man United only
League*: Man United 28 wins, Middlesbro 11, Draws 9
Prem: Man United 5 wins, Middlesbro 3, Draws 3
* includes Premiership -
I expect no slip-up especially when the match is being played at Old Trafford.
3-1 victory for United.
p.s and Boateng is sent off. It's a joke!
Cheers.
CK -
I think i should change my prediction to 4-2
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another master stroke from all these sucessful manager like SAF and JM, they always seems to play the cards right at the right time, with this interview/comment he gave prior to the match it would make the ref take a closer look when tackle is aim at Ronaldo and would takes even bigger effort for Boro players to try hurting him. these guys ain't paid millions for nothing ya???
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with the season coming to an end and the title ever so close, i expect the boys to pump it up even further and give us all a justifiable scoring line..
5-1 to the Devils
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Omg, si laio! My SCV box thingy spoil! argh! Cannot watch the match laio
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Man U 3-0
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go kopitiam watchOriginally posted by sand king:Omg, si laio! My SCV box thingy spoil! argh! Cannot watch the match laio -
i dont think any of the kopitiams air soccer, unless world kup.Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:go kopitiam watch -
Middlesbrough skipper Boateng: No special Ronaldo treatment
Middlesbrough captain George Boateng insists Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo won't come in for special treatment today.
Boateng caused a storm last month when it was construed he had warned the Portuguese winger to cut out the showboating or risk serious injury after Middlesbrough lost a bad-tempered FA Cup replay at Old Trafford.
What I said was not meant badly," Boateng told the Daily Mail. "There was no malice. It was exaggerated. All I said was what happened to Cristiano was not good.
"I said it would be a shame to lose such a player with so much ability. It was very annoying. I am not a player to say things like that. I don't think I have ever kicked anyone and got a straight red card."
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hoho, can watch laio! haha, one hard knock to my SCV box fixed the problem
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Originally posted by sand king:hoho, can watch laio! haha, one hard knock to my SCV box fixed the problem
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got alot maOriginally posted by sand king:i dont think any of the kopitiams air soccer, unless world kup. -
pirated one hah?Originally posted by sand king:hoho, can watch laio! haha, one hard knock to my SCV box fixed the problem
can go jail one u know. -
Originally posted by imprezaWRXSTi22B:pirated one hah?
can go jail one u know.
Touch wood, its original la.Originally posted by imprezaWRXSTi22B:got alot ma
Hmm... i dont really travel much at night, im more of a Day creature. Only creep out to watch soccer in my living room -
scv extinct liao leh... now is starhub
wah not night creature ah? hw old are u? -
haha SCV= Starhub Cable VisionOriginally posted by imprezaWRXSTi22B:scv extinct liao leh... now is starhub
wah not night creature ah? hw old are u?
Mearly 17 =P -
lol.... true also.
my bad
so watching tonight lar? -
Originally posted by imprezaWRXSTi22B:lol.... true also. my bad
so watching tonight lar?
yea, haha my eyes are squared looking at the comp, have been on this seat since 6.37am this morning Boring weekend....
ill go walk to the living room and see how, Arsenal, is doing
you gona watch the match at 3am later? -
crazy. 6+am..... nv go out?Originally posted by sand king:
yea, haha my eyes are squared looking at the comp, have been on this seat since 6.37am this morning Boring weekend....
ill go walk to the living room and see how, Arsenal, is doing
you gona watch the match at 3am later?
3am? what match is at 3am? -
Originally posted by sand king:
yea, haha my eyes are squared looking at the comp, have been on this seat since 6.37am this morning Boring weekend....
ill go walk to the living room and see how, Arsenal, is doing
you gona watch the match at 3am later? robbie keane scored -
woops i mean 12am, Man u boro match. haha, no one to go out with today.Originally posted by imprezaWRXSTi22B:crazy. 6+am..... nv go out?
3am? what match is at 3am? -
12am ah. probably watching la. if im in the mood, i'll be typing here while the match goes on.... unless i go out to watch....