It was an easy game for United… Rio Ferdinand scored as early as the 10th minute, Wayne Rooney added the 2nd on 18th. Although Kiev crawled one back on the 33th minute, Ronaldo made sure that United maintained the 2 goals advantage before half time by scoring at the 41st minute.

Ronaldo then converted a spot kick on 68th minute to make it 4-1. Kiev scored another goal on 78th minute, but proved nothing more than a consolation.

The victory give Manchester United a maximum 9 points at top of the group; a victory when the 2 sides meet again at Old Trafford 2 weeks later would seal the knock out spot for United.

Makukula scored on the 84th minute, while Ronaldo in injury time to snatch the victory.

The Chelsea striker is positive Manchester United’s Portuguese wing wizard will not repeat his sensational form of 2006-07.

Ronaldo bagged 23 goals in the last campaign and has already hit four in the current one.

But Drogba insisted: “I do not believe Cristiano Ronaldo has the rhythm to follow up last season’s achievements. He is not a machine.”

[Thesun]

The Portugal international believes the Red Devils have the capability to go all the way to the final in Moscow next May and is adamant there is a determination to do well in Europe’s premier club competition.

“Manchester United is the favourite (for the Champions League). Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter also have good chances,” said Ronaldo.

[Source]

The pair became embroiled in a major row at the end of last season, which ended with the former Chelsea boss claiming Manchester United star Ronaldo “lacked class”.

However, Ronaldo has shown he bears no grudge towards Mourinho and said: “English football will miss Jose Mourinho. He is a great manager. He won a lot of things in England and the titles speak for themselves. Maybe he wants a new experience but I wish him all the best.”

[Source]

The Portuguese star was thought to be close to leaving Old Trafford at the beginning of last season following his spat with Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup.

Ronaldo suggested he could not return to the Premier League after his role in the sending off of his United colleague Rooney during England’s quarter-final defeat to Portugal.

However, with Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly circling, Ronaldo performed a U-turn and agreed a lucrative new contract to keep him with United until 2012 and the 22-year-old insists he has no regrets.

“I have enjoyed playing for this club for five years and I want to keep going like that,” said Ronaldo.

“Sometimes in the past I have thought about other clubs but I took a decision to stay because this is the right place for me.

“It is not just about the club. It is the people, the players and the supporters. You have everything here.

“No-one knows the future but only when the club says they don’t want me will I leave.”

[Skysports]

Manchester United had to play with 10 players when Ronaldo was out, as they had used all their substitute slots. United managed to hang on to the lead, scored earlier by Wayne Rooney in the 70th minute, and claimed all 3 points.

Manchester United managed to secure their 5th successive league victory; 4 out of the games came in a 1-0 victory. In fact, they could count themselves lucky to claim all 3 points… Birmingham gave them a stern test. It could have ended stalemate if Franck Queudrue didn’t make the mistake that allowed Ronaldo to score his first league goal of the campaign in 51st minute.

In fact it was Birmingham that controlled the match, up until Ronaldo’s goal; Gary McSheffrey and Olivier Kapo had been superb in running the match. However, Birmingham seemed to be facing the same problem with United at the moment… lacking the cutting edge to convert chances into goals.

United’s defence had been shaggy for the first 45 minutes; Birmingham could have scored twice if their strikers could have just a bit more composure… but then, perhaps luck was on United’s side.

Ronaldo’s goal came from a long ball from Rio Ferdinand. Queudrue could have dealt with it easily, but somehow misjudge the whole situation, and allowed Ronaldo to take the ball and scored.

The remainder of the game was rather boring, as both sides didn’t have much shot on goals.

The most controversial moment on the game was on the 32nd minute when Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was sent off with a straight red card for his challenge on Patrice Evra. Replay shows that the referee has made a serious mistake as it was a 50-50 challenge… even a yellow would seem harsh, let alone a red.

The game was pretty even until the red card incident, with United controlling the game then after.

Chelsea fans might feel further injustice as Tevez scored the goal late into first half injury time… probably in the 48th minute while only 2 minutes of injury time should be played. Take nothing away from the goal though… it’s a lovely cross from Ryan Giggs, and a good finish from Tevez.

Chelsea sit tight in their own half in the beginning of the 2nd half, hoping to catch United off guard and snatch a draw. United didn’t show much urgency as they were leading the match… it probably exposed United’s weakness again of failing to penetrate the defends when the opponents are going for an all out defense.

Both side didn’t have much chances in the 2nd half. Chelsea made a few tactical changes, but fatigue was beginning to take their toll… it was obvious that they couldn’t cope with the fresh legs of Louis Saha, who was brought in at the 79th minute. Saha took advantage of Chelsea’s tiredness, and won a penalty in late of the game, which he converted himself.

Cristiano Ronaldo was just doing ok in the match.

Blonde Luciana auditioned for Idolos, the Portugese version of Pop Idol, in 2004 but didn’t make it to the final.

A year later the 22-year-old performed for Eurovision as half of duo 2B but again failed to make her mark.

Her big break in showbiz came when she won the lead role in TV show Floribella, playing a poor girl who falls in love with a rich guy.

Cristiano, 22, has remained tight-lipped about his new relationship – despite Luciana being spotted sitting with his sister Katia at a football match in Lisbon.

To catch a glimpse of Luciana, see her perform at the 2005 Eurovision Contest…

[Nowmagazine]