Paul Robinson made an excellent save after Antonio Valencia had been played clean through and later held a shot from an unmarked Dimitar Berbatov.

Rovers created little but Gary Neville blocked from Steven Nzonzi late on.

United would have moved a point clear of Chelsea with victory but are one point behind having played a game more.

It was a must-win game for United, who were looking for a positive response to the twin disappointment of Premier League defeat to Chelsea and the Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

But without the injured Wayne Rooney, the visiting team lacked a cutting edge and with four games of their league season left United must now be viewed as unlikely to end the campaign with their fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson had stressed before the match the importance of victory and his increasingly frustrated demeanour as he prowled his technical area underlined the importance of his team finding a winning goal.

But it was never going to be an easy task against a Rovers team who have been defeated only twice at home this season and, at least until United notably increased the tempo in the closing stages, Sam Allardyce’s side looked relatively comfortable.

If it was a largely forgettable afternoon for United, in their first goalless draw of the season, then there was little for the neutral to savour either.

More here.  Source:BBC

The former Chelsea star rifled in a magnificent volley from Franck Ribery’s corner with 16 minutes left to stun United after they looked to be cruising into the semi-finals as they went 3-0 up before the interval to establish a two-goal aggregate lead.

Robben capped a dismal week for United that has seen them lose the Premier League leadership and crash out of the Champions League – also ending English interest in the tournament after Arsenal’s exit against Barcelona.

Wayne Rooney was in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting line-up as he completed a remarkable recovery from the ankle ligament injury he sustained in Bayern’s 2-1 win against United in the Allianz Arena eight days ago.

And he was quickly a thorn in Bayern’s side, setting up Darron Gibson’s opener after just three minutes. United looked on course for the last four when Nani turned in Antonio Valencia’s cross four minutes later to put them ahead in the tie.

Bayern were being run ragged and Nani capped United’s complete supremacy when he scored his second and their third as half-time approached – but the whole mood and shape of the tie was turned when Ivica Olic took advantage of poor defending to bundle home a crucial goal before the interval.

Louis van Gaal’s side suddenly discovered hope, and a measure of composure, their cause being helped when Rafael was sent off after 50 minutes following his second yellow card for a foul on Ribery.

Ferguson responded by replacing Rooney, who had been limping heavily earlier, with John O’Shea, but the momentum had swung dramatically to Bayern and Robben’s wonder goal capped a period of pressure.

United had no Rooney to call on for the finale and they did not have the inspiration to mount a trademark late surge as the Premier League’s last representative went out of a tournament in which they have exerted so much influence in recent seasons.

More here.  Source:BBC

Didier Drogba’s contentious strike – scored from a clearly offside position with 11 minutes remaining – was the decisive moment as Chelsea established a two-point lead at the top of the table.

Drogba only emerged as a late substitute after being left on the bench in favour of Nicolas Anelka, but his priceless strike was a moment of triumph for coach Carlo Ancelotti and perfect reward for his bold tactical move.

Joe Cole’s clever flick gave Chelsea a well-merited lead after 20 minutes as Sir Alex Ferguson’s champions struggled for creativity with injured inspiration Wayne Rooney watching in frustration from the sidelines.

Drogba’s goal looked to have sealed Chelsea’s win, but Federico Macheda’s scrambled effort – which also had a hint of handball – set up a grandstand finish in which Rooney’s replacement Dimitar Berbatov wasted a glorious chance to equalise.

Chelsea, who had the game’s outstanding performer in Florent Malouda, have produced the perfect response to their Champions League exit against Inter Milan and a tame draw at Blackburn. Twelve goals against Portsmouth and Aston Villa provided the platform and confidence for what could prove to be a pivotal victory.

More here.  Source:BBC

United took the lead after only 66 seconds when Wayne Rooney volleyed in six yards out from Nani’s free-kick.

But Franck Ribery’s deflected free-kick set up a dramatic finale, rounded off by Olic’s cool run and finish after a defensive error by Patrice Evra.

United’s misery was made complete when Rooney limped off with an ankle injury.

The England striker appeared in severe pain after turning over on his right leg in the build-up to Bayern’s winner.

United will hope the injury is not too serious, as they face a crucial Premier League match against Chelsea on Saturday as well as the return match with Bayern next week.

It had started so well for United – and Rooney – but the visitors allowed Bayern to take control of a tie which is delicately balanced ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford on 7 April.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will comfort themselves in the knowledge that they have an away goal.

But the defeat marked their first in 16 unbeaten European away matches and leaves them with plenty to do, particularly should Rooney be missing in a week’s time and if Bayern are boosted by the return of winger Arjen Robben after a calf problem.

More here.  Source:BBC

Dimitar Berbatov scored a second-half brace as Manchester United swept aside Bolton to restore their one-point advantage at the Premier League summit.

Jlloyd Samuel inadvertently handed United the initiative when he turned a Ryan Giggs cross into his own net.

Berbatov stretched the lead, turning in the rebound from a Darren Fletcher shot before flicking in Nani’s cross.

Fabrice Muamba had earlier gone close for Bolton, but Nani set up substitute Darron Gibson to seal the win late on.

A point ahead in the title race at the afternoon’s outset, United briefly relinquished the lead to Chelsea, who hammered Aston Villa 7-1 at Stamford Bridge, but re-established their slender advantage with a performance of growing authority.

Bolton provided stern opposition in the initial stages, weathering an early United storm and testing Edwin van der Sar’s reflexes through Johan Elmander and, notably, Muamba, who drew a flying, fingertip save from the United keeper

But Samuel’s own goal – the 11th that has gone in United’s favour this season – was a hammer blow, and once Berbatov had tucked home to double the champions’ lead in the 69th minute, the spirit slowly ebbed from Owen Coyle’s side.

More daunting hurdles lie ahead for United, who now travel to Germany for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich before a Premier League summit meeting with Chelsea at Old Trafford next Saturday.

With the home leg against Bayern to follow on Wednesday week, it promises to be a season-defining period for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, and with that in mind the United manager rested both Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand.

Predictably, Rooney was the more missed of the absent duo, a point underlined by United’s inability to capitalise on some fine build-up play in the initial stages.

With the evergreen combination of Paul Scholes and Giggs orchestrating the proceedings superbly in midfield, United dominated the opening quarter but, in the absence of the talismanic Rooney, initially seemed to lack a telling presence in the box.

Berbatov, the understudy for United’s leading scorer, came close to breaking the deadlock with an audacious hooked effort from a narrow angle, while Jonny Evans should have done better than blast a Fletcher lay-off into the stands from close range.

More here. Source:BBC

Manchester United came from behind to beat Liverpool at Old Trafford to return to the Premier League summit.

Fernando Torres was United’s tormentor again as he rose to head in Dirk Kuyt’s cross after only five minutes to revive memories of Liverpool’s crushing 4-1 victory here last season – but United were to exact revenge on their arch-rivals.

Liverpool were furious when United were handed the opportunity to draw level swiftly as referee Howard Webb awarded a penalty as the outstanding Antonio Valencia was hauled back by Javier Mascherano as the pair raced into the area.

Wayne Rooney was unsettled by Liverpool’s lengthy and vociferous protests, but when his penalty was saved by keeper Pepe Reina he was first to react and turn in the rebound.

United then held sway and snatched a deserved winner on the hour when Darren Fletcher’s cross deep into the heart of the Liverpool penalty area was headed in by Ji-Sung Park.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who confronted fourth official Andre Marriner and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson after Rooney’s equaliser, was infuriated by the penalty award – and was also animated throughout by what he clearly regarded as a succession of contentious decisions that he believed went in the home side’s favour.

Goalscorer Torres led Liverpool’s other complaints against officialdom, and he became increasingly frustrated at virtually having to battle single-handedly against Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who ended an unwanted record of three dismissals in his last three games against the Merseysiders.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was desperately disappointing, although he created a late opportunity which Torres missed. Yossi Benayoun should have done better than head the loose ball tamely at Edwin van der Sar.

More here. Source:BBC

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat Fulham to move two points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Rooney, who saw a long-range strike saved in the opening 45 minutes, slotted home from 12 yards after just 30 seconds of the second half.

Mark Schwarzer denied Darren Fletcher but Rooney sealed the points with a low strike across goal after superb approach work from Dimitar Berbatov.

A teasing cross from Ji-Sung Park was then headed home by Berbatov.

Fulham might have defeated United 3-0 at home in December but Roy Hodgson’s team had precious few sights of goal at Old Trafford – and the result ensured their miserable run away from Craven Cottage in the Premier League continued.

Fulham’s last league away win was at struggling Portsmouth on the opening day of the season – but with a Europa League match against Juventus and an FA Cup quarter-final looming, their priorities currently lie elsewhere.

United’s defeat at Craven Cottage remains their heaviest of the season but in the return contest Sir Alex Ferguson’s team dominated territory and possession – and created the vast majority of the game’s decent chances.

Berbatov was selected to start alongside the in-form Rooney and linked play effectively as United repeatedly carved open their opponents backline as they increased the pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea, although Carlo Ancelotti’s team have a game in hand.

More here. Source:BBC

Beckham only made a 27-minute appearance as a substitute, and while he was deservedly given a rapturous reception on the ground where he was once idolised, he found himself overshadowed by Wayne Rooney’s latest masterclass.

AC Milan’s hopes of reaching the last eight were already extinguished by the time Beckham entered to a standing ovation with United leading 3-0 – and Rooney was the man responsible as he repeated his two-goal demolition of the Italians at the San Siro on home territory.

Rooney headed United in front from Gary Neville’s cross early on and extended United’s 3-2 advantage from the first leg even further seconds after half-time after good work by Nani. Ji-Sung Park drilled in the third on the hour as United exerted complete control.

Darren Fletcher added the fourth with a diving header from Rafael’s cross three minutes from time to put added gloss on a hugely satisfying evening for Sir Alex Ferguson as he bids to take United to the Champions League final for the third season in succession.

Beckham made a greater impact than most of his hapless colleagues after his introduction, with some trademark crosses and a full-blooded volley that flew straight at Edwin van der Sar.

And with the football business successfully concluded, United’s supporters conducted a protest against the Glazer family, with huge banners unfurled around Old Trafford and thousands of green and gold scarves, the symbol of their discontent, on display.

Joel and Avi Glazer were in attendance at Old Trafford, and they were left in no doubt about the strength of feeling against their regime as the protests swept around the ground.

Fletcher’s goal interrupted the well-orchestrated demonstration, but as a show of strength it was as impressive as some of United’s play as they outclassed Milan.

More here. Source: BBC

The 35-year-old ran onto Nani’s pass in the box, turned past Christophe Berra, and slid home the winner on 73 minutes.

Scholes’s 100th Premier League goal spared the blushes of a United side clearly missing the cutting edge of the injured Wayne Rooney.

Wolves battled well but wasted several chances to put the pressure on United.

Sam Vokes wasted their best chance late on, firing over from close range, and Mick McCarthy must wonder where his side would be in the table if they could match their valiant approach play with a touch of composure in front of goal.

It meant another brave display from the hosts went unrewarded and they remain outside of the drop zone only on goal difference, while United will be hugely relieved to escape from Molineux with all three points.

They now leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the table and sit at the Premier League summit with a two-point cushion, albeit having played a game more the Blues.

This, though, was the most unconvincing of victories. But if the old adage about title-winning sides picking up victories when not at their best is true, it may well underline their title credentials.

Wolves were fined £25,000 the last time these two sides met because of McCarthy’s controversial decision to field a weakened side.

More here. Source: BBC

Rooney entered the action just before half-time to replace the injured Michael Owen and enabled Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to come from behind and retain the trophy.

Aston Villa’s Wembley showpiece started perfectly when James Milner put them ahead from the spot after five minutes following Nemanja Vidic’s foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Villa clearly felt referee Phil Dowd should have sent Vidic off after he hauled down Agbonlahor as he closed in on goal – and their burning sense of injustice was fuelled even further when United quickly restored equality.

Richard Dunne lost possession to Dimitar Berbatov, and when he attempted to repair his error he could only find Owen, who slipped a perfect finish past Villa keeper Brad Friedel.

Owen looked sharp in front of watching England coach Fabio Capello, but his lingering hopes of persuading the Italian to include him in his World Cup plans for South Africa may have ended when he pulled up as he ran into the area and was forced to leave the action.

More here. Source: BBC