ManUtd over Blackburn

Manchester United fortifies its first place standing with a two goals to one win over Blackburn. This is the Red Devils’ tenth straight victory in the English Premier League. Though another streak was broken, that of Manchester United’s skein of fourteen matches without conceding a goal as strikers Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo held off a furious rally by the Rovers.
Rooney scored first in the 23rd minute with a superb shot on goal but Roque Santa Cruz pulled Blackburn even in the 32nd minute with the ball into the net at nearly impossible angle. But Ronaldo after receiving a yellow card for diving in the box struck home the winning goal in the 60th to preserve the win. Alex Ferguson later commented that the Blackburn Rovers made his team fight for its chances and placed the team back on terra firma as each match that comes along may make or break their chances at proceeding to the next round. United also preserved another record by starting Tomasz Kuszczak in lieu of Edwin van der Sar to keep the latter’s streak without conceding a goal as keeper to 1032 minutes, a British record.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirms Man. United’s bid for an unnamed target

Manchester United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson is today hard at work in hopes of reaching an amicable agreement with a club to sign an unnamed player which would be the club’s first signing for the summer.

With a transfer triangle being created at Old Trafford surrounding the Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo and his obvious uncertainty for the upcoming season, Sir Alex is looking to strengthen his team in whatever ways he can. The back to back Premiership and 2007-2008 Champions League champions were reportedly keen on signing Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov.

The Red Devils were also said to be interested in Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz who has since then pledged his future to newly appointed coach Paul Ince. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, River Plate’s highly-rated Colombian international Radamel Falcao Garcia and Juventus’ Sebastian Giovinco were also said to have attracted the Premiership champions.

In a report Sir Alex stated “We’ve made a bid for one player and obviously that would enhance us a great deal.”

Santa Cruz to replace Berbatov

With the eminent departure of Tottenham Hotspurs’ Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United, the club has already chosen their replacement in Blackburn Rovers’ striker Roque Santa Cruz. The Red Devils’ are intent on signing Berbatov in the coming weeks after seeing their initial ₤20million bid rejected.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is supposedly prepared to spend around ₤25million for the Bulgarian when he confronts the Spurs again. But with the probable departures of Robbie Keane and Darren Bent, the Spurs are in desperate need of a striker which they found in Santa Cruz.

Tottenham are also said to be interested in Real Zaragoza’s Diego Milito and Ajax’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. But Manager Juande Ramos has made the Paraguayan international, who scored 23 goals during his first season in England his primary acquisition following reports that Arsenal and Manchester United are also interested in the striker.

Blackburn’s new manager Paul Ince is adamant in keeping the striker in his first season in charge at Ewood Park. Things could get really interesting, it may be another Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga.