Red Devils Loitering With Intent

Seven points off top spot but with two games in hand, Sir Alex Ferguson feels United are well placed to mount a strong Premier League challenge in 2009.

Victories over Stoke and Middlesbrough since returning from Japan have thrust the Reds back into the title hunt after a tricky start to the season, and the United manager is confident going into the New Year.

"We’re in a good position now, come the turn of the year," Sir Alex said after the victory over Boro. "We have the two games in hand – both at home, we’ve played more games away – that brings us level.

"It’s going to be a great run-in, it’s really exciting. I think we have to look at the both of them (Liverpool and Chelsea), but the important thing is just to do our own job. We’ve always done that, look after ourselves and we’ll be ok.

"I think the first half of the season has been very difficult for us. We had the tough away fixtures and, it’s old hat of course, but playing away after every European game is not easy. We’ve managed to cope, and we’re in a position where we can still challenge."

Four trophies in 2008 represents a memorable year in United's opulent history, and Sir Alex expects his players to try and top that achievement over the coming months.

"It’s a marvellous year for this football club and I’m delighted for them," said the manager. "Four trophies in a year, including the Community Shield, and they’ll want more because they’re young.

"Then when you see Neville, Giggs and Scholes on Saturday at Stoke, they never made a mistake between the three of them, they were absolutely magnificent.

"They’re showing the rest of the players how you win titles. Tonight (against Middlesbrough), Neville and Scholes came on and made a difference. It’s that experience which will help us. We’ve got the right players, there’s the right atmosphere about the players, and the spirit’s good."

Berbatov Lands The Crucial Blow As Man. United End 2008 With A Victory

Manchester United kept up the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea as Dimitar Berbatov's third league goal for the club saw off a spirited Middlesbrough.

Though United had better chances, the brave visitors defended manfully and could have taken the lead when Tuncay headed just wide in the 61st minute.

But substitute Paul Scholes steadied the ship and Dimitar Berbatov blasted in from close range six minutes later.

United move seven points behind leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.

Though Middlesbrough looked nothing like a side sat just above the Premier League relegation zone, that is where they remain after a run of eight games without a win.

United, meanwhile, look to be gelling and have dismissed any notion of a hangover from their exploits in the Club World Cup on the other side of the world just before Christmas.

Despite having to wait to break the deadlock, they pushed forward constantly and maintained an exciting tempo throughout the match.

Middlesbrough's Jeremie Aliadiere, under pressure from Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea, had a second-minute penalty appeal turned down before Michael Carrick - in outstanding form of late - began probing with his simple but effective range of passing.

United set about creating a series of early openings but could fashion nothing clear-cut.

Rooney, full of wit and invention, had a decent shot pushed aside by Boro keeper Ross Turnbull but European Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo badly miscued after being set up by Ji-Sung Park.

United did most of the pressing, but they had to be alert to block an Afonso Alves shot after good work from Stewart Downing.

Instinctive link-up play between Berbatov and Rooney after 22 minutes saw the latter cut the ball back across the penalty area for Ronaldo to screw a left-foot shot just wide of the post when he should have scored.

Downing then flashed a vicious 30th-minute shot just wide before Ronaldo tested Turnbull with a low shot from 12 yards.

As the action intensified, Turnbull had to push Rooney's clever floated cross-shot away from his goal before young Brazilian right-back Rafael crashed the rebound into the side-netting.

United were partly guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net but Boro were impressive when they had possession and defended in numbers brilliantly when other teams could have crumbled.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team went closest to taking the lead when they chose to go direct just before half-time.

Darren Fletcher pumped a long ball forward for Ronaldo to glance a header into the path of Rooney - who fired a brilliant first-time half-volley with the outside of his left boot, forcing Turnbull to tip acrobatically over his bar.

Ronaldo's increasing frustration with Middlesbrough's aggression and, perhaps, his own stuttering form, became increasingly obvious when he clashed with Emanuel Pogatetz before and after half-time.

No personnel changes were made at the break after which United defender Vidic soon had to be at full stretch to deflect a decent Alves effort behind for a corner after the visitors had broken well.

The need for the hosts to break the deadlock became more evident as Middlesbrough embarked on a dominant spell of possession.

They nearly took the lead in the 61st minute when Matthew Bates, an influential presence all evening, pinged a bouncing cross in from the right for Tuncay to nod just past Edwin Van der Sar's post.

But when Paul Scholes replaced Darren Fletcher in United's midfield, the flow of play swung back into United's favour almost immediately.

And they duly broke the deadlock in the 68th minute when, from a swift, swarming attack, Carrick whipped in a cross that David Wheater could only deflect into the path of Berbatov, who volleyed home from eight yards.

From that point on it was one-way traffic as a flurry of decent attempts from the lung-busting Park and determined Ronaldo threatened to seal the three points for United, now relaxed and rampant.

The reigning champions managed to hold out when Boro rallied late on and they now turn their attention to the domestic cup competitions with a trip to Southampton in the FA Cup on Sunday followed by the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final with Derby on 7 January.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson:
"We missed a lot of chances and that is the big concern. If we can't take those chances we will suffer from it.

"But I think you have to see how well Middlesbrough played tonight. For a team in their position it belies their ability.

"Berbatov is a marvellous player and I thought he was absolutely superb for us. He took his goal well."

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:
"I thought there were a lot of good things about that performance.

"I thought we were quite bright in a lot of our play, we were very resilient and our keeper has made some good saves, but generally our discipline in terms of tactics was good.

"Our quality in the final third was what let us down. We got in some good positions and made some good breaks but didn't make the most of the situations we were in and didn't really test the keeper."

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Neville 62), Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Park, Fletcher (Scholes 62), Carrick, Ronaldo (Giggs 84), Rooney, Berbatov.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Welbeck, Gibson, Possebon.

Booked: Park, Scholes.

Goals: Berbatov 69.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Bates, Riggott, Wheater, Pogatetz, Aliadiere (Emnes 76), O'Neil, Arca, Downing, Sanli, Alves.

Subs Not Used: Jones, Taylor, Huth, Shawky, Porritt, Walker.

Att: 75,294

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

United, the Premier League, European and now world champions, parade the Club World Cup before kick-off

Berbatov scoring the winning goal after David Wheater fails to clear Michael Carrick's left-wing cross

Berbatov's 69th-minute strike is enough to give United all three points as Old Trafford breathes a sigh of relief

Tevez Late Winner Seals It For Man. United

Carlos Tevez hammered home a late winner as Manchester United turned up the heat on the Premier League pacesetters with victory at Stoke.

Tevez made no mistake from six yards with seven minutes left.

Stoke had mounted fierce resistance, but were reduced to 10 men for the last 18 minutes after Andy Wilkinson was sent off for fouling Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ricardo Fuller wasted Stoke's best chance in the opening seconds but United's pressure deserved the win.

It was the perfect return to domestic action for United after they beat LDU Quito in Japan on Sunday to lift the Club World Cup in Japan.

The league leaders will now feel the champions closing in, especially as they have games in hand.

United made five changes to the side that won that trophy - one enforced when defender Rio Ferdinand injured his back in the warm-up and was replaced by Jonny Evans.

And Evans was almost caught out in the opening seconds when Fuller got on the end of a long ball into the box but shot wildly over the bar.

United responded instantly, and Nemanja Vidic was frustrated when he headed wide from Ryan Giggs' cross.

The rest of the opening period was a horribly messy affair, with Stoke doggedly resisting United's attempts to bring some cohesion to the game.

Wayne Rooney almost opened the scoring after 24 minutes with a neat header from Gary Neville's cross, but Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen was well-placed to make the save.

United, inevitably, pressed forward straight after the re-start and Sorensen did well to block a stinging drive from Tevez.

And Sorensen did even better to deny Paul Scholes, making his first Premier League start for three months after knee surgery, when he fired in a trademark 20-yard drive after 57 minutes.

It sparked Stoke into life, and seconds later Edwin van der Sar was forced to dive away to his left to save a long-range effort from Fuller.

United were then troubled by a typical long throw from Rory Delap, but Danny Pugh headed over from eight yards.

Ferguson knew how important three points would be, and he made a positive change by sending on Dimitar Berbatov for John O'Shea.

Stoke, having finally built up some momentum, were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes left when Wilkinson, having already been booked, stupidly clattered into the back of Ronaldo and was deservedly sent off.

There was no excuse for the challenge, although Ronaldo was also fortunate to escape with a kick at the Stoke defender a few minutes earlier.

Rooney had also shown signs of indiscipline earlier by throwing out an elbow at Abdoulaye Faye in a touchline clash.

Stoke were firmly on the back foot after the sending off, with Berbatov heading over and Sorensen saving from Rooney's rising drive.

And United broke the deadlock with seven minutes left as Tevez thrashed home a finish from six yards after Berbatov turned on Neville's cross.

Ronaldo almost made the victory more emphatic with a free-kick that flashed inches wide - but Stoke were unable to mount a late surge and United claimed a crucial three points.

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis:
"Andy's a smashing lad and he's had a great game but the second challenge was a poor challenge, he's given the referee no option.

"Having said that, I thought his first booking was a poor decision by the ref. But the second one, you have to be thinking as well as playing.

"We were very much in the ascendancy before the sending-off. We're very disappointed we've come away with nothing."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"Hopefully we will look back and say this was a significant win for us.

"If we get to New Year's Day and are only a point or two away, then we will have a chance.

"Stoke are very resilient, determined and gutsy. However there is no question it was a sending off as it was a rash challenge by their player."

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Delap (Davies 74), Whelan, Amdy Faye (Olofinjana 89), Pugh, Cresswell (Pericard 90), Fuller.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Lawrence, Tonge, Sonko.

Sent Off: Wilkinson (72).

Booked: Cresswell, Wilkinson, Fuller, Whelan.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Evans, Vidic, O'Shea (Berbatov 64), Ronaldo, Scholes (Carrick 90), Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Park, Welbeck, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson.

Booked: Evans, Neville.

Goals: Tevez 83.

Att: 27,500

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Carlos Tevez (in blue) scoring the match winner with 7 minutes to go

Merry Christmas!

To all Will Power readers:

Regards,

Wilson Tan

Sir Alex: No January Purchase

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said he will not be adding to his squad in the transfer window.

"I do not think there will be any January transfers, I am happy with what I have got," he said.

"We are probably going to bring back a couple of young players who have been on loan. That may just give us extra protection," he added.

"We took 23 players to Japan and they are substantial players. I would be happy to play any one of them."

United won the World Club Cup in Yokohama on Sunday by beating LDU Quito 1-0 in the final.

Ferguson added: "Winning the competition was a great boost to the club and the players. It was a great achievement and the important thing was they played well.

"They showed good enthusiasm through the matches and good concentration. We have come through it well."

Ferguson's only signing during the summer's transfer window was striker Dimitar Berbatov, who cost £30m from Tottenham.

Evra Covets More Medals

Having added a Club World Cup winner's medal to his burgeoning collection of prizes, Patrice Evra is already looking ahead to more silverware.

In just two and a half seasons at Old Trafford, the French defender had already won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Carling Cup and two Community Shields before United's triumph in Japan.

"We need to try and maintain our ambition because I always say it's easy to win a trophy, but keeping hold of it is the difficult part," Evra told ManUtd.com and PA Sport. "We now have four trophies now and we are all hungry to keep hold of them.

"In three years at the club I have won two league titles, the League Cup, the Champions League, the Community Shield and now the Club World Cup - it's unbelievable. I know I need to keep working hard because the people expect a lot from me - I don't want them to say it has been an accident!

"My target is to win three titles in a row. To win it again would be the best feeling. The fans and everyone at the club expect us to do well and we have the potential to win another title this season. The most important factor is the spirit and of course we must keep working hard."

The French defender admits that he is struggling to comprehend the Reds' status as world champions, but feels the honour is richly deserved for how he and his colleagues coped with the rigours of travelling to Japan.

"It's fantastic to be number one in the world, but at the moment it doesn't feel like it - maybe over the next few days it will sink in and you realise what you've achieved," he said.

"We did our job very well against Quito and now we are champions of the world. I must say congratulations to my team-mates because they all fought very well to deal with the challenge of the time difference. It wasn't easy, but at Manchester United we want to win everything and in 2008 we have won four trophies, which is fantastic."

Edwin: Let's Kick On

Edwin van der Sar hopes winning the Club World Cup will set United on their way to more glory.

The Dutchman played a major part in the victory, making a string of fine saves when the Reds were down to ten men after Nemanja Vidic's dismissal. It's his second world title - he also won one with Ajax - and he's determined to add to his medal collection again next May.

"It's great to win this tournament again. Hopefully we can go on from here and do well for the rest of the season," he told ManUtd.com.

"It’s important that we make sure we prepare ourselves properly for Stoke on Friday and get back into the normal timezone, although I don’t think that will be hard because I feel like I haven’t even arrived into this one [in Japan]! But it’s great to be going into the game on the back of winning a trophy."

Van der Sar felt United fully deserved the victory over LDU Quito after dominating for long periods.

"I didn’t have much to do in the first half so you’re hoping to go on and get a couple of goals," he said. "They put a bit of pressure on us after we scored, but I had a good eye on the shots and they were nice saves."

Ferguson Praises Players' Resolve

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised his players after they won the Club World Cup final despite an early red card for Nemanja Vidic.

Vidic saw red with 49 minutes gone after elbowing Liga de Quito's Claudio Bieler but Wayne Rooney went on to score the only goal of the game.

"The collective spirit of the team won the day," said Ferguson.

"With 10 men we played with great expression and tried to win. It is a measure of the players' ambition."

The victory saw United become the first English team to win the competition in its current format.

However, Vidic's dismissal means that he will miss the first leg of United's Champions League tie against Inter Milan in February.

"The sending off made it difficult for us," added Ferguson.

"It's a soft sending off but he swung an elbow. When you do that in front of the referee you've got no chance. He gave the referee no option.

"Half an hour to go is a long road with 10 men but Wayne scored a magnificent goal.

"After Vidic was sent off it was important that we didn't lose the ball. It was important to keep passing and hope Ronaldo or Rooney did something special.

"In 30 years you'll look back and see Manchester United's name on the trophy, although I won't be around to enjoy it."

Rooney was named player of the tournament after the final - and was clearly delighted to have the scored the winner.

"We're the best team in the world," said Rooney, who also scored twice in the 5-3 semi-final victory over Japan's Gamba Osaka.

"It's a great achievement for the team and something we're all really proud of. It's been a long road.

"To score the winning goal in a match like this is a great feeling for me personally."

Rampant Wayne Rooney Secures Club World Cup For Man. Utd

Wayne Rooney clinched victory for Manchester United in the Club World Cup final with a late goal against Liga de Quito after Nemanja Vidic was sent off.

Quito goalkeeper Jose Cevallos made a series of superb stops to deny Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Park Ji Sung in the first half as United dominated.

United's hopes were hit when Vidic saw red after 49 minutes for lashing out with an elbow at Claudio Bieler.

But Rooney won it with a neat finish into the bottom corner on 73 minutes.

There has been plenty of debate over the significance of this competition and the consequences that United's trip to the Far East will have on their domestic hopes and Champions League ambitions this season.

The immediate after-effects of their sojourn to Japan will be seen when they return to the Premier League action, and the less glamorous surroundings of Stoke City's Britannia Stadium, on Boxing Day.

But for now, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson can celebrate collecting the world crown to go with his side's Premier League and European titles secured earlier in 2008 - becoming the first English club to win the global event in its current format.

It should have been a far easier victory too, as United dominated possession from the start.

Quito's best chance came early on when Jairo Campos found space to meet Alejandro Manso's whipped free-kick in front of goal but somehow put his shot wide.

But the South American champions were on the back-foot from that point onwards and were grateful to Cevallos for three good saves in the first 20 minutes.

Cevallos did well to push away a Rooney snap-shot from the edge of the area and repeated the trick to keep out another ferocious effort from the England striker soon after - although this time he will have been relieved that the ball bounced wide after it had span from his grasp.

And the 37-year-old was soon in action again, flinging himself to his right to keep out a diving header from Tevez after some good work from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo looked keen to impress the crowd at the Yokohama International Stadium, showing off some fancy footwork at every opportunity, with only an end-product missing from his play.

United's failure to score was not through lack of effort, or chances, and Cevallos was again in the right place at the right time to palm away Park's stinging shot before parrying another effort by Tevez.

Park should have done far better before the break when Anderson's long ball fell to him at the back post - but he miscued horribly and sliced his attempted chip well over.

It looked like Ferguson's men would be punished for failing to take those chances when Vidic was dismissed for his clash with Bieler with both players grounded - and the red card also means he will be suspended for the first leg of United's Champions League clash with Inter Milan in February.

United's 10 men were forced to reshuffle and Tevez was replaced by Jonny Evans, who filled in at the back.

But it made little difference to the pattern of the game as Quito still lacked ambition and United continued to come forward.

Edwin van der Sar did have to claw away a long-distance shot by Manso but it was the English side who looked more likely to break the deadlock.

Rooney and Ronaldo had been by far the best performers on the day and they combined to deadly effect with 17 minutes left.

The Portuguese winger teed up Rooney on the left-hand corner of the penalty area to bury a low shot in the far corner of the net.

Quito, at last, attempted to respond but the closest they came to an equaliser was another effort from range by Manso that Van der Sar tipped over.

Earlier on Sunday, Japan's Gamba Osaka secured a third-place finish with a 1-0 win over Mexican side Pachuca.

Liga Deportiva : Cevallos, Norberto Araujo, Calle (Ambrossi 77), Campos, Calderon, Reasco (Larrea 82), Urrutia, William Araujo, Manso, Luis Bolanos (Navia 87), Bieler.

Subs Not Used: Dominguez, Obregon, Delgado, Eder Vaca, Danny Vaca, Chango, Viteri.

Booked: Bieler, Campos, Cevallos, Calle, William Araujo.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Neville 85), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson (Fletcher 87), Park, Tevez (Evans 51), Rooney.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Giggs, Nani, Scholes, Welbeck, O'Shea, Gibson, Amos.

Sent Off: Vidic (49).

Booked: Anderson.

Goals: Rooney 73.

Att: 62,619

Ref: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).

Michael Carrick battling hard for the ball

Wayne Rooney getting the better of two Liga Deportiva players

Rooney scoring the winning goal for Man. United

Man. United players celebrating the winning goal

Rio Ferdinand receiving the trophy from Sepp Blatter

The World Champions!!!

Man. United players feeling on top of the world after winning the Fifa Club World Cup

The World Champions posing with the trophy

Rooney takes home a Toyota car as the Most Valuable Player

Champions League 2008/09 Last 16 Draw: Man. United To Meet Inter Milan

United will meet Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan side in the first knockout stage of this season's Champions League competition.

The Reds will play the first leg away from home at the San Siro on Tuesday 24 February. The return leg will be at Old Trafford on Wednesday 11 March.

The sides have met twice before in European competition, in the 1998/99 season when United went on to win the European Cup. The Reds beat Inter 2-0 at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg on that occasion before drawing 1-1 in Italy.

Elsewhere, Chelsea will play Juventus, Arsenal face AS Roma and Liverpool must beat Real Madrid to progress to the quarter-final stage.

Other ties (not involving English sides): Villarreal v Panathinaikos, Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid v FC Porto and Olympique Lyonnais v Barcelona.

Last 16 draw
Chelsea v Juventus
Villarreal v Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v FC Porto
Olympique Lyonnais v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Liverpool
Arsenal v AS Roma
Internazionale v United

Teams listed first will play the first leg at home.

Real Ronaldo Claims Rile Sir Alex

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at Real Madrid over claims Manchester United have agreed to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish giants.

Real director Pedro Trapote reportedly told Spanish newspaper El Mundo a deal had been struck, but added: "There are clauses keeping us from announcing it".

Speaking after his side beat Gamba Osaka in the World Club Cup, the United boss reacted furiously to the comments.

"Would I get into a contract with that mob? Absolutely no chance," he said.

"I wouldn't sell them a virus - that's a no. There's no agreement whatsoever between the clubs.

"I said to David Gill a year last summer, when we sold Gabby Heinze, you can bet your life in January it will all start up with Ronaldo again. It'll happen again this January, believe me.

"We've just got to ignore it because if we keep worrying about what Real are going to say then we are not going to concentrate on our own programme of difficult games coming up.

"Sometimes it can be an angry situation and sometimes we are really annoyed with them, but we know the game and I think we should just play our game and ignore it all."

Ronaldo has also responded to the claims saying he is happy to stay at Old Trafford and is unaware of Real's reported interest.

"I don't care. I don't see newspapers," he said. "We are out here in Japan and I don't know nothing, what's happened around me.

"I am very happy (at Man Utd), very happy."

Trapote, understood to be very close to club president Ramon Calderon, had gone on record to tell El Mundo: "We have already signed our top target for next summer.

"Is it Cristiano Ronaldo? It is Cristiano, there is no-one else. The thing is, it is better not to say anything right now."

BBC Manchester's Steve Wyeth, who is out in Japan following United's progress at the World Club Cup, had earlier said the news has been greeted with anger by United officials.

"It's been strongly dismissed, and with pretty colourful language," said Wyeth.

The latest twist in the Real Madrid-Ronaldo story could well open wounds between the clubs following the acrimonious dealings between United and the Spanish giants over the summer.

Real's public pursuit of the 23-year-old ended with United complaining to Fifa over their conduct, with Ferguson claiming they had shown "a lack of morals".

The case was dismissed because of a lack of evidence, and Ronaldo later told Spanish sports paper Marca in October that he is "with Manchester in body and soul".

Ronaldo, this year's Ballon D'Or winner, is currently contracted at Old Trafford until 2012 and Ferguson has been delighted with his improvement since arriving at Old Trafford as a raw teenager in 2003.

"Over the five years he has been with us, we have seen him develop into the player he is today," he added.

"He always had certain attributes that pointed him towards the very top - his amazing skill, his speed and his courage. In the time he has been with us, he has developed his decision-making.

"As a kid he played centre-forward for Sporting Lisbon and our people in Portugal kept telling us that 'this boy is a great goalscorer.'

"When he first came to us, we couldn't see that. All of a sudden he just blossomed and last season he got 42.

"That is a measure of a young person wanting to do well, to improve himself by his own determination and ambition to practise all the time."

Boss Impressed By Gamba

Sir Alex Ferguson spoke highly of United's opening Club World Cup opponents - and Japanese football in general - following a thrilling semi-final in Yokohama.

At a post-match press conference, the boss enthused:

"Gamba really played well, I was impressed. They have a talented team and proved that Japanese football is getting better and better.

"Gamba surprised us with their formation and caused us a few problems until we adapted a bit better to them."

Few pundits would have predicted such a scoreline pre-match - and it seemed all the more unlikely when the game lapsed into a lull after the interval with United 2-0 up and strolling. But that all changed when Gamba pulled a goal back, seconds after Wayne Rooney came on as a sub. Twenty minutes later, the final score read 5-3 in the Reds' favour.

"The fans got their money's worth today," said Sir Alex.

"It was a great match and the score could have been even higher. Edwin van der Sar made a couple of saves and we also had countless opportunities that we couldn't convert."

Sir Alex is already looking forward to Sunday's final against Ecuadorian club LDU Quito.

"I'm very pleased that we've made it to the final, but we will be facing a stern test, as Liga de Quito are very strong defensively. It's never easy against South American teams."

Cristiano Ronaldo in action against a spirited Gamba Osaka side. Man. United won the match 5-3.

Man. United Advances To The Fifa Club World Cup Final After 8 Goals Thriller

Nemanja Vidic opens the scoring with a headed goal for Man. United in the 28th minute against Gamba Osaka

Manchester United eased through to the Fifa Club World Cup final despite a spirited late effort from Gamba Osaka.

Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo easily converted first-half headers but Masato Yamazaki pulled a classy goal back for the plucky Japanese side.

Substitute Wayne Rooney bustled through to score with his first touch seconds later before Darren Fletcher nodded in.

Dangerous Rooney added a fifth though a late flurry saw Yasuhito Endo convert a penalty and Hideo Hashimoto fire home.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side now face Ecuador's Liga de Quito in Sunday's final, while Osaka will meet Mexico's Pachuca in the match for third place.

Critics have questioned the credibility of a tournament where the gap in the teams' abilities may on paper appear vast, but a thrilling end to this match - with six goals in the last 16 minutes - will at least arm Fifa with some positive ammunition.

Ferguson, though, insists his Champions League holders are keen to become the first British side to win it and showed that with a strong starting line-up, though Dimitar Berbatov was absent through illness and Rooney started on the bench - before appearing to such effect.

"I think Wayne can be a number nine," said Ferguson after the match. "We are trying to develop him that way.

"We have tried to play him there for most of the season. His movement, strength and penetration are very good."

Reigning Asian Champions League winners Gamba gave as good as they got in a lively start in Yokohama, getting the vocal crowd right behind them and not looking like a side who had lost four of their past five games.

Tomokazu Myojin hit a decent long-range shot to test United keeper Edwin Van der Sar before Carlos Tevez raced down the other end to put in an enticing cross for Ryan Giggs.

Van der Sar then had to make a smart block when one-on-one with Ryuji Bando after 13 minutes, but United began to show the greater synergy from that point on.

Ronaldo saw much of the ball and his typical tricks on edge of the box, drawing four defenders out of position, enabled him to fire just wide of the upright.

United took a deserved lead in the simplest fashion on 27 minutes when Giggs floated over a corner and Vidic - who later went off with a slight groin strain - rose higher than skipper Yamaguchi to nod in while keeper Fujigaya flapped at thin air.

Unmarked Anderson should have then grabbed his first goal for United but could not get a firm connection on Ronaldo's cross.

With Gamba largely consigned to off-target long-range efforts, Ronaldo put United two ahead with another uncontested header from a decent Giggs corner in first-half injury time.

Evra slipped Tevez clear of Gamba's defence just after the break but referee Benito Archundia Tellez blew his whistle for offside before the Argentine slipped past the keeper and knocked the ball into an unguarded goal.

With the match drifting into exhibition mode, it took an explosive turn with the 73rd minute substitution of Tevez for Rooney.

As soon as the Liverpudlian trotted on Gamba had the ball in the net, Masato Yamazaki superbly slotting home from 16 yards after he was found in space in the penalty area.

Yet, with the next attack, Darren Fletcher drifted a through ball over the top for fellow substitute Rooney who, after failing to control the ball on his chest, pounced to scramble a left-footed shot across the body of Fujigaya.

Minutes later Fletcher headed in smartly himself after Patrice Evra whipped in a dangerous cross from the left wing.

And the rapid goal rush continued when Rooney grabbed his second in the 78th minute, the England striker instinctively toe-poking the ball low into the goal after great build-up play from Nani then Giggs.

"For the third goal that really killed them he made two runs, across and back and across and behind," added Ferguson. "They were really clever.

"It marks out the quality he can give you in that position and he will improve from there."

But with the Premier League champions cruising at 5-1 up, captain Gary Neville was adjudged to have handballed Bando's cross and Endo calmly slotted in an excellent penalty.

Gamba then lifted the atmosphere to new to hit an unlikely third as Hashimoto lashed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area with Van der Sar brilliantly beaten.

Gamba Osaka: Fujigaya, Kaji, Nakazawa, Yamaguchi, Endo, Michihiro Yasuda, Myojin, Hashimoto, Bando (Terada 85), Lucas, Yamazaki.

Subs Not Used: Matsuyo, Shimohira, Futagawa, Kurata, Takei, Roneliton.

Booked: Yamaguchi.

Goals: Yamazaki 74, Endo 85 pen, Hashimoto 90.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic (Evans 69), Evra, Nani, Anderson, Scholes (Fletcher 67), Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez (Rooney 73).

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, O'Shea, Carrick, Gibson, Park, Welbeck, Amos.

Booked: Rooney.

Goals: Vidic 28, Ronaldo 45, Rooney 75, Fletcher 78, Rooney 79.

Att: 67,618

Ref: Benito Archundia Tellez (Mexico).

Rio Dismisses Arsenal's Title Chances

Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal will have to sit out this season's title bout, instead insisting United's crown will be contested with Liverpool and Chelsea.

"It's not beyond Arsenal but it is my personal opinion that it will be between the other three this season," he told PA Sport at the team hotel in Japan.

Ferdinand is in Yokohama with the Reds squad attempting to be the first British team to win the FIFA Club World Cup. And although United's involvement in the competition could mean falling behind the Premier League's pacesetters, Rio is confident the Reds will be among the chasing pack in 2009.

"At the moment it looks like being nip and tuck, but usually from Christmas onwards the teams who are going to be there at the end start pulling away.

"I can see that happening this season. I presume ourselves, Chelsea and Liverpool will pull away, then it will be down to two and finally one."

United's draw against Tottenham before flying out to Japan could have been damaging, but dropped points for Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal maintained an irregular pattern of results in the league this season.

"It looks like teams will drop points," adds Rio. "Hull going to Anfield and getting a draw is a massive result for them. Who would have said that before the season kicked off? And West Ham getting a draw at Chelsea was a surprise as well. There have been quite a few unusual results this season but I'm sure it is good for the fans."

United will hope for more dropped points when Arsenal take on Liverpool on Sunday, with Chelsea travelling to Everton on Monday.

Tosic Deal A Doubt?

Manchester United's January spending plans suffered a setback when wing whiz Zoran Tosic rejected their offer.

Red Devils chiefs fought in the courts to get 21-year-old Serb Tosic a work permit. After finally securing the permit, Fergie expected the £3million deal to go through with Partizan Belgrade on New Year's Day. But, after visiting Old Trafford last week to discuss personal terms, Tosic has snubbed the club by demanding more money.

Tosic, who has 11 caps and played for Serbia at the Beijing Olympics, said: “United’s offer does not coincide with my demands. But we agreed to stay in touch and I believe that everything will be fine in the end."
- Tony Little, The Sun -

Rooney Wants World Title

Wayne Rooney insists the Reds will go all out for victory in the FIFA Club World Cup after touching down in Tokyo on Monday.

The Reds’ striker is part of the 23-man squad that travelled to Japan in a bid to be crowned world champions.

Sir Alex’s men face Gamba Osaka in Thursday’s semi-final, with the winner playing either Mexican side Pachuca or LDU Quito of Ecuador in the final on Sunday.

The Reds are strong favourites to win the tournament and Rooney is determined to ensure that come next Sunday, United really are on top of the world.

“Our main objective at the start of each season is to win every competition we're involved in. To come back as world champions would be a fantastic achievement and something we’d be really proud of,” he says.

“We know it won’t be easy because we're up against some good teams. But we’re well prepared - we’re coming up to the halfway point of the season and we all feel pretty fit.

“These are the games we want to be playing in and hopefully we can win it.”

Should United end the tournament victorious, Rooney insists he’ll be savouring every precious moment.

“I remember Giggsy saying after we won the Champions League this year that he enjoyed this one more than ’99 because when he was younger he didn’t take it in as much as this one,” explained the 23-year-old.

“After hearing that, I’ve really tried to take everything in and enjoy things as much as I can, and I’ll do the same in Japan.”

Edwin: I Couldn't Refuse

Edwin van der Sar admits he hardly had to think twice before deciding to extend his United contract by a further year.

The veteran Dutchman is set to have the last hurrah of an epic playing career at Old Trafford, having agreed a new deal to keep him on the Reds' roster until June 2010.

"It was not difficult at all," van der Sar told MUTV. "It’s a great club to be at, with a great atmosphere in the dressing room, the boss is fantastic and we have the best stadium in England.

"I’ve enjoyed every minute of the three-and-a-half years I’ve been here so far and I’m really looking forward to playing for another season after this one."

Van der Sar and his United colleagues have now switched their sights to world domination, and the Dutchman is keen to bring the Club World Cup trophy back to Manchester before Christmas.

"I won it with Ajax but that was just one game and now you play a semi-final as well, so it’s going to be different," he said. "We’re there a little longer than normal, so we’ll do our best and hopefully bring another trophy home."

Club World Cup: Gamba Book Man. United Date

Gamba Osaka overcame Adelaide United on Sunday to book a Club World Cup semi-final clash with United.

The AFC Champions League winners squeaked past their Australian opponents with a 1-0 victory in the Toyota Stadium, ensuring that they will face Sir Alex Ferguson's side in Thursday's semi-final.

Club World Cup Calendar
December 17th, Semi-final 1 Pachuca vs Liga de Quito
December 18th, Semi-final 2 United v Gamba Osaka
December 21st, 3/4 place play-off Loser SF 1 vs Loser SF 2
December 21st, Final Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2

Cristiano Shortlisted For Fifa World Player Of The Year Award

Manchester United midfielder Ronaldo and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres have been shortlisted for the Fifa World Player of the Year award.

United and Portugal winger Ronaldo, 23, scored 42 goals for his club last season and collected the European Player of the Year award on Sunday.

Torres scored 33 goals in his debut season for Liverpool and the winner for Spain in the final of Euro 2008.

Kaka of AC Milan and Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Xavi are also shortlisted.

Ronaldo finished third in voting last year, while Barcelona's Messi, who inspired Argentina to Olympic gold, was runner-up to AC Milan playmaker Kaka.

The nominations were made by the coaches and captains of national teams from around the world. The award will be handed out on 12 January at the Zurich Opera House.

Man. United Held By Determined Tottenham

Manchester United failed to make up ground on leaders Liverpool as they were held by a stubborn Spurs side.

David Bentley's 25-yard volley forced a fine save from Edwin van der Sar, who also denied Aaron Lennon as Spurs had the better chances in the first half.

After the break, Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed when he was ruled to have handled the ball before scoring.

Rio Ferdinand and Ji-sung Park went close and Heurelho Gomes superbly saved Ryan Giggs' free-kick as Spurs held on.

United's next Premier League fixture is not until Boxing Day as they leave for Club World Cup duty in Japan on Sunday.

And despite a determined start, they missed the chance to close the gap on domestic front-runners Liverpool after the Reds' 2-2 draw with Hull earlier in the day.

Although the visitors dominated possession for the opening few minutes, there was a lack of pace and incisiveness in their approach play.

Instead it was Spurs who had the first serious attempt on goal when Bentley flipped the ball up with his right foot and cracked a 25-yard volley with his left, forcing Van der Sar into a smart save.

But the hosts suffered a blow three minutes later when Jonathan Woodgate was forced off with a back problem after an innocuous-looking challenge with Carlos Tevez.

On came Tom Huddlestone to play in midfield, with Didier Zokora moving to right back and Vedran Corluka replacing Woodgate at centre-back.

United quickly tried to test Spurs' right flank, with Ronaldo sending in a cross for Dimitar Berbatov, who could only loop a header into Heurelho Gomes's arms.

That was the story of Berbatov's return to White Hart Lane for the first since his acrimonious transfer, as he narrowly failed to silence the deafening boos that accompanied his every touch.

The Bulgarian was denied a certain goal when Gomes superbly diverted Ronaldo's low cross and was inches away from getting his head to John O'Shea's cross as United continued to attack down their left.

Tottenham also went close to breaking the deadlock, first when Aaron Lennon's low shot brought a fine save out of Edwin van der Sar and then when Luka Modric sent a diving header just off target.

United tried to step up the tempo after the break and Berbatov set off on a menacing run but was thwarted again when Michael Dawson nicked the ball away as he was about to shoot.

From the corner, Ronaldo controlled the ball and lashed home, but the goal was disallowed for a handball.

The warning was there for Tottenham, who tried to hit back and Bentley tested Van der Sar with a well-struck free-kick.

However, it was only a brief respite for Spurs as they came under increasing pressure.

Gomes had to be alert to keep out Nemanja Vidic's shot and Ferdinand headed narrowly over as United pressed.

The Brazilian keeper, much criticised of late, was showing he can also hit the headlines for the right reasons and he brilliantly saved from Ji-Sung Park.

His finest save was to come late on, when he tipped substitute Giggs' free-kick on to the bar.

United do not now play until their trip to Stoke on Boxing Day because of their involvement in the Fifa Club World Championship.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"Any time you take a point off of Man United it's a good result.

"Obviously you want to win your home games but we started the game without Ledley (King), who failed a fitness test before the game, and then we lost Jonathan Woodgate after about five minutes so we knew it was going to be a tough old night.

"To come through as we did I though was fantastic. It was a terrific performance, a really hard-working performance."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"It is not a bad result. We dominated the game for the most part and their goalkeeper has made two fantastic saves near the end.

"We just needed that bit of luck or a break close to goal but we didn't get it. But you have to admire the intensity of our game. Tottenham have been on a high since Harry Redknapp came.

"There is a bit of life about the club now. You expect to see them higher up the league and I am sure they will be. Overall, I am satisfied with the performance."

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate (Huddlestone 10), Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora, Jenas (O'Hara 62), Bentley, Modric, Pavlyuchenko (Bent 54).

Subs Not Used: Cesar, Bale, Gunter, Boateng.

Booked: Huddlestone.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Park, Fletcher (Scholes 69), Carrick, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez (Giggs 69).

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Anderson, Nani, Evans.

Booked: Rafael Da Silva.

Att: 35,882

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Edwin Extends Contract

Edwin van der Sar has agreed a one-year extension to his United contract.

The veteran keeper's latest rolling deal will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2010, with Sir Alex Ferguson confirming next season will be the Dutchman's last at the club.

"Edwin's got great experience and his temperament, professionalism and performance levels have not changed one bit," the Reds manager told Friday's pre-Spurs press conference at Carrington.

"Next season will be his last - he'll be going on 40 by the time his new deal is finished, which is great credit to the lad. He's been absolutely marvellous for us."

Van der Sar has been used more sparingly by Sir Alex this term and his impending departure will intensify the competition between Ben Foster and Thomas Kuszczak.

"What Edwin has done really well for us over the last year is help with the development of the young goalkeepers," Ferguson added. "Eric Steele, our goalkeeping coach, of course has also played a great part in making the situation very competitive.

"We're using Ben and Tomasz quite a bit now, which allows us to keep Edwin fresh for the really important games. Edwin has bought into it very well - he understands the reasoning behind it and he's played a great part in making sure the big picture is there for us in terms of the future for Ben or Tomasz.

"Next season, in fairness to Ben and Tomasz, we've got to make it more competitive. It'll be down to who the best man is for the job."

Bring Them On!!

United could face one of Europe’s big guns in the first knockout phase of this season’s Champions League.

The Reds’ 2-2 draw against Aalborg BK on Wednesday night cemented top spot in Group E and ensured United’s opponents in the last 16 would be a side that finished second in their group.

This season, however, those possibilities include Internazionale, Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid, Olympique Lyonnais and Real Madrid. United can’t face another English side (Chelsea or Arsenal) or the second-placed side from Group E (Villarreal).

The draw will take place at 11:00 GMT on Friday 19 December in Nyon, France.

“There aren’t any easy ones. Maybe it would have been better to have finished second!” Sir Alex joked.

“The positive is that our second leg will be at home so we hope we’ll have a real chance and come back to Old Trafford to play in front of a big crowd and a good atmosphere. In that situation we want to take on anyone.

“But you look at all the possibilities and they could all be difficult. The important thing is that we’re in the next round, we’ve got the track record, we’ve got the players. Let’s go and have a go.”

UEFA Champions League

Possible opponents in first knockout phase:

Internazionale
Sporting Lisbon
Atletico Madrid
Olympique Lyonnais
Real Madrid

Aalborg Accuse Rooney Over Tackle

Aalborg's Kasper Risgard has accused Manchester United's Wayne Rooney of making a dangerous tackle on him during Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw.

Risgard claims the incident, which went unpunished by the referee, left him physically marked and also alleged that Rooney apologised after the match.

"He was jumping at my chest," he said. "Anywhere else but here [Old Trafford] and it would have been a red card."

However, Rooney played down any suggestion of unnecessary aggression.

"That's football, it's a physical game," he said.

Risgard claimed French referee Laurent Duhamel did not see the incident but, if European football's governing body Uefa decides to investigate the video evidence, Rooney could face retrospective punishment and miss part of the last-16 stage in February.

United are set to face one of Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid, Lyon or Real Madrid after Rooney's equaliser meant they topped group E ahead of Villarreal.

The 23-year-old's 52-minute goal also meant United extended their unbeaten run in the Champions League to 19 games - a record shared with Ajax and Bayern Munich.

Aalborg coach Allan Kuhn said he was not certain Rooney purposely landed on Risgard.

"It is not good for a fantastic footballer," he said.

"You have to keep your head and stay calm in situations like that... but that man was a little bit frustrated.

"I was not sure during the game and I have not seen the pictures, so I cannot be 100% sure. But some of my people have seen it and said it was."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he did not see the Risgard incident but he did, however, admit it was a feisty game at times and criticised Aalborg goalscorer Jeppe Curth for a challenge on Carlos Tevez.

"Aalborg are not short of tackles are they?" he said. "They got stuck in and the one on Carlos was a blatant attack. Probably what saved him was that Carlos got straight up.

"But other than that I don't think it was such a game that you could say it was a filthy match."

He added: "We won the group which is what we wanted to do and I think the tournament really takes off now.

"We missed too many chances for my comfort - we should have been three-up in the first 15 minutes.

"You only need a second to lose a goal and it was quite a shock to us and they made it difficult for us because it gave them a purpose to hold on and defend really.

"It is a great night for them in a way and fortunately we got a goal back.

"Although 2-2 is not a great result for us it has given me an opportunity to play a lot of my players which is important.

"Winning the group and remaining undefeated is another important issue because it is a good run we are on and we want to keep it that way."

And Ferguson relished the possibility of his side facing Real Madrid in the last 16, after he fell out with the Spanish club's president, Ramon Calderon, over their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

"That would be a nice party wouldn't it?" said Ferguson. "I look forward to tea and biscuits with Ramon Calderon."

Man. United Top Their Champions League Group Despite Draw With Aalborg

Manchester United were held to a draw by Aalborg at Old Trafford - but still topped their Champions League group.

Carlos Tevez gave United the lead after three minutes when he slid in a perfect pass from Ryan Giggs.

But Aalborg equalised when Michael Jakobsen headed home after 31 minutes and Jeppe Curth's header on the stroke of half-time gave Aalborg a shock lead.

Wayne Rooney's powerful finish put United level after 52 minutes, but Aalborg held on bravely for a point.

It was a below-par show from Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning champions, but United's main goal was achieved as they finished at the head of Group E in readiness for the draw for the last 16 next week.

But once again Rooney's temperament was questioned after a number of clashes with his Danish opponents.

Aalborg's caretaker coach Allan Kuhn celebrated at the final whistle, as he was entitled to do after a performance of huge courage from his players.

With qualification for the knockout phase already assured, Ferguson was also able to rest some of his influential stars ahead of a crucial Premier League game at Spurs on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo was sidelined by injury, but he received his Ballon d'Or European Footballer of the Year trophy on the pitch prior to kick-off, standing alongside Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton, who won the award in 1964 and 1966 respectively.

With the formalities over, United's reshaped side made a perfect start early on to score the quickest Champions League goal this season.

Giggs was the creator with a precise through pass, giving Tevez the simplest of chances to slip a cool finish beyond Aalborg keeper Karim Zaza.

Tevez then missed an easier chance to double United's lead two minutes later, when he side-footed wide with the goal at his mercy after being set up by Rooney.

United dominated the opening exchanges with almost embarrassing ease, but paid for their wastefulness in front of goal when the visitors equalised after 31 minutes.

Jakobsen escaped the attentions of United's defenders in the area to direct Due's free-kick beyond Tomasz Kuszczak, who got a hand to his header and should have done better.

Remarkably, Aalborg then took the lead in the closing seconds of the first half when Due picked out Curth, who directed a clever header into the far corner beyond the stranded Kuszczak.

United made a double change at half-time, sending on Paul Scholes and Ji-Sung Park for Giggs and Darron Gibson.

And they restored equality seven minutes after the break when Rooney steered in a low drive as he raced on to Anderson's pass.

Rooney, who had been involved in some needless spats with Aalborg defenders, almost set up a rare goal for Gary Neville with 19 minutes left.

The veteran defender arrived unmarked at the far post, but his shot was blocked by Zaza.

And Rooney was frustrated again seconds later when his cross into the box was headed on to his own bar by Aalborg defender Steve Olfers.

Rooney was at the centre of all United's best work, creating an opening for Tevez with only six minutes left.

The Argentine rounded Zaza, but the angle was too tight and he could only find the side-netting.

The draw enabled United to equal the record 19-match unbeaten run in Europe's top competition, also held by Ajax and Bayern Munich, and they can now set their sights on the knockout phase and a repeat of last season's triumph in Moscow.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Neville (Rafael Da Silva 76), Ferdinand, Evans, O'Shea, Nani, Gibson (Park 46), Anderson, Giggs (Scholes 46), Rooney, Tevez.

Subs Not Used: Foster, Vidic, Fletcher, Possebon.

Goals: Tevez 3, Rooney 52.

AaB: Zaza, Bogelund, Olfers, Jakobsen, Pedersen (Sorensen 76), Curth (Caca 74), Enevoldsen, Augustinussen, Risgaard, Due (Kristensen 65), Saganowski.

Subs Not Used: Kenneth Nielsen, Nomvethe, Braemer, Ronnie Schwartz Nielsen.

Booked: Curth.

Goals: Jakobsen 32, Curth 45.

Att: 74,382

Ref: Laurent Duhamel (France).

Although injured, Cristiano Ronaldo collects the 2008 Ballon d'Or before kick-off

Carlos Tevez, fighting for more first-team appearances, starts and scores after three minutes, played in by Ryan Giggs

Aalborg equalise through Michael Jakobsen with the Red Devils' defence sleeping at a free-kick, stunning Old Trafford in to silence

And the home crowd are rocked once more as Anders Due's floated cross is headed home with precision by Jeppe Curth (right)

Sir Alex Ferguson makes two changes at the break and his team respond with Wayne Rooney's well-taken equaliser on 54 minutes

Evra Ban Shocks Sir Alex

Sir Alex Ferguson says he is stunned at the punishment handed to Patrice Evra for his part in the post-match fracas at Chelsea last season.

The Manchester United defender received a four-game ban and was fined £15,000 after the Football Association found him guilty of improper conduct.

"Of all the things the FA have done to us down the years that was one of their biggest," Ferguson said.

"I couldn't believe it. You could never tell what these people are doing."

Evra will miss United's Premier League games against Stoke and Middlesbrough, FA Cup third-round tie against Southampton and Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Derby.

The 27-year-old Frenchman is also out of Saturday's trip to Tottenham because of an existing suspension.

He would be free to return for the visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford on 11 January.

Ferguson added: "Even if I was sitting having breakfast with them I would not know what they were thinking.

"But we are still waiting for the written reasons to be delivered to (United chief executive) David Gill so we cannot really comment on what our next step will be."

A United statement had called the ban, which starts on 22 December, "excessive" and hinted they may appeal.

Chelsea were fined £25,000 for failing to ensure an employee conducted himself in an orderly fashion at Stamford Bridge.

The FA said charges that groundsman Sam Bethell had used racially abusive language towards Evra after the match could not be proven.

Evra and his team-mates were asked to move while warming down, sparking the row after last season's 2-1 league defeat in April.

Evra, Gary Neville, Park Ji-Sung, Danny Wellbeck, John O'Shea and Paul Scholes - who did not feature in the match - were running on the field in a warm-down about 30 minutes after the final whistle when the trouble broke out.

The Frenchman and Bethell were pictured having a confrontation following the incident, with Bethell raising a fist towards Evra while being held back by two Chelsea staff members.

The FA said Evra had struck Bethell on the side of the head, and that the player admitted to pushing a different groundsman with his chest.

Rafael Rips Up The Rule Book

Having breezed into United's first-team setup within just a few months of arriving in England, Rafael has been the sensation of the Reds' season so far.

The 18-year-old Brazilian defender has made 11 appearances in the first half of the season, looking utterly unflustered by his fast-track rise to prominence.

For Sir Alex Ferguson, who has fielded the youngster in pressure-cooker games like the Manchester derby, Rafael's performances have been a revelation.

"When we first watched him in training, we thought he and (twin brother) Fabio were outstanding talents," said the United manager. "But of course there’s always a cautious note to that, because you haven’t seen them in actual games.

"We’ve had to sit and wait until we’ve seen the real thing – playing in games. Rafa started against Peterborough in a friendly game, and he immediately took our breath away. He was absolutely magnificent and we knew then he had a real chance."

A foreign teenager making his debut season in English football is always going to be afforded the odd mistake, but Rafael's displays - in big games in particular - have convinced the United manager that he has a real star in the making on his hands.

"I think there’ve maybe been a couple of defining moments for us," he said. "We were playing the cautious game ourselves – maybe play him in one game, then leave him out – but then he came on against Arsenal and changed the complexion of the game on that side of the field.

"I thought he came on with an urgency to win the match for us. Every time the ball was on that side of the pitch, he was like a rat up a drainpipe. Everything seemed to happen at electric speed, and his tackling and urgency to get forward and play quickly… he was absolutely outstanding.

"It was marvellous to see a young kid come on in a big game like that and he took it by the scruff of the neck really. Then his performance against Manchester City at Eastlands, it goes a long way to convince you that the boy’s ready for it all.

"He’s coping with everything, his defensive work is improving all the time, he’s got a fantastic spring, and he’s just getting better all the time. Our gut feeling has been justified, really."

Rafael's sensational form, allied to a continuation of Gary Neville's niggling injuries of the last 18 months, has meant less first-team outings for the club captain, who had previously made the right-back spot his own with over a decade of unerring service.

"What we’re doing with Gary is not rushing him in every game," said the manager. "He’s 34 in February, he’s been out for a year and a half, so measuring his comeback, as we are doing, is definitely benefiting him. Last week (against Blackburn), he was outstanding.

"Gary was a young player here also, and he knows exactly what happens when a player like Rafa breaks into the club. When they’ve got outstanding form and ability like that, there’s not a lot you can do about it.

"It’s a great aspect of the game that a young boy can turn the corner and take someone’s place, and at the moment the performances of Rafa have been keeping Gary out, for the simple reason the boy’s been outstanding."