Man Utd 3 - 2 Reading (30/12/06)

When Alex Ferguson celebrates his 65th birthday, of all the gifts he'll receive, he'll probably be most grateful for Ronaldo's presence. In the hectic Christmas schedule 6 goals in 3 games has helped United to all 9 points and to open a 6 point gap on Chelsea. After the vilification in the press in the Summer and the rumours of wanting to move to Madrid, many feared that Ronaldo would struggle this season. Like Beckham in 1998, Ronaldo has thrived on the negative attention and, if he can maintain this form for the rest of the season, will be up there when the awards are handed out. While last season he seemed to be in Rooney's shadow, it is now the other way round. It will worrying for Chelsea if Rooney does find last season's form alongside Ronaldo.

As with the game against Wigan, players were rested and Ferguson gambled with his team selection. Vidic and Scholes were suspended, Neville injured and Evra, Saha and Giggs left out. The inclusion of O'Shea and Silvestre would have concerned many fans but, like the last game, their fears were mostly unfounded.

Solskjaer opened the scoring for United, heading in from 6 yards out. Ronaldo was the supplier, using his trickery to create space for the cross. Many teams would have faltered after conceding at Old Trafford but Reading showed why they currently lie 9th and were level after 6 minutes. Sonko headed in Shorey's freekick, United again vulnerable at a set piece and van der Sar left stranded.

Giggs came on for the second half and United attacked from the start. Chances were created with Solskjaer, Giggs and Rooney going close and it was only a matter of time before United regained their lead. After an hour Solskjaer was played in by Rooney and as his shot came off the post Ronaldo was there to knock in the rebound.

Substitute Sodje was sent off after only 9 minutes on the pitch, his second booking questionable and United took full advantage. Giggs's pinpoint cross finding Ronaldo at the far post, making it easy for him to sidefoot the ball into the net. Silvestre tried his best to ruin the party, his mistake allowing Lita to score and create a nervous end to the game.

After the final whistle blew a second cheer went up as the Chelsea score was announced. While no one wins the league in December, United have thus far proven their critics wrong and are perfectly set for the New Year. All in all it will be a happy birthday for Ferguson.

Man Utd 3 - 1 Wigan (26/12/06)

Aston Villa 0 - 3 Man Utd (23/12/06)

West Ham 1 - 0 Man Utd (17/12/06)

Man Utd 3 - 1 Man City (09/12/06)

While the game featured 4 goals, including United's 50th of the season, it is more likely to be remembered for defensive mistakes than attacking flair. After only 5 minutes Distin comically air-kicked to allow Rooney to run onto Ronaldo's cross from the right and score without breaking stride. United were again dominant and outclassed City for the first half but it was only Heinze's persistance and Dunn's slip that allowed Saha to extend the lead just before half-time, his toe-poke hitting Weaver and looping over into the goal.

It was a typical United performance with their dominance not made to count and chances wasted. Isaksson, on for the injured Weaver, made several crucial saves, managing to somehow deny Rooney from point blank range. City didn't give up and when Trabelsi curled the ball in with his left foot from the edge of the box, it looked like United would rue their wastefulness and have a nervous 20 minutes ahead of them. Ronaldo spared the fans and killed the game with little over 5 minutes left, Rooney providing the pass for him to fire home.

United can take satisfaction in taking maximum points and qualifying for the next round of the Champions League since the draw with Chelsea. Although Chelsea have 3 games in which to make up the defecit before United face West Ham on Sunday, the pressure is now on them. The United players have been given 3 days off and should be the fresher of the two teams leading into the congested Christmas fixtures after which, Larsson and possible new signings await.

Man Utd 3 - 1 Benfica (06/12/06)

United like to do it the hard way. Not content with leaving what should have been easy progress from the group stages to the last game, despite winning their first 3 games, they had to test the nerve and patience of their fans by going a goal down.

It's not often that you'll hear a manger thanking the opposition for scoring but Nelson's wonder strike from 30 yards managed to shake United out of their stupour. Not that they had played that badly up to that point but the lack of tempo, urgency and willingness to allow Benfica time on the ball left them looking vulnerable and lacking bite.

With the prospect of failing to reach the knock out stages for a second year, again at the hands of Benfica, United came to life and bombard Benfica with wave after wave of attack. On the stroke of half-time they were level. Vidic charged through the Benfica defence to head Giggs' free-kick past Quim and celebrated by pretending to fire a bazooka. United left the pitch buoyant, Benfica shell-shocked.

After going behind in the first-half, United knew that playing for a draw was always going to be a risky stategy, continuing to lay seige after the interval. It wasn't long before Giggs gave United the lead, heading home Ronaldo's laser guided cross. Saha completed a hat trick of headed goals, this time substitute Fletcher providing the ammunition. Even with this lead, United continued to attack looking for a fourth.

With Celtic losing in Denmark, United finished top of their group, although with the potential opponents awaiting them, this may not be such a huge advantage. That won't matter until February and United have to concentrate on more pressing matters. City are next up and a win will see them lead the Premiership by 9 points.

Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Man Utd (02/12/06)

Ferguson may have questioned Southgate's right to manage in the Premiership but his Middlesbrough side offered questions of their own and United were fortunate to safely navigate this potential banana skin. At times this match resembled the Celtic game with United largely dominant but unable to finish the chances that they created. Such was their movement that at one point referee, Foy, was wrong footed and couldn't help but obstruct Fletcher as another disguised pass was played as the United players charged forward.

Giggs and Saha had chances to open the scoring but Huth blocked Saha's header and Giggs somehow managed to head wide Schwarzer's parry from Ronaldo's fierce strike. Regardless, United were ahead before 20 minutes had been played. Ronaldo surged into the box and Schwarzer slid in. While able to avoid Schwarzer's challenge, Ronaldo stumbled and fell, Foy pointing to the penalty spot. It was a soft penalty, reflected by the decision not to book the goalkeeper. Saha stepped up and converted the penalty, striking the ball low and to the left, just beyond Schwarzer's reach.

After a short spell where United were camped in the opposition half, Middlesbrough fought their way back into the game and Xavier powered a header onto the upright from Downing's freekick. It was their best chance of the half and were lucky to be only one down at half-time after Rooney somehow fired wide, connecting with Ronaldo's cross at full stretch.

Middlesbrough showed their intent to attack in the second half, replacing Woodgate with midfielder Morrison. Their tactical change and hard work paid off 20 minutes later as Heinze's attempted headed clearance from Downing's cross fell to Morrison, who volleyed in low across Van der Sar into the corner of the net. United's response was instant. Another marauding Ronaldo run found him on the touchline with time to pick out Giggs on the left of the box who crossed for the advancing Fletcher to head in from 6 yards.

It was a nervy finish with United unable to add to their lead and Middlesbrough refusing to give in. Ronaldo was United's outstanding player, always a threat and denied twice by Schwarzer's fingertips. His man of the match performance marred by a shocking dive in the first half, reminiscent of Pires against Portsmouth.

United will be grateful to extend their lead at the top of the table to 6 points and put another tough fixture behind them. Saha hit his 10th of the season and Fletcher bettered last season with his second of the campaign. Benfica visit Old Trafford next and by avoiding defeat United will advance to the next round of the Champion's League.

Man Utd 3 - 0 Everton (29/11/06)

While a lot of importance was placed on the Chelsea game on Sunday, it's fixtures like Everton and the upcoming Middlesbrough and City which will have more bearing on United's title chances this season. All 3 teams took points off United last season and a win against the Toffees was essential to keep United top by 3 points.

Ferguson toyed with the supporters patience and nerves, making 5 changes to the team that drew with Chelsea. Seeing O'Shea and Silvestre in the starting XI has not boded well so far this season. With leading scorer Saha rested after taking a knock on Sunday, Rooney was joined by Ronaldo in attack.

Everton battled well and it looked like United were going to be frustrated again, the changes unbalancing the team. Fortunately Ronaldo managed to break the deadlock shortly before half-time, firing in Carrick's deflected shot from outside the penalty area. Once they'd taken the lead, the result was never in doubt. Beattie up front for Everton offered very little and was poor.

In the second half Evra scored his first goal for United and killed the game off with less than 30 minutes to go. This allowed Ferguson to make further changes and left United with a central midfield of O'Shea and Brown, highlighting the current lack of depth in the squad. Despite this, United managed a third goal just before full-time, O'Shea flicking the ball over Wright from Evra's pass.

The score line flattered United who weren't at their best or full strength but it gave them 3 points and allowed Giggs, Scholes and Saha to be rested, ready for the visit to Middlesbrough on Saturday. The next 3 games are crucial with Middlesbrough and City in the league and Benfica in Europe. Champions League qualification and the chance to go 9 points clear of Chelsea are at stake here.

The Ruudometer reaches an important milestone. The 'missing Ruud' column hitting 10 goals thanks to Evra scoring. Despite his poor performances, O'Shea has equalled last season's tally and Ronaldo is nearly halfway to his target. Fifteen different scorers so far and with Larsson to arrive in January, there's a good chance that there'll be another name to add to the list.