Paul Scholes

To say Paul Scholes is not your average footballer would be something of an understatement.

After all, this is a man who struggles with asthma, is short, incredibly shy, has no real pace, can’t tackle, shuns the spotlight and is a dedicated family man.

However, he is also one of the most gifted footballers ever to play the game and, although he refuses most interview requests, that is largely because he does all his talking on the pitch.

Blessed with a creative football brain, an eye for goal, quick feet and a sublime range of passing, Scholes has won almost everything the game has to offer in a glittering career that has ensured that he will always be treasured by players and fans alike at Manchester United.

Often described as 'a player’s player', Scholes is admired by many of the greats of the game and even Sir Bobby Charlton has been moved to describe him as his favourite ever United player - high praise indeed.Always a reluctant superstar, the midfielder has been with United since he was 14 and, alongside the likes of Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Nicky Butt, graduated swiftly through the ranks and into the first team.

The ‘Ginger Prince’ never had any trouble making his presence felt in the senior side, scoring twice on his debut against Port Vale in the League Cup in 1994-95, and also netting on his first league appearance against Ipswich Town.

Success was inevitably quick to follow and Scholes picked up his first silverware in 1996, claiming a Premier League and FA Cup double.

Winning was to prove a familiar feeling for the midfield maestro, who has since added another eight Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two Champions League wins to his collection.

Not that he would ever be the type to boast about his achievements. Indeed, in a rare interview Scholes confessed that he doesn’t keep his medals on view and instead has them locked away somewhere safe. Notoriously private as he is, the Red Devil has also revealed that, despite winning a Champions League medal in 1999, it is the one prize he doesn’t feel he deserves as he famously missed the last-gasp win over Bayern Munich through suspension.

Yet the midfielder managed to make amends for that disappointment in 2008 and did so in style in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, with a goal that provided a real highlight of his career. Having picked up a goalless draw in the first leg at the Camp Nou, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side brought the Catalans back to Old Trafford, where they were defeated courtesy of a stunning strike by Scholes. That goal sent United back to the final, in which they overcame Chelsea on penalties and Scholes finally received the Champions League winners medal that he felt he had truly earned.

Whilst his club career has featured unrivalled success, he has fared slightly worse on the international scene and it is perhaps fair to say he never really fulfilled his potential in an England shirt. Yet he began his career for the Three Lions brightly enough, scoring in World Cup 1998 before hitting a hat-trick against Poland in a Euro 2000 qualifier. However, he then went on to suffer the ignominy of becoming the first England player to be sent-off at Wembley, followed by a goal drought that lasted three years. Despite finally ending that poor run with a strike against Croatia in Euro 2004, it wasn’t long before Scholes hung up his international boots, aged only 29. The quiet man cited family reasons and the hope of prolonging his club career as his prime motivation and, although many have subsequently tried to convince him to change his mind, none have yet succeeded. Yet England’s loss is undoubtedly United’s gain and Scholes continues to play an integral part at Old Trafford, more than 15 years after making his debut. He has now racked up over 600 appearances for United, scoring 142 times (and counting). Despite competition from the likes of Michael Carrick, Anderson and Darren Fletcher, Scholes remains a vital member of the squad and, although his time at the club is undoubtedly coming to an end, there is life in the old man yet.

HONOURS

Premier League: (1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09) FA Cup: (1996, 1999, 2004)
Champions League: (1999, 2008)
League Cup: (2006, 2009)
Club World Cup: (2009)

Wayne Rooney

Some say he's the most talented player in the all the land; others say he's inconsistent, petulant and ugly. And the truth is that these two statements are both quite near the mark where Wayne Rooney is concerned.

The Scouse striker first broke onto the scene with his boyhood club, Everton, as a somewhat pudgy-looking teenager in 2002. In October that year, he marked himself as one to watch by netting against Arsenal to become the Premier League's youngest-ever scorer. He became England's youngest-ever player five months later, and by the end of the season he had established himself as arguably Britain's top sporting prospect.

A year further on, his exquisite skills, passion, work-ethic and eye for the majestic had made him one of the most recognisable talents in world football.

The summer of 2004 was a watershed for Rooney. Not only did he star for the Three Lions at the European Championship in Portugal, earning a place in the team of the tournament by scoring four goals to help Sven-Goran Eriksson's side to the quarter-finals (where they fell to the hosts on penalties); but his domestic situation also took quite a significant - and pricey - turn.

By the end of August, after rejecting a new contract offer from the Toffees and becoming the subject of a lengthy bidding war, the Croxteth native signed for Manchester United in a deal worth over £25 million. Thus, he claimed another record, becoming the most expensive teenage transfer in the world.

As you can see, many a milestone was reached by the time Rooney arrived at Old Trafford. Since then, the mantelpiece - or mantelpieces, perhaps - of his £4.25 million Prestbury mansion has - or have - been adorned with trinket upon trinket.

In his first season with the Red Devils, he claimed both the PFA and FIFPro Young Player of the Year awards. The season after, he defended his PFA crown, booked a spot in the Team of the Year and claimed the Sir Matt Busby trophy as the United fans' player of the season. He also won his first trophy, the League Cup.

The team titles have kept on coming. 'Roo' has won two consecutive Premier Leagues (and is presently chasing a third), with a Community Shield and a Club World Cup thrown in, capped off by the highlight of his career to date: the 2008 UEFA Champions League crown, won on penalties against Chelsea in Moscow.

And yet, despite all the trophies and fame and fortune, a debate has sprung up in the past year or so as to just how good Rooney has been since leaving Goodison Park. Some feel that he has failed to deliver anything like the quality expected of a player who was supposed to be the best in the world by now - a title instead being battled out between his one of his club-mates and a certain little Argentine from Barcelona.

The stats make interesting reading. Since joining United, the 23-year-old has scored 97 goals in 230 games - excellent in anyone's terms. Nevertheless, people point to his middling season-by-season totals in the league and his knack for lengthy goalless streaks, and they timidly suggest that perhaps he is an underachiever.

In some ways, the appointment of Fabio Capello as England boss has reminded everyone just how good Rooney is. For the Italian tactician has essentially set about building his system around the young forward, with he and Steven Gerrard building a superb understanding as they interchange between the central and wide positions, doubling England's creative threat in the process.

The point is, Rooney remains England's great white hope. He has been exceptional in the Three Lions' perfect start to 2010 World Cup qualifying. And with 20 goals notched up to date at club level, he is - and will continue to be - an indispensable component of the Man United machine, no matter where on the pitch he plays.

HONOURS

Football League Cup (2005-06)
Premier League (2006-07, 2007-08)
FA Community Shield (2007)
UEFA Champions League (2007-08)
FIFA Club World Cup (2008)

BBC Sports Young Personality of the Year (2002)
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (2004)
FIFPro World Young Player of the Year (2004–05)
PFA Young Player of the Year (2004–05, 2005–06)
PFA Team of the Year (2005–06)
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (2005–06)
Premier League Player of the Month (February 2005, December 2005, March 2006, November 2007)
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (2008)

Key Factor to United Loss

Key Factor #1 : Trembling Midfield

This is the major factor that lead to United's loss in Rome. Can you believe, Michael Carrick playing the game that night with broken toe? His partner, Anderson is still not very experienced in big match. United might fell the absence of suspended Darren Fletcher in midfield in that game.

Midfield dominance is the key factor to United success in England and Europe from early 90s until now. Back then, United's infamous captain, Irish international's Roy Keane successfully play his role as playmaker with the companies like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Dubbed as 'The Bulldozer' because of his pace and creativity to move the ball from defending to attacking. His successor, Oven Hargreaves, signed from Bayern Munich, play at almost the same style with Keane and play an important role in United success last season where they win both Premier League and Champions League.

Playing just 5 games this season, Hargreaves, which is also England's midfielder is sidelined thanks to his knee injury for the whole season. He is expected to return in action next season. But the question is, will he be the same Hargreaves even though he didn't play for a season?

Meanwhile, Anderson, the Brazilian international is yet to find the net for United after 3 season. He is known for his efford and energy running through midfield, smooth passing, and harsh tackles. His midfield team, Darren Fletcher, the Scottish international's captain is on his best form this season. Suspended for final because of the red card in previous game, Fletcher is the midfielder in his own class. Posses the same playing style with Michael Carrick, they can dominate the midfield in each of United game.

ECC : Arsenal 1 Manchester United 3

The tale of Emirates Stadium is vanished as Christiano Ronaldo scored 2 goals to power United to a 3 - 1 win over Arsenal in the second leg of European Champions League Semifinal last night. United will now meet the winner of another Semifinal clash tomorrow between Chelsea and Barcelona.

United dominated the game as early as the kick off until the 8th minute when United wingman Park Ji Sung scored the first goal. United striker, Wayne Rooney pass the ball and the Korean midfielder wasted no chance when Arsenal defender, Gibbs fall when try to block the pass. Ji Sung made no mistake to volley the ball pass Arsenal's goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia. The second goal is only 3 minutes later when Christiano Ronaldo fires a free kick pass Almunia 30 yards from goal. The game is really finish by this time. Theorically, Arsenal will need 4 goal to overcome United and by the way they are playing, it's impossible.

United keep on dominated the game although they're leading. MAnuel Almunia made a series of superb save to stop United improving the lead. Rooney, Anderson, Ji Sung and Ronaldo tries will all saved by him. Second half started and it was Arsenal dominate the game. Kieran Gibbs was subtituted with Emmanuale Eboue. Arsenal try to push the ball towards United box but United defender, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand was superb tonight. United launch a counter attack at 61st minute and it paid of when Rooney smartly pass the ball to Ronaldo in the box and Ronaldo simply make it 3 - 0. Now, Arsenal will need 5 goals to overcome United. United defender, Patrice Evra was subtitute by Rafael Da Silva and Wayne Rooney was subtitute with Dimitar Berbatov. Arsenal try to dominate the game but Rafael was fantastic enough to stop the Arsenal striker.

At the 75th minute, Arsenal awarded the penalty by the referee. Darren Fletcher tackles Fabregas inside the box and he was shown straight red card. He will of course miss the final in Rome. It's not some kind of nasty tackle. Referee should just yellow carded him. It's really a misjudgement by the referee at that highest level of football. Van Persie shot home a penalty to make the scoreline 3 - 1. Ronaldo misses 2 great chance of making the night historic as the hatric hero. It's a superb match with superb play making by Rooney and Carrick. Superb defend by Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Rafael Da Silva and Nemanja Vidic. Park Ji Sung, Christiano Ronaldo, Anderson, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher is controlling the midfield with such a great pace and speed.

After all, it's worth spending my sleep time to watch such a match.......

My Father...........

I will like to write about my father. He is a great man and my idol. He's quite tall but I'm taller than him. He has a handsome face like me but he is darker than me. He's not so fat but he is fatter than me. He has a very angry face. You couldn't imagine it how it will look when he's angry.

He likes to scold me all the times. Even the simplest mistake I made will cost me half an hour of pain in ear. Actually, I love it now because nowadays I live far from my hometown and I really miss his voice. He is a very outgoing person. He is also very independent person and very friendly. But he's too protective sometimes. I still ask him to go anywhere until now even if I'm 22. He is also very loving and caring. He calls me everyday and ask about me, my study and if I needed any money. He should really be The Father of The Year.....

Clash of The Emirates

Tonight, 2 English team will battle to book a place in Champions League final in Rome. Arsenal will take on Manchester United at Emirates Stadium, the stadium which United haven't beat Arsenal yet. United already have an advantage over the game, courtesy of John O'Shea's goal in first leg at Old Trafford.

Having controlled the first leg superbly, United miss a lot of chance to increase the lead. Midfield dominance by Anderson, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher is proved too much for Arsenal youngsters to take on. The attacking force of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Christiano Ronaldo is devastating. It's proved when Arsenal's keeper, Manuel Almunia keeping his net safe by a series of superb save.

Can United do it again tonight? Only time will tell

Back to winning ways.....

Manchester United back on track for the unprecedented quadruple this season when their injury time goal earns them 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford last night. Teenager Federico Macheda marked his Manchester United debut with an astonishing goal and keep them on course for the Premier League title.

The 17-year-old substitute, who replaced Nani after 61 minutes, showed tremendous composure to turn Villa defender Luke Young and curl the ball past Villa keeper Brad Friedel and give the champions the victory that took them back to the top of the table. Christiano Ronaldo also on scoresheet twice for United while John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor scored for Aston Villa. Ronaldo curled a free kick top corner on the net while Carew and Agbonlahor both headed the ball at the back of Van Der Sar's net.

It's a huge gamble by Alex Ferguson by replacing Nani for Macheda after Aston Villa leading the game 2-1. While it looks like United heading for their third successive defeat of the season, Ronaldo curled a low shot at Aston Villa Keeper in 80th minute which he failed to stop that shot. And in the third minute through injury time, the superb strike by Macheda lift United to top of league table, one point and one game in hand ahead of second placed Liverpool....

The future looks nice for Manchester United with their talented youngsters. After all, it's the same United's infamous Academy that created players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckam and the Neville Brothers...

United we stand, Divided we fall