Ronaldo confident Man Utd can win Double

Cristiano Ronaldo is backing Manchester United to win the Premiership and Champions League Double this season.
Ronaldo said: "I believe we'll win the Premier League and Champions League this season.


"We have the team, we have the players and we believe we can do it. There's a good chance we will.

"I'm at one of the best clubs in the world and I must think like that. If I was still playing for Sporting Lisbon I wouldn't say that but I play for Manchester United and we always have the opportunities to win the big trophies every season.

"All the players feel good, feel sharp, feel quick and they are showing on the pitch their great desire to play for Manchester United."

The Red Devils have bagged 16 goals in their last four games, with Saturday's 4-1 thrashing of Middlesbrough their eighth straight victory.

Ronaldo, 22, added: "The last three or four games, we've scored many goals and it's not just me - many players are scoring goals and this is good for our motivation. The team are more confident now. We are playing well - the last three weeks we've been fantastic and we need to keep it going."

Man Utd's Rooney: Ref rows are over

Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney believes he's shaken off his ill-discipline.
He said: "When I look back now and see myself shouting at the referee, I think it is better to show them a bit more respect really.

"You've got to remember when I first starting playing first-team football I was only 16.

"Any 16-year-old playing in big games will have their emotions all over the place. You are going to be a bit short-fused.

"But with age it has got better each year.

"It's a big week with Arsenal coming up so, hopefully, we can beat them."

Carrick hands Man Utd boost

Michael Carrick is back in training at Manchester United.
Carrick has recovered from his elbow injury and returns to training just as Paul Scholes is facing three months out due to a knee injury.

Man Utd's Ferdinand hit by injury scare

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could miss Saturday's crunch match at Arsenal.
The Daily Mail says Ferdinand reported to United's Carrington complex on Monday but went for a scan instead of training.


The England centre half fears a recurrence of a groin problem that forced him to miss four of United's final six games in the run-in to regaining the title last season.

Coming on the day when it was also revealed midfielder Paul Scholes will be ruled out until February, it was hardly the news manager Sir Alex Ferguson needed before the clash with rival Arsene Wenger and his Premier League leaders.

Ferdinand was replaced by Gerard Pique 20 minutes from the end of Saturday's convincing 4-1 win over Middlesbrough, a victory that lifted United to the top until Arsenal took a point from Liverpool on Sunday.

United insiders expect Ferdinand to bite the bullet for Saturday's crucial lunchtime showdown at the Emirates, which is likely to be one of a handful of matches this season that settle the destination of the title.

But there is concern that Ferdinand's injury will have to be addressed in the long term if it keeps returning to bother the defender, who is 29 next month.

Hargreaves: Man Utd STILL better than Arsenal

Owen Hargreaves insists Manchester United are a better team than table-leaders Arsenal ahead of Saturday's big clash.
The England star said: "They've played extremely well and played some good football, but I still think that we're the top team in England. It'll be a fabulous game for the fans to enjoy but we'll be very confident going into the game.


"We've got some time to focus and look at some tape of Arsenal and look at what they do well. We look good, our offensive play is very good. But we have some things we can work on, even going forward. We had some wonderful moments against Boro but at times we were a bit complacent.

"We could have scored more goals so we have some things we can work on - and that's a great thing. We're winning comfortably and we're not even hitting top gear yet."

Hargreaves made his return against Boro after struggling this season with various knee problems.

But the midfielder, who signed from Bayern Munich for £17million this summer, is hoping his injury problems are now behind him.

Hargreaves added: "I felt a bit stiff and sore afterwards but that happens with injuries like this. It has been a frustrating time, very stop and start. I have spoken to a lot of doctors and specialists who have explained it is not really a problem with the knee, it is more a structural problem. I have been trying to play through it but it has been difficult at times.

"Now I am fit, I just want to try to remain that way for the rest of the season."

Man Utd's Ronaldo: Real Madrid couldn't tempt me

Manchester United wing ace Cristiano Ronaldo is convinced they're a better team than last season.
He warned: "With Carlos Tevez, Nani and Anderson, we are more heavyweight this season.

"Now, when teams come to shut up shop, we have more ways of unlocking them. It's exciting. We're certainly better than last year. And if defenders want to put the boot in, I'll keep taking it. I'm used to it now."

Ronaldo added: "I was delighted that Real Madrid were so interested in signing me, but United have become everything to me. I'm going to be here for many years and I'm going to be very happy."