Porto 0-1 Manchester United

Has the season just got back on track again, last night was the best performance since the Inter game away. We are not back to the standards of that night but at last we looked like a team again. The returning Ferdinand helped solidify the defence even if it still isn't the defence of last seson. O'Shea has done a job at full back, some games pretty well, others not that well, but Evra still doesn't look the player of last season. But Ferdinand and Vidic were back to their best and with Anderson in front giving them a bit more cover than they have had recently, United never really looked like conceding. In fact Porto didn't have a really serious chance until the last 5 minutes.
United started the game reasonably well, at least it wasn't the sluggish start we had in the 1st leg. But the sensational goal by Ronaldo after 6 minutes really settled us and clearly knocked their game plan for six as United completely dominated the first 20 minutes and mostly controled the first half. Porto were restricted to long range shots and one well hit free kick. When their best player Lucho went off just after they had looked like getting back into the game, it really looked it was going to be our night. If Vidic had converted a chance from a corner from inside the six yard box just before the interval it would have been all over.
The second half was a more tense affair and United definitely didn't dominate the game thereafter. But i thought we always looked comfortable. Berbatov had a strange game, he got caught too often and wanted too much time on the ball i thought. But his movement was pretty good but you wish he would make more of an effort to get in the box. Rooney was excellent sacrificing himself for the team yet again, this time on the right. Anderson without being that good, his first touch and distribution again belieing the fact he comes from Brazil, made a difference giving the defence a bit more cover than it has recieved of late. Giggs yet again this season, was superb, we look far and away a better team when he in the side at present. Ronaldo had his best game in ages and almost had a second late on in the second half with a cracking right foot shot that forced their goalie into a fine save.
We did come under some pressure late on but that was to be expected with the state of the tie with them just needing the one goal because of their away goals at Ol Trafford. But at the end of the game it was a good solid professional performance that got us through. I hope that it is the start of a resurgence in our form that takes us to the title at least. It was lovely to see the bindippers get knocked out and having a game where they probably took more out of themselves than we did. Let's hope we can finish of a fine week at Wembley on Sunday.

Everyone is looking forward to the Arsenal semi final, after last night i am more confident than i was. But we will have to be at our best in those two games.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/rocket-ronaldo-launches-united-into-arsenalrsquos-path-1669388.html

Ferguson glad to have Ferguson back, so am i, but will he stay fit with all the crunch games from now until the end of the season.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5162964/Rio-Ferdinand-the-key-for-Manchester-United.html

In the loop gets 5 stars in the Guardian with doubtless more rave reviews to come. I rewatched the first episode of The thick of it last night and hat a treat it was. It still cracks me up as much as the first time i watched it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/apr/16/in-the-loop-review-bradshaw

Anatole Kaletsky says it's best to be optimistic about the economic recovery when it happens
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/anatole_kaletsky/article6101278.ece