Manchester United 4-0 AC Milan

Great picture of last night from the Guardian

I'm not sure why but i wasn't as confident as i usually am before a game yersterday. Maybe if Ronaldinho had put the header away or Huntelaar had controlled the ball when put through during that exciting end to end first twenty minutes things might have been tighter. But when Rooney headed home Gary Neville's one decent cross of the first half, the night became a lot more comfortable for United.
I don't think i was the only one worried that Fergie had picked Gary Neville came in to replace Rafael but fortunately he had one of his better matches. Park going into central midfield which had seemed the obvious move with Carrick suspended was the other decision that Fergie had to make. I am not Park's biggest fan but he has been outstanding over the last few games and last night he was playing in what is probably his best position. And it wouldn't surprise to see him play there more regularly in future, especially in Europe.
I still think our defence is not what it was but if we play like that going forward we can only hope that it will be enough to get us through to the final in Madrid and to see us in contention until the last day of the season in the title race.
Once again Rooney was outstanding and the header for the first goal typified his improvement of late. As one journo has remarked this morning none of the seven consecutive headers that he has scored have been gimme's. On every one he had work to do, either aiming for the corner or getting enough power behind it to beat the goalie. And last night's first was no exception as he hit the corner of the net to give the goalie no chance. That seemed to settle the game as United took complete control after that. Nani had an in and out game. In the first half he gave the ball away too easily but had one cracking shot that Abbiati did well to save. Park was having a great game snuffing out Pirlo but managing to get forward and as the game progressed he was making more and more runs.
As Ferguson said after the game the second goal completely killed Milan off. From the Italians perspective it was a bit of a disaster as Tiago needlessly lost the ball to Nani who raced forward and played the pass of the night through to Rooney who beat the goalie with ease to make it 2-0. Now it was time for United to enjoy themselves and they did just that when Scholes inch perfect pass put Park in on goal and he finished the chance with aplomb to well and truly kill the game off. United took the opportunity to give Rooney a rest with 20 minutes to go as Milan gave Beckham a run out at his old home at about the same time. He is obviously not the player he was but the one thing he can still do is whip in a great cross. And he put one in right at the death that Inzhagi probably should have put away. But it was United's night and it was Fletcher who was to have the final say on the night as he headed home Rafael's long cross to score his first champions league goal.
So a great night and a great win but before we get too carried away Milan were no great shakes. Becks did the anti Glazer protest no harm picking the green and gold scarf up at the end and putting it around his neck. Not a pleasant site for the two gimps that actually graced/shamed us with their presence for once.

A nice bit of anti Glazer PR from Becks
Paul Wilson wonders how injured Rooney really was for the Wolves match as he looked unstoppable last night putting Milano to the sword again. I've got to admit i think he was just rested for the Wolves match.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/mar/10/wayne-rooney-manchester-united-milan

Jim White joins in the eulogies for Rooney but notices that Becks is still unbeatable in the PR department.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/davidbeckham/7415558/Man-Utd-v-AC-Milan-David-Beckham-surrenders-old-kingdom-to-Wayne-Rooney.html

Fegie wouldn't mind Rooney equalling Ronaldo's 42 goal haul, but he is more than pleased with the 30 so far.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7057742.ece

Rooney has joined the elite as he nears his peak writes James Lawton. I actually think he will get better still and become the undoubted number one player in the world. Reading the quotes from the Italians over these two legs he must have a great chance of winning either the European or/and world player of the year
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-world-games-summit-beckons-as-rooney-nears-peak-of-his-powers-1919549.html

Rob Kelly questions Ronaldo's decision to go to Ream Madrid as they crash out at the first knockout hurdle again. I thought they might struggle, i still think Barca are the biggest threat from the continent, injuries notwithstanding.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/robkelly/100005909/wayne-rooneys-development-highlights-cristiano-ronaldos-mistake-in-leaving-manchester-united-for-real-madrid/
I will laugh if they get rid of the coach Pelligrino, it would just prove, yet again, they don't know what they are doing.

Investment bank Nomura to advise red knights and MUST over Manchester United takeover.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7419698/Investment-bank-Nomura-to-advise-Red-Knights-on-Manchester-United-takeover.html

Jim White hits back at the sarcasm and cynicsm of some recent reporting of the anti Glazer campaign and the red knights in particular. As he says if they succeed it won't just be great news for United but for English football in general.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/jim-white/article/17583/

Owen Hargreaves has been pulled from tonights reserve match derby. No reason given except to say he has not had a set back. Looking outside at the weather it's hard to think of any other reason for him not to be playing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8551404.stm

Same old Tories writes Jonathan Freedland
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/09/smoothies-party-rich-tories-brand

New Labour and the law, politicians full stop i'm afraid don't mix. Simon Jenkins takes the government to task over it's behaviour during the recent Venables controversy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/09/jack-straw-jon-venables-the-sun

We must forget the old orthodoxies such as putting the fight against inflation at the top of the economic to do list according to Anatole Kaletsky.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/anatole_kaletsky/article7057327.ece

Curtis Mayfield on the old grey whistle test with a superb piece of soul.