ROOOOONEY !!!

In a night that was meant for Ronaldo and Kaka to shine, it was Rooney that rose to the occasion. Two brilliant goals, especially the match winning injury time goal, showed that amidst the inconsistency throughout the year, this kid has special talent, special determination, a battling perseverance that no other kid has. It’s no wonder that Sir Alex included him as one of the greatest players he ever had –considering Rooney has only won a League Cup with United.

Back to the game, it was a night of passion, uncertainty, and character in good spirit and fair play at the highest level from both teams. Professionals at the utmost, combined by harmony between Milanese and the Mancunian makes this affair a totally different one with that of AS Roma ties. The end result, if you were to ask me before the game started, wouldn’t be that ‘fantastic’, BUT if you were into the game from the first minute ’till the end, United fans should be singing all night long for the 3-2 win against the much-decorated and disciplined AC Milan team in this first leg of 2007 UEFA Champions’ League Semifinal. Had Gattuso, a player that United has linked with for many occasions in the past- survived his own ultra combativeness style that force the foot injury on him, I would thought that Milan might be able to break the flow of United’s midfield. Having said that though, with Scholes pushing upward and Fletcher taking over the midfield, United were able to keep pressuring Milan and created chances.

Man-of-the-Match: No doubt, Rooney was the key, his two goals turned the pressure on Milan to open up the game next week in San Siro. Fletcher deserves credit for his battling performance in the midfield during the second half, and Giggs/Scholes for their assists in each of the goal. Ronaldo, although having quite a quiet night by his own standards, deserves credit for the early header that forced Dida to concede an own goal –and it turned set the tone for the night.

Sing Manchester United fans, we’re still up for the Treble!!! Up next, Everton!!!