PICTURE: Cole "Tackle" on Hernandez

Courtesy of http://lockerz.com/s/139904516

Manchester United came out on top in a dramatic game at Old Trafford, but United will be hoping Javier Hernandez will overcome this challenge from Ashley Cole late in the second half. As United's Mexican striker struck a rebound into the side netting, Ashley Cole came in with a lunging challenge which could have been very dangerous indeed.

Sir Alex Ferguson described it as a "shocking tackle" and that Hernandez may be out for a couple of weeks.

Hernandez was treated, clearly in a lot of pain, but was able to hobble off of the pitch to be substituted by Dimitar Berbatov. Cole was yellow carded, but no penalty was given.

Match report to follow.

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PICTURES: Wayne Rooney Champions League Final Goal

Manchester United came up against their toughest test of the season in their biggest game of the season. United had prepared well for the game according to Sir Alex Ferguson, but there was nothing that could have prepared United, the Champions of England, for the best team in the world. Despite Wayne Rooney's fantastic equaliser in the first half, Barcelona came back to score two stunning winners in the second half through Lionel Messi and David Villa.

The pictures above show the elation and relief of such a big goal in a massive game. United would have hoped to progress from this goal, but it was not to be. However, this goal was a huge goal in Wayne Rooney's career, and a goal which he really deserved in a Champions League final in which he worked his socks off to make an impact.

Congratulations Barcelona.

More reaction tomorrow.

PICTURES: Beckham Back in United Kit

David Beckham returned to Old Trafford for Gary Neville's testimonial game against Juventus in which Manchester United lost 2 - 1. However, it was never about the result, but the occasion, and the great occasion saw the return of the class of 1992, with the Neville brothers, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and of course David Beckham.
Gary Neville said:

"The most important thing was that the lads got through it without getting injured. I enjoyed the night, and it was a great turn-out."

"It was played at a high tempo which was important with Saturday coming up for the lads." 

"I'm so proud of everything. Hopefully now it can be a great week and we can finish it off on Saturday." 

"The fans have so much to contend with, they are always loyal to the players and they have done that again tonight."

Enjoy the Pictures Below:

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Picture: Michael Owen Lifts His 1st Premier League

Who would have thought that Michael Owen, the Liverpool kid, who scored goals for fun at Anfield for a good eight years would be lifting his first Premier League trophy for Manchester United in possibly his last season at the top level of football. He capped it with a clinical finish to place the cherry firmly on the delicious Manchester United cake, as his second Premier League goal of the season condemned a brake Blackpool to relegation. 
A jubilant Owen told MUTV:

“As they say, if you can’t beat them, join them. I won a lot of trophies with Liverpool but to win the Premier League is the pinnacle of anyone’s career. 

"I’m very proud today. I’ve not played as much as I did last year but we all have to play our part to win the league and it’s been enjoyable, nonetheless. 

"I’m really pleased and proud to have played with a great crop of lads and obviously the manager’s second to none.”

468 professional appearances, 218 career goals, 15 years and at last, at long last, a Premier League title. Congratulations Manchester United, congratulations Michael Owen.

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Pic & Video: Michael Essien Tackle on Jermaine Pennant

Michael Essien had already received a red card prior to this horrendous tackle on Jermaine Pennant against Stoke City on Saturday. After seeing this evidence, it should have been another red to add to the statistics, but instead of that, the Chelsea midfielder went unpunished - not even a yellow card.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has been banned for two games by the FA for swearing into a television camera after completing a fantastic hat-trick and stunning comeback for Manchester United. His outburst will see him miss the Manchester derby, and the Premier League game against Fulham as United fight to stay above Arsenal in the title race.

It seems that the FA have punished a player by punishing the club he plays for rather than punishing the player. The banning of Rooney could possibly have an adverse effect on United's FA Cup challenge as well as their title challenge with Arsenal. The banning of Rooney for swearing - which, lets face it, happens every week and done so by every player on the pitch is nothing when a tackle such as the above is committed - something that can break a players leg and wreck a career. 

Rooney's reputation has been damaged even more by this incident and his frustration has been added to by a two match ban, but Jermaine Pennant's career could have been deeply effected, yet there was no punishment but a free-kick. 

[Pic] Douglas Costa at Old Trafford

Douglas Costa has been monitored by Sir Alex Ferguson for the past four years and it seems the 20 year-old Brazilian is a little closer to joining up with fellow Brazilians Rafael and Fabio at United after being spotted at the Manchester United - Bolton game on Saturday.

Costa is part of the Shakhtar Donetsk side that have reached the quarter finals of the Champions League and is seen as the perfect replacement to Paul Scholes in the United midfield. Costa is an attacking midfielder with pace and dribbling ability who can be utilised on either wing or up front as a second striker.


Manchester United would not comment on his appearance at Old Trafford, seen above, but Sir Alex had tried to sign him when he played at Brazilian side Gremio. A deal fell through and he signed for Shakhtar who will apparently ask for close to £20 million if United come calling. That is £15 million more than what Shakhtar bought him for in January 2010 and £13 million more than what United originally offered Gremio in 2009.


The player has scored 15 goals in 61 appearances for Shakhtar and a move to United could prove difficult with a work permit a possible stumbling block as well as the Ukranian clubs good financial position. As the richest club in Ukraine and this seasons good Champions League showing, they will be in no rush to sell their best players.

Fabregas & Walcott Injuries [Pics] & Reaction

So Arsenal claimed victory against a physical Stoke side to move within a point of Manchester United at the peak of the Premier League. But the three points came at a price. Two of Arsenal's talismanic players in Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott went off the pitch injured, with the latter having to be stretchered off.

See what Arsene Wenger had to say about the injuries below:

Wenger on Fabregas injury:

"Fabregas has a hamstring problem. We will assess that tomorrow. It is impossible to see how serious it is. We will know Thursday."

"It is of course a concern that he (Fabregas) is injured but it happens unfortunately. He was very upset. I am as well. But it is not his fault or mine. It is part of sport.

"It's strange when it happens early in the game but we have to face it. We did the job after that in a very professional way."

Wenger on Walcott Injury:

"Theo Walcott has an ankle sprain and he is out. For how long, I don't know, but he is definitely out of Sunday.

Games for Arsenal are coming in thick and fast, and injuries are the last thing that Wenger would have wanted, especially to their captain Fabregas and sometimes game changing winger Walcott. The three points will however soften the blow as the days count down towards the Carling Cup final on Sunday against Birmingham.

Wenger praised his sides performance against a defensive Stoke side:

"We did the job after the injury in a very professional way against a Stoke team who defended very well. They were very compact but we were intelligent, calm, patient and overall I believe we were resilient."

Stoke have been criticized for the way they play sometimes - using Rory Delap's long throw, not playing on the ground and being too physical - Wenger even once said they played with "rugby" tactics. But he had no complaints after Wednesday's game:

"No. I have no issue with the long throws and I do not have issue with any other aspect of their game. It is a team you know you have to prepare mentally for before the game because you will not take the points if you do not do it.

"Nobody likes to play against Stoke because they have a very special way to play the game, but I have to say tonight for me they defended in a very intelligent way. When we found some space they quickly cut it off and we could not take advantage."