Aston Villa 0 v 2 Manchester United
Old Trafford, Manchester
17th December 2005
Last week the Press were writing us off, this week they're backing us to win the league, and have even said that the whole nation now supports Manchester United!?
In reality, we're somewhere between the two extremes, with the nation certainly more sympathetic towards us now that Chelsea are in the ascendancy, and with United the only team that can realistically challenge them.
Cristiano Ronaldo was once again left on the bench, this time in favour of a wing partnership of Giggs and Ji Sung, but Ronaldo will be raring to go over the next few weeks, and he till managed to make it to the highlights with some delightful skill towards the end.
United started strong, and never looked back. Their crisp passing saw them create a chance for Park, who hit the post, before Van Nistelrooy put us ahead. A cunning through-ball by Fletcher was met by van Nistelrooy, despite the fact that he had two defenders on him. He let the ball run across him, and chipped it over Sorenson for the first.
The second came after Fergie's teamtalk, with ooney this time gallopping through the centre and smashing teh ball in off the post!
Ronny came on after 66 minutes, and did some of his usual trickery up until full-time. One particularly sublime skill saw Ruud van Nistelrooy missa gilt-edged chance. Like in the FA Cup Final last season, Ronaldo played the ball with a cheeky chip from his right foot played from the wrong side of his left foot. (Incidentally, in the FA Cup it was the other way round, proving just how brilliantly talented Critiano is!)
