Manchester lost the title

Chelsea FC retained the Premier League title when they defeated second-placed Manchester United 3-0 at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Goals from William Gallas, Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho sealed a second successive title for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and United's bad luck was complete when England striker Wayne Rooney was carried off on a stretcher with a foot injury.

It's important to say that Manchester United and Liverpool have 79 points to Chelsea's 91, although United is still favourite to finish second as it has an extra game.

Wayne Rooney's foot injury, which will be scanned today, cast a shadow over England's World Cup hopes.
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Rooney talks before game against Chelsea

Wayne Rooney doesn't want any sad moment in the next game against Chelsea. He wants to win so the Blues wont get the title infront of them.

"We must go to Stamford Bridge believing we can win," Rooney claims. "If they win or even get a draw, it will be really bad.

"I'm convinved that next season will be different. Over the last four or five months we have played really well, and if we can continue that and start next season better than we did this one, it could be very close."

Manchester coach Ferguson's comments about Rooney's heart are good. He is so much more than a centre-forward and says his assists give him almost as much pleasure as his goals. Statistically, Rooney's game is compelling. In fact, twelve per cent of his shots result in a goal; 48 per cent strike the target, while 77 per cent of his passes travel precisely where he intended to.

Rooney also talked about the World Cup and the English hopes.

"I am sure they will try to intimidate me. Well, I just have to deal with it and play my own game," Rooney said. "Early on in my career I had a lot of bad press about my temperament, but I was just a young lad over then. I am still young, but I've been playing professionally for four years now and I'm learning with every match.

"We are all confident, especially after the Argentina match. In the dressing room afterwards everybody was jumping. Riquelme was brilliant against us. At half-time some people came in and said, 'what's happening here?' We couldn't get near him. I don't know why, but even though it was a friendly I celebrated that victory more than many of the World Cup qualifying games. It gave us a lot of belief."
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Preparing an African Tour

Manchester United will head to South Africa in July to play Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, currently ranked the second and the third in that country's Premier Soccer League.

Irvin Khoza, chairperson of the 2010 Soccer World Cup bid committee, said the idea to take Manchester United to South Africa was "to pick up a few tips as the preparations (by South Africa) for 2010 (World Cup) begin in earnest."

"They must start changing the minds of the South African supporters now for the 2010 World Cup," Khoza said.

Manchester United's first match will be against Pirates in Durban. They will then meet the Chiefs on July 18. Two days later, Chiefs will play Pirates in Rustenburg and the winner will face United in the finals at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on July 22.
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Still alive after beating Arsenal

A great performance of United and a young alternative team in the front side helped to get the 2-0 victory over Arsenal. Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park scored for this important Manchester United win.

Young British star Rooney controlled Mikael Silvestre's brilliant cross before shooting past Jens Lehmann and later crossed for Park to score from close range.

In fact, Lehmann had superbly saved from Rooney twice before his goal, while Kolo Toure appeared to divert a strike from the forward on to the post in a great reaction.

It's important to mention that this result means Sir Alex Ferguson's team move back to within seven points of Chelsea, who defeated West Ham 4-1 earlier on Sunday.

Manchester United have five matches left to catch the reigning champions, including a match at Stamford Bridge against Jose Mourinho's side.

However, the victory over Arsenal means United are assured of finishing in the top four - and thus qualifying for next season's Champions League. Good news for Ferguson's team, eliminated form the current Champions League at an early stage.
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A victory to get closer to Chelsea

Manchester United fought hard to get a 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. And thanks to Chelsea’s inability to beat Birmingham City earlier on the same day, the Reds have cut the lead at the top of the table down to just seven points.

In fact, with six matches to go including a clash between the two sides at Stamford Bridge later this month, French striker Saha is in confident mood about landing his first ever league title.

Saha noticed their situation: “We definitely believe it is on, we believe we can do it. Chelsea have got to make mistakes, we already know that. We have to keep playing the way that we are."

“We know that we can not make mistakes. However, I am in the best form of my life. We are in great form and must keep it going."
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Solskjaer signs new deal

Norwegian forward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a new two-year deal with Manchester United, and the manager Sir Alex Ferguson us happy about it.

Solksjaer is 33, and he's been out of competition for the most part of three seasons. He is currently recovering from a broken cheekbone.

However, a Manchester United statement said: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "The deal will see Ole stay at the club until June 2008."

It's fair to say that Solskjaer is a hugely popular figure at the club following his goal that won the 1999 European Cup for United and has fought his way back from two serious knee injuries.

Indeed, Alex Ferguson said: "I am delighted that Ole has signed a new two-year deal.
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