Manchester United edged Everton and chase Arsenal

The talented Cristiano Ronaldo netted two goals for Manchester United as it beat Everton 2-1 in English soccer's Premier League to maintain pressure on first-place Arsenal.

Indeed, Ronaldo converted a penalty kick in the 88th minute to give United a ninth straight victory at its Old Trafford stadium, ending Everton's 13-game unbeaten run.

Defending champion Manchester United moves to 42 points from 18 matches, one point behind Arsenal. Chelsea, which is at Blackburn later today, has 34 points from 17 games, ahead of Manchester City because of a superior goal difference. Everton, in sixth spot, has 30 points.

Ronaldo got the opening goal today in the 22nd minute after collecting a pass from argentine star Carlos Tevez. The Portugal winger stepped past a challenge from Lee Carsley before firing a shot past ex- United goalkeeper Tim Howard.

We can say that Everton tied the game five minutes later when Tim Cahill rose above Patrice Evra to head into the net from a cross by Steven Pienaar.

United pressed after halftime, with Tevez and Anderson both testing Howard. Striker Wayne Rooney hit a 20-yard effort which just cleared the bar.

The exciting clash appeared set for a draw until Pienaar tripped Ryan Giggs in the penalty area with two minutes remaining. Ronaldo scored from the spot-kick for his 16th goal of the season.

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Carlos Tevez is closer to sign for Manchester United

According to many sources, Manchester United are very close to signing talented forward Carlos Tevez from West Ham. And the club manager confirms the issue.

Sir Alex Ferguson said that Tevez is really close to the Old Trafford. But the player is currently at the center of a major transfer wrangle with the Premier League refusing to sanction the £30mil move even though terms have been agreed with the player's agent Kia Joorabchian.

But the Premier League claims the transfer must be “done directly” with West Ham rather than his agent.

“I am sure the outcome will be that we will be taking him,” said the Manchester United coach.

In fact, the club is sure that a deal can be reached by the time Tevez's current commitments with Argentina at the Copa America are concluded at the weekend, if Argentina reach the final.

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Gary Neville says rivals underestimated their potential and helped them win the Premiership

Veteran defender Gary Neville is convinced that one of the major factors, which led to his club being crowned the Premier League champions last season, was that the rival teams underestimated the Red Devils' strength.

“I think nobody thought Manchester United would win the Premier League last season,” expressed the England international player.

“And in the end, it seems that they underestimated us. They underestimated the knowledge and class of our manager. For two to three years we had been in suffering. At the start of the season we added Michael Carrick to our team and lost Ruud van Nistelrooy. But Chelsea added Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack from Bayern.

“However, the coach knew what he was doing over a period of two years in building a new team and now we are in a fantastic position.

“Indeed, last season we played the best football, the most attacking and entertaining football - and we deserved to win the title.

It's relevant to say that Neville, 32, who had an ankle injury and a subsequent surgery, is targeting a return to perfect shape for the first encounter against Reading on home turf on August 12.

Manchester United have moved swiftly in the summer transfer market to sign in Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani.

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Cristiano Ronaldo wants to stay at the Old Trafford

Manchester United's star Cristiano Ronaldo is showing the most important level of his career this season, but has persistently been linked with the Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona.

However, he has an existing contract at Manchester United that takes him to 2010, and he has now said: "It is a good sign to know I have so many important clubs interested in me, such as Real Madrid."

"That means that I am valued. But I am absolutely happy where I am and I hope to stay at Manchester United for many years."

Right now, Cristiano Ronaldo is with the Portuguese team preparing for their Euro 2008 qualifier with Serbia on Wednesday.

His amazing form this season was maintained for his country at the weekend when he cored twice for Portugal in a resounding 4-0 triumph over Belgium.

What's more, Ronaldo has already netted 16 Premiership goals during United's assault on the title, plus two more in the FA Cup.

Asked if he was the best player in the world at the moment, the talented Portuguese replied: "The United players are by my side - but of course I believe I am one of the best."

"I think I have a good contract, in financial terms, but what really matters to me is to show my best form," he concluded.

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Manchester United was beaten by Arsenal

Premier League leaders Manchester United had a bad night and lost to Arsenal FC. However, their rivals in the race for the title, Chelsea, also got a bad result.

Indeed, United was beaten 2-1 by Arsenal on Sunday. That result, along with Chelsea's game, who went down 2-0 at Liverpool on Saturday, have left England's top four clubs separated by a modest 12 points -- with another 42 to play for.

Ferguson's team just couldn't beat Arsenal and seize a probably decisive nine-point lead over Chelsea was certainly galling for their coach, but the last 10 minutes were heart-stopping stuff to watch.

Young talent Wayne Rooney headed United in front early in the second half and it seemed they were on course to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to nine points.

However, substitute Robin van Persie equalised with seven minutes of normal time remaining and French star Thierry Henry headed the winner three minutes into injury-time.

But Unfortunately van Persie's celebrations were cut short when he sustained a "partial fracture" to his foot after scoring the equaliser. The hospital comfirmed the fact.

Now, Manchester United remain six points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table, while Arsenal are one point behind Liverpool in fourth positon of the English Premier League.

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