Manchester United were accused by many of being a one man team in Cristiano Ronaldo's last two seasons at the club. But last night, the UEFA Champions League results of Ronaldo's past and present clubs contrasted starkly. While Real Madrid struggled away to 4th-placed French side Lyon, falling to a 1-0 defeat, the Portuguese's former employers powered their way back from a goal down to claim a crucial 3-2 away victory against seven-times European Champions AC Milan. The £80million-man and his Galactico team-mates including former San Siro star Kaka, Xabi Alonso and substitute Karim Benzema, on his return to the Stade Gerland, failed to find an away goal and succumbed to a great strike by Jean Makoun. Meanwhile, United banged in three in Italy, Paul Scholes thoroughly outshining former comrade David Beckham, and while Ronaldinho impressed for the Rossoneri, Wayne Rooney showed that he really is the main man now. The effervescent Clarence Seedorf certainly gave United something else to think about when he came off the bench, and Michael Carrick's bizarre sending off means it isn't quite job done for the Red Devils but Sir Alex Ferguson was more than satisfied with the outcome in Milan.
That can't quite be said for Manuel Pellegrini at Real. Ok, so los Blancos are by no means out of the tie, and will still fancy their chances of overcoming the deficit at the Bernabeu in three weeks time, but the Spaniards haven't progressed past this stage of the competition since 2004, and with their outlay in excess of £200 million last summer, president Florentino Perez will be expecting a lot better from the club that he has put so much cash into. Many say that when you leave Manchester United, the only way is down, and while Ronaldo will be adamant he is going to win trophies in Spain, the all-conquering Barcelona of Pep Guardiola are still ahead of Madrid in the league, and they certainly have their work cut out in Europe. Beckham himself is an example of a number 7 who left Old Trafford for the Bernabeu, and in the seven seasons since his departure, he only has one league title to his name, as opposed to six won in Manchester( plus 2 FA Cups and a European Cup).
Ferguson's men have regrouped and hit top form again in recent weeks after a mid-season wobble, Rooney has taken on the mantle of goalscorer, and last night he netted his 24th and 25th goals of the season. Ronaldo's tally of 42 goals in 2007/08 may well be in sight if he keeps up his form, and the likes of Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra, Park Ji-Sung and Michael Carrick have all been dominant in the recent victories over local rivals Manchester City, Arsenal and now Milan. United have scored 62 goals in 26 premier league games, making them top scorers, and have conceded less goals than both title-rivals Chelsea and Arsenal. It seems United never were a one man team, and while Real have bought many superstars, right now it is more likely that come May, the medals will be in Manchester, and not Madrid.........
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