Rooney Comeback

Wayne Rooney`s comeback could be against Fulham next Monday.

Meanwhile, Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo hit a stoppage-time stunner that clinched a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday and ensured his side will finish top of Group F in the Champion`s League.

United trailed after Tomasz Kuszczak misjudged Abel's long range strike but Carlos Tevez came off the bench to equalise and Ronaldo stole the points at Old Trafford with a superb free-kick.

Bolton Wanderers 1 Manchester United 0

Bolton Wanderers (1) 1 Manchester United (0) 0

Sir Alex Ferguson may have had to spend the second half of this match watching from the stands, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the United bench that cost the champions the more dearly. Few would argue that the talismanic forward deserved a rest after scoring 10 goals in his last 11 games or that Bolton - in theory - were obvious opponents against whom to take that rest, but why leave him out completely, particularly when Wayne Rooney was injured? Seems a strange decision, and it might have been an expensive mistake at the end of the season.

England Look For New Coach

The decision was taken at an emergency board meeting at Soho Square this morning after last night's desperate defeat to Croatia which wrecked England's hopes of qualifying for the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland next year.

The board — headed by Geoff Thompson, the chairman, and Brian Barwick, the chief executive — voted to terminate McClaren’s £2.5 million-a-year deal, which ran until 2010, after discussing a severance package with his agent, Colin Gordon. Martin O’Neill, the Aston Villa manager, is the early favourite to be McClaren's replacement.

"At a meeting this morning, The FA board unanimously decided to terminate the contract of England head coach Steve McClaren with immediate effect," Thompson said. "The board also terminated the contract of assistant coach Terry Venables.

"The board have agreed that there will now be a full root and branch examination of the whole England senior team set-up, which will begin with immediate effect. This will be led by Brian Barwick reporting into the chairman, who will update the board.

Ronaldo on Fergie`s assessment of the United squad

Cristiano Ronaldo has welcomed Sir Alex's comments on the strength of United's squad.

In his United Review programme notes for Blackburn's visit to Old Trafford, the United boss said he believed the current crop of players could be his best yet.

"It's always good to hear praise from our manager, who, over the years, has coached several United teams," Ronaldo said. "If he says that then it's good for us, especially the new players. It's very positive."

Ronaldo's form has been central to United's unbeaten streak in the league, which now stretches back to mid-August. Indeed, the Portugal international has found the net 10 times already this season. And yet, some critics claim he's failed to ignite matches in the way he so often did during the 2006/07 campaign.

That kind of criticism doesn't bother Ronaldo. He insists he's playing well and only wants to continue his good form.

"I have scored some goals and played well," he said. "I always work to be the best, with the aim of improving every year on the weaker parts of my game. I’ve been in good form and now I’ve got to make sure I maintain this consistency."

United go 3 points clear of Arsenal

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in two minutes on Sunday to send Manchester United three points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

With unbeaten Arsenal playing at Reading on Monday, the champions were in rampant form at Old Trafford with Ronaldo heading home in the 34th minute and doubling his tally with a right-footed shot in the 36th.

United Through To Next Round

After United took Dynamo Kiev apart in a comprehensive win the Reds are now definitely through to the next round of the Champions League.

Goals were spread around, with the first one being the first senior goal of Gerard Pique's career.

The 20-year-old Spaniard got the benefit of a ricochet off the back of Carlos Tevez's head but by then United were already in control.

Tevez and Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo scored the others to wrap up the win.

Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United

A William Gallas equaliser in stoppage-time save Arsenal's unbeaten record and kept them top of the table against a Manchester United side who showed their tactical nous and determination in an enthralling 2-2 draw.

Such a pity Man U couldn`t have held on to their lead, it would have been great to have been the first team to beat Arsenal this season.