Manchester United 1 Middlesbrough 0: Ronaldo's magic too powerful for Boro

By Andy Hunter

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

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Abuse accompanies almost every step from Cristiano Ronaldo these days but there is venom in the voice of Middlesbrough that exceeds any World Cup wound. Three times they have crossed the Portuguese international this season and three times he has cost them from the penalty spot; it would be no surprise if the Boro chairman, Steve Gibson, himself attempted to pay for Manchester United's irrepressible star to return to Iberia this summer.

Controversy plagued the 22-year-old again last night but whatever the opinions on Ronaldo, and they were wildly contrasting from the opposing dug-outs, his mantle as the sole destroyer of Middlesbrough's FA Cup ambition is beyond dispute.

Having won a dubious spot-kick at the Riverside in December and converted the contentious award that took this quarter-final to a replay, he was back on familiar ground when tripped by Jonathan Woodgate with 15 minutes remaining at Old Trafford. Again he beat Mark Schwarzer from 12 yards and again he was labelled a cheat, although this time it was a scurrilous accusation without foundation as contact was clearly made as he closed in on goal.

The claim was allegedly shouted at Ronaldo by the Boro assistant manager, Malcolm Crosby, moments after the decisive penalty secured United a record-equalling 25th FA Cup semi-final appearance, and so incensed Crosby's opposite number, Carlos Queiroz, that he had to be restrained by Sir Alex Ferguson as he attempted to confront his compatriot's accuser after the final whistle. Given that the visiting substitute James Morrison was sent off for a lunge on Ronaldo in stoppage time and Wayne Rooney was close to receiving a second yellow card in the subsequent mêl�e, the winger's contribution cannot be overstated.

"Why when Cristiano is involved is it always polemic?" Ronaldo asked of himself afterwards, to the puzzlement of his Sky interrogator. "I felt the contact, this is why I went down. He touched me. If you touch me I lose my movement and that is why I go down. I don't know why it is always against Middlesbrough. Maybe someone doesn't like me, maybe because I'm too good. I don't know."

A lack of modesty was an amusing antidote to a furious finale, but the United manager did not appreciate the funny side as he railed against Boro's coaching team and even satellite television afterwards. "They are saying it wasn't a penalty," said Ferguson, who faces Watford in the semi-final at Villa Park next month. "I don't know what they are going on about, Jesus God.

"There is a guilt complex there. It's only because it's Ronaldo. There has been a stigma attached to the boy that is not deserved and I thought the interview with him on television was a disgrace. They were trying to trip the boy up, but they don't realise how intelligent he is. Sky should have a look at themselves. For me, he is up there with the best players I've had in my time here."

And to think this was not even Ronaldo or United's finest display in this season's FA Cup. Initially the Portuguese international stood out from an impressive crowd as he began in the same destructive manner that had unravelled Bolton in the League on Saturday. At times he appeared the only telling threat United possessed, but in the second half Middlesbrough marshalled him well. Up to a point.

Woodgate made key interceptions from Rooney and Ronaldo, but this was not exclusively a rearguard action from Boro as Mark Viduka and Ayegbeni Yakubu showed the strength and quality to unnerve the United defence, with the Australian closest to opening the scoring in the 16th minute. As in the original tie on Teesside there was an increased urgency about Boro whenever Stewart Downing was brought into play, although the England international illustrated why he is more suited to assisting than finishing when he squandered a glorious chance from Viduka's cut-back in the 54th minute.

It was Rooney, however, who was the more wasteful on the night. Twice he was presented with one-on-ones against Schwarzer by delightful through-balls from Ryan Giggs and twice he missed. Fortunately for the United No 8, and cruelly for the otherwise excellent Woodgate, redemption was just a trip away. "I've seen it a few times and I'm still not sure," insisted the Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, though he remained in the minority.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Kuszczak; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze; Ronaldo, Carrick, Giggs, Richardson (Park , 59); Smith (O'Shea, 71), Rooney. Substitutes not used: Cathcart, Eagles, Heaton (gk).

Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor (Huth, 87); Cattermole (Morrison, 61), Boateng, Arca (Rochemback, 69), Downing; Viduka, Yakubu. Substitutes not used: Lee, Jones (gk).

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

Revised semi-final draw

Blackburn v Chelsea

Watford v Man United

Matches to be played over weekend of Saturday 14 April and Sunday 15 April