Last weekend, in what was to my mind easily the most exciting and action-packed Saturday of all time in the Premier League, United capped of a day of madness by losing their 6 month long unbeaten run, to Wolves, the team at the bottom of the pile. Had Arsenal not become the first team in Premier League history to throw away a 4 goal lead to drop 2 points at St James Park, the gap would have been reduced to a mere 2 points. Even with the 4 point gap, the fact that United had finally been defeated gave a real hope to the chasing pack - throw in the fact that derby day was a week away and there was every reason to believe that United were about to falter.
Rooney's emphatic finish was more than just a piece of acrobatic skill and beautiful technique. It was a stunningly impactful way to deliver a statement of real intent, an unavoidable message. To their cross city rivals: No, you are not at our level yet. To the title pretenders in North and West London - No, we are not going to crumble. Even to the rest of Europe, No - you can't forget about us. Perhaps, most importantly for Rooney himself...No, I've not lost it. I am still the main man in this team's attack...I am still the best player England have, I am still going to tear holes in the defences of every team that they put up against me. I've not lost it.
The true importance of this most sumptuous of match winning goals will only be revealed between now and May 22nd. In that time, United have to face Chelsea twice, as well as travel to the Emirates to deal with the team who at present would appear to be their biggest threat. Each team has at least 11 games of football left. That may not sound like a great deal, and indeed with every passing week that Alex Ferguson's team win, time runs out for their rivals - but there is still plenty of time for things to change. United, Arsenal or even Chelsea could go on a winning run that takes them to the brink. Every one of them is going to win games when they looked lost, and throw away points that they wouldn't be expected to between now and then. Ultimately it will be the moments of unforgettable quality that count the most, and the challenge is on for anyone in the League to produce something more memorable than United's number 10 managed on Saturday.
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One of the relatively few people on the planet who could have regarded Rooney's feat with an indifferent shrug today announced his retirement from football.
Ronaldo - the REAL Ronaldo, accept no imitations, has finally called it a day. For a few years now I've known this day was coming, and I knew I would be affected. I didn't realise how sad I'd find it.
Ronaldo in his prime was sheer electricity. More lethal than a Shark Lion (mythical beast I just invented which combines Great White Shark and Lion) Ronaldo was for a good time simply unplayable. The myriad of compilation tapes on YouTube highlight his most outstanding goals and skills, but to really appreciate him you needed to watch him in a full match. Every time the ball went to him, the anticipation in the crowd was only matched by the panic in the opposition defence.
I loved Ronaldo. He was everything that, to my mind as a youngster, the Brazilian Number 9 should be - skillful, dangerous, flashy, lethal, smiling, and wearing the coolest boots ever made. An outstanding memory for me of Ronnie was the opening game of France 98, against Scotland. I'd rushed home from school to make sure I was there for all the build up, Ronaldo was the man I wanted to see. Sitting practically nose against the screen to try and make out what was on his feet (the famous blue and silver R9's) I remember being blown away by the opening spell of the game in which he visibly scared the life out of the Scottish defence. Colin Hendry literally waved for more help when they only had two against one and the one was Ronaldo.
Other stand outs are the beautiful dummy to round the keeper in the UEFA Cup Final for Inter, his debut for Real Madrid, winning the 2002 World Cup with a double in the final and his hilarious hair to ensure his baby could tell him and Roberto Carlos apart, the stunning hat-trick and standing ovation at Old Trafford, the historic goal against Ghana, a ridiculously powerful left footed strike for AC Milan, and then a glorious swansong for Cornithians.
For me, the Final of France 98 does not warrant a mention. He achieved so much, and but for the terrible injuries that his knees succumbed to cruelly often, could quite easily have been the best of all time. Football can be frustrating, infuriating even - but it can also give you some of the happiest sporting moments of your life.
Ronaldo did that for me, many of my most powerful and long-lasting footballing memories came courtesy of the dazzling feet of Il Fenomeno. Ronaldo, the restaranteurs and nightclub owners of Sao Paulo must be chuffed to bits with todays news, but I and millions of others will really miss you mate. Thanks for the memories.
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