[RedForceRising]

Carrick ready for march on Rome
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl...id=699845.html

Michael Carrick believes Manchester United FC have "set the standards" this season with success at home and abroad and is calling on his team-mates to continue their improvement as they seek to build a dynasty to consistently challenge the best in Europe.

'Better and better'
The 26-year-old midfielder was at the heart of the action as United – who had already secured their second successive Premier League title – overcame Chelsea FC in a penalty shoot-out in Moscow to clinch their first UEFA Champions League victory since 1999 and their third European Champion Clubs' Cup triumph. "We've set the standards this season; to win the league and the Champions League shows how good we are," he said. "The squad's at a good age, we've got some terrific players and hopefully we can keep getting better and better and be back here next year."

'Not bothered'
United took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo midway through the first half and Carlos Tévez twice and Carrick himself both had chances to extend the lead before Frank Lampard equalised on the stroke of half-time. Having lost the advantage, United struggled to impose themselves with Didier Drogba and Lampard both striking the frame of the goal for Chelsea – yet Carrick was unconcerned with assessing the performance. Asked if he thought United deserved to win, he told uefa.com: "I'm not bothered, I really don't care. I said before the game I didn't care how we play and what happened as long as we got the trophy and we've managed to do that. We were very good first half and should have been more [goals] up. They managed to get a goal back and credit to them, they kept coming at us."

'Do the right thing'
United took the final into a penalty shoot-out where Ronaldo, John Terry and Nicolas Anelka all failed in United's 6-5 victory after Carrick had successfully converted their second effort, yet admitted it had been something to endure rather than enjoy. "It's hard as players; obviously you try to do the right thing and believe you're going to score but you know deep down that someone's going to miss," he told uefa.com. "Someone has to win and thankfully for us they missed more penalties. It's maybe better that it wasn't just one player who missed tonight. You've got to trust your own ability and believe you're going to score and thankfully I did."

'Season to remember'
Lampard's goal was the first United had conceded in 441 minutes of UEFA Champions League action and, having won nine of their 13 games in the competition this season and drawn the others, Carrick has no doubt they proved worthy winners. "To go through the whole season undefeated shows we deserve to win it," he said. "Obviously it's a dream to win something like this. It's something that we've been trying to do all year. It's been a terrific season; to win both the league and the Champions League is not easy. The boss made signings in the summer and everyone in the squad has played a part. It's been a season to remember."


Ronaldo salutes United spirit
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl...feed&att=index

He may have finished as the UEFA Champions League top scorer and struck the 42nd goal of an astounding season to help Manchester United FC triumph in the final in Moscow, but Cristiano Ronaldo is keen to share the credit for his memorable campaign.

'Contrasting fortunes'
The Portuguese international headed United into a 26th-minute lead at the Luzniki Stadium only for Frank Lampard to bring Chelsea FC level seconds before the half-time whistle. With neither side able to find a winner in the second period or in extra time, it was down to a penalty shoot-out and Ronaldo presented Chelsea with the initiative when he failed to bear Petr Čech with United's third spot-kick of the regulation five. The Portuguese international, who also missed in the semi-final first leg at FC Barcelona, was spared when John Terry sent Chelsea's fifth kick wide, and three successful conversions later Nicolas Anelka's failure ensured the trophy would be going to Manchester for a third time.

'Dramatic and fantastic'
"The Champions League is always dramatic and the game today was fantastic," he said. "Both teams played very well; we played better in the first half, created more chances than Chelsea and scored a very good goal. We had the opportunity to kill the game [through] Carlos Tévez but that was saved and in the second half Chelsea played better and had a few opprtunities. Then the penalties – it's like a lottery." Asked if he felt relief when Terry missed, he replied: "A little bit, yes."

Disbelief
When Anelka was denied by Edwin van der Sar, Ronaldo sank to his knees in the centre circle in celebration. "I was that stressed – the feeling was so great and to be honest I didn't believe we'd won the Champions League," he explained. "I feel very proud. The lads have worked very well and it's a good night for us. They believed all the time and they deserve to win the Champions League. This is everything for me, I have looked forward to winning this competition and it's my first Champions League."

'Great feeling'
Ronaldo's goal in Moscow was his eighth in the competition this season, two more than any other player, and took his season tally to 42, a clear source of satisfaction – yet he is already looking ahead to UEFA EURO 2008™. "I'm very proud, everything has come right for me," he said. "My team-mates have helped me a lot; we've won the Premier League and the Champions League, so everything is good . It's been a magnificent season and it's a great feeling; when you pick up the trophy it's amazing. We're going to enjoy tonight; we'll have a party and then I'll start to think about EURO. It's a fantastic year with my club, and now I want to win that as well."