Manchester United!!! The Dream Team

Gerard Pique was satisfied with his runout for the Reserves on Thursday night, but is eager to make the step up to Sir Alex Ferguson's senior side.

The young Spanish defender excelled on loan at Real Zaragoza last season and, while the Barclays Premier Reserve League North is a far cry from La Liga, he is happy to be back playing again.

With Sir Alex among the watching crowd at the Victoria Stadium for United's victory over Everton, Pique is geared up for a big season in his fledgling career.

"It was a great time (in Zaragoza), a fantastic experience for me and now I come back here and hope for a chance in the first team," he told MUTV. "I think it was great to play here tonight and to get 65-70 minutes to get fit and ready if the boss needs me in the first team.

"I had just two weeks' holidays, but I'm ready and fit and the game today was a good chance to prove myself and to show that I'm ready. I wanted to stay, the boss said I had to stay and I think it will be a big season for me at Manchester United."

Pique gave an assured performance in defence against the Toffees, but can also turn in an impressive shift in midfield after trying his hand further upfield at Zaragoza.

"Obviously I prefer to play as a centre back, I've always played there, but the circumstance last year was that someone had to play in the midfield and the coach said that I can play there," he said.

"It worked well, I played eight or nine games there and I feel comfortable there as well. I think it's important not just to play in one position, but to play in more. In doing this you can feel that you are a better player.

"Knowing how to play in these different positions makes me feel a better player, and I hope to just keep working to improve myself."

United will face AS Roma, Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev in this season's Champions League group stage.

The Reds kick off their pursuit of the trophy on Wednesday 19 September, away to Sporting Lisbon. United will then entertain Roma in their second group game on Tuesday 2 October at Old Trafford. The Italians will be out for revenge after the Reds dumped them out of the competition at the quarter-final stage last season.

The Reds went down 2-1 in the Italian capital last April amid violent scenes on the terraces. Wayne Rooney's fine away goal then proved incidental as the Reds thumped Roma 7-1, on a night described by Sir Alex Ferguson as "the best European night in my time at the club."

Next up after the Roma clash is a trip to Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday 23 October, followed by the return leg two weeks later on Wednesday 7 November.

Sporting Lisbon - Cristiano Ronaldo's and Nani's former team - will be in town on 27 November, before the Reds' final group game on Wednesday 12 December away to Roma.

UEFA Champions League Group Stage

Group A: Liverpool, Porto, Marseille, Besiktas
Group B: Chelsea, Valencia, FC Schalke, Rosenborg
Group C: Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Lazio, Olympiakos
Group D: AC Milan, Benfica, Celtic, Shakhtar Donetsk
Group E: FC Barcelona, Lyon, Stuttgart, Rangers
Group F: Manchester United, AS Roma, Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kiev
Group G: Internazionale, PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce
Group H: Arsenal, Sevilla or AEK Athens, Steaua Bucharest, Slavia Prague

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called time on a glorious playing career on Tuesday, and told ManUtd.com that he is proud of what he has achieved at United, and positive about what the future holds in a coaching role with the club...

How difficult was it to make the decision?
It actually wasn't difficult to make at all. I was very relieved when I spoke to the Gaffer and David Gill. It's been well-documented that my knee has not been 100 per cent. And last week when it flared up in training it made the decision for me because it means that I wouldn't be able to play at the level I want to for this club. I also have to think about my long-term health as well.

Were you glad, then, that you got to play your part last season?
That meant a lot. When I was out for so long before, it was always my ambition not only to play again and pull on the United shirt, but I also wanted to lift the Premier League trophy. That was my big dream. I had set myself targets of playing and scoring again in front of the Stretford End, but the ultimate aim was to win the league again. So, in that sense, last season was a fantastic experience for me and I'm glad I was able to enjoy that.

You played 366 games and scored 126 for United in 11 years at Old Trafford. What do you think when you look back on your career here?
I think I can say that I have given my all, given everything I could as a player to Manchester United. I'm proud to have been a part of this fantastic club, and played under such a brilliant manager. I've also played alongside some great players and made some great friends here. I've had some fantastic experiences that are too numerous to just list here and now. Most of all, the fans have been magnificent. The people of Manchester and the club's fans all around the world have given me a different perspective of how passionate people can be about football. I really have to thank the fans a lot because they have always supported me, not only when I was on the pitch, also in the more difficult times when I was coming back from injury.

You've always had a really good rapport with the fans and there will be plenty of supporters that will be sorry not to see you play again?
I'll be sad not to walk out on the pitch again. It's almost become a habit of mine for over a decade. I've felt like it was home walking out at Old Trafford. That's never going to happen again, but life goes on and no footballer plays forever. Every player's career ends, and my time is now. I'll miss the buzz of playing at Old Trafford and being in the dressing room with all the lads, but I'm a positive person and I always look forward.

What does the immediate future hold for you?
I'll do my coaching badges and, as I have discussed with the manager already, I will start my coaching education here with United. We've not had serious discussions in terms of defining what that role will be, but the gaffer has been great with me ever since the decision to retire was made. There is an offer to coach here, and that is something I'm pleased about.

So, the prospect of coaching excites you?
Yes, definitely. I'm not one for dwelling on the past, that's not in my nature. I'm looking forward and I'm very excited about working... on the other side of the line, if you like. It will be very challenging, which is important, and I'm pleased that I'll make my first steps into coaching at this club. Whenever I've thought about coaching I've always wanted to work at United, it feels right. But you never know if you'll be wanted, so when the manager told me there might be a place I was absolutely delighted.

FINALLY! We got a win thanks to Mr. Nani superb shot! i hope this win leads us into a long winning streak. Ronaldo still got one more game ban, so we need to beat sunderland next weekend!


Goals:

Nani Goal

Highlights:

MOTD Highlights


Extras:

Wes Brown handball incident
Jenas clear off the line from Tevez shot
Ferdinand shot
Ferdinand off the line
Brown Block

Cristiano Ronaldo admits his three-match suspension and temporary inability to contribute to United's season has left him frustrated.

Sent off at Portsmouth for an altercation with Richard Hughes, the Portuguese winger served the first part of his three-game ban as United slipped to defeat at Manchester City on Sunday.

And with the champions currently holding just two points from the opening three games of the season, Ronaldo is itching to lend a hand.

"I'm feeling sad not being able to play for United and it is so frustrating, particularly when we are not able to win right now," he is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror.

Although unable to resume action until the Reds' visit to Everton on September 15, Ronaldo is confident that his team-mates can get back to winning ways in his absence.

"I'm optimistic and I have confidence in United, even though the beginning to the season is bad," he said. "But the situation will change soon and we will be positive."