Nikesoccer

Ignition Point

DonJulio — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:26:18 GMT

Sometimes the most important goal is not the winner.

Six minutes left, losing 3-1. All heads down. Except one. Scholes rose high to nod in the cross, instill belief in his team and ignite the comeback.

Minutes later, they were level and through to the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about Manchester United at their team page.

Rise Above It

adamspangler — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:36:43 GMT

Sometimes, build-up threatens to overshadow the game.

The rookie manager challenging his former master. The once-beloved player returning to face his former fans. The first genuine Manchester-wide title tussle for years.

But amid a swirling cauldron of screaming fans, Man Utd proved the benefit of keeping cool and playing the game, not the occasion.

When all was done, the red half of Manchester walked off with their 61st Derby win.

Love Him Or Hate Him

gabejazzy — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:52:20 GMT

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has listed him among the game's best players. European football clubs chose him as the recipient of the Ballon d'Or. And now, at only 23 years old, with a 42-goal season under his belt that helped make United champions of England and Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned the World Player of the Year.

Nominated alongside five other contenders, Cristiano is the first player from the Premier League to be bestowed with this honor.

Whether you love him or you hate him, Cristiano, the best player in the world, is here to stay.

Congratulations.

Cristiano Ronaldo Ignites Legends

gabejazzy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:45:49 GMT

Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo on winning the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year. Ronaldo has ignited his game in a way that has the whole world paying attention and wondering what he will do next. His play style proved unstoppable as he blazed his way to 42 goals, while helping Manchester United win both the Premier and Champions League in 2008. Here¹s to Old Trafford¹s Number Seven, creating a legend on the pitch before our eyes.

ManU vs. Chelsea: Wear Your Colors

Gronamo — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:35:41 GMT

Come game day, any true fan won't be caught dead in anything other than the colors of their favorite club. And, very few game days are bigger than this Sunday's match between bitter rivals Manchester United and Chelsea. So whether you're a Red Devil or a Blues supporter put on your team's top and watch what's sure to be one of the most exciting club matches played this season.

To up the ante even further, we'll be giving a free jersey away to the fan who correctly guesses who will score first and in what minute. You can guess any player from either side (only one guess per person) and only have to be within three minutes of the actual goal-scoring time; however, we will only be able to give out a ManU jersey. So make your way to the ~~m-5721~~ for a chance to win your free jersey.

Just so we're clear, if you say Rooney in the 83rd minute and he scores anywhere from the 80th to the 86th, you're a winner of a Man Utd jersey. Or if you say Anelka in the 20th minute and he scores anywhere from the 17th to the 23rd, you're a winner of a Man Utd jersey.

All guesses must be in by kick-off.

Good luck.

Rooney: 100 and Counting

Gronamo — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:48:08 GMT

Work harder. Run faster. Push yourself to make that final, 90th-minute run; to find that fleeting piece of real estate behind your mark; to think and to act when everyone else on the field is busy catching their breath.

Some people don’t know when to stop. Wayne Rooney is one of those people.

Here’s to 100. For every 99 times you question a professional footballer’s love for the game or dedication to the club, there’s #10 in the Manchester red. For every 99 strikers out there who dive when they shouldn’t and cheapen the struggle, there’s the tough kid from Crocky, grinding away, manning-up. For every 99 big-money stars who make you question their desire, there’s the indefatigable, unrelenting Rooney.

Here’s to 100, Wayne, and everything thereafter.

A Five-Year Century

Gronamo — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:49:29 GMT

Time flies when you’re Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2003 he walked into Old Trafford as the first Portuguese player in club history. At 18-years-old, he only brought potential, confidence and a relentless competitive drive along for the trip. Now, five years later, the 23-year-old has already scored over a hundred goals, won the biggest individual awards and team competitions in the game, and built a sturdy home in United history.

So how did he do it? How did CR7 speed up time?

Just look at the goals on Saturday against Stoke. When someone approaches every training session with the desire to improve, when he is willing to practice free kicks for hours on end, then half-chances during the game turn into converted goals and five years turn into number 100 and 101.

How did CR7 speed up time? He didn’t. He just did more with it than everyone else.

Nike Pro - Albie is Tackleproof

gabejazzy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:15:30 GMT

Rarely, if ever, does Manchester United's kit manager Albert Morgan leave the team dressing room. While the team is out on the pitch, he's always behind the scenes preparing equipment. But after a particularly inspiring victory, Albie decides to borrow Ronaldo's Nike Pro shirt and hit the pitch. When he does, the aging kit manager shows off moves that would make even Ronaldo jealous.

Check out more Nike Pro.

ManU vs. Arsenal: Wear your Colors

Gronamo — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:13:37 GMT

This November 8 one of the biggest rivalries in all of football will go down. The Red Devils of Man United versus the Gunners of Arsenal. It’s the type of match where heroes are born, and where fans live and die by their every touch.

Do you bleed the colors of your team? If so, tell us who’s going to score the first goal and in what minute it will occur. If you successfully predict the goal-scorer and are within three minutes of the actual time it happens, you’ll win that team’s Nike replica club jersey. Just so we’re crystal clear, if you say Rooney in the 83rd and he scores anywhere from the 80th to the 86th you’ve won yourself a ManU jersey. If you say Walcott and get the time right, you just got yourself an Arsenal top. And the same goes for all the players.

If you think you’ve got the answer than go to the ~~t-1910~~ and post your player and the time he’s going to score. Remember we need your response before kickoff on Saturday, November 8 (~~t-1910~~).

So now, the question you gotta ask yourself is do you feel lucky? Well do ya?

The Manchester Three

Gronamo — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:22:05 GMT

Blistering pace. No-look passing. Sledgehammer shooting. Imagine defending for ninety minutes against one of the best strikers on earth.

Now multiply that by three.

Welcome to the world of the defenders tasked with keeping Manchester United’s striking trio of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez at bay.

And if you thought a strikeforce made up of Portugese, Argentinian and British players would be hampered by communication problems, think again. The threesome’s telepathic link up play produced well over seventy goals last season.

As Wayne Rooney explains, their different cultural backgrounds mean nothing on the pitch. When it comes to football, all three players speak exactly the same language.

A European Hat-Trick is Next Level

Gronamo — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:44:18 GMT

Winners in 1968 and 1999. Manchester United has done it again in 2008.

After 120 minutes of pulsating soccer, two goals and a nail-biting penalty shoot-out, United completed a hat-trick of European titles in Moscow last night. And, simultaneously clinched a spectacular double, with their second major trophy in ten days.

Man of the moment, Cristiano Ronaldo made an early contribution to the drama, marking the competitive debut of his superlight Mercurial SL boots with a towering header. The strike took his tally to 42 for the season and eight in the Champions League, securing the competition’s golden boot award.

But for all the inspired individual performances in a red shirt, it was United’s tireless teamwork that ultimately brought home the prize. Only three players from Sir Alex’s 1999 squad made it back for the 2008 final, proving the legendary Scot’s ability to build a second team of champions from scratch – cementing United’s place in the pantheon of Europe’s greatest clubs.

Because a hat-trick of European titles is Next Level.

The Need for Speed

Gronamo — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:10:00 GMT

When you're playing at the very highest level, a split-second can be the difference between European glory and heroic failure. That's why Man. Utd's irrepressible number 7 and Chelsea's top target man will take the field in Moscow on Wednesday night wearing the limited edition Mercurial SL concept boot.

Ten years ago, the original Mercurial Vapor was designed specifically to enhance the superfast skills of Ronaldo - the Brazilian superstar known as The Phenomenon. A decade after the wonder boot was first introduced to the world, its latest and lightest incarnation is gracing the European stage on the feet of two more striking phenomomena - Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano has already taken the ~~p-1990~~ that Didier won last year. Now two of the hottest strikers in Europe are going toe-to-toe once again, as they debut the lightest, fastest, most flexible boot around.

The gloves are off and the boots are on. The Mercurial SL revolution starts tomorrow night, and Europe's biggest club prize awaits.

What Wayne Knows

Gronamo — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:14:45 GMT

On May 21, Wayne Rooney will be in Moscow gunning for club football's ultimate prize. If he is to bring the trophy back to Old Trafford, Rooney will need to put into practice everything he's learned throughout his career. See what the man himself had to say about getting the edge in and around the box.

Red Devils Reign Supreme

akqa — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:33:40 GMT

20 teams. 760 Matches. Months of pulsating soccer action. But, in the end, there can only be one English Premier League champion.

With no further ado, we give you the 2007/2008 EPL trophy-winners: Manchester United.

In the last game of the season, Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the hero. When it mattered most, CR7 coolly stepped up to the spot and buried his game-winning PK in the back of the net--his 31st in the league and 41st overall.

ManU has successfully retained the title after a hard-fought campaign that saw them fend off intense pressure from their Premiership rivals, all the while maintaining a successful run into the Champions League Final.

Ten Premier League titles is NEXT LEVEL!

Clash of Champions

gabejazzy — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:40:07 GMT

The stage is set: Manchester United versus Chelsea F.C. in the finals of the world’s greatest club competition.

Paul Scholes, who missed his team’s last Champions League final through suspension, ensured his place in this year’s championship with a phenomenal strike.

Fourteen minutes into the match, Scholes intercepted the ball 30 yards out from goal, took one touch and smacked a blistering, swerving strike into the back of the net.

Top corner from 25 yards out is NEXT LEVEL!

Not to be outdone, Didier Drogba hoisted his team on his back and carried them to the promise land. Breaking through the stiff Liverpool defense, Drogba hammered home the game’s first goal.

But a silky finish from Fernando Torres and a thunderous blast from Ryan Babel meant Drogba’s job wasn’t quite finished. Not to worry, the powerful Ivorian sealed the deal in overtime when he beat the keeper to the near post with a surgically placed finish.

Securing your club’s first Champions League final with two goals is NEXT LEVEL!

The Red Devils and the Blues will now face off on May 21 in Moscow for the right to raise the Champions League trophy.