The 38-year-old burst into tears as he walked off the field in his final game as a player. The emotional moment brought the Ligue 1 (French first division) game between Paris Saint-Germain and Brest to a temporary halt, as Beckham’s PSG teammates hugged him one-by-one before he made his way to the bench.

Beckham was used mainly as a substitute during his four-month stay in Paris, but he took center stage on Saturday. He captained his team, started in the midfield and even had an assist during the 81-minute finale.

When Beckham’s number was called, the crowd at PSG’s Parc des Princes (which included former French President Nicolas Sarkozy) chanted his name and gave him a standing ovation. The fans were joined by both sets of players and coaches. The former England captain could not hold back the tears as his 20-year career came to a close.

Beckham said he struggled to keep his emotions in check for most of the second half, according to the Associated Press.

“To end my career in front of a crowd like that, with players like that, it’s very special,” he said. “It started about 20 minutes before that, to be honest. I started thinking and then, you know, I couldn’t concentrate by then, and it was difficult. You know, you try to hold the emotion back because it is what it is, but it’s difficult.”

Beckham is a world-famous celebrity, but his iconic status rode on the back of his considerable soccer success. He always put the game ahead of his many extra-curricular activities, which makes the emotional send-off a fitting one.

See Beckham’s final moments as a professional soccer player in the video below.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@Squawka

Beckham’s ability to strike a dead ball — hitting it over a wall of defenders with power and making it dip or swerve past a goalkeeper with grace — set him apart from his peers. It was a weapon his teams used to their advantage, as any free-kick inside of 40 yards instantly became a scoring opportunity.

Beckham converted 65 of them into goals during his illustrious playing career. He scored 29 for Manchester United, 14 for Real Madrid, 12 for the L.A. Galaxy, seven for England’s national team, two for Preston North End and one for AC Milan. Of the 114 goals Beckham scored between 1993 and 2013, more than half came from set pieces.

Beckham announced his retirement on Thursday, effective at the end of PSG’s 2012-13 season. Fans and pundits are recalling his finest moments, many of which include his free-kicks. We’re all familiar with the feeling of anticipation as he ran up to the ball. The same applies to that feeling of déjà vu we felt as the ball nestled in the back of the net.

Watch all 65 of Beckham’s free-kick goals in the video below.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Cornerback Logan Ryan, who was selected in the third round, became the third Patriots player to sign with the team on Thursday. Ryan confirmed the deal with an excited Tweet about his new deal.

Contract signed!! officially a New England Patriot.. Nothin but Football on my mind #focused—
Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) May 16, 2013

Ryan, a standout the past two seasons at Rutgers, joins a crowded cornerback group that includes veterans Kyle Arrington, Marquice Cole, Alfonzo Dennard, Ras-I Dowling and Aqib Talib. Ryan also joins his fellow Rutgers rookies, linebacker Steve Beauaharnais seventh round) and safety Duron Harmon (third round) as the first three under contract.

His contract should be similar to Harmon’s four-year, $2.7 million deal, as they were picked just eight slots apart. Ryan should get a bit higher in total value and something similar to Harmon’s $533,600 signing bonus.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.

Thumbnail Photo via College Press Box

The 38-year-old Beckham, who recently won a league title in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain, said Thursday he will retire after the season.

“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” the former England captain said in a statement.

Beckham, whose forays into fashion and marriage to a pop-star wife have made him a riveting international celebrity, has two more matches left at PSG. He has been giving his salary to a children’s charity.

He started his career with Manchester United and also played for Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy, winning titles with all those clubs.

“If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realized those dreams,” Beckham said.

On the international stage, Beckham made 115 appearances for England’s national team — a record for a player other than a goalkeeper.

“To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country,” Beckham said. “I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country. I’m honored to represent England both on and off the pitch.”

With United between 1992 and 2003, Beckham won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and the Intercontinental Cup. Beckham left United in 2003 shortly after manager Alex Ferguson accidentally struck Beckham’s eye with a football boot.

Beckham spent four years in Madrid — winning the 2007 Spanish title before making the surprise move to Major League Soccer, where he won the title twice.

There were highs and lows in Beckham’s international career. He was blamed for England’s elimination from the 1998 World Cup for his petulant red card against Argentina, but scored the winning goal against the same team at the World Cup four years later.

Beckham responded to jeering at the 2000 European Championship with an obscene hand gesture to England fans, but was lauded by the same supporters a little more than a year later when his last-minute free kick against Greece secured a place at the 2002 World Cup.

England dropped Beckham in 2006 in an effort to renew the team with younger players after a quarterfinal exit at that year’s World Cup. Coach Steve McClaren recalled him the following year after a run of stuttering form, and he returned for the remainder of England’s unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2008 European Championship.

His last England appearance came against Belarus in October 2009. He missed the 2010 World Cup because of an Achilles injury, but went to South Africa as part of Fabio Capello‘s backroom staff.

“I want to thank all my teammates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from,” Beckham said. “I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.”

Beckham had already started planning for his post-playing career earlier in the season, becoming an ambassador for Chinese soccer.

“Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love, however I feel like I’m starting a new adventure and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead,” Beckham said. “I’m fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it’s my time to give back.”

David Moyes

Moyes will replace Sir Alex Ferguson as manager of Manchester United on July 1. The current Everton manager signed a six-year contract with the Red Devils on Thursday, according to ESPN.

“It’s a great honor to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United,” Moyes said. “I am delighted that Sir Alex [Ferguson] saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done and for the football club.

“I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn’t something that comes around very often and I’m really looking forward to taking up the post next season.”

The 50-year-old Scotsman built a reputation as one of Britain’s top young managers by working wonders at Everton with a limited budget. His departure ends an 11-year tenure at Goodison Park. His current contract expires in June, so United will not have pay Everton compensation to land its man.

“I have had a terrific job at Everton, with a tremendous chairman and board of directors and a great set of players,” Moyes added. “Between now and the end of the season, I will do everything in my power to make sure we finish as high as possible in the table.

“Everton’s fantastic fans have played a big part in making my years at Goodison so enjoyable and I thank them wholeheartedly for the support they have given me and the players. Everton will be close to me for the rest of my life.”

Ferguson was instrumental in the decision to pursue Moyes, believing that his successor has the ability to carry on the legacy he created over 26-plus years.

“When we discussed the candidates that we felt had the right attributes we unanimously agreed on David Moyes,” the outgoing United manager said. “David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I’ve admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the position of assistant manager here. He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this club.”

United director and icon Bobby Charlton says United will stay on course under the new manager. He thinks Moyes’ arrival represents the continuity and long-term thinking that were hallmarks of the Ferguson era.

“I have always said that we wanted the next manager to be a genuine Manchester United man,” Charlton said. “In David Moyes, we have someone who understands the things that make this such a special club. We have secured a man who is committed to the long-term and will build teams for the future as well as now. Stability breeds success.

“David has tremendous strength of character and recognizes the importance of bringing young players through and developing them alongside world-class talent. At United, I think David will be able to express himself. I’m delighted he has accepted and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Moyes will inherit a Premier League title-winning squad which doesn’t much of a makeover. One of his first challenges will be to sort out Wayne Rooney‘s future (the star forward wants to leave the club this summer), but he’s already done that once before — in 2004 at Everton. Whatever else the future has in store for Moyes at United, he will have the backing of club heavyweights as he takes on the coming challenges.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

The English soccer star is determined to leave Manchester United this summer, having told outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson in late April that he is looking for a fresh start, according to the Telegraph.

Ferguson’s response to Rooney was that United would not sell him, and on Wednesday, a United spokesperson said “Wayne Rooney is not for sale.”

Rooney reportedly did not submit a formal transfer request, but he could do so in the coming weeks or months if he chooses to.

Bayern Munich, AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain are closely monitoring Rooney’s situation with an eye on launching a transfer bid for him, but they face competition from one of United’s domestic rivals.

“It is understood that Rooney, 27, has no desire to move away from the Premier League and that Chelsea is his most likely destination,” the Telegraph reports.

Interested clubs are expected to bid around £25 million ($38.9 million) to £30 million ($46.7) for the United forward. Chelsea has already made contact with Rooney’s agent and Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich has personally sanctioned a £30 million transfer, according to the Mirror.

Rooney’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, as his status on the team has diminished this season. Ferguson has made Robin van Persie the focal point of the United attack, and he now uses Rooney as a support striker or attacking midfielder instead of playing him closer to the opponents’ goal as in prior campaigns.

Rooney’s role was made clear in early March when Ferguson left him out of the starting lineup in a crucial UEFA Champions League game against Real Madrid. Reports claiming Ferguson had become frustrated with Rooney’s ongoing fitness issues and was ready to sell him dominated the headlines in the days following United’s Champions League exit.

Rooney’s contract expires in 2015, but it is common for players to either sign extensions or face transfers as they approach the final year of their existing deals. He is United’s highest-paid player, reportedly earning £250,000 a week. United officials are thought to be hesitant to continue making such a financial commitment to a player whose best days might be in the past.

Rooney and Ferguson clashed in October 2010 when the star forward requested a transfer, saying United lacked ambition. Ferguson convinced Rooney to sign a new contract five days later. The two were again at odds in December 2011 when Rooney broke curfew and Ferguson benched him in United’s next game.

But Ferguson will retire at the end of May. David Moyes will succeed the legendary United manager, and one of his first tasks as manager will be to address Rooney’s situation. It’s an interesting bit of symmetry, as it was Everton manager Moyes who sold Rooney to United in  2004 for £27 ($40.7 million).

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

In a post on Manchester United’s website, the club Ferguson has guided for 26 years, the club noted that Ferguson’s last game will be May 19 against West Bromwich Albion, the end of the 2012-13 season. Some reports had indicated that Ferguson might spend one more year with United, but by month’s end the former Scotland national team coach will no longer be in the English Premier League.

Ferguson released a statement with the article:

“The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

“It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.

“Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world.

“Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both Director and Ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.

“I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential. My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career,

providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.

“As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich.

“In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team.

“Over the past decade, the Glazer family have provided me with the platform to manage Manchester United to the best of my ability and I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a talented and trustworthy Chief Executive in David Gill. I am truly grateful to all of them.

“To the fans, thank you. The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling. It has been an honour and an enormous privilege to have had the opportunity to lead your club and I have treasured my time as manager of Manchester United.”

The Manchester United manager is considering retiring after this season, and he could make an announcement as early as this week, the Telegraph reports.

Ferguson, 71, has been United’s manager since 1986. The Red Devils clinched the 2012-13 Premier League title last month — their 13th under the legendary United boss.

It was thought that Ferguson would remain in charge for at least another season (perhaps grooming David Moyes to become his successor), but rumors saying he would step down immediately have gathered steam this week.

United’s press office has not commented on the reports. The club is partially listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and rules require it to promptly disclose information about changes to its management.

“With United now forced to adhere to the strict rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange in terms of the release of significant information relating to the running of the club following last August’s partial flotation, any change of management would fall within those requirements,” the Telegraph reports.

“As of Tuesday night, no statement over Ferguson’s future had been issued by United.

“However, with sources close to the players confirming that the squad’s golf day had been overshadowed by suggestions that the Scot would be making an announcement ahead of Sunday’s clash with Swansea at Old Trafford, any ongoing uncertainty is unlikely to be allowed to continue to the point where it would affect the confidence of investors and, in turn, United’s New York share price.”

Ferguson has been bullish about United’s future prospects in recent weeks. In his program notes ahead of last Sunday’s game against Chelsea, Ferguson said he looked forward to leading United into a new era of dominance.

“We will get better and if we apply ourselves in our normal fashion, I see our 20th league title as nothing but the start of another decade of success,” Ferguson wrote.

“Whether I will be here to oversee another decade of success remains to be seen, but I certainly don’t have any plans at the moment to walk away from what I believe will be something special and worth being around to see.”

The has often said his health would be a deciding factor in deciding when to retire. He will reportedly have an operation on his hip during the offseason, and some expect the procedure to keep him off the sidelines until September (next season starts in mid-August).

Few would have foreseen Ferguson walking away after winning the title in such emphatic fashion, but that appears to be a possibility.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

In recent days, British oddskmakers have drastically lowered the odds of Moyes becoming United’s next manager, the Mail reports.

Moyes has served as Everton’s manager with great distinction over the last 11 years, but his contract expires this summer and he has yet sign a new deal. He says he will decide his future after the current campaign, but it is thought that he is considering leaving the club in search of greener pastures.

United would offer Moyes the chance to manage a leading club but not right away. The Mail report says Moyes would join United this summer and serve as Ferguson’s assistant for one season while he learns the ins and outs of the club. Moyes would then replace Ferguson on the Old Trafford bench, when the legendary United manager retires after the 2013-14 season.

The Mirror reports Moyes’ rumored move to United have prompted British oddsmakers to slash the odds of him taking over for Ferguson. He started the season as the favorite with 6-1 odds, but those have been lowered to 1-2. The Mirror concludes with the most important piece of information regarding the Moyes to United rumor.

“Punters be warned though: If they really knew you wouldn’t be able to bet on it.”

That about says it all.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

The United forward posted a photo on his Facebook page in which he wore four Premier League winners’ medals around his neck.

Rooney included a caption with the photo which said “Can’t wait to get my 5th Premier League medal!”

Rooney played a key roel in United’s league championships in 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2010-11.

United clinched the 2012-13 Premier League title Monday, after Robin van Persie‘s hat-trick (and wonderful volley on the second goal) saw the Red Devils ease to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa. The three points gave United an insurmountable 16-point lead (with five games to play) over Manchester City, so Rooney will soon collect that fifth medal.

Whether he will stay at Old Trafford long enough to collect a sixth is uncertain. The 27-year-old is the subject of transfer speculation saying United will sell him this summer. French club Paris Saint-Germain is thought to be a leading suitor, but he would reportedly rather sign a contract extension with United than leave the club.

But questions about his future don’t seem to bother Rooney at this point, as he is busy celebrating this latest triumph.

See Rooney and his medals below.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Photo via Facebook/Wayne Rooney

Van Persie scored a first-half hat-trick in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa. The victory clinched the 2012-13 Premier League title for United, which has an insurmountable 16-point lead over Manchester City.

But the Dutch star’s second goal is the talk of the soccer world. Van Persie had already opened the scoring when Wayne Rooney floated a 50-yard pass toward the Villa area in the 13th minute.

Instead of taking a touch to control the ball like any other player on earth, van Persie volleyed it out of the air with his left foot — using his trademark perfect timing and technique, of course. The shot sailed out of the reach of goalkeeper Brad Guzan into the goal, stunning players, spectators and commentators alike.

Van Persie’s strike will certainly be among the contenders for Premier League goal of the season. See van Persie’s amazing volley in the video below.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Real Madrid has overtaken United to become the world’s most valuable soccer club. American financial magazine Forbes released the newest version of its annual list which ranks the most valuable clubs, and Real tops it for the first time.

“Real Madrid, which posted revenue of $650 million during the 2011-12 season, is worth $3.3 billion [£2.15 billion], more than any team in the world,” Forbes reports. “Los Merengues generated operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and player trading) of $134 million, more than any soccer team and second only to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys ($227 million) among all sports teams.”

United had topped the list every year since rankings began in 2004. Forbes estimates that the Premier League club is $3.17 billion (£2.07 billion).

Third on the list is FC Barcelona, which is worth around $2.6 billion (£1.7 billion). Forbes says the value of the Spanish club doubled in the past year because it was able to turn its on-field success into lucrative new sponsorship deals.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich round out the top five.

The remaining teams in the top ten come from England and Italy. Chelsea (ranked seventh), Manchester City (ninth) and Liverpool FC (10th) represent the Premier League, while AC Milan (sixth) and Juventus (eighth)  lead the way in Italy’s Serie A.

Forbes says the values of top soccer clubs are steadily increasing.

“According to this year’s soccer valuations, the top 20 teams are worth an average of $968 million (£634 million), an increase of 26 percent over last year.”

Real Madrid, United and Barcelona are the three most valuable teams in the world – in any sport. The New York Yankees ($2.3 billion) and Dallas Cowboys ($2.1 billion) trail the three soccer giants on that list.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Michel Moulin served as an advisor to PSG in 2008, and he now owns and operates French media outlet Le Sport 10. On Sunday, he told a French television station that Manchester United will definitely sell Rooney to PSG this summer, the Mirror reports.

“I announce to you from trusted sources: Rooney to PSG is done,” Moulin said on Sunday. “He will be at PSG next season.”

Rooney’s future has been the subject of widespread speculation in recent weeks, after he was dropped from the starting lineup ahead of United’s UEFA Champions League game against Real Madrid in March.

Those reports suggest that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ongoing concerns about Rooney’s fitness. He and other club officials could be of the opinion that the 27-year-old’s best years are behind him and now is the time to move him out of the club.

Rooney’s contract reportedly pays him around £250,000-a-week. It expires in 2015, and this summer should see him either agree to an extension (in which he will reportedly face a pay cut) or move to another club.

Rumors of PSG’s interest in Rooney date back to last May, when the French club reportedly budgeted around £120 million ($184.7 million) to fund a potential move for the English star. AS Monaco is also reportedly ready to present Rooney a lucrative, tax-free option should he leave United this summer. If Moulin’s claims are correct, Rooney will be plying his trade in France’s capital city rather than in the principality in the south.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Before boarding the Real Madrid team bus following its aggregate victory over Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Ronaldo encountered a familiar face waiting to meet him.

That face belonged to Gökmen Akdoğan, a 23-year-old Turkish semi-professional soccer player, who supplements his income by impersonating Ronaldo whenever possible.

The Ronaldo lookalike signs autographs, poses for pictures with fans and even has his very own Facebook fan page.

Akdoğan’s glimmering smile and painstakingly tweezed eyebrows look just like those of the Portuguese striker, but he doesn’t stop there. Akdoğan and Ronaldo also share the same chic hairstyle, the same jersey number and the same free-kick technique.

The doppelgangers finally had a chance to meet face-to-face Tuesday, posing for pictures and sharing more than a couple heartfelt embraces. After burying his insuppressible smile into Ronaldo’s shoulder, Akdoğan received a wink and a friendly pat on the cheek before his idol climbed aboard the Real Madrid bus.

Though Gokmen Akdoğan might look like a small Turkish man dressed up as Cristiano Ronaldo for Halloween, his dedication and fanhood are simply unquestionable.

Check out the moment Akdoğan got to meet his hero in the heartwarming video below.

Have a soccer question? Send it to us via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@RifoWahyu33

United is reportedly close to signing Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid. The Colombian striker is ready to leave the Spanish club this summer, and United has already made a down payment on his transfer to Old Trafford, according to Marca.

“Manchester United has every chance of being the team that Radamel Falcao joins for next season,” the report says. “Despite speculation in recent months linking him with Chelsea and even with Real Madrid, the fact is that the Old Trafford club is the best place to sign the Colombian forward. Sources close to both parties suggest that a down payment may have already been made as a guarantee for a future transfer.”

Falcao has established himself as one of the world’s premier strikers in recent years, showing lethal finishing ability and a knack for rising to the biggest of occasions. His scoring prowess helped Atletico Madrid win the UEFA Europa League and Super Cup in 2012. His 22 La Liga (Spain’s first division) goals this season have put the club in position to achieve its highest finish since 1996.

The 27-year-old has been the subject of widespread transfer speculation in recent months. Chelsea and Manchester City are two of the clubs which are reportedly prepared to pay his buyout clause of £51 million ($78 million) to land him this summer. Rumors of a secret agreement sending Falcao to Real Madrid arose in late 2012, but Atletico Madrid denied its existence. Marca reports that United will not pay the full value Falcao’s buyout clause, but any transfer fee for the marksman will be significant.

If Falcao moves to the Premier League club, he would join a corps of strikers which currently includes Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Wayne Rooney. United is also expected to bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Polish star Robert Lewandowski during the summer transfer window, while Rooney and Hernandez have been linked with moves away from the club. It could be a summer of change for United and its stash of world-class forwards — especially if Falcao arrives.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Coming into the contest, Manchester United had amassed a 15-point lead over second-place Manchester City thanks to a stunning run which has spanned the bulk of the season. The Red Devils had won 25 of their first 30 league games and hadn’t lost any of their past 18, dating back to November. City, by contrast, has struggled to reproduce the form and consistency that saw it capture last season’s league title.

But for 90 minutes, Manchester City reminded a global audience that, on any given day, it can be as good or even better than that “killing machine” that is present-day Manchester United. Sergio Aguero‘s stunning solo goal gave City a 2-1 win and a measure of solace heading into the final weeks of the season.

Much of the postgame chatter pointed to next season, as City manager Roberto Mancini pledged that his team will challenge for the 2013-14 title (he also sounded certain that he would still be in charge by then). But what should we make of the present?

Despite the loss, United leads City by 12 points with just seven games left to play. It’s a forgone conclusion that United will win this season’s title with City finishing in second by some distance. Monday’s result, coupled with the outcomes of the Manchester derbies of 2011-12 and 2012-13, suggests that the real gap between City and United may be less than the 12-point difference in the standings. City’s troubled season can be seen as a blip, or the result of a series of on-field and off-field mistakes that players, Mancini (and his staff) and club hierarchy made since lifting the Premier League trophy in May. It’s only natural that a fast-growing institution like Manchester City Football Club would experience growing pains and bouts of mismanagement that have a real effect on results.

City’s players showed that they can beat the league’s best on Monday, giving us every reason to believe that they will challenge for next season’s title. While many are expecting a summer clear-out that will see a number of players leave the club, Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Yaya Toure and David Silva are almost certain to stay for at least another season and perform at an elite level. It’s likely that City will supplement that core group with a number of expensive and high-profile signings this summer who could tilt the balance of power back  in its favor.

United’s squad is brimming with talent and Sir Alex Ferguson should remain in charge for at least another season. United will continue to progress and remain the league’s most formidable team under Ferguson’s watchful eye. The structure in place at Old Trafford, combined with the club’s growing financial clout, almost assures that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future.

A stable United and resurgent City doesn’t bode well for the rest of the league. This season’s title charge was essentially a two-horse race, and it wasn’t a very good one. The Manchester duo took their battle for supremacy down to the final moments of last season, finishing level on points. There was a 19-point gap between them and third-placed Arsenal. When this season ends next month, the distance between the second and third-placed teams will be significant — it currently stands at 13 points.

There is a great deal of truth in the old adage which says the league standings don’t lie. Unless the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool make significant progress — and do so at a faster rate than United and City this summer — fans and neutrals will be treated to another two-horse race between the Manchester clubs for the title in 2013-14. That will make a third straight season where that is the case, taking some of the shine off of a league which prides itself on being the world’s greatest and most competitive. In fact, it just might make the buildup to and fallout from next season’s campaign a bit anticlimactic.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Aguero scored a memorable goal in Manchester City’s win over Manchester United on Monday. His 78th-minute strike stood as the difference between the local rivals, as City prevailed 2-1.

The Argentine striker started the game on the bench, and had been on the field for less than 10 minutes when he took charge of the proceedings.

He received a pass on the right side of the United defense and ran laterally toward the left. He displayed an unnatural mix of speed, composure and precision as he powered and feinted his way past a trio of United defenders — all while keeping control of the ball.

As Aguero approached the United goal, he maintained his balance and generated enough power on his shot to beat goalkeeper David de Gea. 

The win will boost City’s morale as the season nears its conclusion. United has a 12-point lead with seven games to play, and it is still on track to win the league title by a comfortable margin. But that matters little at the moment, since a stocky goal-scoring extraordinaire from Argentina has given City fans in Manchester, England some local bragging rights.

See Aguero’s run and goal in the animation below.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

GIF via 101 Great Goals

In the 40th minute of Monday’s FA Cup semifinal matchup between powerhouses Chelsea and Manchester United, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez corralled a ball just past the midfield, ran toward the Chelsea goal and unleashed a low bouncing shot in Cech’s direction.

Though the ball never got more than three feet off the ground, Cech’s hesitant first reaction forced him to make a difficult corrective maneuver to stop the shot.

What resulted was a remarkable sideways bicycle-kick save that was equal parts impressive as it was unnecessary. If Cech had simply stood in place, he could’ve made the save without much worry.

Twenty minutes later, Cech reassured the Chelsea faithful of his Jedi-caliber focus after denying Chicharito a second time with a miraculous one-handed save that protected Chelsea’s 1-0 lead.

These are the kinds of saves that add those subtle streaks of gray to the remaining hairs on Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez‘s temporarily employed head.

Chelsea would go on to win the game and eliminate United from the FA Cup.

Check out the first of Cech’s two crazy saves in the video below.

Have a soccer question? Send it to us via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here.

Photo via Twitter/@Chelsea_Gt

Should he take the Chelsea manager’s job at the end of the season, Mourinho will attempt to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to West London, according to the Express.

“[Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich believes Mourinho has unfinished business at Chelsea and is prepared to welcome him back — with the cheque book open,” the report says.

“Once back in London he [Mourinho] will do his best to lure former Manchester United star Ronaldo away from Spain.

“Mourinho knows that the 28-year-old isn’t content at Real and will test the water with a £60 million ($91 million) offer.”

Mourinho is reportedly closing in on a sensational return to Stamford Bridge, nearly six years after he was fired from the same position. While most Chelsea fans would be delighted to welcome their former leader back to the club, the prospect of Ronaldo accompanying him would surely send them into a state of delirium.

Ronaldo is enjoying another stellar season, despite his reported desire to leave Real Madrid. Manchester United is thought to be preparing a blockbuster transfer offer with hopes of bringing the superstar forward back to Old Trafford, but Mourinho’s personal touch (and Abramovich’s wealth) could convince him to choose Chelsea instead. Mourinho and Ronaldo share the same agent, Jorge Mendes, which could also tip the scale in Chelsea’s favor.

Chelsea is transitioning from the era of the “Old Guard,” which rose to prominence during Mourinho’s first (and to this date, only) stint as manager. If the Portuguese tactician returns with Ronaldo in tow, the next era at Stamford Bridge could be even more “Special” than the one that is coming to a close.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

The two former Manchester United stars were lauded for their “telepathic” understanding, and they formed a potent strike-force, which powered the club to a historic treble in 1999.

United’s chances of repeating the feats 1999 are gone for this season, so it’s understandable that Rooney would want to impress Yorke and Cole in other ways.

On a recent visit to Manchester United, the two members of United’s “Class of 1999″ challenged Rooney, teammates Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Danny Welbeck to match their own feats of telepathy by controlling, passing and shooting the ball … while blindfolded.

The whole event started off as a comedy of errors, but the current United trio eventually got the hang of it. Hernandez was able to juggle with Rooney (who didn’t return the favor) at one point. After removing his blindfold, Welbeck started delivering crosses to the still sightless Rooney.

Rooney’s attempts to head the ball were unsuccessful, but he was somehow able to hammer home a blindfolded volley that stunned Yorke, Cole and other onlookers. Now that he’s got the backing of the vaunted “Class of 1999,” Rooney should have a stronger case to present United directors if and when he opens negotiations over a new contract in the coming months.

Watch the United stars’ blindfolded soccer session in the video below.

Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.