Milan take on Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie tomorrow night, with Beckham hoping the Italian outfit can overturn a 3-2 deficit against his former club.

It will be Beckham’s first time back at Old Trafford as a player since he was sold by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to Real Madrid in 2003.

Beckham, who is on loan at Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, played for 72 minutes before being substituted in last month’s first leg at the San Siro.

He provided an assist for Ronaldinho to score the opening goal of the game, although it remains to be seen whether the 34-year-old will make the starting line-up for tomorrow night’s encounter.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has handed Manchester United a Champions League boost by returning to training ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

Rooney had been a doubt for the last sixteen, second-leg tie after missing Saturday’s Premier League trip to Wolves with a knee injury.

A high-powered global football figure who presented the mega bid for Manchester United directly to the Glazer camp has the inside track on why the Florida-based family are refusing to sell to even someone who has the ready cash.

The source told Soccernet: “The Glazers don’t need offers from fans who might or might not be able to raise the money. They have had two cash offers, although I am not prepared to say how much or who from. That will remain confidential. The offers were recent, and the Glazers made it perfectly clear – the club is not for sale.”

Soccernet understands there were two offers, one from China, the other from the Middle East, and both felt their bids were so strong that the Glazers could only accept. They were shocked when the message came back: “Thanks, but no thanks”. The Glazers refused to put a price on the club and did not even seek an even bigger bid.

The source added: “The Glazers have made it perfectly clear they are not sellers. People are puzzled why they are refusing to cash in, but it’s simple: they think it is a good business and they like the club. They are very confident that it can be even more successful in the future both on and off the pitch.”

The Glazers are convinced that they can continue to find new ways of maximising the commercial capabilities of what is regarded as the strongest sporting brand in the world. They believe that the Red Knights’ propaganda to galvanise supporters to boycott the club merchandise and decline to renew season ticket sales is a publicity ploy, and that they are already fully aware that the owners have no intention of selling.

Having just secured a full-scale bond refinancing programme, they now have until 2017 to sort out the next stage of their programme to lower their repayments levels of debt. The club’s latest published accounts show how the debt has already been slimmed slightly, and that turnover is up.

The Americans are convinced that the UK sporting model has a lot to learn from US commercial know-how, and that there is much more to be achieved in terms of added value to the club.

Chief executive David Gill reiterated to the Soccerex conference on Thursday his belief that the strategy and transfer budget for Sir Alex Ferguson remains unchanged, and that whatever he generates in sales is added to the annual transfer account, so that the remaining £61 million from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo remains untouched in the transfer account for Sir Alex to spend whenever and on whom he wishes. He also publicly rebuked Keith Harris, the public face of the Red Knights.

City sources believe that the Glazers might be tempted to sell in the next 12 months – not to the Red Knights, but to one of the world’s richest men – if a bid hits the £1.5 billion mark, an unofficial value placed on United by the Glazers two years ago before the recession took its toll.

For those of you blessed with special glasses the prospect of Wayne Rooney coming at you in 3D will finally be realised, as Sky become the first ever TV company to broadcast a 3D sports event live.

Fear not those of you without the power of special vision though, as two sides who have been involved in plenty of thrillers of late will surely serve up a feast that even the common man can appreciate.

The race for this season’s Premier League title has been nip and tuck all term and a win for either side could see Chelsea usurped at the summit, depending on how Carlo Ancelotti’s side fare on their travels to Burnley a day earlier.

That both clubs still harbour title aspirations is testimony to their respective bosses’ ability to soothsay in times of relative adversity. United have since the summer been accused of suffering from a post-Ronaldo hangover, as sceptics continue to ponder whether the Portuguese can ever really be adequately replaced, while Arsene Wenger has been accused of grooming potential but never realising it to its full potential.

More than anyone Rooney has helped to banish the spectre of Ronaldo that haunts some corners of Old Trafford, with his four-goal haul against Hull City followed by a last-gasp winner in Wednesday’s tumultuous Manchester derby.

Again, despite his protestations to the contrary that United are far from a one-man team, it will fall on the talismanic No.10 to inspire and cajole in equal measures at the Emirates. Likewise, Cesc Fabregas’ importance to Arsenal cannot be overstated.

It seems likely, as is Sir Alex Ferguson’s wont against the top sides, Rooney will occupy a lonely furrow up front with Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen to kick their heels on the substitutes’ bench.

After being rested in midweek Antonio Valencia will be granted a start, with Nani to drop down to the bench – unless Ferguson switches the Portuguese to the left in place of Ryan Giggs, who while excellent against City, is unlikely to have the legs for another 90 minutes.

More likely is the promotion of the industrious Park Ji-Sung, whose ability to track back should get him the nod over the more lackadaisical Nani.

Ferguson’s primary concern is at the back rather than up front though, with Rio Ferdinand’s absence through suspension, just a week after making his belated return to United’s first team, leaving the Scot with a headache Nemanja Vidic will be asked to cure.

The Serbian, who like Ferdinand has endured a campaign interrupted by injury, was on the bench against City and should step in to partner Johnny Evans. The only other change could be at right-back, should Ferguson opt for Wes Brown’s experience over the buccaneering but defensively suspect Rafael.
Vermaelen blow

While United are afforded the luxury of replacing Ferdinand with Vidic, Arsenal will likely have to turn to 35-year-old Sol Campbell if as anticipated Thomas Vermaelen is ruled out.

There had been fears the Belgian had broken his leg against Aston Villa in midweek but such a miserable diagnosis has thankfully since been proved to be premature. Sunday’s game may still come too soon though, leaving Campbell as the likeliest candidate to slot in alongside William Gallas.

Wenger’s injury worries have been exacerbated by niggles picked up by Eduardo and Abou Diaby, which prohibits the pair’s involvement in the capital.

Nicklas Bendtner’s return from injury gives Arsenal an aerial presence they lack in his absence, with the Dane in contention to replace Eduardo in a wide role in support of Andrey Arshavin.

Fit-again Samir Nasri could start after coming off the bench at Villa Park, with Aaron Ramsey a potential fall-guy given he was relatively quiet in the Midlands. Nasri’s success against United in the past could be enough to earn the Frenchman a start.

Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song are also both available, with the latter a candidate to step in for Vermaelen should Campbell’s fitness be deemed not quite right for a game of such importance.

Sir Alex has described the game as the most important this season and while nothing will be decided on Sunday, the story of this year’s title race could yet be shaped in the capital.

Possible starting XIs

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Gallas, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Fabregas, Rosicky, Bendtner, Arshavin

United: Van der Sar, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Park, Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Rooney

Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner could make his first start for three months against Manchester United as Eduardo is sidelined with a torn hamstring.

Sol Campbell is on standby to replace Thomas Vermaelen, while Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue are both available.

United’s Rio Ferdinand starts a four-match ban, having failed in his appeal against a violent conduct charge for his clash with Hull’s Craig Fagan.

Nemanja Vidic is expected to replace Ferdinand after recovering from injury.

While Roberto Mancini felt the Blues were largely comfortable, Ferguson saw a different game, one where the Red Devils were in total control.

“We missed a lot of chances,” he said. “Edwin van der Sar made one marvellous save (from a Micah Richards’ shot) after half-time but we produced a marvellous performance in the second half. We could have scored six or seven.”

As it turned out, Wayne Rooney’s injury-time header was required to book a Wembley date with Aston Villa on February 28 after Carlos Tevez had taken the contest to the brink of extra-time with a superb finish.

Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick had earlier put United ahead on aggregate in a game in which Ferguson felt Rooney produced a performance better than the one that saw him score four against Hull on Saturday.

“It was much better than Saturday,” Ferguson said of his number one striker, who played up front on his own.

“I know he scored four goals but here his control leading the line and his link up play was fantastic. Overall it was a wonderful performance. World class.”

The one black mark on the night was when City’s Craig Bellamy hit on the back of the head by a coin thrown from the crowd during an incident which also saw a bottle land on the pitch.

Ferguson must check on the fitness of his players ahead of the trip to Arsenal on Sunday.

New-boy Chris Smalling knows what he is letting himself in for after watching from the directors’ box on Wednesday night, although he is returning to Fulham for the remainder of the campaign

Berbatov was unable to play any part in United’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham at St Andrew’s as they were unable to achieve the victory which would have taken them above Chelsea. Instead Ferguson gave a debut to summer signing Mame Biram Diouf who came on as a second half substitute.

Ferguson said: “Dimitar wanted to play with it but we felt we should try to get it (the knee) sorted and get him fit again. He may have to have an exploratory operation.”

Ferguson reiterated his anger at Darren Fletcher’s red card by referee Mark Clattenburg with the second yellow awarded for an innocuous trip on Jerome.

The United boss said: “You won’t see a softer sending off. For a start, Darren’s not that kind of player.

“It’s a simple clip on the boy (Jerome) who actually stumbled. I think it was a terrible decision and it gave Birmingham some momentum.

“But I think we’ve got to be satisfied with a point particularly as we’ve ended the game with 10 men.

“Birmingham is a difficult place to go and they are playing very well. It is not a bad point.”

Ferguson was angry that his team did not match the workrate or fighting spirit of third tier Leeds at Old Trafford on Sunday when United lost 1-0.

“You have to bounce back, get it out of your system,” said Ferguson, who now comes up against new City manager Roberto Mancini at the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday in the first leg of the semifinal.

“We have a semifinal on Wednesday now and a lot of these players won’t be playing. I had the team in mind but there may be changes now, I was shocked by the performance.”

It was the first time since 1984 – two years before Ferguson arrived at the club – that United had gone out of the competition so early.

Ferguson will be able to recall the likes of Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes to the starting lineup. But City has a chance to take advantage of its neighbour’s defensive frailties to open up a healthy lead in the first leg before they meet again at Old Trafford Jan. 19.

Ferguson had to make a late change to his starting lineup Sunday when central defender Nemanja Vidic was injured in the warmup. That means the Serb, who has played a vital role in United’s recent successes, will be doubtful for a semifinal in which Mancini has several striking options to test the United defence.

City had a routine 1-0 victory at League Championship club Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Saturday with one of the backup strikers, Benjani Mwaruwari, scoring the goal. Benjani may only just make the bench on Wednesday with Mancini likely to field Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz or Craig Bellamy in attack.

“This is a good challenge for us because it’s possible that will we arrive in the final after many years for our supporters without winning anything,” Mancini said in a reference to Man City not winning a major title since the 1976 League Cup.

“We have two games and, for this, we must stay more concentrated in the first game because it’s important we play well, score goals and don’t concede. But it will be decided in the second match, which will be the harder game.”

The man who guided Inter Milan to three league titles in a row said he was not surprised Ferguson was angry at United’s loss to Leeds. But he noted how many upsets there were in the FA Cup.

“This is English football,” he said. “The FA cup is difficult because United lost against Leeds and Liverpool drew against Reading. This is football. It’s normal when you lose you are very angry.”

In Tuesday’s semifinal, Blackburn hosts Aston Villa in a repeat of Saturday’s FA Cup meeting which Villa won 3-1.

Villa has won the League Cup five times – second only to Liverpool’s seven – and looks strong enough to handle Blackburn again over two legs. Blackburn will also be without striker El-Hadji Diouf, who was sent off in Saturday’s game for an ugly foul on Senegalese countryman Habib Beye, but Brett Emerton could return from injury.

Villa manager Martin O’Neill is likely to strengthen his team by recalling goalkeeper Brad Friedel, defender Richard Dunne, midfielder James Milner and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who were all left out of the starting lineup on Saturday.

In Premier League action, Stoke hosts Fulham on Tuesday and Arsenal aims to leapfrog Manchester United and move within a point of leader Chelsea by beating Bolton on Wednesday.

However, they have still to gain international clearance for the player and the vagaries of the transfer window mean while Diouf has been able to train with his team-mates – and impressing Ferguson with his talents – he will not be able to face Leeds in the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Jan 3.

The next opportunity for Diouf to play would be three days later, when United travel to City for the first-leg of a keenly anticipated Carling Cup semi-final.

Yet Ferguson has already decided it would be asking too much of such a young player.

“Mame has been training really well. We are very pleased about that,” said Ferguson.

“He can’t play in the Leeds United game but hopefully we will get international clearance by the time we face Manchester City in the semi-final.

“I wouldn’t have thought we will start him in that game though. It will be too early.”

The Serb has a flu bug and been left at home, with United already through to the last 16 of the tournament.

Vidic joins Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Gary Neville, Rafael da Silva, Fabio da Silva, Johnny Evans and John O’Shea on the sidelines for United.

Michael Carrick will play at centre-back, possibly with Darren Fletcher.

Fletcher was expected to fill in at right-back but could now be forced to move to the centre following Vidic’s withdrawal from the squad, although Patrice Evra could be another option.

United had hoped Vidic would have recovered from the flu bug that kept him out of Saturday’s win at West Ham, but he failed to make the flight to Germany.

Scholes, 35, has started just seven of United’s 14 Premier League games so far this season, but he is expected to be involved against West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday.

The former England midfielder revealed in an interview in Telegraph Sport last May that this season would “probably be my last”.

Despite Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, suggesting recently that Scholes can play on beyond the end of his contract next June, the player admits his future is in the balance.

Scholes said: “You do think about it [how long to continue], but I’m not too sure. I’ll just carry on with the way it’s going at the moment and we’ll see what happens come the end of the season.

“I wouldn’t say I am playing some of my best football. I don’t always feel I am making as much of a contribution as I’d like to.

“I preferred it when I was playing regularly and scoring a lot more goals. It’s different now. I play once every two or three weeks and I can only hope to do well when I get the chance.

“I just have to be OK with that. I don’t have a choice. Obviously, every player wants to play every week, but I know now it can’t always happen.”

Scholes’s Old Trafford team-mate, Ryan Giggs, shows little sign of retirement having celebrated his 36th birthday last Sunday. Scholes claims that the Welshman is destined to be remembered as United’s greatest player.

He said: “When Ryan retires, he won’t just be regarded as one of the greats – he’ll be the one and only.

“To be here 20 years, still going strong and playing as well as ever, I think that, when he retires, he will be the one who stands out.”

Meanwhile, Partizan Belgrade have hit out at United’s decision to abandon their £10 million option to buy winger Adem Ljajic by claiming they will regret not signing the player.

Sporting director Ivan Tomic said: “This is a major financial blow to us, but Ljajic is a fantastic player in whom I have enormous confidence.

“I am sure that Manchester United will hugely regret their decision in the future.”

United withdrew from the deal to sign the 18 year-old this week after pointing to the youngster’s lack of progress, plus the emergence of the likes of Gabriel Obertan, since striking the initial agreement with Partizan last January.

The player’s agent, Mladen Furtula, has dismissed United’s claims, however, by insisting that Ljajic did everything asked of him by the club. “I am surprised by the decision because Adem fulfilled everything to Manchester that he promised.

“Adem has interest from other clubs, and he is a strong person, so we will see what is best for his career. This can be a new episode in our lives.”

The 46-year-old manager of Inter Milan sang Sir Alex’s praises in the Times at the weekend and said that his “football is English football”, somewhat to the surprise of the Internazionale hierarchy, whom he had to swiftly placate with a disclaimer on the club’s official website saying that he had been misquoted. But the assumption in football is that if anyone has big enough feet to step into Fergie’s shoes at Old Trafford, then that person is Mourinho.

But Manchester United fans are riven by the thought of Sir Alex’s succession, not least because it will pitch the club into uncertainty for the first time in more than two decades (Ferguson took over in 1986). On the one hand, Mourinho’s record in top flight football is peerless; in just nine full seasons as a manager, he has won 14 trophies, including the Champions League, two Premier League trophies and Serie A. He has won almost 70 per cent of the 400-plus games that his teams (Benfica, Leiria, Porto, Chelsea and Inter) have contested.

He also has a winning mentality, is a shrewd man manager and has developed fiercely strong ties with the fans at his previous clubs. He manages to keep journalists on board, too, with his natural intelligence and ability to provide good copy. He is as near to a sure thing as one can find in football management – but there are negatives.

The Portuguese manager is renowned for putting out teams that are incredibly difficult to beat or even score against. In the 2004-05 season at Chelsea, when Mourinho won his first Premier League title, the Blues were beaten just once and only conceded 15 goals over 38 games (including a run of ten games without a strike against them). As impressive as this is, it represents a dour style of football which is anathema to the free-flowing, attack-at-any-cost mentality fostered by Sir Alex at Old Trafford.

There are also concerns about recruitment. Yes, he bought some great players at Chelsea – Drogba, Essien, Carvalho – but he had Roman Abramovich’s fortune at his disposal. As for bringing on young players, for all the enthusiasm he displayed in the Times interview for this aspect of management, there is precious little evidence in his CV of a youth policy. Contrast this – again – with Sir Alex, who has developed at least two crops of world-beating youngsters at Manchester United.

But mindful perhaps that winning is everything in modern football, there is no great revolt against Mourinho among Man Utd supporters. “Taking over from SAF will be a poisoned chalice and Jose is amongst the very few I suspect could handle it,” wrote Michael Saunter on the Times messageboard, while another contributor listed Mourinho’s positives as “Instils a winning mentality” and “Champions League experience”.

Dan Wellis went further still, saying: “As a Manchester United fan, there is no one I would prefer to see step in after Sir Alex retires. Even as he beat us to title after title, I couldn’t help liking the man”.

While some doubt whether he understands the fabled ‘United way’, Lino sums it up neatly when he wrote: “Let’s face it, we didn’t play the United way all last season and it didn’t take much gloss off winning the league”

Ferguson condemned the decision to award a free-kick that led to the goal as “absolutely ridiculous” and said he is losing his faith in refereeing.

It is understood however the FA are not planning to take any action against the United manager as he did not question the referee’s integrity or claim there was any bias.

Atkinson awarded a free-kick for Darren Fletcher’s challenge on Ashley Cole and Wes Brown appeared to be impeded as Frank Lampard’s delivery was turned into the net by John Terry.

Ferguson said afterwards: “Clearly, Darren Fletcher’s won the ball – Ashley Cole’s never touched and has jumped up in the air – and then (Didier) Drogba’s pulled Brown to the ground for the goal.

“The referee’s position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous – he can’t see anything. He’s got a Chelsea player (Joe Cole) standing right in front of him – and he doesn’t even move.

“It was a bad decision, but there’s nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that’s the way the players are talking in there – it was a bad one.”

United take on CSKA at Old Trafford having beaten them 1-0 a fortnight ago in the Russian capital, when a late Antonio Valencia strike ensured they continued their 100 per cent start in Europe this term.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are currently top of Group B with three wins from three, and will be the favourites against a Moscow outfit who recently disposed of former manager Juande Ramos.

New CSKA coach Leonid Slutski and his players may feel they have something to prove after the 1-0 reverse against the Red Devils last time out, although they face a tough task as United are unbeaten in their last 22 Champions League games at Old Trafford.

With Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney both doubtful for the match, Owen is in line for a starting berth after coming on as a substitute in United’s last European game.

Rooney has just become a father for the first time and may not make an appearance, while Berbatov is struggling with a knee injury.

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic (both calf) are also unavailable, so Ferguson is likely to continue with the defensive partnership of Wes Brown and Jonny Evans, who saw United to a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on Saturday.

However, midfielder Darren Fletcher will start the match, after being an unused substitute in the win against Blackburn, having been out since early October with an ankle injury.

Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-sung (both knee) will miss out though, as United look for only their second victory over Russian opposition in seven games.
CSKA news

CSKA will be looking for their first ever victory on English soil, however, they will have positive memories of their last trip when they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa in the Europa League last season – eventually beating them 3-1 on aggregate.

The 2004/05 Uefa Cup champions have so far accrued just three points in Europe this term, with their only win coming in a 2-1 victory over Turkish side Besiktas.

Former Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez is out for the trip to Manchester with an ankle injury, and has been ruled out for the rest of the year having undergone surgery.

Sekou Oliseh has not travelled after suffering a hip problem in the pre-match warm-up against FC Terik on Friday, while Guilherme is also out.

New CSKA coach Slutski said: “This is a good opportunity to see the team play on such a big stage.

“We won’t be treating the game any differently though because, with respect to the opposition, CSKA also have very capable players.

“We intend to attack but I’m still getting to know the team which makes the task doubly difficult.”

That was then. The first name on his team sheet in the days of plenty is, of course, the first on Real Madrid’s this term. The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo is the greater part of the problem troubling Ferguson. No shame in that. Antonio Valencia has made a promising start, but is not yet, nor is he likely to be, a like-for-like replacement.

Quite when Nani will turn up is not clear. There is stardust in his feet, for sure. He just needs to connect them with his brain consistently. Time is running out. It might never happen. Only at Tottenham have United looked a class apart. The five they tucked past Wigan must be discounted since it had more to do with the opposition than them.

Progress in the Champions League, where United top their group, also tells us little. The standard in the group stages points to a two-tier Europe. Only Wolfsburg would raise a smile in the Premier League and United laboured past them.

Offensively the champions were dormant until the first goal went in. Liverpool deserved the win because the endeavour was theirs when the game was in the balance. Until Fernando Torres struck, United appeared content not to lose.

The rush to judge either team should be resisted. Points are being shed liberally by the contenders, each of whom have had their dog days. For United this was arguably worse than Burnley, where they at least had multiple shots at goal. Neither of United’s outstanding contributors here saw the final whistle. Paul Scholes was sacrificed in the late push for parity. Nemanja Vidic saw red for the third successive Liverpool fixture for one illegal lunge too many as he sought to bind a stretched rearguard.

Vidic had learned one thing from past experience, choosing to leave the marking of Torres to Rio Ferdinand, who was smoked by the Spaniard for the opening goal. United knees knocked whenever Torres touched the ball. He was, said Rafa Benítez, no more than 80 per cent fit and his selection was confirmed shortly before kick-off on the bus to the match. You can put that account down to delirium. Torres was always playing in this match.

The result reconstitutes Liverpool as the team that can beat anyone. Benítez is the guru once more and the title race is wide open. Liverpool is awash with euphoria and red Manchester a rudderless as well as a Ronaldo-less force. A team booed off five days ago were welcomed like troops returning from the front. Liverpool should play United every week. Rafa primed them well, closing down all over the pitch.

The challenge for Benítez is to reproduce this level of intensity in mundane company and without Torres. The Spanish striker would take Everton to the top of the league. On days such as these, with Torres holding the baton and the support cast full of running, Liverpool are a threat to any. Real Madrid and United both went for four in the space of a few intoxicating weeks earlier this year when the team turned on the Torres-Steven Gerrard axis.

Benítez was aided by Ferguson’s deployment of Ryan Giggs as an orthodox left winger. With Valencia rooted to the right the middle ground proved too big a space to fill for Scholes and Michael Carrick. Lucas and Javier Mascherano aided by Fabio Aurelio and Yossi Benayoun had the edge in mobility and urgency.

Giggs was similarly missing in action during the first half of the Manchester derby. Only when he reverted to the more familiar middle ground of middle age here did United offer a coherent threat. The introduction of Michael Owen, freed from the attention of his own police escort in the same strategic switch, revealed in one sweet change of pace why he is still the man for the half chance.

Jamie Carragher was left treading water as Owen broke into the gap behind him. Carragher mischievously suggested that Owen brought him down in the tangle of bodies that he manufactured. Andre Marriner, who had an uneven game, brandished a yellow when red was the appropriate response.

Ferguson was too deflated to make the fuss in the press conference he might have done had United deserved better. Owen was through on goal. His personal history points to a different outcome had Carragher not breached his stride. We shall never know.

This was football as clan warfare, a tribal tear-up to rival any in the world. The day belonged to Liverpool, their joy deepened by the sight of Kop-baiter general Gary Neville lugging his chin along the touchline after the second goal went in. It does not get any better than that in these parts.

English football has many derby matches, all of them filled with passion. Bragging rights throughout the year revolve what happens in the home and away ties between the two local sides. The big ones are the Manchester derby, the Merseyside Derby, the North London Derby and the Birmingham Derby. There are a lot of others and although not as mouth-watering to the neutral as those listed above, they are every bit as important to the supporters involved.

In addition to local derbies, there are other matches that invoke intense rivalry even though the clubs are not that close geographically. One of the lesser known ones is Crystal Palace and Brighton, two clubs separated by more than 40 miles but who have an intense dislike for one another.

The biggest one by far though is the North West derby, probably the most eagerly anticipated game in English football between two giants – Manchester United and Liverpool.

The rivalry between both sets of supporters is world famous, although sadly both clubs have a lunatic fringe and on occasions tempers have boiled beyond what is acceptable. A punch was thrown at Sir Alex Ferguson as he walked up to collect his winner’s medal after his side had beaten Liverpool in the 1996 FA Cup Final. Ten years later, the then United player Alan Smith broke his leg during the fixture in an innocuous tackle and the ambulance carrying him to hospital was attacked.

Incidents like those, no matter how rare, are unacceptable and can’t be justified by the fact that these are two football clubs who loathe each other. The players are aware of the rivalry, with the locals on each side quick to ensure that the foreign imports understand the significance of the fixture beyond the scrap for league points.

Steven Gerrard collects football shirts from all over the globe that he has swapped with opponents. He doesn’t however have a Manchester United one, having publicly stated that he would never have a Man United shirt in his house! This is a game in which it’s not only the supporters who don’t forgive an off day!

The teams go into Sunday’s contest in two very different veins of form. Since the Burnley defeat Man Utd have played ten games in all competitions, winning nine and drawing one. Liverpool are having a dreadful time of it at the moment but a win on Sunday could be the kick start that their season needs. There’s an old saying amongst football managers that you’re always three consecutive defeats away from the sack. Rafael Benitez could lose his fifth game on the spin on Sunday and if he does, then the pressure will really be on.

Anfield has not been a fortress of late in this fixture. Last year Liverpool did the double over United, winning 2-1 at home and delivering an amazing 4-1 come-from-behind victory on the road. However, prior to last season they had not beaten United in six attempts at Anfield. Indeed, since the inception of the Premier League, Liverpool have won less than 25 per cent of their home games against United.

Liverpool are 3.05, United 2.6 and the draw is 3.35. Given both team’s form, that looks a very big price for Sir Alex’s men and it seems the market is loaded with sentiment. Most neutrals (myself included) will be hoping Liverpool win to get their season back on track and that is probably why the Anfield outfit are such a short price. So much depends on the team sheet and in particular two names that have to be on Liverpool’s – Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. With those two in the side, Liverpool need fear no one.

If Liverpool lose, the doom and gloom merchants will be telling us that it is the end of Liverpool’s season. It won’t be, but it could well signal the beginning of the end of Rafael Benitez’s reign!

Owen Hargreaves made his return to Manchester United’s training complex yesterday a year after knee surgery. The £18million England midfielder turned up at Carrington with the physios who have guided his rehab in the States. Hargreaves has been plagued by tendinitis for years and was sent to world-renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman at the start of last season. The team of physios will now work closely with the United medical staff as the player recovers. But boss Alex Ferguson will not rush him back to action and hopes to have him fit by late November.
Staff writer, The Sun

Most of the papers pick up on Danny Welbeck’s Usain Bolt-style celebration after firing 10-man United in the Carling Cup fourth round. The Sun described the 18-year-old’s one-two with Michael Owen for the goal as “dazzling”.

The Times says that “United are becoming deeply concerned about Rio Ferdinand’s persistent injury problems”. They say he’s missed 30 of the past 52 matches involving United and England.

Gary Neville thinks footballers deserve the wages they receive. People question players’ loyalty, but Neville says: “Architects leave their business, caterers move restaurants – this is life. People want a better wage. Is there too much money in other businesses, like banking?” That said, Neville doesn’t want to leave United. “There’s no other place to go – I’m at the best club.”

The Sun reports on Bryan Robson taking charge of the Thai national football team on a four-year deal, taking over from Peter Reid.