Neighbours Did United Some Favour

United's Wembley weekend got off to the perfect start when elsewhere in London, title rivals Chelsea were thrashed 4-2 on their home turf.

With the Reds involved in Sunday's Carling Cup final, Carlo Ancelotti's side had a chance to go four points clear in the Barclays Premier League. But despite opening the scoring against Manchester City, Chelsea suffered their first home league defeat of the season and finished with nine men following red cards for Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack.

With City defending doggedly, it took Chelsea until the 42nd minute to draw first blood through Frank Lampard. However, the lead lasted only until first-half injury time when former United striker Carlos Tevez grabbed an equaliser.

Craig Bellamy scored at both ends of the second period and Tevez completed his own double when he slotted home a penalty following Belletti's foul on Gareth Barry. Lampard's second goal in injury time, also a spot-kick, merely reduced the arrears from an embarrassing 4-1 scoreline to a still quite shameful 4-2.

The away fans sang "There's only one Wayne Bridge" in celebration and in support of City's left-back, who declined to shake the hand of former team-mate John Terry before kick-off following the recent, much-publicised dramas off the field.

Chelsea's loss leaves them one point ahead of United after the same number of games.

Lou Macari's(pic) Wembley preview (From www.manutd.com)

I expect Sir Alex Ferguson to field his strongest team on Sunday. There’s a trophy at stake, so let’s forget the future games for now - the important one is the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa.

Sir Alex wants to win everything. I imagine he wants to win all the quizzes, games and competitions he takes part in when United are on the road! That’s just the way he is and he won’t allow his players to go out at Wembley and not have the same attitude.

At the moment, everything Wayne Rooney touches is ending up in the back of the net, and long may that continue. But he can’t win the game on his own – we’ll need everyone out there playing well. The good thing is that, certainly in the last couple of months, we seem to have clicked into gear.

For me, the turning point this season was the Carling Cup game against City at Eastlands. Although we lost, we played well on the night, and were brilliant in the second leg at Old Trafford – and in several games since then.

The draw at Villa Park was a good result following Nani's dismissal, and the only blip was last weekend’s defeat to Everton, although we quickly got back on track by beating West Ham. We’re in good form, playing with a great deal of confidence and looking likely to win something this season.

Meanwhile Aston Villa have had a good unbeaten run and there is no doubting their capabilities. They are well organised and disciplined, and you can bank on having a tough time against any team managed by Martin O’Neill.

Sunday’s final represents a big opportunity for Villa. You only need to look at the fans' reaction in the semi-final, when they spilled onto the pitch after they beat Blackburn. It was incredible.

I don’t necessarily agree with Arsene Wenger’s assessment of Villa as a long-ball side, because I think they are capable of playing good football. But goalscoring has been a problem for them. They have Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Carew, Emile Heskey and Ashley Young, all good attacking players but I wouldn’t say any of them were prolific goalscorers.

Young’s strength is his running power – he takes players on, gets to the byline and crosses the ball into box. But I’ve often seen him miss what I would call easy chances. Carew is cool in and around the box, good in the air and scored a couple from the penalty spot against Crystal Palace in midweek. But he’s been in and out of the side and I don’t think he has the mobility now to cause defences a great deal of problems. I don’t expect Carew to start on Sunday - I tend to think Martin O’Neill will play one up front in Agbonlahor.

With goals hard to come by, you can understand why O’Neill’s tactics are a bit cautious. When we went to Villa Park earlier this month and were down to 10 men for so long, you’d have expected them to come charging forward in search of a winner, but they didn’t. Once you get into a routine of playing in a certain way, it’s difficult to change. That’s why much of Villa’s success is based on a solid defence. Richard Dunne, in particular, has been excellent since joining from Manchester City.

As with most Wembley finals, it’ll be a case of who performs better on the day, and which team gets the breaks. So while we’ll start as favourites, Villa have a big chance of winning the cup, make no mistake. Our lads have been to finals time and time again, but other clubs like Villa are determined to make the most of these one-off occasions.

Title race takes more twists

Sir Alex Ferguson and Martin O'Neill walked off Villa Park with glasses half-empty - only to reach the dressing room and find this most unpredictable of Premier League seasons offering them a refreshing refill.
Ferguson will have felt Manchester United's superiority, even with 10 men after Nani's deserved red card, made the draw against Aston Villa an opportunity missed. Chelsea's defeat at Everton may just have transformed this into a point gained.
O'Neill will have suffered the same emotions about Villa's top four aspirations following the failure to take advantage of United in reduced circumstances until he was cheered by defeats for Liverpool and Tottenham.
Throw in Arsenal's mini-revival with that win against Liverpool at the Emirates and it was confirmation that the only thing that can be relied upon in the Premier League this season is its unreliability. Drawing quick conclusions is a dangerous occupation.
If there is something you can put a hefty stake on it is the form of Wayne Rooney - and he was almost the complete player at Villa Park. Almost, only because a late save from Brad Friedel denied him the goal that would have crowned a masterclass.
Rooney is always prepared to do the work of at least two men. And so it proved as he took it upon himself to make up for the loss of Nani, sent off for a lunge at Stilyan Petrov that was more plain daft than malicious.
I asked O'Neill what he most admired about United's display on a night when they showed ominous control after suffering the numerical disadvantage. After pointing out that "admired" was not the word he would choose to describe what he actually experienced, he delivered a heartfelt eulogy to Rooney.
No introductions or names were needed as he said: "The centre-forward they possess is one of the best players in the world. His ability to control a ball under pressure is terrific and his ability is sensational."
O'Neill then highlighted one incident that encapsulated the essence of Rooney, the current desire allied to discipline that make his absence unthinkable for both Manchester United and England.
With the game entering its crucial closing phase, Rooney left his attacking post and raced back into the left-back position to challenge and win a tackle with Ashley Young in a moment that had even the Villa fans showing their appreciation.
"He's made the challenge like a full-back," enthused O'Neill. "He wasn't going to be beaten, and all that happened with about eight minutes to go. I've got a lot of players at this club who can definitely play this game, but that was as good an example as anything you will see."
United's menacing pursuit of Chelsea is helped by Ferguson, who ignored the natural caution many would exercise after losing a player by throwing on extra attacking resources in the shape of Antonio Valencia and Dimitar Berbatov in an attempt to claim the victory.
Ferguson will hope the point has not come at too much cost. Nani's ban rules him out of the Carling Cup final, but of even more concern was the sight of Ryan Giggs leaving Villa Park for an X-ray on an arm injury.
Villa barely laid a glove on United after Nani was sent off, although the debilitating effect of the Portuguese winger's tackle on Petrov robbed the home side of much-needed creativity. Rich promise was offered, however, in the shape of Fabian Delph as he excelled before tiring around the hour mark. And four points from United this season is a more than respectable return.
Few could have predicted Chelsea's loss at Goodison Park, given their show of strength against Arsenal at the weekend and Everton's lame effort at Liverpool - but this is a season of surprises, and the Premier League is all the better for that.
Chelsea have looked formidable for large portions of the season, but they will feel United's breath on their neck as the season enters its final lap. Ferguson, however, must pray no misfortune befalls Rooney because it becomes clearer with every passing week that he is pivotal to their hopes of becoming champions for the fourth successive year.
Arsene Wenger's elated, animated reaction at the conclusion of their win against Liverpool suggested he believes what many regarded as some form of Premier League third-place play-off has rejuvenated their own challenge.
Wenger was desperate for three points to reassert Arsenal's authority after morale-sapping defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea - although whether it represents anything more than a brief false dawn remains to be seen. The eternal optimist in Arsenal's manager will demand otherwise.
For Liverpool, elation against Everton was replaced by frustration. Suddenly, Rafael Benitez's "guarantee" of fourth place is under scrutiny once more. If it was ultimately a good night, of sorts, for Villa, it was an even better one for Manchester City.
The Premier League's eccentricity this season has been frowned upon by those who believe it betrays a lack of quality and consistency. There is merit in this theory, but the twists and turns more than make up for those accusations.
Take a trip up and down the table and excitement is everywhere - with West Ham's win against Birmingham ratcheting up the pressure on their closest contenders in the fight against relegation.
It is a drama with several acts still to be played out - but on the evidence produced at Villa Park on Wednesday, Rooney is now emerging as the central character.

The Reign of Wayne (By Robbo Robson)

OK, Mancs - and you citizens of Cornwall and Kuala Lumpur - I concede. It was the best game of the season. And the 4-3 wasn't bad either, to be fair.

I don't know whether to be hacked off that United have reached another final, or quietly pleased that the newly-minted Man City have been denied.

Mancini has been a civilised sort since arriving. I'm mildly diverted by his appearance. How long does it take him to look like that?

The hair is an identikit from a photo in a crusty old barber's shop window. The eyebrows look a little tidy too. Me, I've got stragglers weaving their way like vermicelli in all directions and he's probably about my age, so has he been on the tweezers?

The scarf has been a master-stroke. How long before Liam's clobber label start flogging something similar? And his team have shown a bit of devil about them too.

Kompany - and surely he should be wearing the number two shirt - was excellent throughout. They don't seem to be missing the headless chicken that can be Kolo Toure, or indeed Lescott.
And of course young Carlos had to bag a goal - though who would have thought he would've flicked one in with what looked like a Paul Scholes-style tackle?

The TevNev fracas seemed to have calmed down, but then young Gary has been concentrating on getting his plans for a flower-shaped eco-house passed. You do sometimes wonder whether Nev might reduce a fair bit of global warming just by keeping his trap shut, bless him.

There's more to come from City. If they've missed anyone it's a fit-and-firing Stephen Ireland. They lack a player who's going to get beyond the front men from midfield. A Lampard if you will. All right, if you're going to get beyond Bellamy, a Lampard with winged heels.

But United looked way better on Wednesday night... I think my prediction that they'll win nowt this season has really spurred them on, dammit.

Rooney's form is pretty magnificent at the moment. He can even cartwheel and run backwards like a bearded Beth Tweddle, and he's got Alan Hansen purring away with yards of alliteration (touch, technique, talent; power, pace, penetration... you've got to love Al).

Then there's the 'White Pele' banner. Now Wayne's good but his only qualification for that moniker is the 'white' bit. (And even then I'd go for Pasty Pele). And I doubt Pele's grasp of Anglo-Saxon is quite as relentless and repetitive.

Nani, of course, has a similar nickname with one letter difference in the word 'white'. It all adds up to one thing - Rooney's metatarsals are looking about as flimsy as toothpicks - at least in my imagination. (I'm sure the correct term for them is Wazza's mezzas). As far as the World Cup's concerned there's nowt much else in the locker if he doesn't make it and Fergie's hardly letting him put his feet up. What's that phrase? It's always Wayne in Manchester?

Trouble is there's not a lot of spare on United's bench either. Owen is like a fleeting shadow of that boy who terrorized Argentina. Berbatov is a flat soufflé most of the time, and Kiki Macheda (wasn't Kiki the frog in Hector's House?) hasn't had his pineapple mop on the pitch for long enough to make any impact.

So it looks like England fans will have to just grin and bear it.

At least Rio's back. He makes Evans look a better player, Ferdinand, although I think if there's anyone I'd least like to watch celebrating a goal, it's him. He's like a 12-year-old trying to pogo after too many sugary drinks. Every time I see it I imagine him flicking the Vs at you out of the back of the school bus.

So a Villa-United final... Me, I'll go for Villa on the basis that I've said the Reds will win nothing. Plus it'll be nice to see O'Neill springing about like a little Ulster lamb. I'm not applying any logic here, mind. If I was , I'd pick United.

Just as I'd pick Federer to win the Aussie Open. But then I had a sly bet with Tony Thompson in the Bell after his first round wobble that Rog'd never win another major. Then he goes and mullers everyone in sight. Robson! Gob! Shut!

Still Murray has been entertaining, not to mention that rare quality amongst British tennis players, clinical. Plus he celebrates like some sort of anti-Henman. The open-throated holler, where his mouth started to morph like that bloke's in American Werewolf in London, was particularly special.

In the meantime we can all spare a thought for Crystal Palace fans. I've always had a soft-spot for Palace since the days of the Team of the Eighties - so long ago now they're probably the Team In Their Eighties.

The chairman must take a lot of the blame and given the man looks like third prize winner in a Duran Duran looky-likey competition it's always been hard to take Simon Jordan seriously. The rather orange complexion - as regular readers will know - always fills me with suspicion. Plus, as a football fan I like the day's highlights to be on the pitch, not in the chairman's barnet.

It's not surprising that Warnock is exasperated. Twenty first place and losing the lad Moses is hardly what he or his players deserve. It's just a shame they've been hit with this mid-season, rather than at the beginning of next, say.

The only upside is that it means Boro continue to climb the table. Which I couldn't resist, but to be honest it's not that funny.

Ferguson: Giggs the best

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson believes Ryan Giggs is the best player of the Premier League era.

The former Wales international, who will be 36 in November, continues to be one of United's best performers and has proved already this season he can still have a major impact on matches.

Giggs has won 11 championship titles, having made his debut in March 1991, and is just one goal away from becoming only the 17th player to score 100 Premier League goals.

Those are just some of the reasons Ferguson believes no-one can match the reigning PFA Player of the Year in terms of achievement and influence in the modern game.

"We have had a lot of top-class players in this league - and some have probably made more of an impact than Ryan - but nobody can boast the same sort of longevity and consistency," said the United manager.

"He was there when the league started and he is still there now. I think you would have to say Ryan is the best."

Giggs scored his 150th United goal against Wolfsburg in the Champions League last week and is also the club's record appearance holder (currently 814).

His adaptability and extraordinary fitness has helped him stay at the top for so long and, as a result, he gives Ferguson options.

Giggs won his first PFA Player of the Year award for performances mainly in central midfield but this season he has been moved back out to the left wing, where he has spent most of his career.

The ability to switch seamlessly between the two is something his manager is likely to utilise later in the campaign.

"We have played him out wide in a few games recently because he is fresh at the moment," Ferguson added.

"It's the beginning of the season so he has got plenty of running in him and he can do a lot of damage in the wide position.

"But I think you will find as the season progresses he will move back into the middle of the park where he can dictate the games."

Capello's World Cup contenders

England's impressive World Cup qualification campaign under coach Fabio Capello ended with a routine victory over Belarus at Wembley.

The defeat against Ukraine was the only blemish as nine wins out of ten qualifiers established a solid platform for England's bid to win the World Cup in South Africa next summer.

Capello is already plotting a path to World Cup success - but who will he take with him to South Africa in a bid to justify England's status as one of the showpiece's main threats?

Here we examine Capello's England contenders and see where they stand when it comes to stamping their passport to South Africa.

GOALKEEPERS

DAVID JAMES: Firm favourite to be Fabio Capello's first choice in South Africa - a fact that also underlines the current dearth of top quality goalkeeping talent at England's disposal.

James will be nearly 40 when the World Cup starts, still struggles for consistency and his stop-start England career will have encompassed 13 years when the campaign starts.

Still capable of making brilliant saves but mixing that with costly mistakes. Susceptible to injuries these days, as proved by missing England's win against Belarus with a knee problem after only emerging as substitute against Ukraine.

Not the perfect answer to England's goalkeeping problems, but the best option amid an unconvincing group. The position remains Capello's biggest concern.

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

ROBERT GREEN: Sound club keeper with West Ham United, but still very much unproven at England level. This is what will let James in. Unlucky to be sent off against Ukraine, and can expect to be first in line should any misfortune befall James.

Verdict: On the plane.

PAUL ROBINSON: Blackburn's keeper was unfairly pilloried for a freak goal in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia that was none of his making, and the subsequent criticism appeared to destroy his confidence.

He has gone back to basics at Blackburn and now looks a good goalkeeper again. Has previous World Cup experience and would be my third choice behind James and Green.

Verdict: Auditioning for the rest of the Premier League season.

BEN FOSTER: Not for me. Has failed to convince at Manchester United this season, and while he made a good save against Belarus, this should not disguise the uncertainty he has shown at Old Trafford.

Not commanding enough and at 26 is not the callow youth many would have you believe. Can improve, but would not be in my World Cup squad.

Verdict: Needs games at Manchester United to press his case.

JOE HART: Capello likes Hart but he will have to wait his turn. 2014 is a more realistic aim for a talented keeper.

Verdict: World Cup too soon for him.

DEFENDERS

GLEN JOHNSON: Gives England an added dimension with his adventurous attacking play, but not the greatest defender and is too often pulled out of position.

Champions League football with Liverpool will broaden his horizons and help him get acquainted with the sort of quality he will face in South Africa. Gifted but still a work in progress. Looks certain to play - no obvious competition,

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

WES BROWN: The Manchester United defender has had an horrendous time with injuries, but Capello is clearly an admirer and appears the most likely understudy to Johnson. He offers the added bonus of being able to fill in at centre-back.

Needs to do much more to make up Capello's mind and needs to play games, but definitely in the frame.

Verdict: Could sneak in because of lack of other options.

JOHN TERRY: Main man in defence and a natural leader. Speaks with pride and passion about his role as England captain and backs up his words with actions on the pitch.

Probably his last tilt at a World Cup and insists he can sense this England team is ready to win a major tournament. Capello's only concern about Terry will be injuries - and how he must avoid them.

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

RIO FERDINAND: As graceful and effective a central defender as there is in world football when focused, but it appears injuries have taken the edge off his mental and physical sharpness.

Likely to have been jolted into action by a sharp word from Capello after his error against Ukraine - something the coach was, interestingly, happy to make public.

Plenty of time to turn his form around. Would be a major surprise if he is not alongside Terry when England's World Cup campaign starts.

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

MATTHEW UPSON: Reliable and trusted by Capello when Rio Ferdinand has been absent. Upson has never let England down and on that basis alone he looks certain to be in South Africa and on alert for any injuries to the main central defenders.

Verdict: On the plane.

GARY CAHILL: Strong and confident youngster with real faith in his own ability and a growing number of admirers among top Premier League managers. Still waiting to press his claims to Capello and this World Cup might just come too soon.

Verdict: Next time around.

JOLEON LESCOTT: Manchester City's £24m defender has yet to show his best form since his acrimonious move from Everton. Has at times looked over-awed when playing for England, a sharp contrast to the assured performances that earned him such a glowing reputation at Everton.

Under threat from players such as Cahill, and perhaps from his former Everton team-mate Phil Jagielka once he returns to fitness. In danger of slipping down the pecking order.

Verdict: In danger of missing out.

ASHLEY COLE: In the form of his life. Now playing for Chelsea as he did for Arsenal and one of the men Capello will count on in South Africa. No-one comes within a country mile of taking his England place at present.

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

WAYNE BRIDGE: Not shown international class for England and has struggled with Manchester City this season. He will go to South Africa, but only because there is a shortage of left-backs pushing to take his position. If one emerges, he will be in danger.

Verdict: Work needs to be done but likely to be on the plane.

MIDFIELDERS

GARETH BARRY: Capello's Mr Reliable in central midfield. Has seen off the challenge of Michael Carrick and shows no sign of relinquishing his hold on the position alongside Frank Lampard in central midfield.

Barry is a mature, experienced operator whose level-headed approach ensures the intensity of a World Cup campaign will hold no terrors.

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

FRANK LAMPARD: One of the world game's outstanding midfield players, and has forged a fruitful partnership with Barry. Has the potential to be one of England's most influential performers in South Africa.

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

STEVEN GERRARD: Would be the second name on my team-sheet after Wayne Rooney. Undisputed world class and has found a home in the Capello template tucked in on the left but with licence to roam and join Rooney as an attacking threat.

Amazingly still has to convince some observers of his worth to England, but would be coveted by every other coach at the World Cup - and I mean every other coach.

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

THEO WALCOTT: He was little more than a fresh-faced sightseer when inexplicably included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad for the 2006 World Cup.

This mature youngster lit the blue touch paper under the Capello era with a hat-trick in the World Cup qualifier in Croatia, and if he is fit must be the top tip to take the right-flank spot ahead of Aaron Lennon. Lightning fast and capable of composed finishing, he is a world-class talent in the making.

Now needs to stay fit and have a big season at Arsenal - something that could set the scene for him to be a major star at the World Cup.

Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

AARON LENNON: Moving towards finally producing the goods under the wise guidance of Harry Redknapp at Spurs. Lennon is now putting more end product in his game to go with the blistering pace and direct approach.

Will make the squad for South Africa but may lose out on a starting place to north London rival Walcott.

Verdict: On the plane.

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: For all the endeavour, Wright-Phillips falls short of true international class. Did not shine despite scoring against Belarus and I do not see him forcing his way past Lennon and Walcott, especially with Capello also pondering the David Beckham dilemma.

Verdict: Staying at home.

DAVID BECKHAM: Predictably, this will become the great talking point of the next few months. The fact that he farcically won the man-of-the-match award against Belarus (a slap in the face to Gareth Barry and Peter Crouch) showed he can still put stars in the eyes of even the most hardened professional, in this case adjudicator Steve Bruce.

Capello spoke warmly about Beckham after the game, in a manner that suggested he would take him as a World Cup wild card.

I would leave Beckham at home because I believe England must feel confident enough about themselves to do without his occasional contributions from the bench. He would not start a game in South Africa.

Beckham still has beautiful delivery, but I am not convinced he can still hurt the top-class opposition England would face later in the tournament. I would prefer Capello to take someone like Joe Cole.

The former captain has my total respect for the way he came back from relinquishing the captaincy in tears in Baden-Baden in 2006 and the desire is still clearly there, but I believe England should be able to move on by the time next summer comes around. If they cannot, then this is a concern.

I still think Fabio will take him though.

Verdict: Should be at home but may well make the plane.

JAMES MILNER: Milner is fast-improving and could be coming to the boil nicely by the time the World Cup comes around. Looked sharper than Beckham against Belarus and almost scored.
Pace, power, delivery (remember his performance against the Netherlands in Amsterdam?) Got the bit between his teeth and is ready to pose real questions to Capello.

Verdict: A real live contender.

MICHAEL CARRICK: Carrick has a wonderful range of passing and can also score goals and dictate the tempo of the game, but is he too similar to Barry, who is the man in possession?
With Lampard and Gerrard also around, is there room for Carrick as well? I think he may well miss out, and could yet face an added threat from his Old Trafford team-mate Owen Hargreaves if he recovers from injury.

Verdict: Got a fight on his hands.

FORWARDS

WAYNE ROONEY: The irreplaceable. The man England cannot afford to be without. Frustrated by injuries at Euro 2004 and at the World Cup two years later, South Africa can be his stage.
Verdict: On the plane and in the team.

EMILE HESKEY: The striker whose career has been one long defiance of football logic. The striker who does not score goals, indeed the striker who does not play many games any more, and yet the striker Capello trusts implicitly to lead his line.

Selfless and hard-working, Heskey's main asset is that he allows Rooney and others to flourish. It is a quality so highly-prized that it makes managers forget he cannot score goals.

If England could find a suitable alternative acceptable to Capello (is he truly convinced by Peter Crouch or Carlton Cole?) Heskey would be gone, but the smart money is on him still being alongside Rooney in the first game in South Africa.

The big dilemma comes if Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is unmoved by his demands for first-team football - which he won't be. Can Capello seriously risk him after a season on the sidelines? I wouldn't.

VERDICT: On the plane and in the team.

JERMAIN DEFOE: As clinical a finisher as England possess, but seen as an impact player as opposed to a starter. Has the talent to make a major impact at the World Cup when he gets his chance.

VERDICT: On the plane.

PETER CROUCH 18 goals in 35 appearances for England. The critics will point to goals scored against lesser nations, a "flat-track bully" if you like. This is not Crouch's fault when he rarely gets starts against the bigger teams.

Capello still seems less than sold on Crouch, whose lack of physical power counts against him at the top international level, but hard to see what more he could do to convince the England coach.
Will go to South Africa because he provides England with a different option.

VERDICT: On the plane.

CARLTON COLE: Developed enormously under Gianfranco Zola at West Ham, but with Capello a confirmed Heskey fan and Crouch scoring goals, there may not be room for a third big target man. Might smack of overkill.

Has the potential to be more effective than Heskey, and could be the beneficiary if the Villa striker does not get games. If Heskey does, Cole might spend the summer at home.

Verdict: Anxious wait ahead.

MICHAEL OWEN: A fit Michael Owen scoring goals simply has to be in the squad. If he fulfilled this criteria I would put him in with Rooney, Defoe, Heskey and Crouch.

The doubts still lie in those fitness worries and the lingering feeling that Capello believes he may be a spent force at England level. Never, ever write off Owen, however, and at Manchester United he has the perfect stage to make his pitch for a World Cup place.

VERDICT: On the plane. If fit.

THE OUTSIDERS

JOE COLE: A popular member of the England squad, with the element of fantasy about his game that makes it work at international level. On the way back to full fitness at Chelsea, he will provide Capello with options all across midfield, and even in attack at a push, should he get regular football. If he proves his fitness, Cole should be in South Africa.

Verdict: Could make an irresistible case for inclusion if he gets the chance.

GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR: Not quite international class, but an excellent Premier League performer. Got the pace required at the highest level but may be a better bet in 2014.

Verdict: Maybe better luck next time.

JACK RODWELL: Plenty of good judges, David Pleat included, feel Everton's gifted teenager is the one big outsider who could make a late bid for World Cup inclusion. An England player of the future, Rodwell still does not influence games enough (hardly a surprise given his tender years) and has yet to show he can make the killer contribution.

Verdict: Too soon but his time will come.

ASHLEY YOUNG: Highly-talented and confident player, but is near the back of the queue now in his position and would need to do something very special to warrant inclusion - is capable of special moments though.

Verdict: May have missed his chance.

PHIL JAGIELKA: Was in magnificent form for Everton when he sustained a serious knee injury that caused him to miss the FA Cup Final. An outstanding defender who is admired by Capello and has just returned to training with Everton.

If he can recapture last season's form on his return could be a surprise outsider.

Verdict: Outside chance if he can recapture form and fitness.

OWEN HARGREAVES: Just emerging from an injury nightmare, the man who was an exceptional performer at the 2006 World Cup still has ambitions to make South Africa. Needs to prove he is finally fit before he does anything, but has the strength of will to make up for lost time.

Verdict: Long shot but will give Capello food for thought if he finds his form.

STEWART DOWNING: Yet to play for Aston Villa following his move from Middlesbrough, a player who has shone only occasionally for England may have missed his chance.

Verdict: Needs big performances quickly when he gets fit.

Torres, Drogba or Rooney - who's the best? (By: Steve Wilson)

I've set myself this challenge with a certain amount of trepidation. This self-appointed task is to choose between the three strikers who I feel are the Premier League's best.

It's really a pub debate with myself, and a bit of fun for whoever might feel moved to chip in and tell me where I'm wrong.

The three I am thinking of are Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres.

I've started a row with myself already. What about the skills of Adebayor? Why not the searing pace of Agbonlahor or the intelligence of Van Persie? What of Tottenham's trio of Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch?

Then there is Louis Saha and Darren Bent, who have both had such fine starts to the season. And I haven't even mentioned Eduardo, Tevez, Robinho, Berbatov or Carlton Cole.

We have got such an array of fabulous talent in front of goal in the Premier League, but, for me, Rooney, Drogba and Torres are a cut above.

Now, how to choose? In true tabloid style, I am going to select five categories and award marks out of 10.

To decide on categories, I have consulted with Mark Bright. Here's what we came up with.

FINISHING

Torres - most at home inside the penalty area where he accelerates and glides past defenders with fantastic poise. He has the ability to find his spot with either foot and is great in the air, too. 9/10

Drogba - maybe less of a penalty box predator than Torres, but he can unleash immense power from outside the box. Comfortable on either foot, tremendous in the air and, of course, uses his strength to terrorise defenders. 9/10

Rooney - his goal-attempts are almost always on target as he performs the simple and sublime in front of goal. He may not be quite as effective as Torres or Drogba in the air but is a danger to goalkeepers from almost anywhere. 9/10

TEAM CONTRIBUTION

Torres - Liverpool's system allows him to rely on others to do much of the hard work outside the box. But you couldn't call him a shirker. 7/10

Drogba - is often Chelsea's best defender of set-pieces, with his power and ability in the air, and since Luiz Felipe Scolari left his attitude has been spot on. 8/10

Rooney - he is a fantastic creator of goals for others as well as scorer of goals for himself. He was often used as a left-sided attacker last season, when Ronaldo played as the centre forward. His willingness to track back is legendary. But his tackling sometimes leaves room for improvement. 9/10

PACE

Torres - blistering acceleration with balance makes marking him as hard as catching a fish by hand. 9/10

Drogba - he's quick enough when it matters, though it's his strength which makes him so fearsome. 8/10

Rooney - probably lacks the acceleration of Torres, but his ability to be in the right place at the right time is uncanny. 8/10

DISCIPLINE

Torres - gets frustrated with team-mates on occasion but rarely gets angry with opponents or referees. He seems to be the model pro when it comes to keeping cool. 9/10

Drogba - his red card in the Champions League final against Manchester United and antics after the Barcelona semi show that Drogba will on occasion lose his head. 7/10

Rooney - he does seem to have worked on his tendency to lose his temper, but it's something which has been played on by opponents in big matches. 7/10

STAYING FIT

Torres - it's a nagging worry for Liverpool fans who saw Torres miss so much of last season with hamstring injuries, mostly sustained whilst playing for Spain. 7/10

Drogba - not quite so indestructible as his physique would suggest, but then he is six years older than Torres and seven older than Rooney. As a result, he has been getting kicked for longer. 8/10

Rooney - he is harder to stop that the Terminator. He just keeps on playing week in, week out, never losing his edge or consistency. 9/10

So the totals - and as I write this I haven't a clue what they will be...
Torres --- 41/50
Drogba --- 40/50
Rooney --- 42/50

Interesting, and now I am off to argue with myself!

Chelsea & Liverpool under scrutiny (By: Phil McNulty)

Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez have history. From Istanbul in 2005 to Athens two years later - two Champions League finals between AC Milan and Liverpool with honours even.

Chelsea and Liverpool's players will also have something in common at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, other than the annual pursuit of Manchester United at the Premier League summit.

John Terry and Steven Gerrard will lead out two sets of players with the angry words of their respective managers still ringing in their ears after an uncomfortable week at home and abroad.

Ancelotti's permanently raised left eyebrow hints at a laconic sense of humour, but both were heading skywards in alarm as the Italian lambasted Chelsea for their performance in the Champions League win against Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus.

It came hard on the heels of defeat at Wigan, an appalling display that drew savage criticism and a public dressing down for the players from their leaderTerry.

Benitez meted out similar treatment to Liverpool after a dreadful night in Florence against Fiorentina. Fabio Aurelio, a long-time employee of Benitez both at Valencia and Liverpool, admitted he had never seen him so angry as he was at the interval during the 2-0 defeat.

Benitez rated it right down there with the worst preformances of his Liverpool reign, and was so unsettled by the experience that rage replaced the icy reserve with which he usually treats his charges.

So when Ancelotti and Benitez meet in domestic combat for the first time, both Chelsea and Liverpool will be under intense scrutiny. Weaknesses and strengths will be examined in even finer detail.

Manchester United may currently head the table, but Chelsea and Liverpool have serious designs about unseating Sir Alex Ferguson's champions and Sunday will inevitably used as evidence to either press or dismiss their aspirations.

For Chelsea, there is an echo of last October's meeting with Liverpool when Xabi Alonso's deflected goal ended an unbeaten Premier League run stretching back 86 games.

Then, as now, Chelsea had made an promising start under a new manager. For Ancelotti read Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was winning plaudits for his smooth transition at Stamford Bridge.

How wrong we were. Liverpool's win exposed the fragile foundations of Scolari's regime, falling around a tactical inflexibility that offered Plan A, and when that went wrong some more Plan A. Benitez struck on the notion that if you stopped Chelsea's full-backs attacking under Scolari you stopped Chelsea - he was correct and Liverpool's win was the beginning of the end for the amiable Big Phil.

Ancelotti is prepared to be more experimental and will want to see swift signs that Chelsea have not been unnerved by the dismal defeat at Wigan, and the uncertainties of Cyprus that saw him as uncomfortable as he has been since arriving in England.

The task has been made harder by Petr Cech's suspension, with likely replacement Hilario barely passing muster as a goalkeeper of Premier League quality. Chelsea's miserly defence looked decidedly vulnerable at Wigan and in Cyprus, and even Hilario's greatest admirers would struggle to regard him as a reassuring presence.

Ancelotti must hope Frank Lampard's uncharacteristic drought of eight goalless games does not continue as the usually prolific midfield man adjusts to the coach's diamond midfield formation. Lampard's strength is arriving late in the box - the danger for Liverpool is that he is too astute and too good a player not to fire eventually.

A convincing Chelsea win will cement Ancelotti's reputation and help banish any lingering fears he might turn out to be another Scolari. The Italian's pedigree suggests otherwise, but victory on Sunday will knock out any dents in confidence after a poor week.

Liverpool will take heart from their performances at Chelsea last season, following up that league victory by almost overturning a 3-1 deficit at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League quarter-final.

Fernando Torres is in the mood to terrorise Chelsea, but Liverpool's switch to a more attacking mindset has exposed worrying weaknesses at the back. For those who tipped Liverpool to win the title this season, myself included, there have to be indications of Benitez finding a balance.

The ease with which an unremarkable Fiorentina side threatened to take Liverpool to the cleaners in the first half was undoubtedly the reason for Benitez's burst of anger - but the manager himself has had better nights.

Benitez's European record has him rightly regarded as a master strategist in the Champions League, but his plan of pairing Lucas and Fabio Aurelio in central midfield was ill-conceived.

He may have brushed off criticisms of this baffling selection later, but you would not place large sums on it being repeated at Chelsea if Javier Mascherano is still sidelined with a hamstring injury. The dustbin is the best place for that particular piece of tactical thinking.

Liverpool's central defence has not been a happy place to be when the heat is on this season, with Jamie Carragher's dip in form allowing the collapse of Martin Skrtel's game to slip under the radar.

Skrtel threw his hands up in what was almost a gesture of surrender as he was being given the runaround at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Not great body language, and how Benitez must yearn for the day when Daniel Agger cuts his ties to the treatment room and puts his hand up for selection.

Liverpool have cured the problem of struggling at Anfield against the lesser lights, thrashing Stoke City, Burnley and Hull City, but they have looked ill-at-ease when winning at Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United and slipped against Spurs and Aston Villa.

It will be a serious demonstration of intent if they can win at Chelsea. Didier Drogba, a scourge of Liverpool in the past, was missing when they won at Stamford Bridge last season. He will be present in all his menacing glory on Sunday - and if Carragher and Skrtel defend as they have been when placed under stress then he will be the match-winner.

The same will apply to Torres if Chelsea show the frailty that has marked their last two performances. Two world-class strikers will relish the prospect of feasting on flawed defences.

For the two teams, this game is an early marker for where their league season might be heading. Ancelotti and Benitez only meet when the stakes are high - they do so again on Sunday.

Time Is On Your Side, Fergie (By: Robbo Robson)

Michael Owen scoring his first 'controversial' Old Trafford goal against City

Thank goodness there's more to talk about this weekend than Boro's 5-0 drubbing at home to the Baggies. In the Blue Bell, Happy Hour was re-dubbed Grievin' Evenin', and even then an ocean of half-price pintage could not have drowned the multitude of sorrows that swirled around that boozer.

Anyway onwards and upwards (or backwards and downwards at it was at approximately 10.30pm on Saturday) we're still well-placed and as long as the back-four stop defending like daffodils in an April shower we might clamber back out of the bear-pit.

We were back in the same seats for the Manchester derby, sipping quietly on our bitter shandies. We couldn't drink quickly 'cos that would've involved drawing breath every now and then - and my word, there wasn't time, was there?

The papers were filled with the petty back and forth between Hughes and Fergie. A pair of D-list E-cup F-wording glam girls couldn't have served up a less snippy little hors d'oeuvre.

Tevez was jeered so forcefully by the OT regulars that even the prawns were jumping out of the sandwiches to have a pop at him. That pre-season sky blue billboard was pure wummery, to be fair, although it made me smile to see 'Welcome to Manchester' beneath a picture of the little menacing looking scurrier. I suppose in the Boca they've got a big Rooney billboard to scare off their River Plate rivals.

What a game, though! The back fours need to hire some counsels for the defence pretty damn quick cos if they were my players I'd be prosecuting them to within an inch of their lives.
Foster looks less and less like a top keeper (and by inference more and more like an England keeper) with every game. Rio's still capable of the most dim-witted clangers and as for Micah Richards, what the hell's happened to the lad? Does he lose 10,000 more brain cells with the each chunk of bling?

Mind you, it made for fine entertainment. The attacking flair was for all to see, not least from the Welshmen. Craig Bellamy was at his direct best, not least when (allegedly) slapping the chump who'd got himself on the pitch.

Giggs was immaculate, and an inspiration to us all. We could all be a bit like Giggsy with a little more self-belief and a little less curry and beer. Trouble is the self-belief sometimes comes through the curry and beer. Doesn't it? (That's enough beer talk, Robbo, it's not big or clever - Ed).

I've heard lots of drooling United smarty-pants' saying how it just had to be Owen to bag the winner. Well no. Fergie doesn't have some pre-ordained right to be correct all the time, just 'cos he has the ability the bend time to his will.

If he was correct about, for example, Dimitar Berbatov he'd have taught the headbanded Bulgar to head the ball towards the corners rather than straight at the keeper all the flaming time. Even Darren Fletcher can do that. (By the way, can anyone else hear his name on a commentary without repeating 'Fletcher' in your best Mr Mackay voice? Just me then.)

Sparky's most upset that United were given time to finish the job. I know he's in charge of some sulky millionaires (the City back four's communication skills had all the togetherness and spirit of an Eastenders family Christmas at the Mitchells) but he might have to lay the blame at the door of his own dithering team.

Nevertheless it's more grist to the mill for the Old Trafford conspiracy theorists. To think they spent all that bloomin' money on that particle collider thingammy in Cern when they haven't even begun to explain how time can slow and/or extend within the confines of Manchester United's football stadium.

I mean we all know that Parkinson's Law says summat like 'Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion'

Fergie's Law states that: 'Time expands so as to make the work available complete.' It'd be a bit one-eyed and ungenerous to claim that Sir Alex is the only footballing deity to have redefined the laws of nature.

There's Arsene's Law, too, that states that: 'The direction in which I am looking shall be the polar opposite to the direction in which a misdemeanour occurs.' This has been contested in recent days by what has become known as the Adebayor Paradox.

There's also Warnock's Law: 'Defeat is always a construct of maladministration.'

And Roman's Law: 'The Champions League is just one manager away.'

Rafa's Law: 'Zones must be marked. The left-back must be average.'

Also, here's an entry from Gerrard's dictionary: 'international friendly n, groin strain'

The Toon Army dictat: 'You get the chairman you deserve.'

Diouf's Law: 'If there's a nose to be found I'll get up it.'

Scotland's Law: 'If it ain't Rangers, it's Celtic.'

The JT Rule: 'I shall be deemed to be a goalkeeper when star-jumping to block a goalbound effort.'

Maradona's Law: 'Great players make bad managers.'

And then there's the noblest of them all, the Denis Law: 'He that shall score 'gainst those that once he called his brothers shall not raise his arm in victory.' Clearly a certain City striker broke the Denis Law, although I'm told there is an Emmanuel Ade-by-law.

United's victory was fair enough really, but you just can't help feeling that four minutes would've been four minutes anywhere else. No more. No less. It's just a good job Sir Roger Bannister didn't break the four-minute mile in Manchester or they'd be ripping up the record books as we speak.

p/s: Robbo Robson is a football blogger for BBC Football. He was raised in Teeside and an experienced football pundit.

Football greats honour Sir Bobby

Some of the biggest names in football have paid their respects to former England manager Sir Bobby Robson at a service at Durham Cathedral. Sir Bobby died on 31 July aged 76 following a long battle against cancer. The service was live on TV and was also beamed to thousands in Ipswich town centre and at St James' Park in Newcastle.

Gary Lineker said Sir Bobby was "gentlemanly, dignified and diplomatic, he never let his country down." In his tribute, the former England striker said: "Bobby was not just a brilliant leader of men that brought the absolute best out of his players, but he was without question the single most enthusiastic and passionate man in football."He made you feel good about yourself and good about the game. "He loved the game and the game loved him. He was a lion of a man, no, make that three lions."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was inspired to defer his retirement after advice from Sir Bobby. Sir Alex said: "It was not a question, it was a demand. 'You're not retiring are you?'. "'Of course I'm not' (I said). Not after he'd said that." He said people admired Sir Bobby's "courage, dignity and enthusiasm" and would "forever" remember his "little jig" when England scored a last minute winner against Belgium in the 1990 World Cup.

He said: "Friends have said to me you should never finish a eulogy with a cliche such a 'we'll never see his like again'... but we won't."Former Fulham player Tom Wilson recalled Sir Bobby's early playing days and his love for North East England. Cancer specialist Dr Ruth Plummer spoke about the foundation set up in Sir Bobby's name, which has so far raised £1.8m.

Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins sang Pie Jesu at the service, also attended by former England players including Paul Gascoigne, Terry Butcher, Alan Shearer, Bryan Robson, David Seaman, Stuart Pearce and Peter Beardsley. Graham Taylor, Terry Venables, Sven Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren and Fabio Capello, who all managed England after Sir Bobby, were also there.

Other famous footballing figures paying their respects among the 1,000-strong congregation were Bobby and Jack Charlton, Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce, David Moyes, Mick McCarthy, Don Howe, Roy Keane, Howard Wilkinson, Niall Quinn, Lawrie McMenemy, John Wark and Paul Mariner. Well-known figures from the North East who attended included TV presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, actor Tim Healy and athletes Steve Cram and Brendan Foster. The service closed with Tenors Unlimited singing Nessun Dorma, the opera aria which was the BBC theme tune for Italia 90 and became synonymous with the England team's World Cup campaign.

After the memorial, Sir Bobby's son Andrew said he hoped the public service, which followed a private funeral last month, would help his family. He said: "I think it was a final tribute to him and singing Nessun Dorma, which always will be associated with him, at the end of the service was very poignant." Sir Bobby managed England from 1982 to 1990, taking the national side to the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and reaching the semi-finals four years later. Before that he had led Ipswich Town to FA Cup and Uefa Cup success.

Following his time with England he had spells in charge of PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona, before returning to England to manage Newcastle United. His final coaching role was as an assistant to Steve Staunton - who was also at the service - with the Republic of Ireland. Sir Bobby won the Dutch and Portuguese league titles and the European Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona. Barcelona president Joan Laporta was also at Durham Cathedral for the invitation-only event.

All divers should be punished (By Robbo Robson)

Ey-up. The head honchos are on the warpath. Eduardo's two-game ban for diving is a welcome one. Not as drastic a punishment as has been proposed on this blog before, but welcome nevertheless.

I've had it up to here with Gooners bleating that it's not fair that their lad got picked on when everybody's at it. Then they recommend the same axe fall on the head of 'honest' Wayne Rooney for his less flamboyant effort on Saturday.

I don't want to keep picking over the slo-mos but while Rooney may well have been turf-bound before Almunia completed the job, Eduardo had a more blatant plunge than Katy Price's neckline.

I kind of worry about Wazza calling himself 'honest' - not cos he's a Dean Richards of a fibber but because 'honest' is football-speak for 'hard-working but ultimately not all that'. It's a word we use for, I dunno, Phil Neville, or Dirk Kuyt, or Titus Bramble.

(Another such phrase is 'good engine' which means that the bloke can keep running for 90 minutes but it's probably best if he doesn't come into contact with the ball during that time). But as far as I can tell, Rooney does try and play the game in the right way, always allowing for the odd two-minute barrage of Sopranos dialogue that heads the way of the refs.

Scott Brown challenges Eduardo over his 'dive'

Thing is, Eduardo's ban has to apply across the board from now on. (Actually I wouldn't mind imposing a couple of retrospective fines now this particular kettle of fish has been opened. The least we could do is punish Rivaldo for that skin-crawling Balamory-standard performance by the corner-flag some years back. I wouldn't fine him, just make him wear a big arrow on his head that says 'UTTER JESSIE').

But there's no point in coming down hard if they dodge a bigger decision over the Real Thing in Madrid, or Mr Messi, who's been known to roll like a craps dice when the need arises.

I know Wenger is pathologically averse to having a pop at his own players but he's been wriggling like a worm on a hook over the Croatian. Boruc 'touched' him, apparently. Yeah? How hard? So blinking hard it wouldn't even have shown up on cricket's Hot Spot.

I hope Eduardo stayed indoors on Thursday 'cos it was a mite windy. The poor lad would've barely made it to the end of his front path before getting swept up into the air like Dorothy in her Kansas home. (I know what you're thinking, gents. Is there anyone who doesn't like Wizard of Oz? There is?! Put 'em up, put 'em up)!

We fans hate to see even a Rooneyesque opportunistic drop if we're on the wrong end of it. If it benefits us there's always the 'there was contact' argument. Or worse still the 'it's part of the game' argument. The game's unwritten golden rule these days is 'see a leg, fall over it'

Even the quintessential 'honest' footballer, Everton's Tony Hibbert, can't resist obeying it. Can't say Moyes or Kenwright have had too much to say about the lad's actions either.

So while it's good that the serial simulators might in future be hung out to dry, it's not good enough for us to coo and crow when our centre-forward cheats his way to a winning goal. If we don't want it to be part of the game then we have to make sure the players who wear our shirts know it. Otherwise it's just a load of hypocritical hogwash.

Besides which there are seven-year-old miniature Ronaldos (complete with Stupido gel on their bonces in most cases - why Dads are letting their lads run about looking like little tussocks of grass is beyond me) and they're all inhaling the loam and clay of this great land of ours every weekend as they slither across the turf in search of shameless advantage. And their Dads are probably beaming from the touchlines, the planks!

I mean, I ask the same question when I hear that some 18-year-old know-nowt has just passed her A-levels in Humanities, Film and Media, and Salad Dressing - what the hell are we teaching our children these days?

Fifa has stepped in with the heavy boot 'n' all with the transfer ban on Chelsea. Well we've been begging for someone to neuter the Abramovic chequebook and Fifa has obliged. Sniggering aside - and the mirth has only just died down in this little corner of Championshipland - it does seem incredibly harsh to stop them buying anybody for 15 months.

The lad Kakuta - who I've seen on Youtube and is going to be frightening if they ever let him start a game (Daniel Sturridge what were you thinking?) - was 'induced' apparently. I have to say it's difficult to know what tapping up actually means.

Agents talk to chief executives who talk to managers who happen to bump into players and the whole merry-go-round seems as murky as Loch Ness. I suppose when it comes to a kid at a minor club suddenly getting into chats with the richest club in Europe it could be clearer-cut.

Thing is, they have to lay down the same law to everyone otherwise it just reeks of vindictiveness. Apart from anything, if the Blues can't buy a bit of cover for the African Cup of Nations, my 50 quid on Chelsea is down the pan and Fifa could well be down the Bell trying to explain themselves. Pronto.

Selling Adebayor: Was it a right decision?

Michael Owen unveiling a brochure to attract buyers for himself is one thing - Arsenal fans doing likewise to attract a buyer for Emmanuel Adebayor is another.

While Owen's glossy pages spoke of "The Athlete, The Ambassador, The Icon", a replica produced by a group of Arsenal fans made a series of claims on Adebayor's behalf that were not altogether flattering.

According to his Emirates admirers, Adebayor's "brand values" included the Togo striker being "not small...wifi enabled...definitely not lazy..." Not to mention being "better than Marlon Harewood and Mido put together."

You get the picture. To the sound of tongues drilling holes in cheeks, this snapshot of Arsenal's support suggested he would not be missed should he leave.

And this is why Arsenal fans have not been storming the Emirates in fury at the club's decision to accept £25m of Manchester City's Abu Dhabi riches.

The reasoning is that Arsenal's team and bank balance would be enhanced by cashing in on Adebayor - and it is a theory based in sound logic.

Arsenal have bade farewell to a succession of high-profile players over the years, but very few have been sent on their way with such a wave of indifference as Adebayor. When covering Arsenal games last season, you had to try very hard to detect obvious signs of goodwill from supporters towards the player.

Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira departed with good grace and best wishes, Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars to Barcelona and Nicolas Anelka to Real Madrid for a huge profit. Ashley Cole went to Chelsea in exchange for cash and William Gallas amid well-chronicled rancour.
Mathieu Flamini was a regrettable departure on a free transfer to AC Milan, while Alexander Hleb has proved at Barcelona that Wenger got that call spot on.

As far as the Adebayor deal is concerned, the main fear among Arsenal's following is not that the deal will be completed, but that it might collapse.

It is all a far cry from the summer of 2008 when the gifted striker was basking in the achievement of scoring 30 goals in 48 games, a wonderful return that inevitably made him a target for Europe's elite.

AC Milan and Barcelona were among those courted, and even though he eventually signed a new and improved long-term contract, things have never been the same since.

Arsenal's supporters have since, in the main, treated Adebayor with a mixture of reserve and suspicion - and now see the prospect of receiving £25m in exchange for his services as another prime example of manager Arsene Wenger's ability to strike a good deal.

Manchester City's summer signings have all looked to have had a place in the grander scheme. Gareth Barry will provide maturity and quality in midfield, Roque Santa Cruz had his most fruitful goalscoring season under Mark Hughes at Blackburn and Carlos Tevez will provide industry and inspiration.

Adebayor? A goal threat and natural ability certainly, as his brilliant overhead kick against Villarreal in the Champions League proved - but a move to Eastlands does not appear to be the most natural fit.

Arsenal have the striking quality to compensate for Adebayor's absence. Robin van Persie, a more potent and driven player, has committed his future to the club and Andriy Arshavin gave golden glimpses of his quality last season.

Wenger will hope Eduardo, a natural and clinical marksman, can put injuries behind him while Carlos Vela could not be in better hands than Wenger's as he develops a potentially world-class talent.

Nicklas Bendtner is highly-rated by Wenger, who could use the Adebayor cash to add to that weaponry, as well as hunt down the combative midfield enforcer to add physical strength on top of the arrival of £10m defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Bordeaux's Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh has emerged as a potential target, but as ever Wenger will not be rushed.

Wenger, we can say with some certainty, will have a plan and there is no obvious displeasure that it might not include the enigmatic, albeit lavishly talented, figure of Adebayor.

The New Lucky Number 7

The new no. 7 has been revealed! The lucky one is the new signing, Michael Owen. Is he gonna give a massive impact like what the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo have done? Mr. Ferguson has put the very full of his faith on Michael. The players, the staff as well as the whole stadium and fans are following Sir Alex's decision to believe in Michael. The only question now lays on his ability to absorb pressure from the whole world.. Will he or won't he manage to give a hit? Let just see at the start of the season. We should believe of what Ferguson believe in his own players. The players also should be believing the new signings' ability to perform on the centre stages. They are what Fergie says as the new germs of the Devils' Theatre of Dreams. Just believe the gaffer. What he says should be what we say as well. The world have been waiting for Manchester United to make an impact in the transfer window instead Real Madrid have overshadowed them. Yet, Ferguson is not tired of being patient. We will see what he will do in the January window. Other clubs have been off-loading their money within weeks while Fergie is saving. We should know how wise the gaffer is as his little signings in the last decade had proved worth it.

United Fans Won't Panic As The Devils Lost Prize Pair

Manchester United have lost two of their best players in Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
But there has been no hysterical reactions from fans. More new signings like Antonio Valencia would be welcomed, but there isn’t panic on the streets of Denton, Didsbury or Moss Side.
Sir Alex Ferguson has built up such a vast bank of credit that fans would look foolish if they started questioning the playing side of the club.

Ferguson had continually proved doubters wrong and the obdurate Glaswegian would gain great satisfaction from doing it again. United are linked with big names every day, dull agent-led talk. Papers believe it whets fans’ appetites and expectations, but such is the unreliability it merely grates.

United fans have wasted too much time in past summers fretting about whether Alan Shearer would arrive or Ronaldo would leave. Most have learned to know better and trust the manager. He knows best and he’ll bring in who he thinks is right for the club. He’s more likely to identify young emerging talents than go for the franchise-style players Real Madrid are distorting the market for. Ferguson’s obsession is winning football matches, not pumping up expectations, creating illusions and grand egotistical projects.

Ronaldo wanted to leave, something his team mates and manager knew well. He was an outstanding talent in his six years at Old Trafford. But like for most players from south of Marseille, Real Madrid and Barcelona have a far bigger pull than United or Liverpool, just as the two English giants have a bigger sway in Scandinavia.

Ronaldo’s left one club which has had the same manager since 1986 for one which has worked through eight coaches in five years. Madrid’s new coach, Manuel Pellegrini, is top level, but he won’t have the control of Ferguson and I’m sure Ronaldo will miss the stability and discipline which Ferguson offers. Ronaldo will also be closer to home. Manchester to Madeira takes 10 hours allowing for the two necessary connections. From Madrid it’s half that. One significant factor about the move is that it is the first time since Mark Hughes left Old Trafford for Barcelona in 1986 that United have lost a player they wanted to keep. The first time Ferguson has lost a player he wanted to stay.

Beckham and Van Nistelrooy both left for the Bernabéu when Ferguson decided they weren’t in his plans. Ronaldo was, but what was the point of keeping a player who didn’t want to be there?
Ronaldo also had a point when he said he wanted a fresh challenge. He’s won everything there is to win at Old Trafford and can see great opportunities to make his mark in Madrid. He’s gone and Ferguson will have access to the larger part of the £80 million fee to compensate for the rejection.

History will remember Ronaldo as a great United player. His self-confidence could be misplaced for arrogance, his posturing pretention, but if you wanted a player to score a key goal in Rome or Oporto, he was the man. United fans have idolised Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Eric Cantona, but the wider footballing community always denied these United heroes the ultimate accolade. Ronaldo achieved that when he was voted European Player of the Year for 2008. The Madeiran thus did something that no United player has managed since George Best 40 years ago.

We’d be bitter not to wish him well, but it’s in Sir Alex Ferguson, not Cristiano Ronaldo, that United fans trust. Jordi Cruyff always said that when he played for Manchester United he felt like he was the tail of an elephant. Whereas when he played at Alaves or Celta Vigo he felt like the head. Carlos Tevez was not satisfied with being a leg which never stopped moving and kicking, so he’ll move to be the *rse of a big white (and laser blue) elephant.

I liked Tevez. I interviewed him in Durban last summer and he was sound. He was United’s man of the match in Moscow against Chelsea, but what matters is Ferguson’s opinion. If he doesn’t think that he’s worth the fee, he knows the market better than any supporter. He’s made unpopular decisions before, like selling Norman Whiteside, Paul McGrath, Paul Ince, Mark Hughes, Andrei Kanchelskis and Jaap Stam. He’s usually been vindicated. Backed by a now finely honed scouting team, Ferguson has consistently identified the right talents and rebuilt United teams without anyone having the time to pause and talk about transition.

From emerging but established players such as Patrice Evra, Anderson and Ronaldo himself, to scores of youngsters from Paul Scholes to Federico Macheda, Ferguson gets it right. Others will follow and there’s far more satisfaction in watching a player develop and thrive under Ferguson than seeing top name internationals like Juan Sebastian Veron or Laurent Blanc perform sporadically.

A Spanish friend spoke to Rafa Benitez several years ago. In private, Benitez had correctly identified a player who he thought would become the best centre half in Europe, but Liverpool were reluctant to sanction the funds to buy him.

He was called Nemanja Vidic.

It’s in that market, not the tabloid market, which Ferguson will be currently working hard.

How Much Does It Worth For Sir Alex's Gamble On Owen?

Sir Alex Ferguson placed his faith in something he trusts far more than a glossy brochure when he picked up the phone and offered Michael Owen a new home at Manchester United.
Owen's management team produced the 32-page magazine advertising their client's qualities - aspirational, cool, devoted and sincere to name but four - and delivered a slick reminder of why he was once one of football's genuine superstars.

Ferguson does not do brochures to buy players. Pure instinct and the love of a punt is often enough and the shock pursuit of Owen, mocked only days ago when Hull City and Stoke City declared an interest, is a prime example.

United's vast budget, helped by £80m from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo, lets Ferguson shop at the sharp end of the market - but also gives him the opportunity to take the odd chance. Owen falls neatly into that bracket as prospective targets Karim Benzema, David Villa and Franck Ribery go elsewhere.

So is this a sign of desperation creeping into United's transfer dealings or another piece of inspiration from the gambler Ferguson?

Ferguson has got form for the maverick deal. Eric Cantona was not a regular at Leeds United when Ferguson took him across the M62 and elevated him to Old Trafford's legends.
Laurent Blanc was an itch Ferguson simply had to scratch and that was not a huge success, but Teddy Sheringham came late to Old Trafford and cleaned up on silverware, while the veteran Henrik Larsson made a contribution when he joined United on loan from Helsingborg in December 2006.

Blanc and Larsson were players Ferguson had long wanted at Old Trafford and it was source of regret that he only got his hands on them in the twilight of their careers. Owen has tempted him before, but now he feels the time and price is right.

As I noted in an earlier blog, Owen represents a gamble worth taking and his wages are not prohibitive when lesser talents will be going for just as much this summer.
The shock of this story is Owen's destination. Hull and Stoke were never serious options, but Everton and Aston Villa were - only for United to come out of left field on Thursday afternoon.
So who gets what from this transfer? And will certain other clubs come to regret leaving the field free for Ferguson to set up a deal that comes as a surprise, even to the supposedly unshockable Premier League community?

For Owen, this is a staggering opportunity that he could never have imagined being placed in front of him when he trudged off Villa Park after another fruitless cameo appearance for Newcastle United as they dropped into the Championship.

And yet, for all the shockwaves this move will cause, Owen will not turn turn up at Old Trafford believing Ferguson has done him a good turn. He will feel he can benefit Manchester United just as much as they can benefit him.

He has an iron shield of self-belief and has never lost the conviction that his rightful place is at a top four club with aspirations of winning the Premier League and the Champions League.
If anyone doubts that, then they do not know Michael Owen. Single-minded barely does him justice and those who speculated that he had lost his love of football were equally wrong-headed.
This is what made him extraordinary at 16 and will fuel him when he walks into Old Trafford.
He is unlikely to worry about his status with Liverpool's fans if he puts pen to paper with rivals United, even though a return to Anfield has probably always been his preferred option, especially when he left Real Madrid.

Owen still has influential supporters inside Liverpool's dressing room who would like to see him back at Anfield, but manager Rafael Benitez has remained unmoved on Owen.
It is a view shaped when he left for Spain at the start of his reign in 2004 and refused to hold out for a move back to Anfield when Newcastle came calling 12 months later - a decision rightly based on the player's fears of missing the next summer's World Cup.

Owen will see United as the perfect platform for one last stab at persuaduing Fabio Capello that he is worthy of consideration for England's World Cup campaign in South Africa next summer.
And he could hardly have asked for a better stage to demonstrate that he should still play a part with England, especially with Wayne Rooney in tandem at club level. Try as you might, it is impossible to detect a downside in this deal for Owen.

United's reasoning will come under closer scrutiny - but Ferguson's move is based on both need and logic as well as his own gut feeling.

Manchester United supporters expecting the arrival of world superstars may need convincing that Owen is the direction they should be heading in. Owen will split opinion, but goals shape verdicts and if he hits the mark early all previous allegiances and injuries will be forgotten.
Ferguson has watched United's potency decreased by the departure of Ronaldo and, to a much lesser extent, Carlos Tevez. Owen may have lost the searing pace of his youth, but his goalscoring record when fit still stands up to serious examination.

And as someone who watched United regularly last season, if there was one element missing from the squad that deservedly claimed a third successive Premier League title, it was a ruthless, killer instinct. Owen will never lose that and the pragmatist in Ferguson tells him that, even at 29, he can add an extra dimension to United.

If United create chances, which they do with regularity, Owen is still as good as anyone around at converting them if he is playing and this will have been the final reckoning for Ferguson, who will tailor his role and appearances to draw the best out of such an accomplioshed marksman.
Owen's fitness will be the question mark over the deal, but Ferguson's medical team have mastered such things before and it is unlikely he will be thrust into United's side as a regular.
The striker was being mocked for his failure to attract serious interest only days ago. It does not get more serious than Manchester United - so do not bet against Owen having the last laugh.
For Owen, the deal is a huge victory. For United and Ferguson it represents a gamble - but it is a gamble based on some sound footballing logic and one that others might yet regret not taking.