For a player who thought he would never appear for Hull City again, Paul McShane’s return to the Premier League side in the 1-1 draw at Manchester City was as impressive as it was unexpected.

Four managers have come and gone, countless millions has been squandered on players not good enough to wear the shirt and many a tear has been shed.

IT says a lot about the recent demise of Liverpool that the former Kings of Wembley have never played at the revamped national stadium while Manchester United have been there 12 times and Chelsea nine; so it is not difficult to understand why Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City has become so important in the minds of supporters.

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona played a very different type of game on the streets of Dublin today.