Gamba Osaka 3 Man Utd 5

Wayne Rooney was named on the bench as Manchester United began their Club World Cup campaign with a semi-final against J.League outfit Gamba Osaka in Yokohama tonight.

Manchester United assistant boss Mike Phelan has been branded as unimpressive and unreliable by a Football Association disciplinary panel.

ALEX FERGUSON will look to the young and the experienced to power Manchester United forward — not just in this morning’s Club World Cup semi-final with Gamba Osaka, but for the remainder of the season as well.

Dimitar Berbatov will miss Manchester United’s Club World Cup semi-final with Gamba Osaka tomorrow after picking up a virus.

Rio Ferdinand today dismissed Arsenal’s chances of landing the Premier League title.

ALEX FERGUSON admits Manchester United’s trip to Japan for the FIFA World Club Cup will be “a handicap” to their Premier League title hopes.

Edwin van der Sar has revealed it took him no time at all to agree a one-year contract extension with Manchester United.

Arsenal have appointed Daniel Garnero as their new head coach.

Japan coach Zico continues to sweat over the fitness of right wing-back Akira Kaji as the clock ticks down to his side’s World Cup opener against Australia.

Manchester United have completed the signing of England striker Wayne Rooney from Everton.

West Brom have completed their second signing of the day by picking up Romania international Cosmin Contra on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid.

West Brom have swooped to sign former Fulham midfielder Junichi Inamoto before the transfer deadline.

Chris Coleman would like to further strengthen his Fulham squad despite having brought in three new faces over the past fortnight.

Fulham manager Chris Coleman has resigned himself to beginning the new Premiership campaign without Luis Boa Morte.

CHRIS Coleman expects to sign a new two-year contract as Fulham manager this week — but only if his number two Steve Kean is also offered acceptable terms to stay on.

Simon Stone bids to bring order to the chaotic world of the Premiership’s January sales.

LIVERPOOL are facing a race against time to get top scorer Michael Owen fit for tomorrow’s lunchtime showdown at Manchester United.

Fulham today completed their audacious transfer swoop for Japanese World Cup star Junichi Inamoto.

Fulham have signed Japanese World Cup star Junichi Inamoto, according to reports.

Arsenal reject Junichi Inamoto is determined to continue plying his trade in Europe - and is convinced his Japan team-mates will follow suit if they are to prove a bigger hit at the 2006 World Cup.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger watched Junichi Inamoto spark a World Cup frenzy after Japan’s 1-0 victory over Russia.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger fears French midfield star Robert Pires will need surgery on the cruciate ligament injury which has wrecked his World Cup hopes.

Arsenal are expected to announce the signing of Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto in a Stg£3.5m deal.