“It’s very… American, isn’t it?” Baseball is a cornerstone of Americana that has helped me get past that attitude.

Hideki Matsui’s three-run homer in the first inning set the tone and Andy Pettitte tossed eight scoreless innings as the New York Yankees evened the World Series at one game apiece with a 6-1 triumph over the Florida Marlins.

Manchester United officials insist the deal with the New York Yankees does not mean they intend to abandon the Premiership.