Making move from Ireland to a Premier League club only first step on long and often painful journey.

Ryan Giggs will make his 1,000th senior competitive appearance tonight after he was named in Manchester United’s starting XI for their Champions League match against Real Madrid at Old Trafford.

Many might have come to worship at the shrine of Man U but, on a balmy evening when a packed Turner’s Cross was looking its best, the majority would surely have left at the end imbued with much admiration for Tommy Dunne, his players and what Cork City football club as a whole are doing for the game of football on Leeside.

Boyzone star Keith Duffy is set to saddle up alongside legends from Manchester United and cycle the length of Ireland to raise funds for autism.

Former Manchester United defender Denis Irwin is hopeful the Red Devils’ vast experience can be the major influence in the destination of this season’s Barclays Premier League title.

Alex Ferguson has described his 25 years at Manchester United as “a fairytale”.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson described today’s 6-1 home rout at the hands of Manchester City as “our worst ever day”.

Manchester United’s academy director Brian McClair insists there is no “post-Ronaldo crisis” at the club.

Manchester City are hopeful of clinching the signature of Carlos Tevez before they head off for a three-match tour of South Africa on Wednesday.

Alex Ferguson refused to comment on the furore surrounding FIFA President Sepp Blatter who likened United’s refusal to sell £80m-rated striker Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid with “modern slavery”.

Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are not quite ready to be pensioned off yet but Alex Ferguson intends to ensure the pair remain at Old Trafford for many years to come.

Norwich striker Dion Dublin insisted the life of a professional footballer is “the best job in the world” as he prepared to bring down the curtain on his career on Sunday.

Celtic and Liverpool legends are to meet in a charity match at Parkhead on October 4.

Alex Ferguson is hoping the softly-softly approach can coax Cristiano Ronaldo back to top form.

Wayne Rooney has hailed Alex Ferguson as “probably the best manager of all time” and predicted Manchester United would have a massive say in the destination of the Barclays Premiership trophy this season.

Alex Ferguson has pleaded with disgruntled Manchester United fans not to crush the confidence of his young players.

Manchester United reserve team coach Ricky Sbragia is on the verge of quitting Old Trafford to join Bolton’s backroom staff.

Michael Owen has been back in the Premiership for just two games. But 180 minutes was enough for a man who lives and breathes goals to detect what is becoming increasingly clear.

ROY KEANE is being groomed for management and could be the man to succeed Alex Ferguson.

ROY KEANE will lead a youthful Manchester United XI in the Midsummer Challenge game against Cobh Ramblers at Turners Cross in Cork on Saturday night (k.o. 7.30pm).

CELTIC offered Liam Miller the chance to become one of the best-paid young players in Scottish football history but that does not look like being enough to stop him signing for Manchester United.

CELTIC insisted last night that Liam Miller has turned his back on a deal which would make him one of the best-paid young players in Scottish football history to go to Manchester United.

ERIC DJEMBA DJEMBA will finally get his chance to impress Alex Ferguson tonight, with the Manchester United boss predicting his new African signing will bring something extra to the Old Trafford party.

NEW Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz insisted last night that there was no friction between David Beckham and Alex Ferguson at his former club Manchester United.

Manchester United are set to widen their global reach by announcing a new partnership with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

EVEN Gary Neville had to admit it — anyone fancying a flutter on Manchester United and Liverpool reaching the Worthington Cup final this season would have received very good odds.

HOW to improve on perfection — that is the task facing Alex Ferguson when he sends his Manchester United side out to face Blackburn at Old Trafford tonight.

Ruud van Nistelrooy became the first Manchester United player in 14 years to score 30 competitive goals in a season as the champions deposed Arsenal as Premiership leaders in some style.

Ruud van Nistelrooy converted a penalty against Tottenham at Old Trafford to become the first Manchester United player since Brian McClair 14 years ago to score 30 competitive goals in a season.

Celtic goal-machine Henrik Larsson faces a wait to discover if he is to be crowned Europe's top marksman.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was able to field an unchanged team as his team sought the three points that would see the Scottish Premier League title clinched convincingly early in his first season in charge.