Adaptability. It’s a skill set which doesn’t normally enjoy the glamour and glitz of its cousins Talent, Innovation, and Inspiration.

Paul McGrath talks Fergie, Busby and explains why nothing will ever compare with Italia 90, writes Phil Campion

Man Utd 3 Sunderland 0: As a proven winner of league championships across Europe, Louis van Gaal knows what it takes to stay the course and finish on top.

Just What ‘Class’ is Roy Keane, Then?

Famous faces from the world of football joined hundreds of supporters and mourners to pay their final respects to former Hearts, Tottenham and Scotland captain Dave Mackay yesterday.

Paul Kelly writes that in 1964 Denis Law scored 50 goals in 51 matches, a staggering return that earned him the Ballon d’Or.

“Derby games could go any way. It’s not always the best team who wins the game.”

"In association football, a goal celebration is the practice of celebrating the scoring of a goal."

Having rocked them in the Dáil, as the Sawdoctors had it, Michael D certainly rocked them in the Guildhall, and beyond, when he announced during his visit to London that he would be supporting England at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Manchester United reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Juan Mata for a club record £37 million (€44m) late last night.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

The 50th anniversary of George Best’s debut for Manchester United — as a 17-year-old against West Brom on September 14, 1963 — has been marked by the publication of yet another biography of the Belfast legend.

Manchester United manager David Moyes believes striker Wayne Rooney is “in a good place” after a tumultuous summer.

Man Utd 4 Bayer Leverkusen 2

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Bobby Charlton still hopes Wayne Rooney eclipses his Manchester United scoring record despite the striker again hankering after a move away from Old Trafford.

No matter what Wayne Rooney’s people say about him not asking for a transfer, no matter what Manchester United say about Rooney not being for sale (and driving down his price), his team-mates have thought that he’s been leaving since April.

Cristiano Ronaldo held his hands above his head almost in apology; in fact he looked almost as forlorn as when Denis Law scored against his beloved United back in 1974. But we always knew it was going to happen.

Has there ever been a more aptly named footballer than George Best?

Manchester United 2 Athletic Bilbao 3

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane tonight became the first British or Irish player to reach 50 senior international goals as he scored twice against Macedonia.

IT was perhaps an indication of the importance of the goal, as well as the sublime skill and technique involved in its conversion, but the response to Wayne Rooney’s winning Manchester derby goal did border on the hysterical.

ALEX FERGUSON has admitted a growing concern at Owen Hargreaves’ continued absence through injury.

IT’S rare but wonderful to welcome a new Red star you can adore wholeheartedly. You want to know what’s wrong with Hernandez? Absolutely nothing.

MANCHESTER UNITED forward Dimitar Berbatov has failed to live up to the reputation he made for himself at Tottenham, according to the Red Devils’ legendary striker Denis Law.

BOBBY CHARLTON yesterday led the tributes at the funeral of fellow “Busby Babe” and Manchester United legend Albert Scanlon.

ALEX FERGUSON admits the toughest part of his job these days is dealing with today’s “fragile” footballers.

Alex Ferguson feels Cristiano Ronaldo richly deserved to be awarded the Ballon D’Or.

A statue of Manchester United’s ’Holy Trinity’ of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law has been unveiled at Old Trafford.

REAL MADRID sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has conceded it would be “impossible” to sign Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own. Today, and every Tuesday, he will be acting as referee on your opinions on the Premiership. Let him know what you think and he’ll argue the toss with you.

UEFA president Michel Platini has urged caution over the growing use of plastic pitches for top-level domestic and international matches.

CRISTIANO RONALDO is determined to use comparisons with Manchester United’s legendary “Holy Trinity” as motivation to get even better.

Denis Law believes Cristiano Ronaldo has the ability to surpass George Best as Manchester United’s greatest ever player.

STEVE McCLAREN must have wondered if he had wandered in to an episode of ‘Life on Mars’.

YOU’RE AWAKE. Barely. You now have hours left to snag a last-second winner with a sports gift for the special person in your life. Let Michael Moynihan take you by the hand.

Denis Law claims Chelsea have little chance of overtaking Manchester United and Real Madrid as the world’s leading club during his lifetime.

Stuart Pearce has jokingly told Alex Ferguson to honour his pledge to give Manchester City 15,000 tickets for Saturday’s derby.

Manchester United have unveiled plans for a statue to honour George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton.

THE story is told about the two Scottish footballers who are condemned to death.