Alex Ferguson joked he will have to order some fine wine after Manchester United were drawn against his old adversary Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in a Champions League contest that will see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Old Trafford for the first time.

Alex Ferguson joked he will have to order some fine wine after Manchester United were drawn against his old adversary Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in a Champions League contest that will see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Old Trafford for the first time.

Luka Modric finally ended months of speculation after signing a five-year contract with Spanish champions Real Madrid yesterday in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £33million (€41,700,000).

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno insists the arrival of Luka Modric has nothing to do with the team’s disappointing start to the season.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has hit out at the latest round of transfer speculation and accused the Spanish press of trying to “destabilise” the Primera Division leaders.

BARCELONA sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is wary of history repeating itself after his side were drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Chelsea will have to wait until the outcome of Real Madrid’s presidential elections before completing a possible move for Roberto Carlos.

INJURY-TROUBLED Jonathan Woodgate has been given the backing of Real Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno.

Germany captain Michael Ballack has scheduled a meeting with Real Madrid to discuss a potential move to the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano is in a stable condition in hospital after suffering a heart attack during the night.

Real Madrid have confirmed that Juan Ramon Lopez Caro will remain as coach until the end of the season.

REAL MADRID president Florentino Perez insists the club have not discussed the possibility of signing Roy Keane and will leave any transfer talks until the winter break.

HARRY REDKNAPP believes he remains the front-runner to be named Portsmouth’s new manager.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has distanced himself from reports linking him with the Real Madrid manager’s job.

Real Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno is looking for a big game from the reprieved David Beckham in tonight’s Primera Liga encounter with Deportivo La Coruna.

Real Madrid have warned they will not be forced into selling Michael Owen on the cheap.

Real Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno believes Jonathan Woodgate will play a vital role for the club this season.

REAL MADRID have acted quickly to calm fears that Jonathan Woodgate has suffered a relapse in his attempts to recover from his long-standing thigh injury.

Real Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno admits Luis Figo’s future is still “up in the air”.

RAFAEL BENITEZ has warned his Liverpool heroes to forget about last season’s Champions League triumph and concentrate on not being caught cold by minnows TNS at the first hurdle of the defence of their crown.

Jose Antonio Reyes may find himself singled out for rough treatment by Manchester United in Saturday’s FA Cup final but the young Spanish striker would like to believe it is nothing personal.

Arsene Wenger insists Jose Antonio Reyes can still prove himself at Arsenal despite renewed doubts over his future.

ARSENE WENGER has challenged Jose Antonio Reyes to show inner strength to resist the temptation of giving up on his Arsenal career and returning to Spain after just a year at the club.

Jose Antonio Reyes’ Arsenal future remains unclear after the Gunners winger allegedly admitted he wants to join Real Madrid when he was the victim of a prank on Spanish radio.

Spain international Fernando Morientes is finally on his way to Liverpool, according to Real Madrid.

Wanderley Luxemburgo was appointed as Real Madrid’s third coach of the season today – and immediately outlined his determination to turn around the club’s faltering season.

Real Madrid have admitted that Arsenal’s Edu is in their sights as they seek to strengthen in midfield.

Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon would like Liverpool target Fernando Morientes to stay at the Bernabeu but admits he may not be able to satisfy the striker’s desire for first-team football.

Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon admits recent poor form was the reason behind his decision to leave David Beckham and Roberto Carlos out of the side for the clash with Racing Santander on Saturday.

Real Madrid and Real Sociedad will play the remainder of Sunday’s suspended Primera Liga match at 6pm on January 5.

England captain David Beckham will be sidelined for up to a month with the rib injury he suffered in Saturday’s World Cup qualifying victory over Wales.

REAL MADRID want David Beckham to return to action next week despite the England captain ruling himself out for five weeks with a fractured rib.

Real Madrid’s legendary striker Emilio Butragueno insists there is no danger of Michael Owen being left to rot on the bench in Spain.

David Beckham and Michael Owen will miss the start of England’s preparations for the vital World Cup qualifier in Austria because they are playing in a friendly with Real Madrid.

Former Arsenal star David Seaman today rubbished reports that Patrick Vieira will join Real Madrid by declaring his heart belongs to Highbury.

REAL MADRID'S director of sport Emilio Butragueno and Patrick Vieira's agent Steve Kutner both distanced themselves from any possibility that the France midfielder will make a £22 million switch to the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid’s director of sport Emilio Butragueno and Patrick Vieira’s agent Steve Kutner both distanced themselves tonight with any possibility that the France midfielder will make a £22m (€33.3m) switch to the Spanish giants.

Patrick Vieira’s agent tonight played down speculation that the Arsenal midfielder is poised to make a €33m switch to Real Madrid.

REAL MADRID have agreed terms with Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, according to reports in Spanish newspaper Marca.

Real Madrid have given their clearest indication yet that they want to sign Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.

The chances of David Beckham staying at Manchester United appear to be growing today but the saga of his future continues to rumble on.

AC MILAN president and Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi last night poured cold water on reports that his club might sign England captain David Beckham from Manchester United.