EVEN AS the eulogies flow, the memories are rekindled and the tributes aired, Manchester United must today begin the process of replacing goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

MAYBE the spirit of Patrick Vieira lives on after all.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is poised to spend again despite sending his summer spree soaring to £27million with the capture of Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Roy Keane has hailed the arrival of Craig Gordon at Sunderland – although he concedes the goalkeeper is touch and go to make his debut on Saturday.

Paris St Germain climbed out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone as goals by Amara Diane and Sylvain Armand helped see off second-placed Lens today.

REAL MADRID failed to take advantage of slip-ups from La Liga’s frontrunners with a woeful display at the Riazor as they went down to Deportivo last night.

FORMER France and Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has confirmed he will return to French football to play for Ligue 1 strugglers Nantes.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has agreed a new one-year contract extension with the Premiership leaders.

Fabien Barthez could return to football with Ligue 1 strugglers Nantes after their coach Georges Eo revealed the club’s interest in the former France and Manchester United goalkeeper.

Jose Mourinho effectively ruled out a move for Fabien Barthez after third-choice goalkeeper Hilario helped Chelsea overcome Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.

FABIEN BARTHEZ has announced his retirement from football.

Fabien Barthez has retired from football, it was announced tonight.

MICHAEL BALLACK has been included in Germany’s 20-man squad for their first two Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and San Marino.

DESPITE that famous World Cup headbutt — or perhaps because of it — retired soccer star Zinedine Zidane is France’s favourite celebrity, a poll said.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech has restored Patrick Vieira to the captaincy following the retirement of Zinedine Zidane.

France coach Raymond Domenech has named Patrick Vieira as his new captain.

An Irish travel firm is using Zinedine Zidane’s World Cup head-butting incident to urge people to ‘use your head’ and book holidays on its website, it emerged today.

Marcello Lippi admits Italy’s World Cup triumph surpasses all his other football victories.

Italy won the World Cup on penalties as Zinedine Zidane ended his wonderful career with a red card for a shameful headbutt.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi and his France counterpart Raymond Domenech both named unchanged teams for Sunday evening’s World Cup final in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

SO FIFA’s technical experts bottled the decision to hand Cristiano Ronaldo the prize for the best young footballer at the World Cup.

Zinedine Zidane has ensured he will leave football on a high after some superb performances in his last competition before retiring.

Brazil 0 France 1

Spain 1 France 3

Oliver Kahn has launched an attack on coach Jurgen Klinsmann after being consigned to the role of number two goalkeeper at the World Cup.

Togo 0 France 2

SAUDI ARABIA’S World Cup footballers have been forbidden from accepting the silver beer tankard awarded to the FIFA man-of-the-match.

DEFENDER Willy Sagnol has insisted France can repeat their World Cup-winning exploits of 1998 and opened up a new front in a simmering war between the 2006 team and the French media.

Rangers manager Paul Le Guen has turned down the opportunity to sign France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech has launched a blistering attack on the country’s media for spying on a closed training session.

France coach Raymond Domenech has confirmed the starting line-up that will face Switzerland tomorow in a World Cup match.

France coach Raymond Domenech has given midfield enforcer Patrick Vieira a ringing endorsement and all but dismissed reports the 29-year-old might start the World Cup on the bench.

FRANCE’S third-choice goalkeeper Mickael Landreau claims he is not taking sides in the rift between first-choice Fabien Barthez and number two Gregory Coupet, but admits Les Bleus are still talking about it.

France’s third-choice goalkeeper Mickael Landreau claims he is not taking sides in the rift between first-choice Fabien Barthez and number two Gregory Coupet but admits Les Bleus are still talking about it.

THE mood was tense at France’s World Cup training camp after reports of a dispute between number one goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and his reserve, Gregory Coupet.

NICOLAS ANELKA has missed the World Cup cut for a third time as France coach Raymond Domenech named his 23-man squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany.

Nicolas Anelka has missed the World Cup cut for a third time as France coach Raymond Domenech named his 23-man squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany.

Marseille 2 Bolton Wanderers 1 (Marseille win 2-1 on agg.)

Marseille 2 Bolton 1 (aggregate 2-1)

Jussi Jaaskelainen believes Bolton can chalk up a notable double in the next week – by progressing in both the FA and UEFA Cups.

BOLTON boss Sam Allardyce accused referee Olegario Benquerenca of bottling the big decisions after his side were denied two penalties in their goalless UEFA Cup tie against Marseille.

Bolton will have to endure a nervy trip to Marseille next week following a goalless and bad tempered first-leg draw at the Reebok in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Defending UEFA Cup champions CSKA Moscow suffered a surprise home 2-1 defeat to Marseille in their opening Group F clash, despite a second-half fightback which almost saw them salvage a point.