Alex Ferguson has confirmed new-boy Shinji Kagawa will start Manchester United’s pre-season encounter with Ajax Cape Town today.

Alex Ferguson has no idea who will be on Manchester United’s summer tour of South Africa and China.

City proved they were the top dogs in Manchester last night.

Vincent Kompany, the blue collar, defensive heartbeat at the centre of Manchester City’s extravagant galaxy of attacking superstars, scored the goal that settled this eagerly-awaited derby and brought his club to the brink of their first title in 44 years.

With Wayne Rooney — with all his current problems from the penalty spot — watching from the stands, a penalty kick each from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov were enough to lift Manchester United joint top of the Premier League in this most unpredictable of title races.

“ONE game too far,” was how one interviewer described this stunning loss to the Premier League’s bottom-placed club, and it was an assessment that Alex Ferguson, with all his 70 years’ experience, was forced to agree with.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S mesmeric and historic 8-2 victory over Arsenal has not only left Arsene Wenger contemplating his lowest ever moment in football management but also provided compelling evidence the Premier League is set for a two-horse title race played out entirely within the environs of Greater Manchester.

MY phone bleeped in the press box in Wembley on Saturday just as the huge gleaming trophy was lifted to the night sky, silver and gold streamers rained down and fireworks fanned out from the stadium’s arch.

There is no shame in losing to Barcelona.

BARCELONA may be called Europe’s finest side, but Manchester United won’t travel to Wembley without hope tomorrow.

NOTHING will dim Ji-Sung Park’s desire to finally enjoy some happiness in the Champions League on Saturday.

JI-SUNG PARK, Anderson and Michael Owen will hope goals scored against Blackpool add impetus to their Champions League final chances but it will be Darren Fletcher who gives Alex Ferguson the most sleepless nights as he ponders how many of the team that ended the league season with a 4-2 victory should start against Barcelona.

WELL, at least the build-up was exciting. Rarely has climax morphed into anti-climax as quickly and completely as it did at Old Trafford yesterday.

NOT so underwhelming now then. Those that can remember the team that won Manchester United’s first title in 1908 would probably claim Michael Carrick would not get a game and that Fabio would get nowhere near the 1911 side.

THE scene before kick-off said plenty. As Alex Ferguson vaulted over a barrier and stood smiling, chewing his gum and chatting to supporters, Carlo Ancelotti sat at the front of the technical area, silent, eyes twitching.

IT was far from a vintage Manchester United performance but at least winger Nani ensured the contest was memorable for one reason, a contender for the most bizarre excuse of the season.

Manchester United 7 Blackburn 1

IF Manchester City are noisy, Wigan Athletic must be Manchester United’s ever-so-friendly neighbours.

AN eagerly-awaited Manchester derby, full of vitriol from supporters and pre-match verbal sparring from the managers, failed to deliver at Eastlands last night, a goalless draw indicating the fact this was a game neither Roberto Mancini nor Alex Ferguson were prepared to lose.

A NIGHT where the scoreboard wasn’t supposed to matter but that was before Manchester United went and racked up seven goals to leave everyone with a love for the domestic game feeling a tad red-faced.

MANCHESTER UNITED will remember their first visit to the Aviva Stadium as a pleasant stroll in a lovely park, Alex Ferguson’s team banging in seven against an Airtricity XI — and that without Smokin’ Wayne Rooney ever catching fire in front of goal.

SOUTH KOREA clinched a place in the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time on foreign soil despite being held to a draw by Nigeria in their final Group B match in Durban.

DIEGO MARADONA was much more sedate yesterday after witnessing his Argentina team dismantle South Korea 4-1 at Soccer City, instead lavishing praise upon his players.

SOUTH KOREA coach Huh Jung-moo has told his players not to be afraid of Argentina as they attempt to prolong their stay at the World Cup.

OLD TRAFFORD has staged some memorable title parties in recent years.

RAFAEL BENITEZ, the beaten Liverpool manager, voiced his dissatisfaction at the manner in which his team was beaten 2-1 by Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday, suggesting opposition winger Antonio Valencia had dived to win a penalty.

MANCHESTER United maintained their quest for a record 19th league title, their fourth in a row, as goals from Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park earned them victory in an eventful encounter with Liverpool.

DAVID BECKHAM is not a manused to being overshadowed but his Old Trafford homecoming was hijacked by Wayne Rooney last night as the striker produced a mesmerising performance to help Manchester United beat AC Milan and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Wayne Rooney was left on the substitutes’ bench as Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson made seven changes for the Carling Cup final with Aston Villa.

WEMBLEY beckons but Manchester United last night demonstrated that winning an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title remains at the top of Alex Ferguson’s list of priorities as they warmed up for Sunday’s Carling Cup final by moving to within one point of leaders Chelsea in the table.

AFTER his stellar performances of recent weeks, it took an off-day for Wayne Rooney to really show the alarming level of Manchester United’s reliance on their talisman.

IF THE Manchester United era was ever in danger of coming to a close this season, as some critics suggested, there can be no doubt whatsoever that its demise has, at the very least, been postponed following an outstanding victory over title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson is refusing to dwell on finishing second best to Liverpool.

Alex Ferguson is facing a defensive headache ahead of the Barclays Premier League match against Blackburn at Old Trafford tomorrow.

AT THE end Alex Ferguson shook the hand of Arsene Wenger in the curtest of courtesies and then they went their separate ways.

Alex Ferguson believes his side are closing in on yet another Barclays Premier League title after a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

YOU always remember the first time, which is why Federico Macheda’s extraordinary debut goal against Aston Villa will be recalled for years among Manchester United supporters.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson hailed goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar and his defence after they set a double Barclays Premier League record during the 5-0 demolition of West Brom at the Hawthorns last night.

West Brom 0 Manchester United 5

Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy. He casts his eye over your comments and gives his own critical analysis of the goings on throughout the world of football. You may agree with him or then again you may not.

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0