Set the Giddy-o-Meter to ‘eleven’; in the Van Persie deal, United have found the means to attract, sign, and then pay, a genuinely top class, peak-of-career player, for the first time in years.

Alex Ferguson is ready to party like its 1999 when Robin van Persie joins Manchester United.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s move to Paris St Germain from AC Milan has seen him extend his lead on Nicolas Anelka as the most expensive player in history, based on cumulative transfer fees.

A Manchester United fans’ group has demanded a reduction in season ticket prices next term.

JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON has revealed Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has a fiery temper and once tried to attack him in the changing rooms.

DIMITAR BERBATOV looks certain to discover within the next couple of weeks whether he has any future at Manchester United.

Dimitar Berbatov looks certain to discover within the next couple of weeks whether he has any future at Manchester United.

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.

JAVIER PASTORE is happy to bide his time on the sidelines provided Argentina can keep winning.

Greece 0 Argentina 2

ARGENTINA coach Diego Maradona took a swipe at fellow legends Pele and Michel Platini and also criticised the World Cup matchball during another no-holds-barred press conference in South Africa yesterday.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona took a swipe at fellow legends Pele and Michel Platini and also criticised the World Cup matchball during another no-holds-barred press conference in South Africa today.

Argentina 1 Nigeria 0

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.

Manchester United have no intention of shattering their wage structure to reinforce Alex Ferguson’s squad this summer.

WAYNE ROONEY has said it.

THE RALLYING cry came from the mouth of a babe, yet no matter whether Manchester United are successful in their quest for an unprecedented fourth successive title, Alex Ferguson has some big decisions looming.

THE two Italian coaches new to the Premier League must be baffled by how much attention can be focused on a handshake that might never happen but that’s how it is in English football at the moment.

MANCHESTER City coach Roberto Mancini is set to test the loyalty of his team’s keenest fans by trying to sign a 34-year-old former Manchester United player.

FESTIVE greetings to you, dear reader – assuming you are a blessed Red, naturally. May any eavesdropping Scousers-Bitters-Rent Boys have a miserable New Year.

FORMER Italy coach Dino Zoff last night hit out at Azzurri boss Marcelo Lippi for his negative reaction to fans in Parma following the Azzurri’s narrow victory over Cyprus on Wednesday night.

Diego Maradona's Argentina progressed to next summer's World Cup in South Africa as substitute Mario Bolatti hit a later winner to end Uruguay's hopes of snatching the final automatic qualification berth in the South American zone.

Paraguay secured their place at next summer’s World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over Diego Maradona’s hapless Argentina tonight.

Argentina 1 Brazil 3

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has not named Juan Roman Riquelme among the three home-based players he has called up to face Scotland in Glasgow next week.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has admitted he was too quick to write off defender Jaap Stam.

Carlos Tevez will be asked to fire up Manchester United’s planned assault on the Premier League title – by immediately covering for the loss of Wayne Rooney.

BRAZIL stunned bitter rivals and overwhelming favourites Argentina 3-0 to win their eighth Copa America title on Sunday.

Players from the top four divisions of the Argentine league have renewed their threat not to play this weekend if the crowd trouble that has plagued recent Apertura matches continues.

INTER MILAN coach Roberto Mancini admits his team will have to change their style of play if Patrick Vieira joins the club.

Inter Milan 2 Villareal 1

Jiri Jarosik looks set to follow Alexei Smertin out of Chelsea as part of Jose Mourinho’s midfield reshuffle which he hopes will see Michael Ballack arriving at Stamford Bridge.

BOTH Werder Bremen and Juventus have been boosted by the return of key strikers for the Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash at the Weser Stadium tonight.

CHELSEA chief executive Peter Kenyon insisted the club remain on course to break even by 2010 after posting record pre-tax losses of £140 million (€204m).

Juan Sebastian Veron intends to shun the limelight and play for former club Estudiantes when he returns to Argentina at the end of the season.

Juan Sebastian Veron intends to shun the limelight and play for former club Estudiantes when he returns to Argentina at the end of the season.

Rangers 1 Inter Milan 1

Rangers 1 Inter Milan 1

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini insists he cannot afford to feel any sympathy for Rangers boss Alex McLeish when the two clubs meet in the Champions League tomorrow night.

ROY KEANE’S sudden exit from Old Trafford may have stunned English football, but it has had a slightly different effect abroad, where there are likely to be several significant clubs looking at the options.

Juan Sebastian Veron wants to return home to Argentina next summer.

ALEX FERGUSON can gag captain Roy Keane. He can stop his players answering questions in press conferences as he did in Paris with a sharp dig in the ribs of defender John O'Shea.

JUVENTUS continue to dominate Serie A with a 2-0 win at home to Sampdoria preserving their 100% record.

IT WAS a good week to be German, less enjoyable for the Italians.