Once a manager earns the name of being a dictator, he can cut all the deals he wants, writes Paddy Heaney.

They were the fiercest of rivals in the early part of the last decade, but it’s been quite a while since Arsenal versus Manchester United was a title decider.

ONLY 15 months after they won the league and three years after they reached the Champions League final for the third time in four years, it is already hard to fathom a way back for Manchester United after their humbling 4-0 defeat to League One MK Dons.

Last summer, when David Moyes was appointed manager of Manchester United, the talk was of a brave new dawn at the club, with the Scot continuing Alex Ferguson’s success long into the future.

They say the measure of you as a coach or manager is what your players honestly think of you as a man 10 years after they’ve played for you.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ryan Giggs will make his 1,000th senior competitive appearance tonight after he was named in Manchester United’s starting XI for their Champions League match against Real Madrid at Old Trafford.

Watching Arsenal’s worst start to a league in three decades roll on and Manchester United’s latest comeback against Aston Villa last weekend, our mind flashed back to the same weekend 20 years ago.

Former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has hailed the development of James McClean and says circumstances contrived to prevent him from playing the Republic of Ireland winger prior to his sacking.

KEVIN BARRY’S new novel about a futuristic west of Ireland ruled by violence and fear, ‘City of Bohane’, is drawing superlatives like a magnet attracts iron filings, and the genial Limerick native doesn’t hold back when it comes to his own interest in sport.

Liverpool’s decision to hand club legend Kenny Dalglish the reins until the end of the season following Roy Hodgson’s exit brings the Scot into direct combat with Alex Ferguson as the Reds travel to face Manchester United in the FA Cup tomorrow.

Ryan Giggs has admitted his life is so boring he enjoys yoga sessions more than a night out with the lads.

Former British pop star Michelle Heaton has split with her singer husband Andy Scott-Lee.

LEE SHARPE expects former team-mate Roy Keane to move into coaching or management to plug the “massive” gap that retirement has left in his life.

The four remaining contestants in reality show Celebrity Love Island will learn tonight which of them will walk away with a share of the £100,000 (€149,514) prize.

Rebecca Loos was today “catching up” with model Calum Best away from television cameras after becoming the latest star to be evicted from ITV’s Celebrity Love Island.

The names of the 12 famous singletons about to be thrown together on Celebrity Love Island were officially revealed today, including serial reality wannabe Rebecca Loos.

AN ambitious non-league football club yesterday launched an audacious bid to sign legendary Brazil strikers Zico and Careca.

ALEX FERGUSON sympathises with the intrusion Wayne Rooney will have to put up with now he has joined Manchester United - but that will not stop him getting the hairdryer treatment if he falls foul of the manager's strict disciplinary code.

New Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell today completed his first signing with the capture of utility player Danny Pugh from Manchester United.

Manchester United have completed a £1m (€1.42m) swoop for Wimbledon youngster Lee Martin.

Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe is hoping to impress Grimsby Town boss Paul Groves during a trial at the club.

Bradford City will not be renewing the contracts of six of their players, including club skipper Stuart McCall and former England and Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe.