The next pavement slab in Chelsea’s road to recovery under Guus Hiddink has been laid, with a nervy FA Cup victory over Scunthorpe but their performance suggests the route ahead is not yet clear of obstacles.

One of the many charms of Jurgen Klopp is that unlike the person he could be succeeding at Anfield, he has the capacity to prompt people to chuckle with him rather than at him.

How the Irish fared...

The opening weekend of the Championship season was a pretty uneventful one for the Irish.

The irony is so thick Wayne Rooney could plaster it across his forehead and save a fortune in hair treatment; because after years of lauding Manchester United for their loyalty, shameless critics are now calling for manager David Moyes to be sacked after less than 12 months in the job.

As a small group of young Manchester United fans stood on the Stretford End on Sunday afternoon, they tried to start a chant of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” directed at David Moyes as their team edged towards a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Swansea.

Man United 3 Stoke City 2

What’s left to say? Even if there was anything new, nobody is listening. This narrative is written. The capsule buried.

The Premier League without Alex Ferguson: it will be like looking out your window one day to savour a familiar view and discovering a whole mountain has disappeared.

Alex Ferguson's 26 and a half years at Old Trafford are littered with key moments and turning points that have helped forge the 71-year-old’s legacy.

Huddersfield 1 Wigan 4

Tottenham last night won the race to sign highly-rated Germany international Lewis Holtby from Schalke.

Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane has revealed a desire to be spend more time with his family played a part in his decision to call time on his playing career.

Sheffield United have announced the appointment of Danny Wilson as their new manager.

Barnsley 0 Reading 1

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson saysthere is “absolutely no chance” of him replacing Giovanni Trapattoni as Republic of Ireland manager.

Bobby Charlton has revealed that Matt Busby helped ensure Alex Ferguson never came under serious threat of the sack as Manchester United boss.

BOBBY CHARLTON is adamant Alex Ferguson would not have been sacked if he had lost that fateful FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson last night conceded Gary Neville deserved to be sent off in the Red Devils’ 2-0 Carling Cup win against 2-0 win over Barnsley at Oakwell.

HOW does he keep doing it? On the gallows again, noose tied more tightly than ever before, a baying mob salivating with bloodlust and insincere tributes already written.

Barnsley 0 Man Utd 2

MANCHESTER UNITED left-back Patrice Evra has questioned the team’s attitude after they were eclipsed by Liverpool at Anfield.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will again ring the changes for the Carling Cup match against Barnsley at Oakwell tomorrow.

Heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool have been drawn together in the fourth round of the Carling Cup, while Manchester United are to be reunited with former striker Mark Robins when they visit Barnsley.

FORMER Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has been overlooked for vacant job with League Two outfit Rotherham United after the Millers opted to rehire former boss Ronnie Moore.

Burnley boss Owen Coyle hoped to find out today the extent of Martin Paterson and Brian Jensen’s injuries after both limped out of last night’s 3-2 Carling Cup third-round defeat to Barnsley.

Former Manchester United striker Mark Robins believes not even winning another European Cup will persuade Alex Ferguson to retire.

FORMER United star Mark Robins is retiring and hopes to emulate former Old Trafford team-mates Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce in management.

Irish players Brian Barry-Murphy, Derek Geary and Alan Quinn are among 13 players who have been released by boss Chris Turner, who has delivered his promise to wield the axe at Hillsborough.

Second-half goals from Shefki Kuqi and Adam Proudlock gave Sheffield Wednesday a 2-0 win at Rotherham.

FIRST DIVISION leaders Portsmouth suffered a rare blip yesterday as Crystal Palace left Fratton Park with a point from a 1-1 draw.