The sight of Paolo di Canio sliding across the St James’ Park turf on his knees in celebration is one which will always haunt John Carver.

One major selection dilemma haunts Alejandro Sabella ahead of the clash with Belgium; will he stick with calamity centre-half, Lorenzo?

Alex Ferguson managed some of the best players in world football during his time at Manchester United but insists unsung hero Denis Irwin would be the first name on his greatest team line-up.

You’ll probably have noticed, given the torrent of coverage, that Alex Ferguson talks about himself in the third person quite a bit in his new book.

Stephen Ireland wants to wait until a permanent manager of Ireland is appointed before making a decision about a return to international duty.

Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy believes Wayne Rooney has to leave the club if he is not 100% committed.

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.

Norway 0 England 1

Malaga striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his retirement from football, at the age of 35.

Goalkeeper Ruud Boffin has parted company with West Ham after having his contract with the npower Championship club cancelled by mutual consent.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be the clear favourite after being named among the nominees for PFA Players’ Player of the Year award today.

Northern Ireland 0 Norway 3

Fulham 2 Odense 2

COMING up to two years on from the hand that rocked the world, and there’s still no getting away from it.

JUST when you thought the British media and public couldn’t get any more pathetic, it would seem that the biggest football story of the whole week can be boiled down to this: ‘Rough Working Class Footballer Swears In Public!’

Ruud van Nistelrooy will leave Hamburg in the summer after having his return to Real Madrid blocked by the Bundesliga club.

WE doom-mongers already had enough to complain about this week before Wayne Rooney stuck his oar in, thank you very much.

It would have been an altogether different spectacle in South Africa had our boys taken their rightful place among the nations of the earth. At least Sepp will know better the next time we ask for special dispensation.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s international career appears to be over after the veteran striker missed out on Bert van Marwijk’s 30-man preliminary World Cup squad today.

WHAT a sublime-to-the-ridiculous week for travelling Reds.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has joined Hamburg on a one-and-a-half-year contract from Real Madrid, the German club have announced on their website.

TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp admits Ruud van Nistelrooy’s wages means the Real Madrid striker is unlikely to arrive at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits Ruud van Nistelrooy’s wages means the Real Madrid striker is unlikely to arrive at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits his interest in Ruud van Nistelrooy has only got as far as a chance conversation between the club’s chief scout and the player’s agent.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has confirmed the Potters remain keen to sign Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will hold talks with Slovakia striker Jan Novak in the next 48 hours to see if there is any possibility of the player moving to St Andrew’s from MFK Kosice next month.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce believes he has been priced out of a move for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

David Beckham has come under a blistering attack from Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan just as he prepares to return for action with the Major League Soccer team.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce would love to bring Ruud van Nistelrooy to Ewood Park – but has ruled out a move for ’injury-prone’ Michael Owen.

REAL MADRID won their first Champions League away game for two years last night, although they had to ride their luck to do so at Zenit St Petersburg in Group H.

SALUT, camarades! Greetings from Monte Carlo where it’s 28 degrees, sunny and pleasingly packed with lithe, tanned mademoiselles.

David Beckham was left “disappointed” by Ruud Gullit’s departure as Los Angeles Galaxy coach but backed the Dutchman’s decision to walk away if life was not working out for him in California.

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is not getting involved in his club’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming he will leave it to the parties directly involved.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon insists the Spanish giants have the money to buy Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster insists the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo would not cause a problem for the club – but believes the “media explosion” would be a big test for the player.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s agent has dismissed speculation the former Manchester United striker may leave Real Madrid for AC Milan this summer.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has agreed a contract extension with Real Madrid, tying him to the Primera Liga champions until the end of the 2009-10 season.

Ruud Gullit insists Fabio Capello, the favourite for the England manager’s job, is a winner but warned fans he does not play “for the beauty of the game”.

Lazio 2 Real Madrid 2

Madrid put their recent troubles aside to hold the advantage going into the second leg although Bayern snatched two vital away goals.

CHAMPIONS Barcelona came unstuck last night as Real Madrid triumphed 2-0 in El Classico at the Bernabeu.

RUUD van Nistelrooy does not expect to be called up to play for Holland again as long as Marco van Basten remains coach of the national team.