Five Republic of Ireland players, including Kevin Doyle, Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, are the prospect of life in the third tier of English football today.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must take some responsibility for the drop in form of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny – according to the players’ father, himself a former Poland international.

Brighton 2 Derby 1

Crystal Palace 3 Brighton 0

Robin van Persie tops the Premier League transfers so far this summer. Here are this summer's confirmed deals so far:

Ledley King will take a decision in the pre-season as to whether to call an end to his playing career.

Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has joined npower Championship side Watford on emergency loan terms for the rest of the season.

Twenty-one-year-old goalkeeper Ben Amos was handed his Premier League debut by Manchester United tonight as both Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea were ruled out of the Old Trafford encounter with Stoke.

Out-of-favour Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has attempted to diffuse claims of a rift between himself and the club.

GIVEN that the post-flotation United has always tended to be a byword for ‘naff’, especially when it comes to the grubbier activities of the commercial department, Saturday reminded us that we can still do some things with a modicum of class.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson handed David de Gea the job of filling Edwin van der Sar’s vast legacy at Old Trafford — and immediately packed his new recruit off on holiday.

Manchester United have confirmed Spain Under-21 goalkeeper David de Gea is to join them on a five-year contract.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has admitted he would not be surprised if Paul Scholes quit at the end of the season.

Blackburn 1 Manchester United 1

Blackburn 1 Man Utd 0

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson made three changes to his side for this afternoon’s Barclays Premier League clash with Blackburn at Ewood Park as the Red Devils went in search of the point that would secure them a record 19th top-flight title.

Alex Ferguson is planning to rest keeper Edwin van der Sar for Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Blackburn.

ALEX FERGUSON received a good luck message from one of his former star pupils ahead of a crucial week which will shape Manchester United’s season.

Manchester United 2 Fulham 0

West Ham 2 Manchester United 4

Anders Lindegaard has declared his intention to succeed Edwin van der Sar as Manchester United number one by stating: “I am not here just to sit and pick my nose.”

MANCHESTER UNITED goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is delighted that his Champions League-winning penalty shoot-out save against Chelsea is set to be the signature moment of his career.

EVEN AS the eulogies flow, the memories are rekindled and the tributes aired, Manchester United must today begin the process of replacing goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

TOMASZ KUSZCZAK believes he is good enough to replace Edwin van der Sar on a long-term basis and claims there is no need for Manchester United to find another top goalkeeper.

THE Kenny Dalglish era — the 2011 vintage, at any rate — began how the Roy Hodgson reign ended in midweek, in defeat.

New Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was left to muse on how football has changed after a “joke” penalty and the sending-off of his skipper condemned the Reds to a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.

Kenny Dalglish failed to get the dream start he was looking for as Manchester United ensured his second stint as the new Liverpool boss began with an FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford.

Kenny Dalglish was quick to make his presence felt as Liverpool’s new temporary manager, making five changes for this afternoon’s third-round FA Cup tie at Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney could return to the Manchester United starting line-up for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Tomasz Kuszczak is eager to speak with Alex Ferguson to find out what his Manchester United future holds.

Alex Ferguson admitted Gary Neville should have been sent off during the first half of Manchester United’s 2-1 win at West Brom this afternoon.

West Bromwich Albion 1 Manchester Utd 2

Alex Ferguson has dismissed the notion of Manchester United going on a concerted January spending spree.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson rates Paul Scholes as “doubtful” for Monday’s Barclays Premier League showdown with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

ALEX FERGUSON was hoping his latest batch of fledglings would go on to dominate the English game — but on the evidence of this display, they still need a long way to go before they challenge for major silverware.

AVRAM GRANT does not believe Manchester United can make it all the way through the season without defeat — but warned Alex Ferguson’s men have a habit of coming good in the end.

Avram Grant does not believe Manchester United can make it all the way through the season without defeat – but warned Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have a habit of coming good in the end.

Wes Brown is eager to make the most of his Manchester United opportunities before his advancing years catch up with him.

Alex Ferguson is expected to make massive changes for tomorrow’s Carling Cup quarter-final with West Ham.

Manchester United have completed the capture of Anders Lindegaard from Aalesunds FK on a three-and-a-half year deal for an indisclosed fee.

Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United expect to sign Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard within “the next two or three weeks”.

Alex Ferguson has made five changes to Manchester United’s starting line-up for this evening’s Champions League clash with Bursaspor as the club comes to terms with the news that Wayne Rooney wants to leave.

Scunthorpe 2 Manchester United 5

Tomasz Kuszczak has admitted he will be forced to look for a Manchester United exit route if he does not play often enough.