Alex Ferguson has included Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck but not Nemanja Vidic in Manchester United’s starting line-up to face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium tonight.

Alex Ferguson has admitted his new Manchester United side face their “acid test” in the Bernabeu Stadium tonight.

Gary Neville has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo changed the way he looked at football and regards himself as privileged to have been part of the same team.

I have never seen a benched player support his team as passionately as Iker Casillas cheered on Real Madrid against Malaga on Saturday night.

Jose Mourinho felt Real Madrid had rediscovered their true selves after their dramatic Champions League win over Manchester City.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has no doubt the club are destined for more titles.

Manchester City playmaker David Silva has warned his team-mates their visit could reawaken the "beast" of Real Madrid.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has set his sights set on European domination on the eve of his side’s latest Champions League campaign — but stressed it is a long-term goal.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has no fear despite coming up against the history and world-class talents of Real Madrid this week.

A Sligo-based sports group that counts Real Madrid, Juventus, and Man City among its clients last year recorded an 8% increase in profits to €2.4m after revenues rose 25%.

Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger has promised the Bavarians will score at the Bernabeu Stadium in tonight’s Champions League semi-final return leg as they bid to realise the dream of a home final.

BARCELONA led Real Madrid 3-2 on Wednesday night in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup final. The teams had drawn 2-2 in the first leg. Both were thrillers.

Jonathan deBurca Butler gets a whistle-stop taste of a confident, vibrant, lived-in city with the ‘swagger of a matador ‘, before moving on to devour delightful Toledo, Seville and Cordoba

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has withdrawn from Spain’s squad for their friendly against Colombia on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho believes Alex Ferguson will talk Wayne Rooney into staying at Manchester United.

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti last night failed in his attempt to convince Real Madrid target Jose Mourinho to remain at the San Siro.

SLIGO’S George Mullan is becoming a regular fixture at Champions League finals and continues that tradition in the Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday night.

Italy’s media hailed Inter Milan’s heroics today after they eliminated holders Barcelona to reach the Champions League final.

LIONEL MESSI staged another masterclass to power holders Barcelona into the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Stuttgart last night.

Lyon 1 Real Madrid 0

REAL MADRID will attempt to put themselves in a position to end five years of Champions League hurt tonight when they take on Lyon in the first leg of their last 16 tie at Stade Gerland.

REAL MADRID general manager Jorge Valdano insists the club are not interested in taking England striker Wayne Rooney to the Bernabeu Stadium.

ARSENE WENGER will never desist from his pursuit of perfection but, occasionally at least, even the Arsenal manager will acknowledge that there is pleasure to be found in a simple job well done.

EVERTON have jumped to the head of the queue for the signature of Ireland star defender Richard Dunne.

Barcelona 2 Manchester United 0

Middlesbrough 2 Liverpool 0

FABIO CAPELLO insists David Beckham is in the England squad on merit, not out of sympathy for the former Three Lions skipper.

England’s friendly against Spain on February 11 will take place in Seville.

Lassana Diarra has passed his medical with Real Madrid and will be presented as the Primera Liga champions’ latest signing this afternoon.

Newcastle midfielder Geremi believes tomorrow’s derby clash with Sunderland is even bigger than Real Madrid’s rivalry with Barcelona.

Middlesbrough this afternoon pulled off a major coup when they managed to persuade Jonathan Woodgate to make a permanent move from Real Madrid.

MIDDLESBROUGH’S Jonathan Woodgate insists he has not turned his back on his career at Real Madrid.

Middlesbrough are hopeful that England centre-back Jonathan Woodgate will join on a permanent basis after a deal was struck with Real Madrid.

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has ruled out making a move for Real Madrid star David Beckham.

Middlesbrough have dismissed suggestions that Jonathan Woodgate could return to Real Madrid next month.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool will know by July 27 at the latest whether Italian representation in next season’s Champions League will be severely diminished.

England captain David Beckham is confident his last visit to Highbury will be a memorable one, insisting Real Madrid can overturn their first-leg 1-0 deficit against Arsenal in the Champions League.

ARSENE WENGER opted for straight A’s last night as he prepared his Arsenal youngsters for the truest examination of their fledgling careers.

Newcastle today moved to play down suggestions defender Jonathan Woodgate could return to the club from Real Madrid.

ARSENAL last night moved a step closer to landing Auxerre midfielder Vasiriki Abou Diaby. The 19-year-old is poised to sign a four-year deal with the Premiership club.

Real Madrid have issued a statement denying reports linking the club with Arsenal defender Ashley Cole.

Newcastle were today awaiting the arrival of Michael Owen as they try to persuade him his future lies on Tyneside.

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness believes he has “a good chance” of pulling off a sensational swoop for Real Madrid striker Michael Owen.