MANCHESTER CITY coach David Platt insists Carlos Tevez’s transfer request will not affect the team and their chance to extend a nine-match unbeaten run.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney insists there is “no reason” for him to want to move away from Old Trafford.

Brazilian striker Jo is set to follow Mark Hughes to Manchester City – and Ronaldinho may not be far behind.

CRISTIANO RONALDO has been named Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for the second time in succession.

Alex Ferguson has warned England they face “a big problem” playing on an artificial pitch against Russia next week.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has warned the Red Devils they must maintain their title drive right to the end of the new campaign.

The Football Association today refuted reports they had sought the maximum two-year ban for Rio Ferdinand as punishment for missing a drugs test.

OUTSPOKEN FIFA president Sepp Blatter has blocked Rio Ferdinand’s path to civil action over his eight-month ban imposed for missing a drugs test.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was today banned for eight months, starting from Monday, January 12, for missing a drugs test.

The first day of Rio Ferdinand’s disciplinary hearing ended in a wall of silence at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium tonight.

RIO FERDINAND’S drugs case could force the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to pull out of their official testing programme with UK Sport.

Rio Ferdinand’s drugs case could force the Professional Footballers’ Association to pull out of their official testing programme with UK Sport.

Rio Ferdinand today formally notified the Football Association that he intends to contest a misconduct charge brought against him for his failure to attend a drugs test.

UK SPORT last night described Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan’s claim that a Muslim player was forced to break the Ramadan fast in order to provide a urine sample as “outrageous”.