This week, over the water, Britain is agog. What will the nation decide? It’s too close to call: It may even be several weeks before we get a definitive answer to the question in front of us.

Memphis Depay has set himself the ambition to become the best player in the world during his time at Manchester United.

Should Steven Gerrard play or not?

When the call came from Alex Ferguson, Paul Ince was on the golf course playing against Ryan Giggs.

As a boy in Dublin, with a Cork mother, I admired the sterling sportsman Noel Cantwell, just as my late father had admired Cobh’s “Gorgeous Gael”, the boxer Jack Doyle.

With a bit of luck and good sense, the St Patrick’s Day finals in Croke Park will soon be consigned to history. Starting next year, the GAA’s leadership wants to play the All-Ireland club finals on the second Sunday of December, writes Paddy Heaney.

When the final whistle went at the Stade Louis II in Monaco, Mesut Ozil sank to his knees and buried his face in the turf.

Technology has placed Premier League stars like Wayne Rooney under a greater scrutiny than their predecessors ever experienced, admits former Manchester United full-back Denis Irwin.

Gasp! I’m writing this ten minutes after the final whistle and I can barely type. Not, for once, because I’ve been overdoing the sauce, but because my entire being seems to be buzzing uncontrollably.

Man United 4 Man City 2: Manchester City’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title have long since gone but to be so ruthlessly exposed as fading champions at the home of their biggest rivals represented the ultimate fall from grace.

United are the kings of Manchester again. There can be little doubt after a demolition derby that emphatically demonstrated the winds of change that have been blowing through the city in recent months.

QPR 0 CHELSEA 1: The league table suggests Chelsea are moving towards the Premier League at a gentle canter but there was nothing serene about their progress as they moved seven points clear at Loftus Road.

Striker Daniel Sturridge believes a Champions League place is not beyond Liverpool but however the season finishes, the striker is convinced his side can challenge for the title next season.

It was not pretty. It was painful to watch. In fact I think we are getting progressively worse week on week — 87 minutes without one shot on target tells its own story. 

One minute relaxed and effortlessly mature whilst handling media commitments for England, the next producing outrageous moments of skill on the pitch for Manchester United, there is something significant about the development of Wayne Rooney this season as he prepares to lead his side in the Manchester derby.

All set for another Super Sunday, everyone? 

Diego Maradona has likened Louis van Gaal to the devil over his treatment of mis-firing Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao.

Come back John Virgo, all is forgiven.

Manchester City’s star striker Sergio Aguero can’t wait to play at Old Trafford on Sunday, declaring scoring at United’s home ground gives him the “shivers”.

Premier League