BLACKPOOL boss Ian Holloway’s complaints over rival clubs’ valuation of star midfielder Charlie Adam has failed to bring a tear to the eye of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

MANAGER Harry Redknapp is adamant that Tottenham can overcome the loss of Gareth Bale, who may be sidelined by the back strain that forced him out of this match after only 11 minutes.

THE TASK of the leader, according to Henry Kissinger, is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been; and that is exactly what Cesc Fabregas is being tipped to do after he shrugged off a debate about his captaincy to help Arsenal continue their increasingly convincing — and long overdue — title challenge on Saturday.

MANCHESTER UNITED go into their first top flight visit to Blackpool in 40 years with an air of confidence tomorrow, knowing a win will push them five points clear in the Premier League.

THE contrast could not be greater between the two Manchester United forwards, Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney; one of whom seemingly cannot fail but score each and every time he takes the field for the Premier League leaders, the other who is currently mired in his joint worst goalscoring run for three years.

DARREN BENT made a telling contribution in a high-profile Premier League match on Saturday but, not for the first time in his career, the most gushing plaudits were lavished elsewhere. The story of his life, one could say.

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Alex Ferguson has jokingly suggested he could get round Rafael’s absence against Birmingham today by pretending the 20-year-old was twin brother Fabio instead.

ANDREY ARSHAVIN is getting back to his best after suffering a dip in form and is committed to Arsenal, manager Arsene Wenger has claimed.

SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce has revealed the Premier League’s big guns have all made enquiries about Jordan Henderson but remains confident the highly-rated midfielder will still be at the Stadium of Light next season.

HUNCHED in an over-sized duvet coat, the last place Wayne Rooney wanted to be on Saturday was surplus to requirements on the substitutes’ bench at a freezing St Mary’s Stadium.

ROBBIE KEANE has never been afraid to take on a challenge, but he has a huge task on his hands if he wants to earn a permanent move to West Ham.

ROBERTO MANCINI is adamant that when it comes to the FA Cup, Manchester City are in it to win it.

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.

WIGAN midfielder James McCarthy has been named in Noel King’s 19-man squad U21 for their friendly international against Cyprus in Larnaca on February 9.

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.

GARY PALLISTER believes Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic should be the early favourite to claim this season’s player of the year prizes.

DAVID LUIZ moved a step closer to becoming a Chelsea player yesterday after Benfica went public for the first time about their negotiations with the Barclays Premier League champions.