IN the end, the stellar midfield battle became a procession. The remote control produced only an echo. One hymn sheet, songs of praise.

DIMITAR BERBATOV looks certain to discover within the next couple of weeks whether he has any future at Manchester United.

ARSENE WENGER maintains it is useless for anyone to suggest Arsenal are ready to sell captain Cesc Fabregas this summer despite another season of disappointment for the World Cup winner.

RIO FERDINAND has warned Manchester United’s rivals he will not be satisfied even if the Red Devils go on to complete their second Premier League-Champions League double in four years.

THE national preoccupation of living life through the rearview mirror meant that Peter Nyberg’s historic analysis of our economic crisis took precedence over Colm McCarthy’s privatisation prescriptions for state companies.

BARRING a most unlikely Schalke victory at Old Trafford next week, Manchester United will contest the Champions League final at Wembley on May 28 after an utterly one-sided encounter in Germany last night.

IT WAS billed as Giggs against Raul and Rooney against his demons; and in keeping with a one-sided tie both United players were runaway winners on a night when the Red Devils’ German jinx was brushed aside with quality and aplomb.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson intends to give Javier Hernandez a proper rest this summer after the Mexican’s incredible efforts for the club this season.

CARLO ANCELOTTI yesterday refused to contemplate the prospect of Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle being his final home game at the club.

ALEX FERGUSON has received the backing of rival Premier League bosses Arsene Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti after being hit with another FA improper conduct charge.

YAYA TOURE would take more pleasure out of winning the FA Cup with Manchester City than if he had achieved greater glory with one of England’s traditional powerhouses.

THE POOR old FA Cup has been subjected to more battering in recent years than the Spanish version which Sergio Ramos let fall under the wheels of the Real Madrid bus.

TOLD his record for making the most appearances for one club in the top flight was about to go, Steve Perryman let out a chuckle.

ULSTER COUNCIL president Aodhan Ó Fearghaill applauded the decision to cut 10 live TV games from the schedule this year after what he described as the “ridiculous” level of coverage afford to the championships last year.

BARCELONA eased to their third successive La Liga title with a low-key draw away to Levante last night to retain their crown with two games to spare.

RIO FERDINAND has never watched the 2009 Champions League final but images in his mind remain as vivid today as they were when he was going through the whole shattering experience.

FRANCE coach Laurent Blanc was yesterday cleared to continue in his job following an investigation into the racial quotas row.