ONLY 15 months after they won the league and three years after they reached the Champions League final for the third time in four years, it is already hard to fathom a way back for Manchester United after their humbling 4-0 defeat to League One MK Dons.

Angel di Maria said Manchester United were the only club he would have left Real Madrid for after the Red Devils smashed the British transfer record to sign the Argentine.

Capital One Cup Second Round

Welcome to your Wednesday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Parkhead has known some great European nights, but the meeting of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland at the Glasgow ground on November 14 in Group D of the European Championships is almost guaranteed to go down alongside the most memorable.

Ed Woodward insists Manchester United are ready and willing to break the British transfer record if new manager Louis van Gaal decides they need to do so.

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane last night dismissed any prospect of a another return to the Premier League, insisting he does not miss England.

Wayne Rooney is determined to make a good impression on Louis van Gaal during Manchester United’s tour of the United States.

New Open champion Rory McIlroy had the last laugh in Hoylake last night as he saw off his rivals, a heckler, and the good-natured booers who turned on the Manchester United fan during his victory speech.

Jose Mourinho has "deep respect" for new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal — but the Chelsea boss is not concerned about their impending rivalry.

Ed Woodward has told Manchester United fans to expect new signings and several departures over the next few weeks.

Brian O’Driscoll might not be ready to become the Roy Keane of rugby punditry just yet but the former Ireland captain has no intentions of pulling any punches in his new role in front of the camera with BT Sport.

Marouane Fellaini’s proposed loan move to Napoli is in doubt after the Belgian was pictured on crutches following a reported training ground injury.

This week’s technology round-up looks at the biggest announcements at Gamescom, as well as iPhone 6 rumours and Manchester United banning iPads.

Sporting Lisbon have sanctioned the sale of defender Marcos Rojo to Manchester United, with winger Nani returning to Portugal as part of the deal.

FA vice-chairman David Gill has declared he will stand for Britain’s Fifa vice-presidency next year following a change of heart.

Darron Gibson and Roy Keane both left Old Trafford during Alex Ferguson’s time in charge of Manchester United, but the Derry man doesn’t go along with his Cork counterpart’s description of their old boss as ruthless.

It’s supposed to be one of the literary events of the year, but Thursday’s launch of Roy Keane’s book The Second Half has already been scuppered by the type of basic error the Irish assistant manager might rail against.

The best, like the best comics, know timing is everything.

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill will have Anthony Stokes available for the Euro 2016 qualification double-header against Gibraltar and Germany after the Celtic striker appeared in a Dublin court yesterday.