Rio Ferdinand has joined the throng happy to heap praise on Robin van Persie — but the Manchester United defender is acutely aware judgment will only come when trophies are being handed out.

Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta knows the champions are under pressure to perform as Manchester United continue to control the Premier League title race.

The transfer window may have been only open a day, but there is already some significant Irish movement — all in the direction of Hull City.

Wigan 0 Manchester Utd 4

West Ham 2 Norwich 1

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez is wary of talking up his side’s title chances but will not rule out the prospect of making a sustained challenge.

Ryan Giggs is refusing to get carried away by Manchester United’s seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Frank Lampard believes Chelsea still have every chance of winning the Barclays Premier League this season.

With the transfer window opening today Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has hit out at the network of people surrounding Demba Ba, with his future on Tyneside becoming the subject of frenzied speculation.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has claimed he was “very close” to signing Robin van Persie last summer.

Norwich 3 Manchester City 4

Arsenal 7 Newcastle 3

Sunderland 1 Tottenham 2

Manchester United 2 West Brom 0

More than a year after the death of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson’s authorised biography of the Apple founder remains a fixture on the bestseller lists.

Alex Ferguson has launched an astonishing tirade at “wee club” Newcastle and their manager Alan Pardew, who he has accused of being “the worst” at haranguing referees.

Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move for Newcastle striker Demba Ba, but appeared to back-track on claims he would not re-sign Thierry Henry for a third time.

Alex Ferguson is considering abandoning defence altogether, so exasperated has he become at Manchester United’s failure to tighten up at the back.

Alex Ferguson has expressed incredulity that Ryan Giggs should be the brunt of so much criticism this season.

Manchester City assistant boss David Platt is confident the champions still have the firepower to recover lost ground in the title race.