Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 3

Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United are not too reliant on Robin van Persie.

Back in April when it was scored most everyone agreed that Chris Forrester’s exquisite goal for St Patrick’s Athletic against Shamrock Rovers — a scooped lob which was as immaculate as it was audacious — would not be bettered in the Airtricity League this season.

Manager Arsene Wenger believes Thomas Vermaelen could be feeling the weight of the Arsenal captaincy.

Manchester City assistant boss David Platt claims manager Roberto Mancini has always had a bit of “fire” inside him.

Tarcisio Burgnich couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admitted luck played a significant part as he bounced back from his penalty miss against Arsenal by converting one in Braga on Wednesday night.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson paid tribute to former Celtic and Republic of Ireland player Sean Fallon at his funeral yesterday.

Manchester City are hot on the heels of Arsenal and Chelsea in football’s money league, latest figures released yesterday by Deloitte show.

Some of Manchester United’s biggest stars were amongst the spectators at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha yesterday.

David Beckham’s eldest son Brooklyn has had a trial with Chelsea.

Rafael Benitez insists Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is happy progress is being made following his appointment as interim boss.

Manchester United are now the clear favourites to sign the highly-rated Wilfried Zaha after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger denied interest.

On the face of it, Giovanni Trapattoni’s latest squad seems a pretty clear case of out with the old, in with the new, Shay Given’s absence in stark contrast to the presence of a clutch of new faces in the panel for next month’s friendly against Poland.

Paul Nicholls has confirmed the Alex Ferguson-owned Harry The Viking will be handed an entry in the John Smith’s Grand National.

The Football Association has contacted Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson asking him to explain the comments he made to the media about linesman Simon Beck.

Gary Cahill is focusing on the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg tomorrow night but he is also refusing to concede the Premier League title race to the Manchester clubs, insisting a triumphant run would propel Chelsea back into contention.

Theo Walcott, who has finally ended a year-long saga by signing a new contract at the Emirates, may be only 23 but he has packed an awful lot into his football career already; enough, he says, to know his Arsenal team-mates simply don’t realise how good they can be.

Tottenham 1 Manchester United 1

Manchester City 2 Fulham 0