Alex Ferguson counts himself lucky to have worked with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs throughout their stellar careers.

Stephen Kelly was back in the starting line-up at Craven Cottage with his country this week and now the 29-year-old is hoping to do the same with his club.

Robbie Brady won’t be in the side which faces Germany in Dublin next month but it appears Robbie Keane will be — even if Ireland set up with five across the middle and a lone striker.

Southhampton 2 Man Utd 3

Bad day for:

Dimitar Berbatov may have chosen Craven Cottage over White Hart Lane yesterday, but he was seemingly on his own in preferring West london to north.

WAYNE ROONEY (Everton to Man Utd (£20m, 2004)

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins believes he will be going up against a “one-off” when his side take on Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United tomorrow.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini expects QPR to prove just as tough this weekend as they did in last season’s final-day thriller — but without the drama.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers expects Arsenal to prove their enduring class once again this season.

ARSENAL

West Ham United last night pulled off the coup of the transfer window as they signed England striker Andy Carroll on a season-long loan deal.

Manchester City face the mother of all battles to reach the knockout phase of the Champions League after being drawn in the toughest of the groups in Europe’s top club competition.

Arsene Wenger must hate August 15.

Manchester United and Liverpool memorabilia yesterday adorned the coffins of three sports-mad brothers who died in a crash last week.

Arsenal’s £20 million (€25.4m) asking price for Robin van Persie has yet to be met by any club, it has emerged.

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva likes what he has seen of fellow midfielder Joe Allen so far and has high hopes for the Reds’ new recruit in the upcoming season.

Ireland U21 manager Noel King is refusing to give up the Euro qualification quest following last night’s defeat to 10-man Turkey.

Chelsea captain John Terry will be able to play from the start of the Blues’ Champions League campaign after having his three-match ban reduced on appeal by Uefa.

David Platt has delivered a worrying message to Manchester City’s Premier League rivals — Carlos Tevez is back to his best.