Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has again voiced his frustration at injured striker Sergio Aguero’s recent international call-up, branding FIFA rules as “stupid”.

Alex Ferguson expects Manchester United’s visit to Liverpool later this month to pass off without incident as he called for an end to the hostile rivalry between the two clubs.

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.

A man has been arrested over alleged threats to a football fan who got a tattoo about the Hillsborough disaster.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas says Tottenham are still waiting for an acceptable offer for Luka Modric and he expects the midfielder to return to first-team training if the asking price is not met.

Nemanja Vidic declared himself happy to have returned to action after featuring in Manchester United’s goalless draw against Valerenga yesterday.

The night Donegal retained the Ulster championship, Jim McGuinness looked out over the Diamond in Donegal town and let his mind wander in whatever direction it wished to go.

Has there ever been a more aptly named footballer than George Best?