LIONEL MESSI lived up to his billing as the best player in the world with four goals to end Arsenal’s Champions League dream in the Nou Camp last night.

TWO things we learned from last night’s action in the Nou Camp: don’t score first against Barcelona ‘cos you’ll only annoy them and, if Best was the most perfect name in football, Messi must be the most inapt.

FULL-BACK Aly Cissokho has backed Lyon to complete a “difficult” Champions League quarter-final win over Bordeaux – and claims his side have the quality required to go on and win the competition.

ALEX FERGUSON last night ruled out the prospect of Wayne Rooney making a sensational Champions League return at Old Trafford tonight.

BAYERN Munich coach Louis van Gaal insists Manchester United are still the favourites to progress from their Champions League quarter-final despite the German side going into tonight’s second leg with a 2-1 lead.

ALEX FERGUSON insists Manchester United have no need to fear facing Franck Ribery at Old Trafford tonight.

THE Jackeens came to Thomond Park last week and they won.

ARJEN ROBBEN gave further evidence he could be fit to play in tomorrow night’s Champions League clash against Manchester United by taking part in light training yesterday.

GARY NEVILLE does not believe tiredness will be an excuse for failure against Bayern Munich tomorrow night.

A GOOD friend of mine writes for one of Britain’s most popular daily papers.

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger never felt a “hungry” Alex Ferguson was ready to retire and is relishing going head to head with his old adversary for a few years yet.

ALEX FERGUSON is not ready to ride into the sunset just yet. Not for the first time in his illustrious career, Ferguson has been at the centre of intense speculation about his date of retirement. The latest rumours suggest the Scot will vacate the Manchester United hot-seat at the end of next season, to be replaced by either Jose Mourinho or David Moyes.

IF CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti was feeling any anxiety at reaching the final straight of the Premier League race with Alex Ferguson’s breath on his neck, he wasn’t showing it yesterday.

ROY KEANE has ruled out a return to Celtic as their new manager.

CHELSEA coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he is not haunted by the ghost of Jose Mourinho as the Blues prepare for another massive weekend in the title race.

ALLIED Irish Banks have been outed as one of more than 400 companies who still own executive seats at the home of Manchester United, Old Trafford.

LIVERPOOL failed to gain any reward for their valiant efforts in making the long-haul trip to Madrid as a familiar foe gave Atletico a 1-0 victory in their Europa League semi-final first leg last night.

ONE YEAR ago today, the Roy Keane whirlwind blew into Ipswich Town targeting promotion to the Premier League in the first season of his two-year contract.

MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Darren Fletcher believes Chelsea are beginning to feel the strain as the race for the Barclays Premier League title reaches a climax.

ARJEN ROBBEN may have been Bayern Munich’s Champions League saviour once more but he was still forced to issue an apology following the 1-0 semi-final first leg win against Lyon on Wednesday night.