RIO FERDINAND insists Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson “will not bat an eyelid” about pairing youngsters Wes Brown and John O’Shea at the heart of his defence against FC Basel tonight.

Liverpool 0 Man Utd 0

WES BROWN could be the biggest loser initially but the biggest winner in the long run from his buddy Rio Ferdinand's record £30 million move to Manchester United.

ALEX FERGUSON celebrates his 64th birthday today insisting he relishes the job of managing Manchester United as much as ever.

THIERRY HENRY vowed to lead Arsenal into the knock-out stages of the Champions League as he rounded on his critics and insisted: “I am not a machine.”

ALEX FERGUSON has hailed Manchester United’s behaviour in their powderkeg clashes with Arsenal as ‘almost perfect’.

TOTTENHAM striker Robbie Keane hopes his namesake Roy will be back in the Republic of Ireland fold in time for their next Euro 2004 qualifier against Georgia in March.

RELEGATED West Ham announced yesterday that they are releasing 10 senior players, including Paolo di Canio, Lee Bowyer, Gary Breen and Nigel Winterburn.

OLD TRAFFORD legend Bryan Robson believes Alex Ferguson may have to look at taking the captain's armband off Roy Keane if the former Republic skipper finds himself embroiled in more controversy.

MARK VIDUKA’S winning goal for Leeds against Arsenal on Sunday cost new champions, Manchester United, an additional £750,000stg.

MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson has put Brazil World Cup star Ronaldinho at the top of his wish list but realistically expects to sign a French defender, Portuguese forward and English goalkeeper in the close season.

Mark Bradley

LIVERPOOL found a cure for their Premiership travel sickness as goals from Fernando Morientes and Luis Garcia condemned new Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin to his first defeat last night.

Manchester United head to Blackburn tomorrow looking to extend their winning sequence to nine with manager Alex Ferguson warning – “beware the Old Trafford old-boys”.

IT may well be the glamour tie of the FA Cup fifth round but a home draw against holders Arsenal was the last thing Manchester United wanted.

ARSENAL extended their lead at the top beating West Brom, Manchester United lost again — this time to Middlesbrough — and teenage prodigy Wayne Rooney was sent off in a frenetic programme of English premier league matches yesterday.

MARK VIDUKA has pledged his future commitment to Australia and is determined to lead his country into the next World Cup finals.

MARK HALSEY has been handed the task of refereeing the potentially explosive Carling Cup tie between Manchester United and Arsenal on December 1.

THE BOARD at Manchester United remains confident that Alex Ferguson’s relationship with John Magnier does not threaten the stability of the world’s richest club.