ENGLAND international Nicky Butt completed his move to Newcastle from Manchester United yesterday.

DEFIANT Steven Gerrard believes he will be back in action within the next two months despite fears he could be sidelined until Christmas.

ROY KEANE has revealed he has a desire to manage The Red Devils and succeed Alex Ferguson once his illustrious playing career is over.

TALKS have opened between Everton and Wayne Rooney’s representatives to discuss a new five-year deal for the 18-year-old England striker.

IN the lexicon of political jargon, the buzz word in vogue is “competitiveness”.

NEWCASTLE misfit Nicky Butt could yet end up back at St James’ Park if Birmingham are relegated.

ALEX Ferguson is keeping his fingers crossed that a double knee operation will eventually get Owen Hargreaves back on to the field for Manchester United.

BULGARIAN Football Union vice-president Yordan Lechkov has criticised the performances of the team’s Premier League players during their goalless draw with Italy.

MASSIMO ODDO has clear ideas on how to cope with Cristiano Ronaldo when AC Milan welcome Manchester United in the return leg of the Champions League semi-final tomorrow night.

RAFAEL Benitez denied last night that his astonishing outburst at Alex Ferguson will dent Liverpool’s title hopes.

ALEX FERGUSON has insisted Cristiano Ronaldo is not allowing the rough treatment he receives from opposition defenders to affect his game.

STEVE FINNAN was last night officially ruled out of Ireland’s crunch European championship qualifier against Slovakia on Saturday.

MANCHESTER UNITED is to unveil a record gross turnover of €328m, establishing it as one of the world’s richest football clubs.

ROY KEANE is reported to be on the verge of signing a new five-year contract with Sunderland.

ENGLAND coach Steve McClaren is ready to offer Sol Campbell a shock international recall.

DAVID BECKHAM yesterday ruled out a return to the Premiership.

THERE will be a minute’s silence before every Premiership match this weekend following Best’s death.

BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has dealt a blow to the hopes of Javier Saviola’s suitors by insisting the Argentina striker is not for sale.

THE charity Keep Britain Tidy has asked footballers to stop spitting as young people are copying the habit.