Gary Neville is set to skipper Manchester United in their Community Shield duel with Portsmouth on Sunday.

David Beckham believes Manchester United will soon overcome the loss of Carlos Queiroz after the Old Trafford number two was named as the new head coach of Portugal.

Jose Mourinho claims he would have won the Champions League for Chelsea had he been allowed to see out his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham talisman Gareth Bale was last night named Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

Pub quiz time: What European country has produced most European Cup-winning players without a domestic club lifting the prize?

Alex Ferguson has confirmed new-boy Shinji Kagawa will start Manchester United’s pre-season encounter with Ajax Cape Town today.

A man pretending to be South Korean pop star Psy has gate-crashed the Cannes Film Festival, partying with the stars and dancing on French TV.

Manchester United have accepted an apology from Manchester City over a controversial placard held up by Carlos Tevez during their title celebrations.

Sunderland have dismissed fears that John O’Shea could miss Euro 2012 by giving him the all-clear to join up with the Irish squad next week.

A HANDYMAN has admitted trying to blackmail Coleen Rooney for £5,000 over stolen personal photos.

PATRICE EVRA claims Manchester United can make their rivals pay for their slip-ups and are on course to take over as the Barclays Premier League’s outright leaders.

GERMAN-based striker Dimitar Rangelov will miss Bulgaria’s Group Eight qualifier with Ireland on Saturday.

FOOTBALL legend George Best’s European Cup winner’s medal has sold at auction for £156,000 (€176,867).

CARLO ANCELOTTI has branded suggestions he was eyeing Benfica left-back Fabio Coentrao as a replacement for Ashley Cole as “totally rubbish”.

PORTUGAL suffered a major injury blow yesterday after it was announced winger Nani would play no part in the World Cup after damaging his collarbone.

MANCHESTER United will tighten up its procedures governing the buying and selling of players, following a review undertaken after pressure from major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus.

THE prospect of Manchester United, the much-loved and much-hated football club, coming under Irish control moved closer yesterday.

JOSE MOURINHO finally predicted that his Chelsea side would become the club’s first champions for 50 years.

TWO of Ireland’s greatest sports stars will jet into Cork tomorrow to receive the freedom of their home city.

MARK HALSEY will be returned to Premier League duty ‘‘before the end of the month’’.