Rangers manager Walter Smith admits the Old Firm could only ever hope to compete with the top clubs in Europe if they were able to attract foreign investment in the same way Manchester City have

Defender Emmerson Boyce returns to Wigan’s squad for the trip to Newcastle on St Stephen's Day after recovering from a torn hamstring.

West Ham 1 Swansea 0

Marouane Fellaini, £24m, Everton

Alex Ferguson has been handed some good news after it was confirmed new signing Shinji Kagawa would not be called up for Olympic duty by Japan.

Since the unruly inter-village pastime we know as football was first codified in 1992, just two clubs have triumphed in the English Premier League without gorging on the no-strings financial generosity of a benefactor.

All of the captains from Alex Ferguson’s glorious 26-year reign at Manchester United have been invited to the unveiling of a statue in the Scot’s honour at Old Trafford today but it seems unlikely that Roy Keane will take the opportunity to end his rift with his former boss.

Police have dropped an investigation into football referee Mark Clattenburg’s alleged use of inappropriate language during a match after no victim came forward.

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed last night launched a scathing attack on the bodies in control of English football, demanding a review of both refereeing practices and the decision-making process.

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is targeting a return to action next season.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen insists he still has at last two more years at the top level despite his present injury problems.

Malaga striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his retirement from football, at the age of 35.

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Ronnie Wallwork has been jailed for 15 months for selling on parts from stolen high-performance cars.

Everton captain Phil Neville believes brother Gary will become a “fantastic” manager in time and is determined to follow him down the coaching path.

ARSENAL will have to overcome Manchester City if they are to continue their bid to reach a second successive Carling Cup final.

IF you’re good enough, you’re old enough goes the popular sporting saying and Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea obviously agree.

VINCENT KOMPANY only had to look at the faces of Manchester City’s long-serving members of staff at Wembley on Saturday to understand exactly what a place in the FA Cup final means.

Former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane last night said Fabio Capello’s decision to publicly criticise the FA over the decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy meant he had no option but to quit as manger.

MANCHESTER United or Barcelona will cash in to the tune of €125m if they triumph in tonight’s Champions League final.