CHELSEA goal hero Michael Ballack insists he can play alongside recovering midfielder Frank Lampard.

JOSE MOURINHO has challenged his players to return from international duty and focus their minds on winning back the Premier League title.

FORMER Manchester United and Ireland star Denis Irwin may have brought good news for the country’s sports shops yesterday — but his evening’s work also heralded pressure for parents of soccer-mad youngsters.

LIVERPOOL and England footballer Steven Gerrard yesterday visited the hospital bedside of a 10-year-old boy he knocked down in his car.

LYON MANAGER Alain Perrin believes star striker Karim Benzema can light up Old Trafford tonight.

CUP glory for Manchester United and Munster and all-Ireland success for Waterford hurlers, are among the predictions of the 2007 edition of one of Ireland’s longest-running publications.

ARSENE WENGER always felt his Arsenal side had the quality to get back to winning ways — but he is glad it happened sooner rather than later.

JOHAN DJOUROU insists Arsenal are ready to hunt down Manchester United and Chelsea as they refuse give up on the Premiership title.

ROY KEANE is facing a potential multi-million pound civil action following his extraordinary admission he deliberately fouled Manchester City rival Alf-Inge Haaland.

MALCOLM GLAZER’S advisers will sit down with Manchester United this week to thrash out a revised €1.17 billion takeover plan, analysts have said.

EVEN with Manchester United already crowned English Premier League soccer champion, tomorrow's final day of the season has much at stake — in the case of four teams, more than €20 million each.

ARSENAL and Manchester United will avoid Spanish opposition in today’s draw for the Champions League group stage after retaining their place among the elite group of top seeds.

REPUBLIC of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane still intends to end his career in 18 months’ time - despite his recent impressive form for club and country.

ARSENAL and Manchester United have retained their place among the elite group of top seeds for this season’s Champions League despite a shake-up in UEFA’s seeding system.

THE Football Association of Ireland have refuted suggestions that moves were afoot to coax Roy Keane back into the Irish international team.

Manchester United want Marouane Fellaini to extend his deal beyond the end of the season - and will not let the midfielder leave this January even if negotiations continue to drag, it is understood.

Paul Pogba has called on Manchester United to "wake up" after a third consecutive draw saw them slip behind Chelsea in the Premier League table.

Manchester United and Manchester City face ongoing recriminations from Sunday's derby as they prepare for fresh challenges in the midweek round of Premier League matches.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was involved in a heated exchange with Manchester City players following his side's derby defeat at Old Trafford, Press Association Sport understands.

Manchester United look to have made a late attempt to sign Alexis Sanchez.