Mario Balotelli returned to the Manchester City side for this afternoon’s eagerly-anticipated derby at Manchester United.

Manchester United strikers Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez were both surprisingly dropped to the bench for the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has been ruled out for "a significant period of time" after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has included Manchester United's Robbie Brady in his starting line-up for tomorrow's friendly with Greece.

Veteran defender Michel Salgado will be allowed to leave Blackburn when the transfer window opens next month.

Manchester United are two up on Wigan at the break after referee Phil Dowd issued a controversial red card against Republic of Ireland player Connor Sammon.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson sprang a major surprise by naming midfielders Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia in his defence to face Wigan at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona fooled French voters into thinking he would run for president before admitting that what he really wanted was better housing for the needy.

Manchester United are set to welcome back striker Wayne Rooney for the Barclays Premier League clash at Newcastle tomorrow.

Manchester United are preparing for Roberto Mancini to pull a fast one by naming Yaya Toure in his starting line-up for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at the Etihad Stadium.

Wayne Rooney hopes to be at Manchester United for many years to come and has rubbished questions over his commitment.

Nemanja Vidic has been forced to miss Manchester United’s Champions League last-16 clash with Marseille at Old Trafford after failing to recover from a calf injury.

Manchester United rookie Chris Smalling believes he is beginning to grow at Old Trafford.

Didier Drogba was today facing a race against time to be fit for Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League game at Manchester United as he continued his recovery from a sickening head injury.

Wayne Rooney was absent from the open 15-minute section of training this morning ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League semi-final against Schalke at Old Trafford.

Dimitar Berbatov will return to the Manchester United squad for Sunday’s crucial Premier League trip to Arsenal.

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has put pen to paper on a contract extension to keep him at Old Trafford until 2014 – and remains as hungry as ever for medals.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has claimed the European champions are the best team of the last 20 years and hailed Lionel Messi as the best player of all time.

Carlo Ancelotti has gambled Chelsea’s Champions League future – and possibly his own – on Fernando Torres in tonight’s must-win quarter-final second leg at Manchester United.

Manchester United have gambled on Rio Ferdinand’s fitness for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Chelsea.