Wayne Rooney was handed his first start since the beginning of October as Manchester United faced a depleted Rangers side in the Champions League.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended Mario Balotelli, who will sit out the derby clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

Record scorer David Healy has been omitted from the Northern Ireland squad to face Morocco in a friendly at Windsor Park on November 17.

Manchester United have confirmed that midfielder Park Ji-sung has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2012-13 season.

Inter Milan coach Gian Piero Gasperini expects Wesley Sneijder to play in this weekend’s Italian Super Cup in Beijing despite reports the midfielder is set to join Manchester United.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes 19-year-old new signing Phil Jones has the talent to break into the first team immediately.

David de Gea has confirmed he has been in contact with Manchester United as the goalkeeper’s move from Atletico Madrid draws closer.

Tuncay Sanli was rewarded for his goal in reserves in midweek with a place in the starting-line up as Bolton boss Owen Coyle made two changes to the side hammered by Manchester United.

Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs will represent the dawn of a new England era next week after being named in Fabio Capello’s squad to face Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is keen to get Fernando Torres back to form and scoring goals.

Rio Ferdinand was a surprise absentee for Manchester United for their Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Manchester United are expected to become the first English club to crash through the £100m (€114m) barrier when they announce their latest operating profit later today.

Manchester United winger Nani is convinced the key to victory over Marseille in three weeks’ time is to make a fast start.

South Korea midfielder Park Ji-sung has retired from international football, boss Cho Kwang-rae has confirmed.

Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were missing from the Manchester United starting line-up for tonight’s Premier League encounter with Stoke.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says he has shelved all thoughts of retirement.

Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs returned to the Manchester United starting line-up for this afternoon’s Premier League encounter – but Michael Owen did not even make the bench despite the striker’s claim he is now fully fit.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Twitter is an invaluable way for players to be closer to fans, but has warned there can be “negative repercussions” if not used properly.

Fernando Torres was only on the bench as Chelsea went into their crucial Premier League title showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford with Didier Drogba in attack rather than their £50m new boy.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson expects John O’Shea to miss the remainder of the season following complications after the defender suffered a dead leg.