AVRAM GRANT has challenged his Portsmouth players to believe in themselves and give everything for the cause as the Barclays Premier League’s bottom club look to pull of a shock at title-chasing Manchester United today.

ARSENAL boss Arsène Wenger believes Andrey Arshavin is the man to shoot down Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

MANCHESTER UNITED defender Wes Brown last night joined Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson in announcing his retirement.

CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho is feeling “no pressure” at the top of the table - and insisted it is Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson who should be worrying.

ROY KEANE was once content to clean his manager’s boots, accepting the chore from then boss Brian Clough in his early days as a professional at Nottingham Forest without complaint.

RACING tycoons John Magnier and JP McManus have played down speculation of a takeover bid for Manchester United, despite spending nearly €12 million yesterday, increasing their stake to 24.14%.

A HUGE pitch-side billboard seen during a televised football match led to a surge in calls to police appealing for information on missing schoolgirls Holly and Jessica, police have said.

ROY KEANE has warned that young Premiership stars should be concentrating on football rather than commercial opportunities.

WAYNE ROONEY has dismissed talks of a rift with his England strike partner Michael Owen over an alleged betting ring.

DAMIEN DUFF has dismissed claims that he is angry with Blackburn Rovers as speculation surrounding the Premiership’s most coveted talent continues to mount.

MANCHESTER UNITED have received an FA Cup final boost after captain Roy Keane came through a training session at the club’s Carrington training ground yesterday.

ALEX FERGUSON has warned Roy Keane and everyone else at Manchester United he will not tolerate public criticism of his players.

CARLOS QUEIROZ has shrugged off the personal criticism he has attracted for Manchester United’s below-par start to the season and insisted it is the day people stop talking about the club he will start to worry.

SHARES in Manchester United closed yesterday down nearly 1% as the markets awaited fresh news about the takeover of the club.

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.