Roma coach Luciano Spalletti does not expect an easy ride against Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but is convinced his team can upset the odds.

Roma captain Francesco Totti is struggling to come to terms with his team’s humiliating defeat at Manchester United on Tuesday night.

The family of a man stabbed by Italian football fans today told of their shock at the brutal attack.

Owen Hargreaves was handed his Manchester United debut as Alex Ferguson’s men looked to record their first win of the season against local rivals Manchester City at Eastlands.

Wayne Rooney returned to Manchester United’s starting line-up for the first time since the opening day of the season as Alex Ferguson’s men tackled Sporting Lisbon to kick off their latest Champions League quest.

Alex Ferguson’s team of youngsters were handed probably the toughest task of Manchester United’s Champions League campaign so far against Roma in the Stadio Olimpico.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has kept faith in youngsters Kyle Lafferty and Jonny Evans for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Denmark and Latvia.

Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth will continue his fight for match-fitness when he turns out for the reserves against Manchester United tonight.

Chelsea suffered a blow ahead of tomorrow night’s vital Barclays Premiership clash with Newcastle as England midfielder Joe Cole was ruled out of their festive programme with a foot injury.

The first three legs of Manchester United’s summer tour of Asia are expected to go ahead as planned despite continuing uncertainty over the concluding visit to Malaysia.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson made three changes to his side for this Champions League semi-final first leg match at Old Trafford.

Midfielder Gary O’Neil has become Portsmouth’s latest injury victim after the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United and is a major doubt for Saturday’s home clash with Fulham.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has launched a robust defence of his under-fire assistant Carlos Queiroz.

George Best today got out of his hospital bed and spoke to friends and family as doctors admitted he could leave his intensive care unit within days.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is unlikely to face any sanction of his goal celebration at Charlton on Saturday.

Alex Ferguson is confident Manchester United’s disillusioned supporters will stand by the club in their hour of need.

Players’ chief Gordon Taylor has urged Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to seek professional help in an effort to curb his temper.

Former Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins has warned only Wayne Rooney himself can ultimately be responsible for curbing his suspect temperament.

Nathan Ellington is confident West Brom can “nick points” off big guns Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool during the festive season to erase the disappointment of the weekend defeat at fellow strugglers Portsmouth.

Wigan captain Arjan de Zeeuw returned to the side after missing the last two matches with a knee injury, replacing Stephane Henchoz after he sustained a dead leg in Wednesday’s 4-0 loss at Manchester United.