EVEN the statues must have known that something special was happening yesterday afternoon.

A LEADING analyst yesterday tried to allay fears that Manchester United, under Malcolm Glazer, are heading for a financial meltdown similar to Leeds.

ROY KEANE is being tipped for a sensational return to Irish international football duty — as assistant manager to Bryan Robson.

SURGEONS yesterday carried out an operation on Michael Owen’s broken toe - but Newcastle’s injury problems are increasing still further.

EDWIN VAN DER SAR is hoping he can finally end Alex Ferguson’s search for a worthy successor to Peter Schmeichel at Manchester United.

FANS have had enough of being “ripped off” by high ticket prices to watch “boring” football in the Premiership.

CORINTHIANS forward Carlos Tevez has been fined by his club after attending a Sao Paulo press conference wearing a Manchester United shirt.

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TIME was when footballers insisted that a clause releasing them for international matches would be written into their new club contracts.

A PROFESSIONAL footballer has tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone for the first time in England.

LIVERPOOL boss Gerard Houllier has promised four new players and no clear-out in the wake of the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

CLAUDIO RANIERI has backed John Terry to become England’s defensive lynchpin for the next decade and then quipped: “He’s so good, I think he’s from Mars.”

EVERTON manager David Moyes yesterday challenged his squad to make sure all their hard work so far this season does not go to waste.

ROY KEANE was given a rapturous welcome by the Celtic supporters when he finally made his first appearance at Parkhead as a Hoops player yesterday.

EVER opened up a book and felt like you were looking in a mirror? Your correspondent had that experience this week and, no, before you ask, it wasn’t The Great Gatsby. Or even the latest Harry Potter.

FERNANDO MORIENTES is in line to make his debut against Manchester United tomorrow after completing his move from Real Madrid to Liverpool last night.

A SOCCER trip organiser had to pay almost €30,000 of his own money when the English match ticket agent he was dealing with ran off with the proceeds.

CLAUDIO RANIERI yesterday claimed to have cast off his tag as the tinker man of the Premiership 24 hours before his Chelsea team aim for the away victory over Middlesbrough which would take them top of the table.