MAN UNITED have an awards double to celebrate after Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney, respectively, won the Barclays Manager and Player of the Month prizes for February.

ALEX FERGUSON estimates Manchester United will not be able to lose more than three games next season if they are to reclaim their position as England’s top dogs.

NEWCASTLE defender Andy O’Brien admits his side must earn the right to qualify for the Champions League this season.

MARTIN KEOWN has declared himself ready to step into the defensive breach at Old Trafford this weekend as Arsenal look to inflict further pain on Manchester United.

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ALEX FERGUSON has predicted Wayne Rooney will bounce back from his Champions League sending off with a performance to remember for all the right reasons at Anfield tomorrow.

THE SPECTRE of Aston Villa — rather than long-term rivals Newcastle — taking the final Champions League spot from Liverpool is starting to haunt the Anfield club.

RUSSIA coach Valery Gazzayev last night threatened to resign after his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Israel in a warm-up to the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against a Republic of Ireland side sweating on the availability of Robbie Keane.

ALEX FERGUSON has admitted changes will have to be made if Manchester United are to balance respect with honours on the Champions League stage.

MANAGERS heading for football’s January sales look like they’ll be buying in the High Street rather than Bond Street.

JOSE MOURINHO claimed he was interested in trophies rather than popularity awards – then insisted every other club in Europe would like to swap places with Chelsea.

LEEDS legend Peter Lorimer believes Terry Venables can keep Rio Ferdinand and Lee Bowyer at the club.

ARSENE WENGER has declared he is “100% certain” Ashley Cole will stay at Arsenal next season and sign a new contract.

PHIL THOMPSON sounded a note of defiance after a grim weekend for Liverpool, insisting the Reds will win all their remaining games.

HAVING beaten the team with the lowest profile in football, Longford progress to a meeting with Dublin and the attention that goes with it.

DEAN MARNEY and Tottenham’s other young prospects are giving head coach Martin Jol a selection dilemma as the club push for European qualification this season.

AS has been the case throughout his career, Roy Keane was once more attracting divergent reaction with this latest chapter in his footballing life.

DENIS LAW is still regarded as the king at Manchester United but in Wayne Rooney Joe Jordan reckons the Red Devils have the heir to the great Scot's throne.