IT WAS Gary Player who declared 'the more I practise the luckier I get' so Alex Ferguson must have been working off his frustrations at Manchester United's Carrington training ground last week.

ENGLAND striker Wayne Rooney yesterday warned defenders they will be wasting their time trying to wind him up at the World Cup finals as he vowed to clean up his disciplinary act.

A CONSORTIUM involving JP McManus, John Magnier and Dermot Desmond is understood to be a major shareholder in a multi-million fund to invest in the food and other sectors of the global economy.

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY says he is proud to be walking in the shadow of Manchester United legends.

Sparta Prague 0 Chelsea 1

ARSENAL coach Arsene Wenger has not made an emergency plan in case a number of his players are banned following incidents after the 0-0 draw against Manchester United.

RIO FERDINAND heads to Bolton for the biggest battle of his career today — with chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, believing the verdict has already been delivered against Manchester United’s record signing.

NEW Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has been given a personal apology by director Simon Morris following the farce which almost led to him turning his back on the club.

EVERTON are planning to lure out-of-favour Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker to Liverpool in the January transfer window.

GARY NEVILLE believes Rio Ferdinand was forced to do “a dog’s job” during his eight-month exile.

MANCHESTER UNITED consolidated their position as the financial kingpins of world soccer yesterday, announcing a 48% increase in profits to stg£32.3 million. (€51.3million)

IT has been a weekend of mixed emotion for Newcastle Utd boss Bobby Robson.

Danny Kemp reports on a week of hope and heartache

MANCHESTER UNITED captain Roy Keane insisted yesterday that the raging hot favourites for the Premiership would avoid any complacency in their quest for the title.

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer is set to make a comeback in Manchester United’s reserve-team against Liverpool on Monday.

HE’S just sooo unstylish — Irish-born comedian Graham Norton has been named the worst-dressed man in Britain.

CHELSEA officials could consider a permanent tribute to Peter Osgood following the death of the player nicknamed ‘the King of Stamford Bridge’.

IT’S thirty-two years since Limerick won a hurling All-Ireland. Another title would be like the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Two Mile Chase all rolled into one for their most benevolent supporter, JP McManus.