Soccer: We’re ready for first crack at Roman Empire

REGULAR readers will know that, for family reasons, I am appallingly biased towards French players.

Furthermore, if any of you have read my book about United in the 1970s, you might recall that I always give black players an extra benefit of the doubt, having been horrified by the racism I witnessed on the Old Trafford terraces when West Brom's 'Three Degrees' tore us apart in 1978.

So it does pain me a little to report to you this exchange from OT's main stand at kick-off on Saturday about our new black French player David Bellion. Two old-timers are arguing about the new boy's merits and one suggests that, given time, he might develop into the new Thierry Henry.