FOOTBALL

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson believes Manchester United are crying out for some midfield invention and suggests the fact they failed to land Wesley Sneijder in the summer is a damning indictment of their current malaise on and off the pitch.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Jose Mourinho possesses many of the character traits he had as a young manager.

Arsenal marked their 125th anniversary in a 1-0 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium with a truly fitting Robin Van Persie goal in the Premier League on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho is exploring the possibilities of signing the 28-year-old Dutchman in case his contract talks with the Gunners are stalled, it has been reported.

The defending champions conceded one of the earliest goals in Clasico history but were able to effectively outclass Jose Mourinho's men.

Suarez's lone goal came on 47 minutes.

Rooney scored on 27 and 62 minutes, breaking a drought of almost three months when he went without a Premier League goal.

Van Persie's magnificent volley came on 70 minutes.

Manchester United faces Wolves at Old Trafford in a Premier League encounter which has assumed huge significance for the champions.

The Chelsea manager has launched a scathing attack on his critics, especially Newcastle boss Alan Pardew and Sky Sports' Gary Neville.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was overcome with emotion during the club's tribute to him after he was immortalized with a bronze statue outside the Emiratres Stadium.

Alan Hansen believes Manchester United could rue the absence of Nemanja Vidic more than their lack of Champions League football this season.

Sifting through today's football ephemera the IBTimes Sports desk uncovered an interesting, if slightly left-field, trove of data concerning the relation between player's performance and the colour of their boots.

Gregory van der Wiel has admitted that he is planning on making a step up in his career in the next transfer window, with Liverpool continuing to circle the star.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea still has plenty to prove at Old Trafford this season according to Alan Hansen.

Manchester United clearly endeavoured to sign a world-class midfielder in the summer following the retirement of Paul Scholes, but according to Match of the Day pundit Alan Hansen, Sir Alex Ferguson was scuppered by the club's lack of financial clout.

Arsene Wenger is faced with a dilemma as the January transfer window approaches, despite the Arsenal squad currently boasting top form and working their way into contention for a Champions League place once more.

Benjamin Corgnet has claimed that he is yet to enter into talks with Chelsea, as the Dijon midfielder considers his future.

One dedicated FIFA 12 player has uploaded a video to YouTube of England and Liverpool target man Andy Carroll kissing in the game in what gamers have called the ‘FIFA Sex Tape.’

Gary Pallister believes that Sir Alex Ferguson won't need to make any purchases to fill the gap left by Nemanja Vidic in the January transfer window, because Manchester United have enough back up in their current squad.

Schalke have admitted being interested in Cologne striker and Arsenal target Lukas Podolski, with the star set for a transfer tussle as the January window moves closer to opening day.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes if Manchester City take four points from their pending matches against Chelsea and Arsene Wenger's side then you can all but give them the Premier League title this season.

Arsene Wenger has lauded Arsenal summer signing Mikel Arteta after the Spaniard's impressive start to life in north London.

London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are preparing themselves for a tug-of-war involving two center-backs, during the January transfer window.

Manchester United and Manchester City have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Marek Hamsik, with the playmaker set to sign a new deal with Napoli.

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have to be considered among the front-runners for this season's Champions League crown.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has issued a defiant defence of his young players following their recent Champions League elimination.

Manchester City talisman David Silva admits the best player he has ever played with is Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Wesley Sneijder 'idolises' Manchester United, according to Dutch football pundit Marcel van der Kraan, with the playmaker still being connected to a possible move to the club in January.