Gordon Macrae

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Rio Ferdinand's influence could prove crucial in convincing Paul Pogba to remain at Old Trafford past the end of the season.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has cautioned Newcastle they face losing striker Demba Ba in a cut-price deal, unless they can agree terms on a new contract.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he no longer has to dole out the "hairdryer treatment" to underachieving players.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is targeting a place in Sunday's Carling Cup final and believes he has begun to justify his £35m price-tag, 13 months after his record-breaking move from Newcastle.

Mitt Romney closes gap on Rick Santorum ahead of crucial Michigan Republican primary but still faces tough battle to win over party activists.

Arsene Wenger remains adamant that a top-four finish would constitute a successful campaign for Arsenal, after the club suffered a further setback to their tumultuous season this week.

Brazil forward Leandro Damiao has revealed that Tottenham have made enquiries over his availability in the summer.

Dereck Chisora has been released by German police following his brawl with David Haye at a post-fight press conference in Munich, but both fighters could now face lifetime bans.

Owen Coyle has lauded the impact of on-loan Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi, after the young winger helped Bolton to a 2-0 victory over Millwall in the FA Cup fifth round.

Barack Obama's chances of winning second term boosted by jobless claimant figures hitting four-year low.

Christian Eriksen has admitted he is flattered to receive praise from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson but insists he is happy to remain at Ajax for the time being.

Didier Drogba remains hopeful that Chelsea will offer him an extension to his current contract but cautioned it would be a disaster if the club failed to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas insists he maintains the "full trust" of club owner Roman Abramovich and claimed it was "normal" for some players to disagree with him.

The president of Uruguay has leant his support to beleaguered Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, as the fallout continues from Saturday's ill-tempered match at Old Trafford.

Emmanuel Petit has labelled Arsenal's 4-0 defeat to AC Milan on Wednesday a "disgrace" and called for Arsene Wenger to abandon his reliance on youth players if he hopes to end the club's trophy drought.

Manchester United Transfer News: Mario Gotze's agent Dirk Hebel has confirmed Manchester United and Juventus have both made enquiries over the highly-rated Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have been encouraged in their pursuit of Lille playmaker Eden Hazard after the player's father suggested he would be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Purported Liverpool target Shinji Kagawa has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Borussia Dortmund.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Paul Scholes could extend his Manchester United playing career beyond the end of the season but cautioned that an England comeback could be a step too far.

Frank de Boer has admitted Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is capable of doing "stupid things" in the aftermath of his refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra.

Lionel Messi has lauded the performance of his Barcelona teammates after the European champions took a giant step towards qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals with a win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident his side can defeat AC Milan and advance into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

West Ham United's Ravel Morrison has been charged by the FA after the midfielder posted 'homophobic' remarks on his Twitter page.

Arsenal legend Denis Bergkamp does not believe Arsene Wenger is to blame for the club's recent trophy drought but suggested the current side lack the winning mentality to compete with Manchester United and Manchester City.

Luis Suarez will be the subject of attention on Monday night as he makes his return from an eight-game ban when Liverpool take on Tottenham.

In the end, the spin did for England's batting line up - as it has done throughout this all-to-brief series. England held out until after tea on Day Four but when Monty Panesar was trapped LBW just after tea the world's No.1-ranked Test side had slumped to a 71-run defeat and with it, suffered their first series whitewash by Pakistan.

Arsene Wenger played down the impact of Arsenal's 7-1 win against Blackburn and implored his side to find consistency as they battle to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has lauded the improved performance of goalkeeper David De Gea after his side came from behind to rescue a point against Chelsea on Sunday.

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen insists the return of Luis Suarez will be crucial for the club's chances of securing a top four finish this season and backed the Uruguayan forward to weather the hostility he will receive away from Anfield.