SPORTS

Manchester City host Manchester United in the pick of the FA Cup third round ties, pitting Roberto Mancini against Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time since their 6-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Liverpool legend Steve McManaman believes the return of Steven Gerrard will help kick-start Andy Carroll's Anfield career, starting with Friday's FA Cup third round clash with Oldham at Anfield.

Inter Milan have confirmed that they have not entered into talks with Manchester City for the sale of United target Wesley Sneijder, despite the fact that the Italian club had representatives meet with the club on Thursday.

Arsenal have not made an approach for Kieran Richardson according to Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill.

Arsenal legend Alan Smith has delivered a damning indictment of Manchester United's current malaise and cautioned the club's current vulnerability could prove terminal in the defence of their Premier League title.

The representative of rumoured Arsenal and Tottenham target Gregory Van der Wiel has confirmed the highly coveted Holland international is very close to concluding a deal to join Valencia.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has refused to deny reports Spurs are lining up an audacious double bid for Christopher Samba and Junior Hoilett.

Manchester United are monitoring Barcelona youngster Isaac Cuenca according to reports in Spain, even though the patently gifted winger recently expressed his desire to remain at the Camp Nou.

Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as Manchester United's chief rivals in the pursuit of coveted Brazil international Ganso, according to reports in Friday's press.

Sir Alex Ferguson has quashed rumours that he is chasing Frank Lampard, as English media goes into overdrive today in the wake of news that the Chelsea star is poised for a move to Manchester United.

French media are claiming that Moussa Sow will not accept a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce in January, with the Arsenal and Tottenham target hoping for a deal in the Premier League in the summer instead.

Alan Smith believes Manchester United's alleged malaise over the last few weeks can justifiably be blamed on their chronic injury issues this season.

Petr Cech believes that he will stay at Chelsea for the long term, with the keeper currently finalising a new contract with the club to continue as the club's number one stopper.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is in the market for a defender during the January transfer window, but cautioned he is only looking for loan deals at the present time.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has delivered a withering assessment of the current Manchester United side, by claiming Sir Alex Ferguson's team are not as good as they used to be.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is reportedly interested in out-of-favour Juventus winger Milos Krasic but could face competition from a number of top European clubs, according to the player's agent.

Manchester City will win the Premier League according to Alan Hansen, and to make matters worse for Sir Alex Ferguson, the Match of the Day pundit has also backed the Blues to beat Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Tottenham are considering joining Chelsea in the hunt for Gary Cahill, following the news Chelsea are currently struggling to come to an agreement, but the defender's wage demands could exceed Spurs' pay structure.

Alan Hansen believes Manchester United's recent woes are being exasperated by Sir Alex Ferguson's lack of a Peter Schmeichel or Edwin Van der Sar.

The Italian is worried over the prospects of a weaker side competing for the coveted title as brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure are due to join their Ivory Coast international teammates for the African Cup of Nations.

The Serbian international is apparently facing a bleak future in Italy at the moment after a reported rift with his coach.

The desperate move comes in the wake of the recent setbacks which the Red Devils have suffered chiefly due to the lacunae in the defensive midfield.

According to a report, a burglar intruded into Mike Tyson's hotel room but nothing was reported missing.

The brand of hardcore professionalism which Andre Villas-Boas believes in means there is hardly any free interaction between him and his players, apart from conveying the routine strategic guidelines and directives.

A basketball fan, who was rejected when he proposed to his girlfriend live on a big screen at a UCLA game, has suffered more humiliation after the video went viral.

Tottenham Hotspur left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto has lavished praise on Scott Parker by claiming the midfielder is the club's chief motivator.

Kenny Dalglish has revealed that Steven Gerrard is closer than ever to being fully fit, but the manager insists that the skipper will not be rushed back into action, no matter how desperately Liverpool need him on the pitch.

Alex McLeish has been forced to quash renewed speculation Darren Bent is poised to move to Liverpool, after the Aston Villa manager revealed there had been no contact between the two clubs.

Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder looks certain to remain at Inter Milan during the January transfer window but hinted at the possibility of a move abroad at the end of the season.