Two stories coming out of Manchester today couldn’t be more opposite. The blue half will garner an incredible amount of respect and praise for its plans to spend an obscene amount of money to redevelop the area around the City of Manchester Stadium. The red half, meanwhile, is using some heavy-handed tactics to try to suppress the rising tide of interest and support for the green and gold brigade and their support of the Red Knights campaign to take over Manchester United. Here are the two stories in more detail with links to the source articles from The Guardian: Manchester United comes down hard on green and gold support. Several weeks ago we led with the story about Manchester United banning its players from using social media sites. Now it seems that the club has banned its...

• Fan ejected from club TV show for wearing scarf • Steward sacked for returning confiscated bannerManchester United are so concerned about the increasing success of the green-and-gold protests that the club have effectively forbidden Sir Alex Ferguson's players from speaking about it publicly and imposed a series of other measures aimed at counteracting the kind of publicity generated by David Beckham's endorsement of the campaign.Beckham's parting statement after United's 4-0 defeat of Milan on Wednesday, leaving the pitch with a protest scarf around his neck, is being described as "an iconic moment" by the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (Must), and senior figures at Old Trafford are worried about the significance of the most famous sportsman on the planet attaching himself to...

Not-so golden oldies Manchester United were superb last night. Wayne Rooney in particular was a real handful and unquestionably will be at the centre of any would-be English World Cup success in the summer (fingers crossed he stays fit!). But surely a few questions must be asked of an ageing AC Milan? The seven-time champions of [...]...

After a Champions League week in which both Arsenal and United cruised through, the media in UK goes overboard. There are rarely any shades of grey in press coverage here. You’re a hero or a zero and that’s pretty much it. At the moment you’d think Rooney had actually invented heading the ball, so extreme has the praise of his goals been. It’s not that he doesn’t deserve praise – but my god it goes over-the-top. Thus, United were imperious and Arsenal majestic, despite the fact that both were playing against sluggish, over-the-hill teams. Teams which still needed beating, and which they beat well, but a little perspective would occasionally be welcome. The trouble is The Premier League and its cheerleaders seek any opportunity to laud the league as the best in the world. They...

Just hold me, Wayne Gary Neville enjoyed a very homoerotic goal celebration after Wayne Rooney’s opening goal for Manchester United against AC Milan last night. All the United team wanted to dance around with the hero, but the skipper wanted to leap into his arms, rest his head against Wayne’s and just cuddle. A truly tender moment. [...]...

Goldenballs dons gold-and-green After the disgraceful hostile reaction to his arrival on the pitch last night, David Beckham (ever the populist) sought to win back over those seething Manchester United supporters by wearing a green-and-gold Love United, Hate Glazer scarf at full-time. They just don’t like you, David, and they can see straight through your publicity stunts. [...]...

Thursday gives the team of Kartik Krishnaiyer, Laurence McKenna and Richard Farley their first chance to reflect on a banner week for the Premiership in the UEFA Champions League. The team gets together to discuss Manchester United’s 4-0 (7-2) win over AC Milan, Arsenal’s 5-0 (6-2) win over Porto, Thursday’s Europa League match for Fulham at Juventus, Liverpool at Lille, Monday’s Liverpool disappointment at Wigan, and the weekend’s important matches in the Premiership. Related posts:Mid-Week Review Show: EPL Talk Podcast EPL Talk Podcast: Mid-Week Review Show Weekend Review Show: EPL Talk Podcast...

Dear Monsieur Wenger, I wanted to take the time to congratulate you on your team’s recent successes in the Premier League and more specifically the UEFA Champions League. You’ve fought back and are in the heat of a title race and reaching the last eight in any competition is deserved of accolades, but the most prestigious Cup competition in the World, that’s something to be proud of. The way your team played with such utter confidence against Porto at home Tuesday night was something to behold (and look at the turn around in form of one Nicklas Bendtner from his lowly weekend efforts, simply stunning). The confidence your club displayed directly influenced the teams ability to move the ball at will, maintain possession and attack with purpose, not to mention, it was...

• United manager warns 3-2 first-leg lead is precarious• Wayne Rooney will be fit to play despite knee injuryThere are some nights in the Champions League when it is more than just a football match; it is an occasion. Manchester United versus Milan, under the Old Trafford floodlights, is one of them – even if Sir Alex Ferguson is right and David Beckham is left out by the Rossoneri tonight. Milan will have to be bold and adventurous if they are to recover a 3-2 deficit from the first leg and Ferguson's hunch is that the most recognisable player on the planet will be sacrificed in a game that reads like a Who's Who of the Champions League elite.Beckham being Beckham, he needed a police escort when he arrived at Manchester airport yesterday, the latest instalment of what his former...

It’s competition time! Manchester United face Fulham at Old Trafford this Sunday (1.30pm kick-off) as they look to keep up momentum going in to the business end of the season. OTP has teamed up with our pals at football-mad Betfair to offer you and a mate the chance to join the centenary celebrations at Old Trafford [...]...

Me, Myself and Wayne This might initially seem to be an advert for a multiple personality disorder, but it eventually transpires that it is for an energy drink. The moral of the tale is topless people always prosper....

And so it begins in earnest. After months of pressure being to filter through from fan groups, the last few weeks have seen Manchester United fans begin to turn up the pressure on the Glazer family. Do not be fooled by people giving this anti-American slant, this is not about such trivial matters as nationality. Manchester United fans do not disagree about the club being owned by Americans, they disagree with how the club is being run, seemingly as a piggy bank for the Glazer family. It seems astounding to consider that Manchester United are now saddled with a £712 million debt, which regardless of how much spin comes out of the United PR department, is growing year on year. The Love United Hate Glazer campaign is growing in strength, a group of potential benefactors known as the Red...

He’s my hero of sorts, the integral piece of the attacking puzzle to my beloved Manchester United and my (adopted) country of England. He’s the bulldog who never gives up, the born leader with enough natural footballing talent to make the recently departed Cristiano Ronaldo raise an eye in disbelief and possibly realize United haven’t missed him quite as much as we all once thought. He carries the hopes of a nation and doesn’t even mind. He shrugs off pressure like he shrugs off central defenders. He won’t slow down, he loves playing too much. He’s uncommonly balanced an incredible on-field and quiet off-field life, all the while being tipped as the next world great,…. Even heroes make mistakes. As Paul Scholes was, well, Paul Scholes on...

• Support would boost Red Knights• Manager denies claim over buyoutSenior City financiers allied to the wealthy consortium planning a takeover of Manchester United claim Sir Alex Ferguson is supporting the controversial bid.Several key sources have told the Observer that they believe that the Old Trafford manager would be prepared to invest his own money in the club if the bid by the group known as the "Red Knights" were to succeed."Alex Ferguson is not only supportive of the bid but would be prepared, if successful, to back it," claimed one source who described it as a "killer blow" for the American Glazer family who bought the club in 2005 and who are now facing massive protests from fans because of the club's debts.Another senior City figure, who also requested anonymity, said: "We...

• Rooney set to miss Milan return with knee injury• Fábregas pulls hamstring in win over BurnleyManchester United and Arsenal may have to play their Champions League second-leg matches this week without key players Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fábregas.Rooney is expected to sit out United's home tie against Milan with a knee injury, while the Arsenal captain's pulled hamstring looks likely to leave him on the sidelines for the visit of Porto. "How big the damage is we don't know yet," said Arsenal's manager, Arsène Wenger, whose side face Porto on Tuesday trailing 2-1. "We have to make a late decision over whether he plays."Rooney missed United's 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux after aggravating a knee problem during England's 3-1 midweek victory over Egypt. Sir Alex Ferguson was not...

Press F5 for the latest news, or let the auto-refresh thing take the strain. Email rob.smyth@guardian.co.uk, and click here for the latest scores around Europe19 min Nani kicks Zubar in the head, albeit completely by accident. Nani stuck h is foot out a long way to control the ball, and he simply didn't know that Zubar was behind him. As a consequence he studded him right in the face. Peter Walton gives only a free-kick but that wasn't especially dissimilar to the incident for which Middlesbrough's Mido was sent off at Highbury in 2007-08. It was, I should stress, a complete accident.17 min "Darron Gibson," says Ifti Khan. "Can you think of anyone else who has so many deficiencies in midfield play (poor mobility, no great passer, can't tackle) masked by having such a cracking shot?" No....

• Ferguson expected Rooney to withdraw from England friendly• Striker doubtful for Wolves game due to swollen kneeManchester United's increased reliance on Wayne Rooney after Michael Owen was ruled out for the season has led to Sir Alex Ferguson clashing with the Premier League's leading scorer. Ferguson, reeling from the news that Owen needs an operation, was incensed that Rooney defied him by not pulling out of England's midweek defeat of Egypt and has made his feelings plain to the player, accusing him of being irresponsible and jeopardising United's chances of silverware.Ferguson had been led to believe Rooney would withdraw because of a knee injury that has troubled him for several weeks. Instead, the forward played 86 minutes of the 3-1 win, whereas Chelsea's Frank Lampard was...

• Reports say striker out for rest of season• Ferguson says Wembley pitch partly to blameMichael Owen has been ruled out for the rest of the season.The Manchester United striker injured a hamstring during last Sunday's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Carling Cup final at Wembley, having scored United's equalising goal.Manchester United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said: "It's a bad blow – he's out for the season."Unfortunately it's more serious than we thought. He will be operated on on Monday morning."It's a terrible blow for the lad and is disappointing news for us too. He has never missed a training session all season. I think the heavy pitch at Wembley on Sunday made some contribution to it but really it is just bad luck."Michael OwenManchester UnitedPremier LeagueMartin...

Bank's chief economist under pressure over his involvement with Red Knights' bid for Manchester UnitedGoldman Sachs is considering forcing Jim O'Neill, the bank's chief economist, to choose between his job and his involvement with the Red Knights group of financiers and businessmen, who are seeking to wrest control of Manchester United football club from the Glazer family. O'Neill is thought likely to respond to such an ultimatum by resigning.The Glazers, who insist that the club is not for sale, are clients of Goldman and have threatened to withdraw their custom from the bank. It is understood that senior figures at Goldman believe O'Neill has overstepped the mark by taking a leading role with the Knights, and that his involvement threatens to embarrass the bank, which in January helped...

• Group's proposal would not work, says chief executive• Keith Harris dismissed as a publicity seekerManchester United's chief executive, David Gill, last night rounded on the figurehead of the Red Knights group that claims to be preparing a bid for the club. Keith Harris, the former Football League chairman whose Seymour Pierce stockbroker has been at the centre of several club takeovers, was dismissed by Gill as a publicity seeker."Keith Harris will go anywhere there is publicity and we accept that; it's his modus operandi," said Gill. "But if you look at his track record in football it is nothing to write home about."Gill was referring to Harris's recent attempts to find buyers for football clubs. He has not completed a takeover deal since putting Thaksin Shinawatra in control of...

Can Terry rediscover his form in time to rescue Chelsea? For the entirety of the season, Chelsea have seemed poised to put insurmountable distance between  themselves and the nearest opposition.  Yet this moment never arrived.  Draws and losses, often at those crucial games, have seen them lose ground in the Premier League, till now the gap between first place glory and second ignominy is one point. The question is, can Chelsea fulfill its promise of this season and reclaim the domestic throne, or will they once again see the trophy lifted elsewhere? In this article, I’ll discuss the reasons that they’ll lose; in another, I’ll discuss why they’ll win. 1.  Defensive Injuries Ashley Cole had been the world’s superlative left back until a recent...

The Manchester United star on life outside football, the World Cup Wags – and finding out he was England's new captain from the TV newsI've only just arrived in Alderley Edge, the village in Cheshire where Premier League footballers live in pavilioned splendour, when some bloke in an Audi sports car charging out of the car park at 70mph almost mows me down. Welcome to Wag Central, where the Range Rovers all have tinted windows and only the toughest and brashest survive.The Wags are out in force in the Village Café (next to a boutique called POSH): improbably thin, with luxuriant hair, cradling coffees and small children. I'm here to meet Rio Ferdinand, but the injury-plagued England captain has gone to see his osteopath and put our meeting back two hours, so I wait, drinking...

• Manchester United owners want to keep club until 2017• Red Knights takeover plan in early stagesOn the day that a group of wealthy and well connected Manchester United fans were forced to declare publicly plans to mount an audacious bid for the club, the Glazer family that have become the object of fury vowed to stay in control until 2017.After news of their first meeting leaked out on Monday night, the so-called Red Knights – a group of well-known City figures led by the Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill – yesterday outlined their ambition to put together a takeover bid within months."This group is supportive of current management but are looking at the feasibility of putting together a proposal to be put to the Glazer family regarding the ownership of Manchester...

• Group of wealthy fans called Red Knights met in London• Red Knights working on proposal to be put to Glazer FamilyThe group of wealthy and well-connected Manchester United fans known as the Red Knights today confirmed that they are putting together a bid for Manchester United."Following the intense media speculation overnight, we can confirm that a group of high net worth individuals, who support Manchester United (known as the "Red Knights"), met in London yesterday. This group is supportive of current management but are looking at the feasibility of putting together a proposal to be put to the Glazer Family regarding the ownership of Manchester United," it said in a statement. "These discussions are in early stages and no contact has been made with the Glazer Family."• The key...

Tomorrow sees that magical mark of 100 days until the 19th World Cup begins and the chase for places outside of the main names is really beginning to hot up. Fabio Capello will probably have a definite idea of around 10 names who will certainly be on the plane to South Africa injury willing. James, Terry, Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Rooney, Defoe, Milner and Beckham will probably be certain of inclusion but for once, the rest of the squad would seem to be all to play for. Over the next few days, I’ll be casting my eye over some of the outsiders and squad players who will be hoping to be involved this summer and make a real name for themselves. Some may be reliant on players failing to recover from injury, some will be hoping to force themselves in to the reckoning and some...

• Red Knights' confident they can raise money• Club is not for sale, says under-fire Glazer familyThe Glazer family, under pressure from fans protesting at their ownership, said tonight that Manchester United were "not for sale" after it emerged that a group of influential City figures known as the Red Knights had met to consider a bid for the club.Sources close to the talks said that the discussions, although in their early stages, were serious in their intent. Jim O'Neill, the chief economist at the bank Goldman Sachs and a lifelong United fan, is a key figure in the group, which is confident of being able to raise the £1bn-plus required. O'Neill today met other powerful City figures interested in exploring the possibility of bidding for the club, which is carrying debts of £716m...

It's the first day of spring and James Richardson is joined by the gloriously in bloom Sean Ingle, Rafa Honigstein and Barney Ronay for your latest edition of Football Weekly.We start with another weekend in the Premier League. Manchester City stunned Chelsea in the sideshow to the John Terry/Wayne Bridge handshake debate, and Arsenal emerged victorious after their brusing (and leg-breaking) encounter with Stoke. What impact will the results have on the fate of the teams invloved? Meanwhile, Manchester United picked up their first trophy of the season after they beat Aston Villa in the Carling Cup final. Will that impact on Villa's chase for fourth spot? Can Tottenham hold on to the final Champions League place? Or will Liverpool, with Fernando Torres back in the starting line-up, still...

Hair we go Wayne Rooney reckons his recent spate of headed goals is down to his receding hairline. And hard work, of course. Speaking ahead of yesterday’s Carling Cup final in which he scored the winner with a headed goal, Rooney said: “I’ve been working on [my heading] for the last couple of years and it’s getting [...]...

• Knee injury flared up during Carling Cup final• United striker says he does not fear burn-outWayne Rooney is doubtful for England's match against Egypt on Wednesday after a minor knee problem flared up during Manchester United's Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa.The fear at his club and within the England camp is that too much is being asked of the forward, but Rooney insists that he is not concerned about the draining effects of too many games. "I don't feel any pressure or burden really," he said. "To be honest I have probably had pressure since I was 16 so it is something you get used to and deal with in your own way."The striker said that his sole focus this season is winning more trophies and although the 28 goals to date have given him the opportunity to equal...

1. Wayne Rooney’s knee flu sounds really nasty. I’m sure Sir Alex Ferguson has a sneaky plan afoot, I just don’t know what it is yet (except that it probably involves Rooney not playing for England). 2. Wayne Rooney’s head is quite incredible. Peter Crouch must be fearing that his uses in the England squad are [...]...

• Wayne Rooney comes off bench to score the winning goal• 'Hopefully there will be more this season,' says FergusonSir Alex Ferguson tonight celebrated his 34th trophy since taking over at Old Trafford after defeating Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carling Cup final and immediately set his sights on his next piece of silverware after Wayne Rooney continued his remarkable season by coming off the substitutes' bench to head the winning goal.The Manchester United manager, who cast doubt over Rooney's involvement in England's friendly against Egypt on Wednesday after revealing the striker was struggling with a knee injury, praised his players' determination after they recovered from going behind to James Milner's fifth-minute penalty to retain the trophy.Michael Owen brought United level before...

Carling Cup winners get a decent workout Comedian James Corden (better known as Gavin and Stacey’s Smithy) has already delivered a motivational speech to the England squad for Comic Relief. Now he has put Manchester United’s players through their paces with an aerobic workout for Sport Relief. The full sketch will not be seen until the Sport [...]...

Wayne Rooney enjoyed less rest than his manager intended but the Manchester United substitute will still have felt wholly refreshed by his winner in the Carling Cup final. In the 74th minute he completed his side's comeback with an exact header from Antonio Valencia's cross that was just beyond the reach of Brad Friedel in the Villa goal. Three minutes later Rooney, following more service from Valencia, nodded against the woodwork.Sir Alex Ferguson had exercised the option of naming Rooney as a substitute so that he enjoyed a degree of rest before an injury to Michael Owen made his introduction necessary. The Aston Villa manager had a wholly different outlook. Brad Guzan excelled on the run to Wembley and had been between the posts when Sunderland were eliminated in a shoot-out at the...

Join in the OTP banter as United and Villa battle it out at Wembley Carling Cup Final Live Blog: Manchester United v Aston Villa...

In order to commemorate the 50th League Cup final, the Football League have granted our award-winning photographer Tom Jenkins exclusive and unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to record the day's events as Aston Villa take on Manchester United at WembleyTom Jenkins...

View Poll Don’t forget that Sunday morning will feature the Carling Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester United (10am ET, Setanta US, Setanta-i and ESPN360). But who do you think will win? Vote in the poll above and share your opinions below. Personally, I hope it’s a close contest between two teams that both have the potential to win it. I’m looking forward to seeing Agbonlahor, Young and Heskey attack for Villa, as well as the controlled and clinical finishing from United. Let’s hope it’s a great final. Related posts:Poll: Who Will Win? Man United or Inter Milan? Poll: Should Man United Have Kept Carlos Tevez? Leeds United v Liverpool; Two English Giants Reunite in Carling Cup...

When watching Manchester City’s fantastic 4-2 Victory away to league leaders Chelsea, one thing was paramount in that game and it wasn’t Wayne Bridge V John Terry,  Two red cards, Manchester City’s flowing football, Shay Given’s commanding goal keeping or Roberto Mancini’s great man management and control of the game. It was Gareth Barry. I lost count of the amount of times I heard Martin Tyler said “…And Chelsea can break now, they have Anelka to the left, Drogba on the edge of the box, but Gareth Barry once again breaks down the play.” Despite giving away a needless penalty, Barry was everywhere today picking up the ball from his solid back four and spreading the play so the often narrow Chelsea were caught out by Adam Johnson and...

Ex-United striker happy with his trade-off Dwight Yorke has revealed he stands by his party animal lifestyle despite the fact it cut short his Manchester United career. Ahead of the Carling Cup final between two of his former clubs, Yorke has said he would not swap his fun and games with the ladies for more time [...]...

The Observer conversation: When does robust behaviour turn into bullying?Anushka Asthana...

• Manchester United midfielder ruptures cruciate ligament• Rio Ferdinand could return to action in two weeksThe Manchester United midfielder Anderson has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his cruciate ligament during Tuesday's win over West Ham.Anderson, who was making his first appearance for over a month, suffered the injury during the first half of the 3-0 Premier League victory.It is another setback for the Brazilian, who has struggled to hold down a regular place since joining United from Porto in 2007.United also confirmed that Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of England's international against Egypt with a back injury. The defender will miss next Wednesday's game at Wembley after feeling a twinge in his back before the game against West Ham."He won't be...