Man United came back from defeat.. after thrashing wolves 4 - 1

Manchester United produced the most positive of responses after their horrible week to move within two points of Premier League leaders Manchester City in the title race.
Nani and Wayne Rooney both scored twice for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, on an afternoon in which a few of the wounds of an early European Cup exit and serious injury for Nemanja Vidic were healed.

Nani hit two as United returned to winning ways

The pair both scored their first Barclays Premier League goals since September when they converted first-half efforts.
Then, after Steven Fletcher had pulled one back within 90 seconds of the restart, Nani tapped home before Rooney's volley took him to 13 for the season overall.
The victory - as impressive as it was - does not atone for the disappointment in Switzerland on Wednesday with United losing 2-1 to Basle to go out of Europe's premier club competition.
But, with so many injuries to overcome as well, the sight of Rooney making a meaningful contribution to a handsome win at least allows Ferguson to move forward with confidence.
Even Ferguson knows there is no way to put a positive spin on early elimination from the Champions League. Yet some of the criticism has hurt deeply judging by a comment in his programme notes.

Eye for goal: Wayne Rooney scores United's second goal

'We will take a lot of stick from critics and even from people we thought were perhaps on our side,' said Ferguson.

 

It was not made clear whether the Scot was referring specifically to former skipper Roy Keane, who was the first to make his observations known as a pundit for ITV and had not held back in his view of the younger players in Ferguson's squad.

However, the reaction helped bring a sense of focus to United's performance once Fletcher had fired a good chance wide after just 20 seconds. A Wolves goal at that point would have really caused the home fans to sweat. As it was, with Nani leading the way, they swiftly took command.

Comfortable win: Nani scores his second goal against Wolves at Old Trafford

The Portugal winger was one of the few to excel in Basle and maintained that form. He had already served notice of his intention to cause Wolves problems when he was allowed to drift his way across the penalty area, skipping past three defenders in the process. Nani then cut a shot back beyond Wayne Hennessey's right-hand that found the bottom corner. The celebration was a mixture of relief and defiance.
What happened on Wednesday is going to take more than one goal, one performance and one win to put right but the process of putting together those shattered pieces had begun. It was Nani's first Premier League goal since September 24, a week after Rooney had last found the net in league combat. That effort, against Chelsea, came at a time when United's season was so full of promise.

Reasons to be cheerful: Rooney celebrates with Phil Jones after scoring his second goal

Juventus want to buy Manchester City misfit Carlos Tevez

Juventus have become the first club to indicate they are prepared to pay £20million for Carlos Tevez next month.

Sources in Italy said Juventus president Andre Agnelli called Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini on Friday to ask about Tevez.

Told that City would only consider cash offers of over £20m, Agnelli is understood to have outlined a desire to take Tevez permanently.
Italian job: Tevez could move to Juventus
AC Milan had enquired about taking Tevez on loan, something City would not consider.

But Mancini is believed to be taking this latest enquiry seriously.

Tevez is in Argentina, having defied City instructions to remain in Manchester and train last month.

If City sell Tevez, Mancini may be able to buy in the transfer window. Otherwise they are likely to wait until the summer when Arsenal forward Robin van Persie will top the shortlist. Mancini wants a central defender and a midfielder, too.

Henry in tears as Arsenal unveil statues to former French star, Adams and Chapman

Thierry Henry paid an emotional tribute to Arsenal and his former team-mates after seeing himself immortalised in a bronze statue outside Emirates Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The Gunners record goalscorer was one of three club legends to be honoured as part of their 125th anniversary celebrations, with former manager Herbert Chapman and also captain Tony Adams, who led Arsene Wenger's men to the Double twice, each receiving a similar tribute.
Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona in June 2007, where the Frenchman would go on to lift the Champions League before moving to the Major Soccer League in the United States with New York Red Bulls.

Emotional: It's all a bit much for Thierry Henry as his statue is unveiled

Icon: Arsenal's tribute to former striker Henry

 

The 34-year-old, however, insists Arsenal will always remain in his heart.
'I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have a statue like this in front of the stadium of the team I love and support,' said Henry, who netted 226 goals as the Gunners won two Premier League titles and the FA Cup twice.
'The way the statue is gives the perfect example of the love I have for the club - me kneeling facing the Emirates Stadium and Highbury behind is amazing.

'I also have to thank the fans, you have always been special, and I always try to give my best, I know times it was not enough, but I always give it all out there on the field for you guys and the club.
'It is kind of weird to think of the amount of great players who have played for Arsenal, and for me to be right here, I have to say thanks to all of them, because I would not be able to be right there kneeling in front of this stadium, without them.
'Also, I must give a special thanks to my close friends.....'

Solid: Tony Adams has a permanent place outside the Emirates Stadium

After taking a few moments to compose himself, Henry added: 'I know some of the press used to kill me for not showing emotion - well, there you go, I am showing emotion for the club I love.
'Whatever I do, I do it with my heart, that is the way I am.

'It was not always easy to cope with the pressure of delivering, but from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Arsenal Football Club for giving me this opportunity to be here in front of this club I love - once a Gooner, always a Gooner.
'Thank you from the bottom of my heart, but I played with some great players too and it would not have been possible without them.'

Standing proud: The statue of Herbert Chapman

Gunners boss Wenger had worked with Henry during their time at Monaco, and was instrumental in helping mould the French winger into one of the world's best players following his £11million move from Juventus in the summer of 1999.
Wenger hailed his former captain as the model professional.
'Thierry deserves the honour he gets today, and I am very proud to witness it,' the Gunners boss said.
'His sensational career was down simply to Thierry's class. He is a player who had everything you dream of as a manager - physical potential, a technical level, super intelligence and what people also forget for many top level athletes, is he was dedicated to his job, with a very serious life.
'He is simply a model (professional) who won everything you can in our world - Thierry, you were really special.'

Nightmare goes on for United with Vidic out for the season as Fergie prepares to enter sales

Manchester United have suffered a huge blow in their bid for the title after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed captain Nemanja Vidic is out for the rest of the season.
Speaking on Friday morning, Ferguson revealed the centre-back will not return until next season after damaging his knee in Wednesday's Champions League defeat against Basle.

Down and out: Vidic went down in agony after a coming together with Streller

 

It comes after one of Vidic's representatives, Silvano Martina, said: 'He has ruptured his cruciate ligament. He will be out for several months.'

Severe bruising and swelling made the procedure difficult..

Blow: United fear Vidic is out for the season 

United suffered another blow on Thursday when it emerged that England winger Ashley Young may have aggravated his broken toe against Basle.

Young had been out for a month with his toe injury and there are concerns that he faces another lay-off after leaving the pitch in the 64th minute.

United's 2-1 defeat means they miss out on the Champions League knockout stage for the first time in six years and Ferguson met with chief executive David Gill on their return to assess a failure that could cost the club in excess of £20million. 
One of the other topics likely to have been up for discussion was the possibility of signing reinforcements next month in the face of a mounting injury crisis.

Ferguson could be without nine first-team players for Saturday's game at home to Wolves.

Injury blow: Young faces another lay-off after leaving the pitch in the 64th minute 

The mood around the club was said to be horrendous on Thursday as they came to terms with being out of the Champions League.

However, Rio Ferdinand promised that they will swallow their pride at being relegated to the Europa League.

'We have to be prepared, it's as simple as that,' said Ferdinand. 'No matter what gets said, ridiculed or not, we respect the tournament and will go in there to win it.'

It's my fault! Rooney's ban cut as Capello takes blame for red card

Fabio Capello earned a one-match reprieve for Wayne Rooney on Thursday by telling the UEFA appeal hearing the striker was paying for HIS mistake.
Rooney was delighted when a three-man commission agreed to reduce his Euro 2012 ban from three to two matches after his red card in Montenegro, enabling him to play in England's final group game against Ukraine in Donetsk.
Capello had stunned the panel when he said he should have taken Rooney off after 45 minutes of the match, having realised he was struggling to deal with the dramatic news of the day before when his father and uncle were arrested over an alleged betting scam. Both deny any involvement.

Anyone know which one is the Europa League? It's the trophy on the left, Wayne...

Team England: Wayne Rooney (left) sits next to Fabio Capello at his appeal

This way, sir: Wayne Rooney is pointed towards the appeal room

On the eve of the match, Capello said he had  no concerns over Rooney's state of mind despite what had happened.
But according to sources at UEFA's headquarters here in Switzerland on Thursday, Capello told the appeals body that he made a mistake; that Rooney's head clearly was not right and that he should have taken him off at the end of the first half.

Rooney was sent off in the 74th minute for kicking out at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic and Capello insisted that his striker was 'paying for my mistake'.

Ready, boss? Rooney sits next to England manager Fabio Capello

Dzudovic, who sent UEFA a letter backing the England star, was pleased the ban was reduced.
He said: 'Rooney will play against Ukraine now? Well, I think Ukraine won't be angry with me. It's football justice. The punishment was too hard, too hard for that foul. I'm glad to help somebody to play at such a great tournament as Euro 2012. Now England will be more interesting to watch.'

An FA spokesman said: 'We've had a very fair hearing. Wayne and Fabio are both very pleased. Wayne has always made clear that he accepted it was a red-card offence.

'We arrived with the possibility of him missing the entire group phase - it would have been a huge challenge for Fabio and the team, so to have him available for the final group match against Ukraine is clearly very positive.'

Waiting game: Rooney shuffles his feet before being called in

UEFA suspended the ban for the third game but it effectively covers only Euro 2012 and the qualifiers for the 2016 tournament and not Manchester United or England World Cup games. Rooney will also have to spend a day 'supporting a UEFA project'.
Meanwhile, the FA have admitted they used UEFA's different disciplinary rules to get Wayne Rooney's three-match ban reduced.
However, Rooney will know if he was being judged on the FA's rules, an automatic three-match ban would have been imposed, with the likelihood of it being increased for any 'frivolous' appeal.

Won't be seeing you in May: Rooney enviously looked at the Champions League trophy as he waited to be called in to his appeal

We still love you: Some United fans had followed the star all the way to Nyon

'To promote speed and consistency, stakeholders in England agreed a standard formula encompassing a fixed penalty sanction should be applied across the game by the FA,' said an FA statement. 'The system has been in operation for many years and meets the demands of the domestic game. 
'The FA's system allows clubs to make a claim of wrongful dismissal - to reduce a sanction to zero - or appeal the severity of a sanction, both of these processes are dealt with prior to the player's next fixture.
'UEFA chooses to operate a different process for European matches, based on a sliding scale, under which each sanction is determined individually by a disciplinary panel. In any event a minimum one-game ban will always be applied by UEFA.
'This process meets the demands of UEFA football where the period between fixtures is greater than that in the domestic game.'

Off: Rooney (right) is given a red card against Montenegro

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