Jip Jap Stam

On the eve of Manchester United's game against AC Milan, Jaap Stam speaks of Wayne Rooney's stardom.



Stam says Rooney's teenage stardom is in stark contract to his own start in the game.

"We can't all be Wayne Rooneys - at his age I was training to be an electrician and thought my chance of becoming a professional footballer had gone," he said.

"Starting late can be a good thing. Some kids who start early get bored.

"I had my youth - having fun, drinking beers, blowing up milk cannisters. It sounds strange but it's a tradition where I grew up in Kampen - and I had done all the things I wanted to do."

Rooney Defeats Liverpool

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise on his team after they defeated bitter rivals Liverpool in an exciting game at Anfield.



Ferguson said: "It was an absolutely magnificent display, a great team performance and a great win."

The United manager defended Wayne Rooney's goal celebration when he goaded fans in the Kop after scoring.

"That's where he scored the goal. I didn't think he was overdoing it".

Ronaldo Is Just A Kid

Sir Alex Ferguson packaged Christiano Ronaldo off to Turkey along with a second string of players with the insistence that he has a lot to learn.



With qualification to the Champions League knock-out phase guaranteed, Ferguson has opted to rest his first team players with the exception of Ronaldo.

Ferguson is keen to ensure that Ronaldo recognises that he has a lot of developing to do.

"Cristiano has fantastic potential," said Ferguson.

"He is a player with great courage and the first thing he always thinks when he gets the ball is how to attack defenders.

"We are very pleased with the progress he is making but we cannot forget he is only a kid.”

Arsenal vs Chelsea

Arsenal entertain Chelsea at Highbury on Sunday in a much anticipated Premiership showdown.



Arsenal will field the same midfield pair of Fabregas and Flamini in the absence of Vieira, Gilberto, Edu and Pennant but they will be bouyed following their 5:1 victory over Rosenborg.

Chelsea on the other hand will approach the game following a defeat to Porto.

If Arsenal beat Chelsea, it will be interesting to see how Jose Mourinho motivates his players.

My prediction Arsenal 2:1 Chelsea

Man Utd 3-0 Southampton

Paul Scholes' rich run of form continued as Manchester United beat Southampton 3-0 at Old Trafford to record their seventh straight win.



Scholes scored a close range header early in the second half before Wayne Rooney emphatically doubled the lead following a clever pass from Ryan Giggs moments later.

As the game progressed Christiano Ronaldo missed an open goal but atoned for his mistake by volleying the third passed on-loan Kasey Keller in the dying stages of the game.

Manchester United's fourth straight Premiership victory leaves them in 4th position, four points behind Arsenal and nine behind leaders Chelsea.

PSG Target Saha

Paris St Germain want to sign Manchester United's Louis Saha on loan in the January transfer window.



PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic said: "He is welcome at PSG if he wants to come - the main problem is we do not have money to buy him."

Saha has found his first team opportunities limited since the arrival of England strikers Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith and he has not been helped by a succession of injuries.

Southampton Prediction

Kleberson joins Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer on Manchester United's injury list ahead of Southampton's visit to Old Trafford while Steve Wigley will welcome back Antti Niemi, James Beattie and Claus Lundekvam.



Sir Alex Ferguson's team will look to build on their six game winning streak while struggling Southampton will be happy for a point in what has been their worst start to a Premiership campaign for six years.

With United at virtually full strength the Red Devils will be clear favourites.

I predict a 3:0 win for Manchester United with all goals coming from van Nistelrooy and Rooney.

French Curse

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has voiced his concerns about the injuries Louis Saha has received while playing for France.



For the second time in a year the striker has injured himself during training with his national team.

Saha, a £12.8m signing from Fulham has only started 12 Premiership games since his arrival 10 months ago.

Ferguson said: "He's had a terrible time and every injury has been with France. It is unbelievable.

"He has not been injured with us at all. It gives us concerns about him going to play for France again."

Shepherd Sets Sail

Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd has blasted Manchester United for losing Martin Edwards and David Beckham.



The outspoken Shepherd pointed to the exit of former chairman Martin Edwards, saying the club "was like a ship without a sail".

"First they lost the captain of the ship in Martin Edwards, then they suffered from losing David Beckham. They lost two characters there."

Shepherd's comments come at a time when Newcastle languish in tenth place, having spent £300m.

"We've spent £300m in the last 10 years and we run the club as a business but at the end of the day we are fans." said Shepherd.

Shepherd would be wise to get his own ship in order before critisising others especially considering the amount of money he has wasted on his "beloved" club.

O'Shea To Stay

John O'Shea has denied rumours that he may leave Manchester United in the January transfer window.



The Republic of Ireland defender lost his first team place following the summer arrival of Argetine international Gabriel Heinze.

"I am definitely staying, without a doubt, and, fingers crossed, I will be here for a long time to come." said O'Shea.

"When you are playing for Manchester United, you are going to face pressure. I have faced it before, no doubt I will face it again in the future."

He added: "What you have to do is make sure when you get a chance, you put the manager under pressure not to leave you out."