MAN U STARS HONOUR DAREN FLETCHER

David Moyes hasn't had many reasons to smile this season but the Manchester United boss looked in good spirits as he attended a charity dinner with his players on Thursday night.

Just two days on from their 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City, the ex-Everton manager was joined by stars including Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Rio Ferdinand at the United For Colitis event, while former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson also made an appearance.

Midfielder Darren Fletcher, who suffers with ulcerative colitis, was the driving force behind the exclusive night after teaming up with charity founder Jon McLeish.

posted from Bloggeroid

FLAMENGOES HAMMERED BY SPAIN

Nigeria's Flamingoes looked clueless and tardy as they were dismantled 3-0 by Spain in the quarterfinal of the Fifa Under-17 World Cup.

The result ended a seven-match unbeaten run for Nigeria at the tournament dating back to 2012, and fell one match short of the record sequence established by Japan between 2010 and 2012.

Nigeria were favourites coming into the game, but saw their wings clipped by a Spanish side which looked like they had spent more than enough time studying their opponents.

MOYES TO FACE PRESS

David Moyes will face the press this afternoon amid reports of a protest calling for him to leave Manchester United.

According to widespread stories in Friday's national newspapers, a group of United supporters has paid for a plane to fly over Old Trafford on Saturday trailing an anti-Moyes message.

The message will reportedly read 'Wrong One: Moyes Out' in answer to 'The Chosen One' banner which continues to fly inside the stadium despite heavy home defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in the past month.

Stewards have recently been deployed to guard the banner, which references the fact Moyes was hand-picked for the job by Sir Alex Ferguson.

United are already guaranteed their lowest Premier League points total and host Aston Villa on Saturday in seventh place, 18 points behind leaders Chelsea less than a year after winning the title.

Moyes can expect more criticism if Villa leave with anything, but the visitors' manager Paul Lambert has called the planned plane stunt "extreme".

CLASS OF 92 BUY SALFORD

Manchester United greats Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have agreed a deal to buy Salford City Football Club, subject to Football Association and Football League approval.

SECRET OF SUAREZ'S HAPPINESS

Gus Poyet joked that he hoped Luis Suarez would be taken ill before Liverpool play Sunderland on Wednesday night - but his plea looks to have fallen on deaf ears.

The Uruguayan superstar posted a picture on Instagram on Wednesday morning of himself, his wife and two children relaxing in bed before the big game.

Suarez - the Premier League's top scorer with 28 goals already this season - accompanied the picture with the words: 'Good morning everyone! What better than waking up with the most important people in my life... I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!' 

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Family matters: Luis Suarez posted this picture on Instagram on Wednesday morning

 

CELTIC ARE SCOTTISH CHAMPS FOR THE 45TH TIME!!!

For long enough, the SPFL have told us that Glasgow derbies can no longer decide the destination of the league title. Celtic showed it can be done with the minimum of fuss.

On a raucous night in the city’s west end, the Parkhead club secured their 45th Scottish League championship.

They did so in emphatic fashion, heightening the lingering concerns over Partick Thistle’s Premiership safety in the process.

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Bubbly: Celtic players celebrate in the dressing room after sealing their procession to the title

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Doused: Celtic captain Scott Brown gets soaked in bubbly as Celtic's title party gets underway

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Adam Matthews, Liam Henderson, Virgil Van Dijk, Emilio Izaguirre, Efe Ambrose and Charlie Mulgrew

 

CHELSEA CLOSE IN ON COSTA

Chelsea are in pole position to sign Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa in a staggering £40million deal this summer.

Jose Mourinho's search for a top-class centre-forward has been narrowed down and he is ready to take the plunge on the Spain international. 

Chelsea will watch him again on Wednesday evening in action for Atletico Madrid during their La Liga clash against Granada as their interest in the forward steps up. 

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Hotshot: Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has taken the Spanish league by storm this season

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Predator: Costa (centre) lashes the ball to score yet another La Liga goal against Real Betis on Sunday

 

ARSENAL COULD LOSE PLAYERS NEXT SEASON

Bacary Sagna is prepared to rock Arsene Wenger by becoming the latest Arsenal player to join Manchester City, and there are growing questions over Olivier Giroud’s future at the club.

Full back Sagna, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is a target for Manuel Pellegrini. He has rejected two contract extension offers, the most recent being a two-year deal on his current £60,000-a-week salary.

The Frenchman’s representatives have held talks with Galatasaray and Inter Milan over a potential move abroad.

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Offer: Arsenal's Bacary Sagna could be set for a transfer to Premier League rivals Manchester City

 

REAL LOSE GROUND ON RIVALS

Frustrated Christiano Ronaldo let rip at Gareth Bale as Real Madrid slumped to their second defeat in four days and slipped behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the La Liga title race

With Real trailing 2-1 in the closing moments at Sevilla, Ronaldo could not hide his frustration after £86million record signing Bale decided to take a free kick, instead of leaving it for the Portuguese forward, and lashed his effort over the bar.

Ronaldo was caught by TV cameras aiming a verbal volley at Bale. 

 

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Fuming: Cristiano Ronaldo vented his anger at Gareth Bale after the Welshman took a late free kick

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Who, me? Bale was the target for Ronaldo's frustrations as Real Madrid slipped to another defeat

 

WENGER AN ANALOGUE MANAGER IN A DIGITAL AGE?

A rotating advertising board on the perimeter of the pitch at the Emirates boasts that Arsenal are #ALWAYSAHEADOFTHEGAME. In a digital age, they have a manager working in analogue. 

There will never be an uprising here, their fans are not the type to revolt after being spoilt by Arsene Wenger in his first 500 games in charge. After three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League final, Wenger can walk away from this club on his own terms. 

Rightly so, there is too much respect around this place for any Arsenal fan to speak out publicly against the most successful manager in the club's history. Instead, everybody at the Emirates has been left in no-man's land. 

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Can you believe it: Mathieu Flamini is stunned after putting through his own net at the Emirates Stadium

This surrender, conceding a fumbled equaliser deep into injury time, summed up the state of play. This is a massive wobble. If the end of season appraisal is honest, Wenger will concede that Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League went when they were knocked off the top after drawing 0-0 with Manchester United on February 12. 

In The Manager: Inside the Minds of Football's Leaders, Wenger talks of the pain and the despair of the car journey home after a setback.

It is his belief that his emotional bond with the club is so strong after 18 years at Arsenal, that negative results hurt that little bit more with every passing season. 

These are challenging time for Arsenal's manager and he will need to show leadership - something he has always been noted for - in the weeks ahead. 

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Concern: Wenger looked to be heading for a second straight defeat before his side's second-half salvo only to then see Flamini score a bizarre own goal

 

RONALDINHO CELEBRATES 34TH BIRTHDAY WITH BABES

It's probably one of the safest bets in sport to assume he celebrated in style. That's something that Ronaldinho has never lost - the ability to throw a damn good party.

It was his 34th birthday on Friday. And we trust that the man who courted controversy in the Brazilian off-season when an image of him standing in front of a harem of bikini-clad girls went viral, marked the occasion like only he knows how.

But images of him partying it up three months out from a World Cup on home soil that could have been the crowning moment for one of the game's magicians don't make for a happy picture. This could have and should have been his time.

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Party: Former Brazil star Ronaldinho parties with some friends in the only way that he knows how

 

KASPER SCHMEICHEL SCORES

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was the unlikely goalscoring hero as he earned his team a Sky Bet Championship point against Yeovil.

Schmeichel headed a Danny Drinkwater cross against the underside of the bar and the ball appeared to bounce down just over the line in the first minute of stoppage time - before Chris Wood made sure.

Wood was credited with the goal - but Schmeichel is likely to join his father Peter in the goalscoring goalkeepers' club courtesy of the dubious goals panel.

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Thundering header: Kasper Schmeichel hit the bar from Daniel Drinkwater's corner

 

IRATE FAN CONFRONTES MOYES

Manchester United's dismal 3-0 defeat in the derby with City proved too much for some fans to take - with even Sir Alex Ferguson feeling the force of the frustration.      

Edin Dzeko scored twice - the first after just 43 seconds - and Yaya Toure grabbed a late third to send City surging up to second in the Barclays Premier League, three points behind leaders Chelsea with two games in hand.

And that sparked fury among United supporters, with some near manager David Moyes having to be restrained by stewards and others directing their anger at Ferguson, apparently for his role in appointing his successor.

 

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Fury: David Moyes is confronted by an irate fan near the home dug-out as Manchester United slumped to an abject 3-0 defeat to neighbours City at Old Trafford

SCHOLES SLAMS ARSENAL PLAYERS

Paul Scholes thinks Arsenal lack leadership, discipline and characters and that they are a million miles away from winning the Premier League.

The former Manchester United midfielder was in the Sky Sports studio for the Manchester derby, and he criticised the Gunners after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Swansea at the Emirates.

Scholes also said that Jack Wilshere hasn't developed as a footballer since he burst on the scene as a highly-promising teenager.

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On the box: Paul Scholes appeared on Sky Sports as a pundit for their coverage of the Manchester derby

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Speaking his mind: Scholes said United's players haven't performed for David Moyes this season

RAMIREZ CELEBRATES 27TH BASH WITH FRIENDS

Chelsea and Spurs may be fierce rivals on the pitch, but off it they appear to be best of friends. 

The Brazilian contingent gathered for Chelsea midfielder Ramires’ 27th birthday.

Spurs pair Paulinho and Sandro joined Chelsea duo Oscar and Ramires as well as advisor Kia Joorabchian at the celebrations.

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Party time: Paulinho, Ramires, Oscar, Sandro and Kia Joorabchian pose for a picture at the celebrations

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All smiles: Ramires celebrates turning 27 with a female friend

 

BECKS UNVEIL STADIUM PLANS

David Beckham landed in Florida on Monday night to mount a charm offensive promoting his plans to spend more than £125million on creating a new soccer team and stadium in Miami.

The former England star pledged that he did not want to be ‘an enemy’ of those people and organisations who may be opposed to his scheme to build a state-of-the-art venue on sought-after land at the Port of Miami.

British royalty might have struggled to pull a larger phalanx of media to his rooftop address in the downtown area, which heaved with cameras as he talked of transforming the South West Corner of the waterfront into a space his advisers hope could turn out similar to Sydney Opera House.

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I come in peace: Beckham addresses the media on a rooftop in Miami on Monday

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New Theatre of Dreams? The first designs for Beckham's planned stadium for his MLS side have been revealed

 

GUNNERS HIT THE CLUB HOURS AFTER CHELSEA BASHING

They may have laid low on Twitter and Instagram since their 6-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, but just hours after the defeat some of Arsenal's players were all smiles at Mesut Ozil's girlfriend's birthday bash.

Pictures emerged on Monday evening showing Ozil, Nicklas Bendtner and Bacary Sagna having a swell time on Saturday evening as Mandy Capristo celebrated her 24th birthday.

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Contrast: Ozil's girlfriend posted this picture on her Instagram page of Ozil, Bendtner and Sagna all smiles

 Guys what do you make of this?

NEYMAR HOOKS UP WITH MODEL GISELE

Barcelona forward Neymar has taken to Instagram to share a photo of himself with Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen during a photoshoot for Vogue magazine.

Less than 24 hours after his side's dramatic 4-3 victory over rivals Real Madrid, Neymar posted the image with the message: 'Working today with @giseleofficial and @mariotestino for @voguebrasil'

The former Santos striker, who joined Barca in a big-money deal last summer, looks set to appear in the Brazilian edition of the fashion publication alongside the 33-year-old model.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch funny Neymar videos and the Brazil star showing his skills

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All smiles: Barcelona forward poses with Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen in a picture posted on Instagram

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Cover stars: Neymar and Gisele were snapped during a photoshoot for the Brazilian edition of Vogue magazine

 

DR DRE'S BEAT ADVERT TO BE PULLED OFF TV

Barcelona are trying to stop a controversial advert starring Cesc Fabregas from being aired.

The commercial, for Beats by Dre headphones, sees the former Arsenal star on Barcelona's team coach, heading to the Clasico.

As Fabregas heads to the game, he sees Real Madrid ultras in the streets, chanting derogatory songs about Catalonia, waving flags, brandishing flares and running along the streets being chased by police.

 

WHICH CLUB DOES DRAKE SUPPORT?

Canadian rapper Drake wasted no time in showing off his love of football on his tour of the UK.

The 27-year-old from Toronto was snapped backstage at Liverpool's Echo Arena receiving signed shirts from not one but two Premier League stars on Saturday night.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Manchester City winger Samir Nasri were both out to celebrate having played in important victories for their sides earlier in the day, Liverpool runnning out 6-3 winners against Cardiff, with Sturridge on the scoresheet, while Nasri started City's 5-0 win against Fulham.

Presents: Drake also received a signed Man City shirt from French winger Samir Nasri

Gifted: Drake received a signed Liverpool shirt from in-form striker Daniel Sturridge

STEVIE G TO LEAVE FAMILY BEHIND DURING WORLD CUP

Steven Gerrard is definitely on the plane to Brazil, but he won't be taking his family with him. 

The England captain, who will almost certainly be playing in his final World Cup this summer, claims having them around the camp is a distraction. 

Wife Alex will stay at home with the children - just as they did during the 2010 tournament in South Africa. 

Staying at home! Steven Gerrard will leave wife Alex and his kids behind at the World Cup this summer

ANOTHER FEATHER ADDED TO FERGIE'S CAP

Sir Alex Ferguson received an honorary degree from the University of Ulster on Thursday in recognition of his outstanding contribution to football.

The former Manchester United manager, who retired at the end of last season after 26 years in the Old Trafford dugout, received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSc.) from actor and Ulster chancellor James Nesbitt.

The 72-year-old flew into Northern Ireland for the ceremony, which was attended by over 500 staff, students and graduates, especially.

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Proud moment: Sir Alex Ferguson has received an honorary degree for his outstanding contribution to football

 

POLICE TO UP THEIR GAME FOR MANCHESTER DERBY

Sniffer dogs will be deployed in a bid to detect flares being smuggled into the Manchester derby, while officers have the option of wearing protective goggles. 

The moves by Greater Manchester Police follow the largely successful passing of September's game at the Etihad Stadium, which City romped 4-1. 

On-duty officers along the segregation line between supporters will be offered goggles if required at Old Trafford.

 

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Needed? Officers along the segregation line will wear protective goggles if they are required

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare, match commander, said: 'We work closely with both Manchester United and Manchester City to ensure everyone attending this fixture can do so in a safe and enjoyable manner. 

'We also listen to the views of supporters and always seek to get the balance right in terms of policing style. 

'I know that the vast majority of supporters attend football matches in the spirit of the game and that it is a handful of individuals who let their clubs down - the policing operation on Tuesday will reflect this.

'It is a credit to both sets of supporters that incidents of criminality and anti-social behaviour have largely become the exception over recent derby matches and we want to ensure that continues.

'We are all proud of our football heritage here in Manchester and it is important that we work together to ensure the football on the pitch becomes the story and that the reputations of two great clubs and one amazing city remain intact.'