Soccer Sorcery

Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has blamed television schedules for creating "ridiculous situations" for teams playing in Europe. The Scot said the vast amount of money pumped into the game by broadcasters means clubs have lost control of their fixture lists. "When you shake hands with the devil you have to pay the price. Television is God at the moment," he told BBC North West Tonight in an interview to be screened this evening. "It shows itself quite clearly because when you see the fixture lists come out now, they can pick and choose whenever they want the top teams on television. "You get some ridiculous situations when you're playing on Wednesday night in Europe and then at lunchtime the following Saturday. "You ask any manager if they would pick that themselves and there'd be no chance." Does TV have too much power over football schedules? Have your say. Tweet

Javier Hernandez is felled by Jonathan Woodgate. United cannot afford to develop a hang-up about life without Wayne Rooney. If this was a glimpse into the future when the red-hot hitman might need to put his feet up briefly, is crocked or serving a suspension, then it doesnt augur too well. The 25-year-old needs to be wrapped up in cotton wool on this evidence. The infusion of youth into Sir Alex Fergusons recipe for success has certainly been a major factor in United's effervescent start to the season. But there is little argument it is Rooney who has been the powerhouse that has propped it all up. A stunning nine goals from the five Premier League matches this season has galvanised United. Opponents have wilted and colleagues have fed off his inspirational start. It has been in complete contrast to last seasons opening when he was a tortured figure and the Reds suffered as a result of Rooneys misery. It is no coincidence that Uniteds least pro...

KEY MAN: Wayne Rooney Manchester Unitedwere accused of being a one-man team when Cristiano Ronaldo was at the club. There is no danger of that while Wayne Rooney and Nani are both firing on all cylinders but the England striker above all else is becoming the man the Reds cannot do without. His infectious enthusiasm has been the bedrock of the champions Premier League start and it was no coincidence that United were not as sharp in attack at Stoke. The 25-year-old picked up a slight hamstring problem in training and you can only hope he steers clear of anything worse throughout the season. Wrap him in cotton wool Fergie! How important is Rooney to United? Have your say. Tweet

Redline - Listen to Richard Partington and Stuart Mathieson talk about Manchester United http://www.kyte.tv/f/ 12 s 1492917 never true Tweet

United striker Danny Welbeck is set to start against Basle Danny Welbeck is leading the charge to spearhead Uniteds strike force against Basle tomorrow night. Wayne Rooney hasnt yet ruled himself out of the Champions League clash at Old Trafford. But Sir Alex Ferguson may be forced to shake up his attack with injury doubts over his first-choice strike pair. Rooney missed Saturdays 1-1 draw at Stoke after picking up a slight hamstring strain, while Javier Hernandez limped off at the Britannia Stadium after only 11 minutes. With Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen both failing to lead United to a sixth successive Premier League win, it has opened the door to Welbeck, who was in sensational form before pulling his hamstring in the 8-2 win over Arsenal last month. The England Under-21 international returned last week against Leeds in the Carling Cup and came on as a substitute against Stoke. Now he could be set to start against Basle, with Ferguson making it clear at the sta...

"I can't even tell that I'm talking to you right now because my eye isn't working." Emmanuel Adebayor got off to a great start in Spurs' 2-1 win over Wigan, setting up both of his side's first-half goals. The second half proved to be a bit more challenging, though, when one of his eyes stopped working. From the Independent : The former Arsenal forward played most of the second-half against Wigan with blurred vision after a collision left him unable to see properly in one eye, but is expected to make a full recovery as he seeks his first goal against Arsenal since the controversial celebration in front of Arsenal fans at Manchester City two years ago. "I couldn't see the ball. I couldn't see my opponents or anything," said Adebayor, who remained on the pitch until the end. "But it's even better when you have one eye and you're going home with three points. I had a fantastic first half but unfortunately the second-half...

Video of Espanyol striker Walter Pandiani slowly sweating through his shirt during a press conference has been making the rounds, but watching that is just weird and boring. Thankfully, our friends at Bola Nas Costas sped the video up so we can watch it happen in a matter of seconds, which is still weird, yet also funny and oddly impressive. Last season, Pandiani had a spat with Cristiano Ronaldo and accused the Real Madrid star of having "a screw loose." Well, now we know Pandiani seems to have a few loose sweat glands.