We continue to edge closer to United related news, but this was too difficult to pass up. When the King speaks we have to listen:

"I think that Raymond Domenech is the worst coach in French football since Louis XVI. If it was up to me, I'd put (Bordeaux coach) Laurent Blanc in charge of the France team," the former Manchester United hero continued.

This is a United blog. I'm quite aware of that. We are also in the midst of the international week which, thankfully, is coming to an end. [Almost feels like a birthday present] But sometimes, even events that transpire during a spell of supposed irrelevance, such as yesterday, can turn out to be pertinent and worth discussing in a shrine such as this site so engrossed in red-tinted worship.

The Telegraph ran this story about a new set of Premier League rules being passed, giving the press and media rights holders wider access to the managers and players.

The gist of the story was:

1. players can be interviewed immediately after a match [ie, players of winning teams only.

The international break means there will be little club news to report. But it seems some sort of groundwork is already being set in motion, with the transfer window a month and a half away.

Here's Schalke defender Marcelo Bordon, in an interview to German newspaper, Bild on goal keeper, Manuel Neuer:

"I know it would be terrible for the supporters of the club, but you have to keep the situation of the club in mind.

£20,000 fine. Four match ban. Two of them being suspended ones.

Also, he has to give up his car, and his house for a year. Go to an island, and survive for a month along with other famous British celebrities. He is banned from drinking wine for the rest of his life. And will have to listen to Alan Shearer's rendition of Baa Baa Black Sheep for five hours.

Two things came up yesterday. Both through interviews with Portuguese players: one a current player, another a former red.

First, Nani:

"People expect more from me and it's not easy. 'I'. "I could be doing better, scoring more, but just think, I make a huge game today but the next one, I'm not even sure that I will play.

Owen Hargreaves seems quite keen on making his return to the United first team desperate, even, but in a good way so much that he thinks he'll probably pass out when he returns.

"It will be an amazing feeling to run out at Old Trafford again. I'll be so excited I'll probably pass out.

First of all, observe this visual:

That is a dive. Many players dive in the premier league, as well as around the world. Many players win penalties by diving.

This happened at Anfield. Home of Liverpool. Liverpool were down 1-2 to Birmingham. The resulting penalty was converted and they tied the match 2-2.

The Republik of Mancunia picks out what City fans think of Carlos Tevez. Priceless read.

The Run of Play unmasks the "toothbrushing man".

Those of you not aware of the toothbrushing man, here's the reference (happened during the Chelsea match)

United will go into the international break ruing, what could have been, a draw (even, to the optimists, a win). Prior to the game, whilst I predicted a 1-1 draw, a nagging feeling told me a defeat to Chelsea was a perfectly possible and in a parallel universe, even deserving, given our recent form and I had my mind made up preparing for the worst.

This has been billed as win or bust by a lot of people especially United fans. Not since the era of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea (at their peak) have we gone into a match against Chelsea with the billing of underdogs. And for good reason.

Most fans as is their wont as fans hope their side will come good somehow against Chelsea.

A lot of you might have noticed the poppy flower adorning attire of managers, broadcasters, players' shirts etc. to mark Remembrance week. Sportsmail (or, indeed, the Daily Mail) have led this campaign to get all Premier League clubs to have an embroidered poppy on club kits. Personally, I didn't have much of a problem with a campaign of this sort.

Darren Fletcher is expected to return to a side beset with absentees to injuries and personal reasons. The manager took time out to shower yet more praise on Fletcher.

"Most people now recognise Darren Fletcher as a big-game player," said Ferguson. "We have been aware of that for quite a while.

... we are of course talking of Wayne Rooney's newborn son who we haven't really signed but we imagine will be tearing up the pitch in about two decades from now Kai Rooney, born at Liverpool Women's hospital.

According to the spokesman, "Mother and baby are both absolutely fine. Wayne and Coleen are thrilled with the wonderful addition to their family life.