The next United Nights is taking place on Friday, February 10th, the day before Liverpool. Mickey Thomas and Sammy Mcllroy will be joining David May at Walkabout bar in Manchester in the upstairs private function room for the event.

Sammy was the last youth player Sir Matt Busby signed for United when he moved from Belfast as a 15-year-old.

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so.

By Alan Duffy

Unquestionably one of the players of the season so far, Manchester City's Belgian captain Vincent Kompany has decided to use the medium du jour Twitter to launch a new competition which is sure to get the blue half of Manchester rather excited.

The Belgrade Derby: A World Phenomenon
Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Partizan Belgrade (26:11:11)
The taxi ground to a halt with the floodlights of the Marakana rising in the distance, writes Andy Hudson. A single policeman tried to control the traffic from six different directions; the angles of his hands lost amidst the steam billowing from his mouth.

The Belgrade Derby: A World Phenomenon
Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Partizan Belgrade (26:11:11)
The taxi ground to a halt with the floodlights of the Marakana rising in the distance, writes Andy Hudson. A single policeman tried to control the traffic from six different directions; the angles of his hands lost amidst the steam billowing from his mouth.

The Brazilian national championship has made a habit of last day climaxes in recent years and this season's competition is no exception. Corinthians (Played 38, Points 71) won their fifth Brasileiro tonight, their first league title since 2005, following a goalless draw against arch rivals Palmeiras.

Week 11 kicked off after a long hiatus due to International play and the Taca de Portugal qualifying. Beira Mar defeated Academica 1-0 to move into sixth place in the league. Saturday was Derby day in the league as Nacional played Martimo to a 2-2 draw in Madeira, while Benfica hosted Sporting at the Luz.

In all honesty, it is not often I can look back on a Manchester United draw in satisfaction. However, following a couple of weeks where attacking play seems like a taboo, United fans anticipated a strong offensive performance when Benfica visited Old Trafford for their Champions League crunch match. After the Derby Day slaughtering at [.

Here it is then. The end.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed here and on Twitter.
Thanks to everyone who had donated to Alzheimer Scotland and/or the Homeless World Cup.
OK.
It's been quite a 24 hours. I've confused myself with some of the debating angles I've taken.

As I mentioned in the last hour I've been bowled over by the support I've got from tweetsport.co.uk
So it's a real treat to welcome Eilidh Donaldson of that parish as our final guest debater of the Scottish Football Blog blogathon.
Thanks again Eilidh - @tweetsportcouk
What a way to welcome Sunday's daylight.

By Chris Wright

◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 4

Last year it was a Shrek-eared Wayne Rooney, but this time round the Kent-based Edenbridge Bonfire Society, a bonfire society with their fingers on the pulse, have chosen to burn a 30-foot tall effigy of man-of-the-moment Mario Balotelli as their annual celebrity Guy.

It's brave words indeed to suggest that Spurs will finally finish above Arsenal in the Premier League, particularly at this stage of the season.

After Tottenham inflicted a 2-1 Derby Day defeat over The Gunners, the win seems to have produced an unwanted reaction that has seen Wenger's side climb the table and threaten the top four places once again.

By Chris Wright

With most of the players involved in the derby-day pasting at the weekend given the night off, Manchester United wafted through to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup with a 3-0 victory over League Two side Aldershot at the Recreation Ground last night with Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Park Ji-Sung doing the honours for United.

Warning: Man United fans who don't want to know the score please look away now! :-P
After what has been surely already been nothing short of an incredible week in the life of all the Manchester City fans out there following your superb 1-6 win at Old Trafford on Sunday, as we move towards day 3 of the working week you may now sadly be running short of new and exciting ways of ribbing all your United supporting work colleagues - now that all the viral email jokes have already done the rounds.

Sir Alex Ferguson described Man United's incredible 6-1 derby day demolition at...

Ducky's Note: Follow our comic artist Gurleen on Twitter and take a look at her awesome website.

View the Spot Kick archives here!

"In the history of Manchester United, it is another day and we'll recover from this, there's no question about that"- Sir Alex

Few weeks ago it was us who laughed and flexed our muscle and I 8 myself for doing that, so as the old drunk man once said "what goes around, comes around" and yes it is true.

Keys and Gray won't be taking a bow as poor ticket sales see theatre shows cancelled

In case you missed it, Sunday was derby day in Manchester. And one pub celebrated with an interesting promotion. Spotted by @BlueM00NRising *** "Richard Keys and Andy Gray need no introduction," begins the advertising blurb for their theatre tour.

Well, I'm speechless to think up even an introduction. From beating Arsenal 8-2 to getting run over 6-1 by City how things change. So let us just fast forward to the five things I observed from the humiliation this evening. Apologies in case you find your knees jerking after reading this.

1.

One of the few good things that have come from Manchester City's new found wealth, other than their club genuinely aspiring to be and have everything their fans have criticised United for over the past two decades, is Sir Alex Ferguson taking the derby seriously again.

For too long, whilst City were total shite, the manager seemed to lead our players in to that game without the respect required for one of the most important days of the season for the fans.

Roy Keane has spoken to the BBC about his thoughts on the Manchester derby ahead of Sunday.

On playing again

"When football is in your blood or you've played for a great club like Man United, you still have your days where you go 'I'd give anything to go back and play in one of those games, anything.

The Manchester derby is here, the second one this season after the community shield clash between the two teams in which De Gea made his debut and Nani foiled the alien in the blue kit Vincent Kompany's plans to take over the world by running rings around him ,finishing beautifully and winning it for the reds.

For years, Manchester City were no threat to us, yet derby day was still the fixture most United fans looked forward to. Fighting it out with your local rivals, knowing anything could happen and form doesn't matter, playing for pride and bragging rights, is one of the best bits about football. You win the derby and you can go on about it for days.

Although much of the world's football activity has moved towards the internationals, Arsenal continue to make headlines on the domestic front, with uncertainty over the future of the captain's armband causing more unrest at the Emirates Stadium.

In the aftermath of the Gunners' 2-1 derby day defeat to the Spurs on Sunday, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny told reporters that one day, he is looking forward to the day he assumes the club's captaincy and also hinted at a future move to Barcelona if the opportunity arises.

The mist has cleared from derby day. Undoubtedly Jack Rodwells red card has been on everyone's lips.Everyone on the blue half of Merseyside is bemoaning the the sending off, but common sense has prevailed over at Anfield this photo has done the rounds and tell me these challenges aren't worse Foul Play.

Maddy's Note: Baby step number 2 towards making this a regular feature on BigFourZa. Spot Kick is back taking a look back at the weekend's events. What the heck is it with NLDs and long range screamers? Danny Rose, Tom Huddlestone and now Kyle Walker. Being a gooner is hard work.

Last chance to win 500 pounds

Liverpool fans around the globe tuned in to see one of the biggest games in the football calendar on Saturday and you could win £500 by sending us your own derby day video, but hurry as the deadline is 11pm BST (today) Monday.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-10-03 09:31:16 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool's derby day goal scorer Andy Carroll has expressed his delight at being able to perform in the face of criticism during the Reds' massive 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.

The big forward, whose mobility, drinking habits, and overall fitness have all been questioned in recent months by England manager Fabio Capello, among others, scored his first goal of the season in style, silencing Goodison Park by giving Liverpool the lead midway through the second half.

It is bad enough losing to your nearest rivals on derby day, but just to make matters worse and put the cherry on top of the iced cake one of our better defenders, Bacary Sagna, breaks his leg and will be out for at least three months. Sagna was injured in what, at first, appeared [...]

Dear Footballing Gods,

I'm not asking for a £40m marquee signing

I'm not asking for a £200k a week player

I'm not asking for a hard man in the middle of the park

I'm not asking for another behemoth at center half

I'm not asking for this manager to be sacked and a new one brought in, in his place

I'm not asking for Silent Stan to give daily interviews

I'm not asking for a fully fit ever uninjured squad

I'm not asking for a celebrity girlfriend

I'm not even asking for the Daily Fail to be shut down

All I'm asking for is that we don't lose to the bloody Spuds.

It meant so much to everyone. Fulham fans before the game seemed nervous. I don't know what the Rangers fans were thinking but they were loud and excitable. This was them back in the big time. "We hate it when our friends become successful" sang Morrissey. "And if they're Fulham, that makes it even worse.

Everton manager David Moyes furious with referee Martin Atkinson after Jack Rodwell red card against Liverpool

Toffee's boss suggests midfielder's dismissal didn't even warrant a free-kick, but admits defensive lapses were real factor behind his side's derby day defeat

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-10-01 15:23:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Everton manager David Moyes furious with referee Martin Atkinson after Jack Rodwell red card against Liverpool

Toffee's boss suggests midfielder's dismissal didn't even warrant a free-kick, but admits defensive lapses were real factor behind his side's derby day defeat

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-10-01 15:23:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Everton manager David Moyes furious with referee Martin Atkinson after Jack Rodwell red card against Liverpool

Toffee's boss suggests midfielder's dismissal didn't even warrant a free-kick, but admits defensive lapses were real factor behind his side's derby day defeat

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-10-01 15:23:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Everton manager David Moyes furious with referee Martin Atkinson after Jack Rodwell red card against Liverpool

Toffee's boss suggests midfielder's dismissal didn't even warrant a free-kick, but admits defensive lapses were real factor behind his side's derby day defeat

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-10-01 15:23:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Carroll, Suarez and Kuyt to start for the Reds in the derby

A FRESH autumn morning will make way for some Indian summer sun in Liverpool today as the city makes the most of the unexpected heatwave. Not that heat would have been completely unexpected in L4 today – it's derby day, the 185th time The Reds have met The Blues in the league and a time where friendships and family ties are tested to their limits.

We want YOUR derby videos

Liverpool fans around the globe will tune in to see one of the biggest games in the football calendar this afternoon and you could win £500 by recording you own derby day video.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-10-01 09:04:21 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

How to follow the derby

It's derby day on Merseyside as Liverpool face Everton at Goodison Park. Here is how you can follow the game on LFC TV and on your PC.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-10-01 08:19:24 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Derby day delight: Jamie Redknapp and Martin Keown

Jamie Redknapp and Martin Keown both played in the derby games that will dominate the football landscape this weekend

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-09-30 22:02:47 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Moyes: Financial clout irrelevant on derby day

Liverpool's buying power is 'deflating' admits Everton boss

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-09-30 20:31:53 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.