Nemanja Vidic looks almost certain to return to the Manchester United defence for Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton. The Serbian and Red Devils centre-half had been sidelined for the past three weeks with a calf injury. Vidic was recently seen playing for his country against South Korea in a World Cup warm-up match. Click to continue reading...

Let's take a moment to reflect on the many different faces we've seen recently in World Cup qualifying action.

There's the good-old fashioned happy face, as seen (above), by Algerian keeper, Faouzi Chaouchi.

The "don't want you to see the tears" Face (Ukraine's Shevchenko)
The "I could give a shite if you see me cry, I'm a man and I have feelings" Face (Egypt's al-Hadary)
The "bish, I'll cut you" Face (Anyukov, Russia)
The "aggro-happy" Face (Pepe, Portugal)
The "my abs are overjoyed with emotion about this victory" Face (Perez, Uruguay)
And, our personal favourite, the "Who farted?

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Let's take a moment to reflect on the many different faces we've seen recently in World Cup qualifying action.

There's the good-old fashioned happy face, as seen (above), by Algerian keeper, Faouzi Chaouchi.

The "don't want you to see the tears" Face (Ukraine's Shevchenko)
The "I could give a shite if you see me cry, I'm a man and I have feelings" Face (Egypt's al-Hadary)
The "bish, I'll cut you" Face (Anyukov, Russia)
The "aggro-happy" Face (Pepe, Portugal)
The "my abs are overjoyed with emotion about this victory" Face (Perez, Uruguay)
And, our personal favourite, the "Who farted?

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Rio Ferdinand will not play for Manchester United again this year.

The England centre-back has been told he needs another six weeks of rest and physio work before his back will be strong enough for Premier League football.

Ferdinand, 31, had been playing with back problems since last season leading to a calf injury this term.

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Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has been suffering from an unknown injury for most of this season and some of last season, he has now been ruled out of action until 2010. Ferdinand has been told that he must get at least six weeks of rest and treatment before he can return. Click to continue reading...

With the international break nearly over, the excitement of the Premier League will be back with us and Manchester United will be looking to get back to winning ways against Everton at Old Trafford at the weekend.

Following the Chelsea defeat I began thinking about what the best Manchester United eleven actually is?

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"Vidic: I Don't Think About Leaving United" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...

It is Friday morning and Sir Alex Ferguson has finished his pre-match news conference. There is a bit of good news on the injury front ahead of the all important game between Man United and Chelsea this Sunday.
After missing the midweek 3-3 draw against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov are fit to play on Sunday. Click to continue reading...

In football attacking players often get most of the praise when their team is achieving results while players in other positions are often overlooked. Defenders are typically ignored when accolades and awards are given out, yet it would be wrong to underestimate the contribution and influence of key defensive players such as Italy's Paolo Maldini or France's Lilian Thuram, just to name a couple of outstanding talents.

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Helen Svedin (Figo's wifey) looks gorgeous; shills jewelery for at Chamilla's new collection at the Santo Mauro Hotel in Madrid.
Becks trims his beard, takes off his shirt. Son Cruz continues his reign of family superstar.
Want a kiss from Gerard Pique? Just ask for it (on a cardboard sign) and you shall receive.

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Helen Svedin (Figo's wifey) looks gorgeous; shills jewelery for at Chamilla's new collection at the Santo Mauro Hotel in Madrid.
Becks trims his beard, takes off his shirt. Son Cruz continues his reign of family superstar.
Want a kiss from Gerard Pique? Just ask for it (on a cardboard sign) and you shall receive.

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Just before the game yesterday between Man United and Chelsea, when the team news came through and there was no Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic or Dimitar Berbatov in the starting line-up, I was worried. We were going to Stamford Bridge without three of our main players but at the end of the game, I was disappointed for a totally different reason. Click to continue reading...

It's the top of the table clash already, Chelsea vs. Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The new boy, Carlo Ancelotti taking on the wily old fox, Sir Alex Ferguson. So far Chelsea's first "Big Four" encounter has ended in victory, thumping Liverpool 2-0 also at The Bridge whereas Manchester United has met two "Big Four" teams and while they beat Arsenal, the Red Devils hardly got going against a fired-up Liverpool. Click to continue reading...

Manchester United will be alarmed from Chelsea threat at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for the full three points even United are playing away from home to remain in the title...
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Forget Haye v Valuev, this is the big one Chelsea v Manchester United. This year's favourites take on the Premier League champions. But while Chelsea and Drogba are in top form, United's injury problems mount.

And it is Didier Drogba who pundits alike are talking about. He is in the best form of his life, and if there was a better time to face United for the Ivory Coast forward, it would have to be now as he will be up against a rather depleted looking back line.

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Sunday's top of the table clash between Chelsea and Manchester United pits the current Premiership Champions against the current FA Cup winners for the second time this season. The Blues beat the Red Devils on penalties in the annual curtain-raiser, the Community Shield.

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Let's get right to our favorite column of the week - the Premier League preview.
I. Manchester United @ Chelsea: The biggest match of the Premier League thus far this season sees Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney go head-to-head in Sunday's meeting at the top of the table. Click to continue reading...

Does it get much better?

Manchester United visits Chelsea this weekend with first place on the line.

I could stop there, but then this wouldn't be much of a preview, would it?

Before we get into the games, check out the TV schedule.

And don't forget to tab the winners with the EPL Talk Predictor.

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A word of advice for Rio Ferdinand, you will have plenty of time to attend movie premieres, start a music label and run your very own magazine when you decide to hang up your boots. Until then, as long as a fat cheque comes to your house every week signed by Manchester United Football Club, kindly concentrate all your energy and effort on the pitch.

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Manchester United went into yesterday's game against CSKA Moscow needing a point which was achieved but as usual it was done the hard way and once again the problems in the defence were apparent, and it was this problem which nearly led to an embarrassing defeat.

You cannot fault United's determination when they were 3-1 down, something which paid off, but while you can give credit to the midfielders and forwards for their tenacity, the defence was again, unfortunately, the problem.

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Manchester United booked its passage to the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League in dramatic and somewhat embarrassing fashion. If a side like CSKA Moscow can come to Old Trafford and score goals in the manner they did, I don't think the Special One at Inter Milan or Barcelona's Pep Guardiola will be having sleepless nights worrying about United's threat to their title hopes.

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Tonight with a win, Man United could qualify for the next stage of the Champions League. United could be without five first team regulars. Dimitar Berbatov, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs are all struggling with injuries. Wayne Rooney may also be absent due to his wife giving birth to their first child yesterday. Click to continue reading...

Man United striker Wayne Rooney has missed training today ahead of United's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow tomorrow. Wayne's wife Coleen Rooney was due to give birth to their first child over a week ago.
There is a good chance that Wayne will be missing for the game tomorrow. Click to continue reading...

Saturday's snoozy session between Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers turned Old Trafford into a literal Theatre of Dreams. Even the linesman sailed off to the Land of Nod, for what other excuse could there be for deeming Rovers sub Nikola Kalinic offside when he banged in Edwin Van der Sar's deflection off a Benni McCarthy strike for a goal?

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After the 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend, Man United really needed a win against Blackburn Rovers. United were without the injured trio of Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic.
The Man United starting XI was- Edwin Van Der Sar, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Luis Nani, Anderson, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov. Click to continue reading...

FIFA has announced its shortlist of 23 players for the Men's World Player of the Year award, and 10 players for the Women's World Player of the Year Award. National team captains and coaches will now vote (but not for players from their own country) and this final five will be revealed in early December, with the winners announced at FIFA's World Player bash in Zurich on December 21st.

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After beating Barnsley 2-0 on Tuesday, Man United carries on with they're Premier League duty against Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford. Blackburn has been one of the main football clubs who have been suffering with Swine Flu (obviously not the club themselves but the players). Click to continue reading...

Reports today suggest that both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are both doubtful for Saturday's match at home to Blackburn Rovers, presumably meaning we will have to rely on Jonny Evans and Wes Brown to play in the centre of our defence.

Both Vidic and Rio have been criticised for their recent form, particularly in light of the Liverpool game, when Rio was out-muscled and out-run by Fernando Torres, and Vidic was sent off for his third game in the row.

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By TRAVIS CLARK

It was all or nothing for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool on Saturday. While a loss wouldn't quite knock them out of the title race, it would be the club's fifth loss in a row and put title talk on the backburner, at least for the time being.

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By TRAVIS CLARK

It was all or nothing for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool on Saturday. While a loss wouldn't officially knock them out of the title race, it would be the club's fifth loss in a row and continue to undermine Benitez's job status.

However, Fernando Torres was passed fit, and his presence in the starting lineup was welcome considering captain Steven Gerrard was injured.

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When discussing Manchester United's success over the past three seasons many people will point towards the mercurial talent of Cristiano Ronaldo as the cause for such riches. His gazillion goals, his one hundred stepovers a game, and his obsessive winking. He was the reason why United triumphed and climbed that rainbow where all the pots [. Click to continue reading...

Sir Alex Ferguson believes his Manchester United side did not get a fair crack of the whip from referee Andre Marriner at Anfield.
Nemanja Vidic was sent off for two yellow cards and Ferguson questioned a number of the official's decisions as they slumped to their first defeat in 12 games in all competitions as Liverpool triumphed 2-0. Click to continue reading...

After today's victory over Manchester United, perhaps they should change their theme song from You'll Never Walk Alone to this one.

And yeah, I know that those pictures didn't come from today's game, but I can't keep track of all of Torres' goals against the Mancs nor Vidic's red cards against Liverpool.

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Yes the ref was lousy, but don't let that mask what was a terrible performance across the pitch by what could only bee described as a toothless United team at Anfield on Sunday. The final score of 2 – 0 didn't flatter the home team as they notched up their third win in a row between the local rivals.

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From Anfield, Attendance 44,188 , Referee A Marriner Liverpool 2 0 Manchester United

Fernando Torres (65)
David Ngog (90)
Javier Mascherano (s/o 90)

Nemanja Vidic (s/o 89)

Liverpool Team Statistics Manchester United 2 Goals 0 5 Shots On Target 3 6 Shots Off Target 2 5 Shots Blocked 3 5 Corners 1 1 Offsides 3 20 Fouls 13 2 Yellow Cards 3 1 Red Cards 1 42. Click to continue reading...