February 6, 2011 –  53 years since the Munich air crash and former Old Trafford icon Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad in Spains La Liga. Have a look at the black band on his left arm as he celebrates one of those goals. Rumors soon flooded the internet that Ronaldo was remembering the Munich victims. Did that gesture indicate that one of the biggest names in world football – who has been away from Old Trafford for 18 months, still  has huge respect for his former club?

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And so it’s that time of the year again when newspapers, websites and magazines from all over the world highlight what they believe to have been the best and worst moments in football in 2010, looking at events both on and off the pitch. In this country, the majority of the “worst” moments have been deemed to be concerned with the morally bankrupt, money grabbing ways of the players today and the underhanded, corrupt and sinister dealings of FIFA, with the plaudits for the “best” moments being handed out mainly to Lionel Messi and his teams inspiring 5-0 demolition of Real Madrid in November. I couldn’t agree more. Read the full story

And so it’s that time of the year again when newspapers, websites and magazines from all over the world highlight what they believe to have been the best and worst moments in football in 2010, looking at events both on and off the pitch. In this country, the majority of the “worst” moments have been deemed to be concerned with the morally bankrupt, money grabbing ways of the players today and the underhanded, corrupt and sinister dealings of FIFA, with the plaudits for the “best” moments being handed out mainly to Lionel Messi and his teams inspiring 5-0 demolition of Real Madrid in November. I couldn’t agree more. Read the full story

An uninspiring performance produced two absolute imperatives for Manchester United. The obvious first was to get all three points from the home game against Turkey champions Bursaspor but just as importantly, they had to show that they have the defensive ability to hold onto the lead given by Nani after just 7 minutes. That goal was also a timely reminder that the loss of any player can always be overcome. It was just over a year ago that Cristiano Ronaldo’s defection to Real Madrid was met with widespread claims that United will never be able to replace him yet Nani is fast proving that belief wrong just as somebody will do after Wayne Rooney departs – as he now looks certain to.

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This is a piece which quite frankly is not for everyone. Its very length may mean that it will need to be read over a couple of sittings but if you want to know what makes Sir Alex Ferguson tick through the eyes of a man who spent two years writing the newly released biography Football – Bloody Hell, it’s one that simply cannot be missed. Ferguson was a fresh faced 18 year old playing for St Johnstone when author Patrick Barclay first laid eyes on him fifty years ago and has followed his career ever since. Barclay is The Times’ chief football correspondent and his revealing interview with Sport.co.uk’s Sam Rider makes compulsive reading.

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When Manchester United made the trip to the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day 2007  Sunderland had gone through an up and down experience which would have turned anyone dizzy. Relegated in 1996-97, they were back among the big boys in 1999-2000, down again in 2002-03, back up for just the one season in 2005-06 then finally promoted to stay in season 2007-08.  United did not show any Christmas cheer to the Premier League newcomers that day but there’s little doubt that things will not turn out to be so one sided on Saturday.

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