Two exits within the space of a week. That is the reality of the season so far for Manchester United; one that started so brightly with good, positive football that had us all purring and brimming with confidence and enthusiasm for the season ahead as we got goals after goals. Instead, we now stare at the unknown. The unknown comes in the shape of the Europa League, a competition we have not won in whatever guise it has been in and a competition we had not planned to play in. However, that is the reality that faces everyone at Manchester United; owners, manager, players and fans when we think of midweek European action for the rest of the season. Read the full story

New Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish came to Old Trafford, saw, then went home vanquished and out of the FA Cup. The desperately hoped for turn of fortunes for the beleaguered club never materialised as the new ‘messiah’ saw his side defeated with a second minute Ryan Giggs penalty, followed by a red card to captain Steven Gerrard just after the half hour. Manchester United now goes forward to visit  Southampton in the fourth round while Liverpool realistically only has the Europa League to play for during the rest of the season.

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New Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish came to Old Trafford, saw, then went home vanquished and out of the FA Cup. The desperately hoped for turn of fortunes for the beleaguered club never materialised as the new ‘messiah’ saw his side defeated with a second minute Ryan Giggs penalty, followed by a red card to captain Steven Gerrard just after the half hour. Manchester United now goes forward to visit  Southampton in the fourth round while Liverpool realistically only has the Europa League to play for during the rest of the season.

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Mission accomplished is the best that can be said about this Manchester United drab 1-0 defeat of Glasgow Rangers at Ibrox. United and Valencia will now battle for top spot in Group C in the final game while Rangers can take some consolation from parachuting into the Europa League ahead of Turkish champions Bursaspor.

Wayne Rooney made his first start since signing a lucrative new five year contract and marked the occasion with the only goal late in the game after United had been frustrated by the Scottish champions for the majority of it. Just like all his colleagues, Rooney showed little spark and imagination but in the end the points were won – after all, that’s what counts above everything else. Given the opposition United were facing (with a 5-man defence deployed AT HOME), it was not the time to bet on the Champions League to restore Rooney’s or United’s swashbuckling nature.

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Ever since former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan was voted Golden Ball winner for best player at the 2010 World Cup there have been calls from many quarters for Sir Alex Ferguson to bring the Uruguay hit man back to Old Trafford. But the odds of it ever happening can only be described as highly remote at best. Ferguson simply does not sign players of his age unless he’s faced with exceptionally dire circumstances. Forlan nevertheless has fond memories of his time at Old Trafford – as manutd.com discovered when it had a chat with him prior to United’s recent 1-0 defeat of Valencia.

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It’s far too early to begin calling it a love-in yet, but there’s a chance that we may be seeing the start of a thawing in the long, bitter relationship between two of the biggest rivals in the Premier League. What’s more, this welcome turn of events, which comes just weeks before the new season, is being led by some of the most influential figures at both Anfield and Old Trafford. And not before time.
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