The obvious mutual respect between Glasgow Rangers manager Walter Smith and Sir Alex Ferguson has existed for many years and will remain strong irrespective of what happens at Ibrox on Wednesday night. Smith spent a short time as Ferguson’s assistant at Old Trafford back in 2004 and the Champions League clash will be the tenth meeting between the two. It’s also likely to be the last as Smith plans to quit Rangers at the end of the season. When asked about Ferguson by the Telegraph Sport on the weekend Smith simply responded by saying “Is he the best? I don’t think that there’s any doubt about that – but I wouldn’t tell him.

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Despite lasting the whole 90 minutes in the 2-0 defeat of Wigan on Saturday, a groin injury picked up while playing for England in the friendly match against France last week will keep Manchester United’s influential defender Rio Ferdinand out of the Champions League clash with Rangers on Wednesday night. According to manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the injury was not bad enough to rule him out of the Wigan game but is not prepared to risk aggravating the problem in Glasgow. United only needs a single point from their last two qualifying matches to ensure progress to the knock out stage.

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Transfer deals between Manchester United and Wigan have been few and far between over the years. But there’s little doubt that bringing the then 23 year old Antonio Valencia to Old Trafford at the end of June 2009 has been one of manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s shrewdest ever signings. The Ecuador international was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in his debut season for the club, then grabbed United’s opening goal of the current campaign in the Community Shield 3-1 defeat of Chelsea at Wembley in which he was named Man of the Match. Within a matter of weeks however, the bulk of his season come to an abrupt halt.

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Are we REALLY in 2010? Can such ignorance possibly still exist in a modern, western society? Manchester United travel to Glasgow next week to face Rangers in a European Champions League match. Reports are now emerging that Uniteds young Mexican striker Javier Hernandez could be forced to abandon his practice of saying a pre match Catholic prayer. Deeply religious Hernandez kneels on the centre spot and prays before kick off in every game he starts in but it’s believed United boss Sir Alex Ferguson - himself a former Rangers player, will advise the 22 year old not carry out his normal ritual at Ibrox.

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A strong argument can be mounted that a horrendous injury list during the last campaign made the difference between Manchester United winning a fourth successive Premier League title and narrowly missing out by a mere point. Without wishing to give an impression that everything is all doom and gloom, signs are beginning to emerge that history may be about to repeat itself. The only exception being the unexpected early  return of England international midfielder Michael Carrick.

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One of the biggest expectations during the recently closed transfer window was for Manchester United to secure a top class goalkeeper in preparation for veteran Edwin van der Sar’s impending retirement. Those expectations were further increased when Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to allow Ben Foster move to Birmingham City but to the surprise of many, a replacement failed to materialise with Sir Alex putting all his faith in his number two keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. It was interesting see a report in the Manchester Evening News therefore that the Poland international is now contemplating a move away from Old Trafford despite van der Sar getting closer with every game to hanging up his gloves.

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