It’s so easy to get carried away especially on a Manchester United blog such as this. The temptation to go over the top is always there and as difficult as it can be, that same temptation must be resisted at all times but with all the objectivity that can be mustered the obvious question must still be asked.

Is Wayne Rooney the most valuable player in the world? Is he the one player that any club from Rio to Rome, Buenos Aires to Barcelona and yes even from Los Angeles to London willingly give their right arm and whatever else they may possess for his signature?

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Reports in Belgium have confirmed that Manchester United have signed Marnick Vermijl from Standard Liege on a three year contract for a compensation fee of  €300,000.The 18-year-old is a versatile defender who can play all across the backline but is predominantly a right full back.

He is expected to team up with United in time for the start of the 2010-11 season and will go into Sir Alex Ferguson’s senior squad. Despite the fact that he has never played a first team game for the Belgian side, he impressed both Sir Alex Ferguson and reserve team boss Ole Gunner Solskjaer whilst on trial at Old Trafford.

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When Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops step out at Old Trafford on Wednesday night the memories of 1969 will come flooding back for United legend Denis Law and for anyone who was there on a dramatic night more than 40 years ago. Read the full story

Chris Smalling grew up in a household which had a mix of football loyalties. Mum Theresa followed Tottenham, his father Lloyd and younger brother Jason plumped for Manchester United while he supported Arsenal.  Little did Chris know that his world would spin upside down in the most thrilling way imaginable just a few years later.

Smalling gives the impression that he is remarkably calm about the recent turn of events that led him to sign for Manchester United. He will move to Old Trafford in the summer, just two years after he left Maidstone in the Isthmian League, six tiers below the top flight.

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The abnormally large number of defensive injuries which gave Sir Alex Ferguson so many headaches throughout the season are at long last showing signs of abating with utility man John O’Shea set for a return to the Manchester United line-up far quicker than expected.

O’Shea picked up what initially appeared to be a dead leg during the Republic of Ireland’s heartbreaking World Cup defeat to France. However, it proved to be a blood clot on his thigh which medical staff had found difficult to deal with effectively.

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“Destiny” is such an abused word in everyday football language! Everything and everyone seems to be “destined” for something or other. “We were always destined to win this or that game” or “The boy was destined for greatness” How often have you heard the word used, many times without any real justification?

Well, if destiny was ever going to be met it was always going to be at Molineux on Saturday evening. There was Manchester United, lacking its usual firepower with strikers Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen both out with injuries, facing a desperate Wolves struggling against relegation when up popped 35 year old Paul Scholes sitting on 99 Premier League goals to strike home the winner and carry the Reds to the top of the table.

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