With Man United finally giving up in their pursuit to sign Wesley Sneijder it is clear that Fergie believes this current squad is certainly good enough to retain their title this coming season. The fringe players have certainly stepped up in pre-season and given the United boss some genuine food for thought.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Manchester United blogs that includes no respite for United’s punch bag; Fergie set to save millions, while Hernandez provides a welcome throwback from the past.

We also look at the best Manchester United articles around the web this week.

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A burgeoning talent set to save Fergie millions?

A welcome headache for Sir Alex Ferguson

No respite for Manchester United’s punching bag

Are Manchester United really better off?

Win or lose, this time it matters for Manchester United

Have United’s rivals got what it takes to knock them off their perch?

Javier Hernandez – a throwback from the past

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Best of WEB

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United’s New Signing Could Hold The Key To Champions League Success – Red Flag Flying High

Reds’ vibrancy points to a flexible future – United Rant

Friendly competition for positions foretells a bright future – The Busby Way

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Fans Should Know That They Know As Much As The Players Do – United Religion

Manchester United ‘Pull Plug On Wesley Sneijder Deal’ – Red Flag Flying High

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Click on Miss Blasi below to see her in all her glory

Craig Bellamy has stated that it is an honour to be signed by Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, and that he is looking forward to starting with Liverpool for the second time.

The 32-year-old played for the Merseyside club in 2006/07, and resigned for The Reds on transfer deadline day after being frozen out at big spending Manchester City.

Reports indicate that Tottenham were keen to bring the 32-year-old to White Hart Lane, but Bellamy had only one side in mind.

“I’ve grown up with Kenny Dalglish, now to be signed by him is a massive honour,” he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

“This is an exciting time. When Kenny took over, watching as a fan last season I got the buzz as well and it was great to see Liverpool end the season well.

“For me, the players they’ve signed this summer, there has been a lot of British which takes me back to when I started watching Liverpool. It looks so familiar to me and to be part of it is such a huge honour,” the Wales international continued.

Dalglish played for Liverpool for 13 years, winning six league titles and three European Cups, and Bellamy is full of praise for the Scottish coach.

“To every Liverpool fan, Kenny is probably the best player ever to pull on the red shirt so that speaks for itself. He was the first player-manager to do the double and just the way he conducted himself really.

“I know we’ve had bits of success since then but the club hasn’t been the same since he left, so to come back in and be a part of this with the players who are here – it’s a good time,” he concluded.

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Bellamy could be in line to make his debut against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on September 10th.

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Manchester United striker Michael Owen has spoken of his desire to play more regularly for the Premier League champions, and is hoping to force his way into the starting XI at Old Trafford.

The attacker was given a rare start for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men against Leeds in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, and he repaid the Scottish coach’s faith by grabbing two goals in a 3-0 win.

Despite this, with Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez the preferred strike partnership, and Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck in contention also, Owen may find chances hard to come by, but is willing to fight for a place.

“I’m not content if I’m not playing. I get criticised a lot with things like ‘you don’t play, you pick your money up’ and all the rest of it but I’m not proud of that fact. I want to play all the time.,” he told reporters.

Owen featured heavily in his first season at United, but knows that this term it will be difficult to command a regular position due to the quality at Ferguson’s disposal.

“If the season was going to be like the first season I was here then I’d be delighted. That was fantastic and I felt involved. I was always either on the bench or playing.

“Obviously I want to be involved again but I appreciate that there’s some top players in the team and in the squad and it’s a challenge to get on the bench let alone into the first team,” he concluded.

Ferguson was full of praise for his attacker after the Leeds game, and is happy with the veteran forward’s contribution.

“Michael Owen’s finishing was fantastic. His goal ratio is unbelievable. We are very pleased with him,” he told The Daily Mail.

“Unfortunately for us he has had one or two injuries. But with me having Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez he is not getting the games he deserves and that is unfortunate.”

With Hernandez due to be sidelined for a number of weeks after being injured by Ashley Cole against Chelsea, Owen will look to take advantage and increase his playing time in the Mexican’s absence.

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Over the years there have been many great players who’ve graced the Premier League, making it the most enjoyable entertaining and exciting domestic competition in the world. Players such as Cantona, Shearer, Henry, Ronaldo, Fabregas and Franny Jeffers have given even the non-football lovers a reason to tune in to Match of the Day on a Saturday night as they show us how the beautiful game can be truly just that. There have also been another set of players though, throughout the years, men who may have footballing ability but also have the knack of causing most of us to scream in anger whenever they touch the ball. I’m talking about the sort of players who if your daughter brought them home, you’d wish she was a lesbian. Players we love to hate.

Now, not many of us actually know Premier League players on a personal level, but we can pretty much garner all we need to know about someone from their attitude on the pitch. Some players such as Paul Scholes for example, will never be truly hated, which is somewhat surprising considering he’s fouled every single Premier League player at least twice, because they just get on with the game in a quiet manner. However for every Paul Scholes, there’s a Robbie Savage, the sort of player that even some of his own fans struggle to find a fondness for. Here’s my own personal Premier League XI made up of players you’d rather glass, than have a pint with.

Click on William Gallas below to see the Most Hated Premier League XI of all time

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List compiled by Justin Mottershead

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Guus Hiddink has been sacked by the Turkish national team after they failed to qualify for Euro 2012, sparking rumours he could head back to Chelsea in some capacity.

The Dutch coach received his marching orders after a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Croatia in the European Championships playoffs, and is free now to take on a new project.

“Following the meeting between Turkish Football Federation Executive Committee and Turkey head coach Guus Hiddink, the Dutch coach’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent,” a statement on the TFF website confirmed.

“We would like to thank Mr Guus Hiddink for his services during his working period, and wish him all the best in his future career.”

Hiddink steadied the ship at Stamford Bridge when he took control on a temporary basis in 2009, winning the FA Cup in the process.

When asked about his future the 65-year-old remained apathetic, but admitted that he enjoyed his time in England.

“I’ve not made up my mind about the future yet. I’m going to take some time off and then we will see what happens, but I had a wonderful time in England,” he stated.

“It was great at Chelsea, a terrific time, but that doesn’t mean I am ready to start tomorrow. I need some time to reflect.

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“I’m not ready to retire, I like to be involved with a team on a daily basis. But maybe I am ready to step out of the limelight a little bit, away from the cameras. Hopefully I will still be involved but perhaps it will be as an adviser or a consultant,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Bolton boss Owen Coyle has stated that he is happy with the manner of his side’s 5-0 win over Stoke on Sunday, and hopes the result can be a catalyst for a good run of form.

The side from the Reebok Stadium have had a poor start to the season, and many are tipping The Trotters to struggle against relegation this term.

Despite this, Ivan Klasnic and Chris Eagles doubles and a Kevin Davies strike gave the home side a comfortable victory against Tony Pulis’ men.

“I think the most important thing was to win the game, but how we won it and the level of performance was so pleasing for everyone,” Coyle told Sky Sports.

“We had to stand up and defend for our lives because Stoke put you under more pressure than any other team in the league in terms of defending in the box.

“Every one of them to a man showed a level of performance today that could be a catalyst for us moving forward.

“We know we had a slow start but we also know we have good players and a very good team.

“We have probably have five players who would have a great chance of starting in the team today missing through injury and we know the fixtures we have had and that probably ate into a little bit of confidence. But today you saw the confidence pulsing through their veins again,” he concluded.

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Bolton are still in the relegation zone despite the win, but will look to get out of the bottom three with a positive result against West Brom next weekend.

By Gareth McKnight

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The January transfer window is now just a few weeks away and Premier League clubs will have set out their preferred signings for the New Year. With very few clubs able to splash mega bucks in the window, plenty of top flight clubs will be looking at the much improving Championship for possible targets next month.

There are definitely some bargains to be had in the second tier of English football and also some genuine Premier League quality that is waiting to be snapped up by the big clubs. Youngsters are breaking through into Championship sides and it may be the case that the clubs look to cash in on the future stars.

Last season Premier League clubs Birmingham and West Ham have held on to the majority of their quality players and some experienced heads are having a much welcomed second wind in their careers that could be worth a gamble on in January. Here are the ten players that have the Premier League clubs sniffing around.

Click on Jay Rodriguez below to unveil the top 10

Tottenham’s Europa League campaign is over, despite beating Shamrock Rovers 4-0 in Dublin on Thursday night.

The North London club’s fate was out of their hands, as they needed PAOK to beat Rubin Kazan in Greece for there to be any chance of progression, but a 1-1 draw sees the Russians take second place in Group A.

Despite this fact, Harry Redknapp’s men went about their business and tried to win their own fixture; a largely second string side was fielded at the Tallaght Stadium.

Three first half goals from Steven Pienaar, Andros Townsend and Jermain Defoe killed the game as a contest, with substitute Harry Kane grabbing a fourth in stoppage time.

The outcome means that Spurs can now concentrate on domestic upheavals, with finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League the club’s number one priority.

After the game Harry Redknapp remained upbeat despite exiting the competition.

“We did ever so well,” he told Sky Sports.

“At half time obviously we knew that the other team were losing and I thought we had a real chance then, if we could get another goal.

“I thought maybe with them (Rubin) being down to ten men, I could see the Greek team winning by a couple of goals and I thought, well maybe four goals would be enough for us tonight.”

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Spurs now face Sunderland at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and will look to make amends for last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke.

By Gareth McKnight

Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed that Chelsea have made a bid to sign their Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian this January.

The Brazil international joined the Ukrainian side from Corinthians back in 2007 for a fee of around £12 million, and has steadily progressed with excellent performances domestically and in the Champions League.

The eastern European outfit’s CEO has admitted that Andre Villas Boas’ men have made an offer for the South American, which was refused.

“We have received a bid from Chelsea for Willian valued at €20million (£16.7m), but he is not for sale,” Sergei Palkin told Sky Sports.

Willian would fit into Villas Boas’ ideal transfer target criteria as a young, exciting prospect, but Skakhtar seem unwilling to sell their star man.

Sky Sports do indicate however that the Ukrainian side value Willian at £29million, considerable more than what the Premier League side offered.

As yet there has been no indication into whether Chelsea will make another attempt to bring the playmaker to Stamford Bridge.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has asked his side to be more consistent, and is still hopeful that his men can guarantee a top four finish.

The Gunners find themselves in sixth place in the Premier League standings currently, and face a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Despite admitting that there is still work to do, Wenger is keen to finish in the league’s top four places, starting with a positive result against Sunderland this weekend.

“We had a good week last week. We had a good result against Aston Villa and a good performance against Bolton,” he told the club’s official website.

“We had the same number of chances [at the Reebok] that we had against Blackburn but we scored on Saturday. We still have real hope that we can finish the season the strongest. We have a good spirit and desire within the group – and we have quality.

“We know that with the position we are in we need an exceptional consistency, so that is the challenge we have in front of us at Sunderland,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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