After a ragged start to the season, the jury is out on Wayne Rooney’s capabilities to spearhead Manchester United’s attack but with 18 goals in 30 games against Saturday opponents Newcastle, he will be confident of overcoming his drought to silence the critics once again.

Louis van Gaal has leapt to the defence of Manchester United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward over the handling of club transfers after Spanish striker chose Chelsea over the 20-times league champions.

Following a double from Memphis Depay and at 2-1 up against Club Brugge, who were playing the final 10 minutes with 10 men, United were arguably deserving of a bigger lead to take to Belgium in their Champions League playoff until Marouane Fellaini returned to the first team fold with a priceless last-gasp header.

With their Champions League fate in their own hands in the playoff round – Manchester United face Club Brugge of Belgium – midfielder Michael Carrick says it’s time they forgot the hurt of not qualifying for the competition for the first time in 19 years last season.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has thanked team mate Marouane Fellaini in allowing the iconic German to claim Manchester United’s no. 31 shirt.

Manchester City’s tilt at Champions League football next season, their community work and expanding fan base point to a long and prosperous future says ex-manager Kevin Keegan, who knows how hard keeping the league title is.

Louis van Gaal is looking for Manchester United to become more clinical next term after the Red Devils’ last home game of 2014/15 ended in a draw with Arsenal.

A report estimates that a run to the Champions League semi-finals is worth as much as £4million to a home city’s economy while the final generates more than £25million pounds in revenue for the city’s businesses and travel companies.

Kevin Mirallas’ second-half goal added to first-half strikes from James McCarthy and John Stones to seal a comfortable victory for Roberto Martinez’ Toffees at Goodison Park on Sunday, Manchester United’s second straight loss.

A bizarre James Collins own goal and speedy counter-attacking move finished by Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City all three points against a disconsolate West Ham team, a welcome comeback from defeats to Manchester United and Crystal Palace as they stayed fourth by seven points from Liverpool and Tottenham.

City lie six points behind leaders Chelsea, who also have a game in hand, and with both sides crashing out of the Champions League each team will be entirely focused on the league title race.