Before you wade into combat, you must be prepared – mentally and physically. Rooney is ready. Ready to take on the in-form blues and ready to take United to the top of the table. Prepare for combat.

Sometimes the most important goal is not the winner. Six minutes left, losing 3-1. All heads down. Except one. Scholes rose high to nod in the cross, instill belief in his team and ignite the comeback. Minutes later, they were level and through to the knockout stages of Europe’s premier cl ...

When you are already qualified for South Africa and losing 2-0 in the second half, keeping concentration on a win can be difficult. But not for Alberto Gilardino. With a team completely revamped from 2006, Gila stepped to the forefront. Three goals in 14 minutes. 14 minutes to transform ...

For all the luck that plays into the game of football, it won’t alone take you to a championship. So sure, Wayne Rooney’s 25th goal for England, capping their 5-1 victory over Croatia on Saturday, was due in large part to a goal keeper’s blundered clearance, but lesser play ...

93 games. 24 draws, 34 to Argentina, 35 to Brazil. Rivalries don’t come any bigger. Brazil meet Argentina tonight in the boiling “Gigante de Arroyito” and the pressure is on. With Brazil’s qualification all but secured, Argentina’s big players need to step-up. They need three points. The ...