Football: United's jetsetters

Manchester United hired a private jet last night to bring Roy Keane and Denis Irwin back after the Republic of Ireland's game in Romania in order to avoid delays in their preparations for the Premiership run- in.

Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, wanted his World Cup players back as quickly as possible to get them ready for Saturday morning's game against Leicester. Ronny Johnsen and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were playing for Norway, at home to Finland, and Peter Schmeichel was in Denmark playing against Slovenia.

United supporters plan to sue the Portuguese police following last month's violent scenes in Porto. United fans were exonerated by a Uefa inquiry into incidents before and after the European Cup quarter-final second leg, and many who claimed they were attacked by police are planning legal action. Porto were fined pounds 45,000 for "serious lack of organisation" as Uefa came down firmly on the side of the English fans.