Robin van Persie celebrates his goal against Stoke with Sir Alex Ferguson

Robin van Persie celebrated at the weekend by leaping on the United manager

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Derry misses vital Swansea match after FA upholds ban

Shaun Derry yesterday lost his appeal against his controversial sending-off in QPR's Premier League defeat at Manchester United and will miss tonight's game with Swansea.

Ashley Young flies through the air to win a penalty after Shaun Derry’s minimal contact

Scholes class masked by dreadful refereeing

Manchester United 2 Queen's Park Rangers 0: Young's somersault fools the officials but veteran's enduring quality shines through

Nani’s contract extension could put him on £125,000 a week

Nani set to soar up United's pay scale

Manchester United are talking with Luis Nani's representatives about a new deal for the Portuguese midfielder, which is likely to be agreed before the end of the season – and which could make him one of their highest earners.

<b>SCOTT PARKER</b><br/>
Parker has emerged as one of the early favourites to take on the role after his impressive displays this season for Tottenham. But at 31, and with only 10 caps to his name, Parker is yet to prove himself at international level, having failed to make the cut for the last World Cup. <i>Glenn Moore's opinion on chances of becoming England captain:</i> <b>2/5</b>

Comeback king Parker is fans' player of year

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Scott Parker has been voted the England supporters' player of the year, just 12 months after he returned from an exile from the England team of more than four years.

Rio Ferdinand (left) wants United to win the Europa League so he can avoid in playground stick

United cash balance drops £100m

Manchester United's cash reserves fell by £100m in six months, in part to finance an investment in the squad attempting to win the fight for domestic supremacy with Manchester City.

Chelsea vs Manchester United: Man for man marking

How the players fared in the topsy-turvey game at Stamford Bridge.

Wayne Rooney should be fit to lead the attack against Chelsea

Rooney ready to face Chelsea as United's injury worries start to ease

Wayne Rooney is expected to be back in the Manchester United team for Sunday's match at Stamford Bridge which could extinguish Chelsea's frail title aspirations.

<b>Jonas Olsson</b><br/>
If James Collins is sold to Tottenham or QPR, both of whom are reportedly interested in signing the centre-back, Villa will look to prise Swedish defender Jonas Olsson from neighbours West Bromwich Albion. According to The Sun, Olsson has reportedly failed to agree a new contract with the Baggies. But Olsson may be against joining Villa on the grounds of ambition after he told the Swedish press: 'My dream is to play for a club that fights for titles.'

Aston Villa: Potential January transfer targets

Languishing in mid-table and looking over the shoulders at the relegation zone, it's clear that Alex McLeish's side could do with some investment over the next month.

Phil Jones is taken off at Fulham after catching an elbow in his face

Ferguson relieved after Jones handed fitness boost‎

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he "feared the worst" when Phil Jones had to be replaced at Fulham on Wednesday.

Giggs scored Manchester United's third

Rampant United put five past Cottagers

Fulham 0 Manchester United 5

Wayne Rooney ends a run of eight Premier League games without scoring by netting United's second in the first half yesterday

Rooney and Nani get Manchester United back on track

Manchester United 4 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1: Wolves powerless to prevent Ferguson's men looking like their old selves as Red Devils suffer no Swiss hangover after crashing out of the Champions' League

Darren Fletcher enjoys scoring against Benfica but expects a tough battle for second place in the group in Switzerland

United warned by Fletcher that Basle will be no easy ride

For the first time in six years, Manchester United face the prospect of not winning their Champions League group but Darren Fletcher has warned that they cannot afford to be complacent about second place with a difficult final game against Basle in Switzerland next month.

'Dodgy keeper' De Gea is the only chink in United's armour

West Bromwich Albion 1 Manchester United 2

Young makes flying start as Rooney hits 20-minute hat-trick

Ashley Young said that he was "delighted" with the start to his Manchester United career, after two friendlies so far on the club's American tour. Young played in the 7-0 victory over Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night, and spoke of his thrill at being at a club of United's stature.

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Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

John Madin: The man who built Brum

The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats