And if you look closely, the goal was right in front of Balotelli. Balotelli was the one who criticized Rooney only a few weeks ago. If that doesn’t put the young forward in his place, nothing will.

Nani scored the opener with some brilliant ball control to beat the defender and score a one v one. Only to have it canceled out by a goal that was awarded to David Silva, although in reality it was just deflected of the Spaniards back.

And just when it was looked like it was headed for a draw, Nani served up a brilliant ball which Rooney spectacularly finished. I honestly didnt think Rooney had this sort of shot in him, I see it coming from Berbatov or Hernandez, but Rooney really stunned me by scoring that sort of goal!

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Both Toure and Tevez had some comments for United. If this was three or four years ago, no Manchester City player would dare shout out a warning of any kind to United. Mostly because they would have been dismissed as rubbish.

But over $200 Billion later, who wouldn’t be a little more confident? And that’s exactly where these comments are coming from, Toure said “When you’re on a good run like that and you lose, everything becomes harder. It shakes your confidence. Maybe that can happen to them. It was difficult to lose that game.

“The circumstances were hard because they got a penalty, which we didn’t think was a penalty. For us, it was really difficult to lose to United. I think it’s a great chance for me to get my revenge.

“I have spent most of my career in England battling United, first at Arsenal, now at City. They are always at the top. Now we have new players, we are capable of fighting against them and that has been shown with our results against them over the last 18 months.”

While Tevez was more humble in stating “I am a professional footballer and being booed when I am on the field is a price I have to pay sometimes. But it won’t affect me at all.

“Derby games are always beautiful. I enjoyed them in Argentina and Brazil but, in England, they are extra-special.

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But like Nicky Butt last season, Gary Neville is well aware of his abilities at age 36 and has decided to step back.

“I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I’ve ever had,” Neville told United’s website.

“Obviously I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end, however it comes to us all, and it’s knowing when that time is and for me that time is now.

“I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world as well as against them and I have been lucky to have been part of the team’s achievements and the club’s great success.

“There are so many people I want to thank and, of course, top of that list is Sir Alex (Ferguson, pictured left). He has given me so many opportunities and countless support over the last 20 years – he is truly one of the greatest managers – and I have to thank him for that.”

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“Macheda has easily filled the void left by Cassano, he will definitely do well,” Garrone said.

“In these five months we will try to treat him well. With him here, the enthusiasm has increased tenfold.”

United manager Alex Ferguson said he would like to see Macheda gain more first-team experiance. And though many clubs in both Italy and England were interested in the 19 year-old former Lazio trainee, it was Sampdoria who secured the U21 Italian international.

I think this will be good for Macheda, he is not likely to get much playing time at United, since it seems that Hernandez has secured that “Super Sub” position.

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“They have made tentative moves before with little success, but this time it looks like they could be going for it,” said an expert in Middle East football, who is convinced that the time is right for the Qatari purchase.

“Now they have landed the 2022 World Cup, the country wants to expand its influence in the game across the globe.”

What do you think a purchase like this would do to a club like Manchester United, who are already so successful?

We’ve seen billionaires take smaller, typically unsuccessful clubs and invest millions if not billions with some success. But what would an owner or owners with relatively endless funds do to one of the worlds most succesful clubs?

The most important detail is United already have Sir Alex, so bringing in a high profile manager who starts buying all kinds of players, for ridiculous amounts of cash wont happen. This is where most most billionaire clubs fail. They hand the keys over to a single person, typically one with not enough experience in handling that kind of money.

Sir Alex has been around long enough to know who and when to buy, and wont buy 5 star strikers in a single transfer window.

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“The older you get the more worried you are about retiring,” Sir Alex told MUTV “You start to realise that whilst you have got your health and good fitness, you should carry on in your job. All thoughts of retirement are in the back of my mind.”

“It was a mistake. At the time there were some reasons for it. It was one of those things.” Sir Alex said when asked about nearly walking away from his post over 9 years ago.

It will truly be a sad day when Sir Alex retires, and who will succeed the great Sir Alex?

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“We are delighted he has signed a new contract,” Ferguson told manutd.com

“Anderson has developed tremendously since joining us and he has fantastic potential at only 22; he is going to be a really top player.”

This is great news for United, I think Anderson is a great talent with plenty of potential and with great players like Scholes and Giggs to mentor him, he will become a great player.

Anderson recently scored his first goal for United in the Champions League against Valencia to secure top spot for United in their group.

Anderson told manutd.com: “This is the best club to be at and I would like to thank everyone for the great support I have received over the years.

“I am looking forward to winning many more trophies with this club and I am so pleased to have signed a new contract.”

What do you think? Should United have signed Anderson even after the rumored fall out with Sir Alex. or his lack of lethality offensively?

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Losing Valencia was a huge blow for United, the Ecuadorian was in great form before the injury and he will certainly help United on their road to a record 19th Premier League title.

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But Sir Alex is concerned there was little football in his training, this is what he had to say “Wayne’s done a week of intense (fitness) work so he’s not done a lot of football work,”

“We need to assess that a little more closely. He could make the bench but I don’t think he’ll start.”

But how will the once beloved striker be received at Old Trafford? Will you be cheering him on or booing him off?

Ferdinand and Smalling both picked up groin strains while on international duty and will be assessed.

While Rafael and Nani remain doubtful for Wigan, Giggs is definitely out and will not be rushed back into action any time soon.

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Well, he has come out and said it for us, and I couldn’t agree more. He is becoming a great player and I’m sure will continue to improve and will become a one of the top 3 players in the world, in the next couple of seasons.

“As a player I think I’m close to being as complete as I can be,” said Nani. “Now I can say I’m one of the top players in the world.

“I play for the best club in the world and my role in the team is as a decisive player, scoring goals or setting up and so the team can win.

“You have to believe in yourself and believe in your abilities on the pitch. Big games are for big players.

“I want to be one of the best. I’m not scared to play in the big games, they are the most beautiful in football – you play with very high quality.

“Beautiful football, that’s what everyone likes. And that helps lift my performance too.”

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