Defensive crisis at Old Trafford

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to turn one of his midfielders into a makeshift defender after an injury crisis fell on Old Trafford. With both Wes Brown and Gary Neville limping off during United’s 4-0 win over West Ham on Saturday, Fergie was forced to play Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs as defenders. And with Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, John O'Shea, Neville, Rafael and Brown all injured, it looks as though Carrick will play in central defence alongside Nemanja Vidic in this week’s Champions league clash with Wolfsburg. "The injuries in defence are becoming a bit of a headache to us. Carrick stepped in and did very, very well. He's got the composure and the pace," said Ferguson on Saturday, after watching his charges close the gap on EPL leaders Chelsea to two points.

No Ruud move for Arsene and other transfer rumours

Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move for Ruud Van Nistelrooy but admitted that the club were in the market for a striker. Wenger said the Real Madrid striker was not an appropriate signing because he remained an enemy in the eyes of the Arsenal fans because of the time he spent at Manchester United. Elsewhere, Spurs are chasing young Cote d’Ivoire striker Seydo Doumbia who plays in Switzerland for Young Boys of Berne; Everton want to lure former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan, who currently plays for Atletico Madrid; Chelsea are keen to sign Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano in January, but may have to wait until the summer, when the 29-year-old Brazilian will be available for £24m; and Manchester United are tracking 1.93m Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, who may be available for £15m - but he wants to move to AC Milan.

Ronaldo sees first Real Red

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty and received the first red-card of his Real Madrid career on Saturday. The world's most expensive player was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence during Real’s 4-2 win over Almeria at the Bernebeau. He was yellow-carded for removing his shirt after scoring Real's fourth goal and then received another card in the last minute of play for a foul. Goals by Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo secured the victory for the Meringues although they remain five points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona who ran out 3-1 winners over Deportivo La Coruna.

Defensive crisis at Old Trafford

Manchester United may have closed the gap on Chelsea to just two points after their 4-0 drubbing of West Ham on Saturday, but it came at some price. With both Wes Brown and Gary Neville limping off at Upton Park, Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to play Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher at left and right-back respectively, while Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra partnered each other in unfamiliar roles in the centre of defence. Said Fergie afterwards: "Evra must be the smallest centre-back in the world. But he's a good reader of the game. He's quick and determined." With Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Nemanja Vidic and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar currently sidelined, Ferguson faces a selection dilemma ahead of their Champions League clash with Wolfsburg on Wednesday. "The injuries in defence are becoming a bit of a headache to us," added Ferguson.

Ancelotti blames ref for shock defeat

Carlo Ancelotti has blasted the referee for Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester City on Saturday. The result saw their lead at the top of the EPL cut to just two points after second-placed Manchester United’s 4-0 win over West Ham. The Blues took an early lead at Eastlands after an own goal by Emmanual Adebayor, who than made amends by levelling for City before Carlos Tevez hammered home a 56th minute free kick. Frank Lampard could have rescued a point for Chelsea but missed a late penalty. "It was not a good day for the referee," moaned Ancelotti afterwards. "We are disappointed. It was a tough game. We lost but that can happen."

Racist taunts drove Jenas

Tottenham midfielder Jermain Jenas was subjected to racist taunts when he was growing up on a housing estate in Nottingham. Speaking to the News of the World newspaper on Sunday, the England international says he was called often called "nigger" but this made him even more determined to become a professional footballer. "I grew up with a white mum and a black dad and my mum taught me that people are equal no matter what their colour," Jenas is quoted as saying. "But a lot of the kids in Clifton were not of that mindset. I'd go to school, someone would call me a racist name, I had a short fuse then and might react in the wrong way. However, I was always respected for my football skills. So all the people who'd call me racist names always wanted me in their team at the weekend."

Cesc to Spain and other transfer rumours

Cesc Fabregas is a wanted man back in his home country. According to reports from Spain, the Arsenal skipper is set to become the subject of a £50m bidding war between Barcelona and Real Madrid. And with influential Spanish newspaper Marca claiming that he has decided to leave Arsenal there could now be truth is the constant speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal. Elsewhere, Arsenal are set to make a move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole and will tempt the Hammers with a £15m bid; Barcelona are ready to offer Liverpool £30m for defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano; Manchester United have admitted that they are interested in £15m-rated Wolfsburg goal ace Edin Dzeko; and Patrick Vieira could make a shock move to Chelsea who need cover for Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi who will be away on African Nations Cup duty early next year.