NEWS ROUND-UP
He might have been dropped for the Carling Cup final, but Ruud van Nistelrooy is top of the official Barclays Premiership player ratings. The Dutchman is number one in the Actim Index, which rates players on positive actions such as passes, shots and tackles made.
Van Nistelrooy has a score of 5.73, fractionally ahead of Frank Lampard on 5.72. Liverpool dynamo Steven Gerrard is in third on 4.71. Rio Ferdinand is United's next highest player in fifth, while Wayne Rooney lies in 14th.
Gary Neville was pleased with the reception he received at Anfield during England's game against Uruguay. Although he was greeted with a few boos from The Kop when he first touched the ball, Neville said:
“I thought the reception was good. To be honest, there is always a lot of talk about this sort of thing and you just try to remove yourself from it
Meanwhile, Neville is not expecting Sven-Goran Eriksson to spring any major surprises when he announces his World Cup squad.
“One of the things this manager has brought is a consistency to the squad right the way through. There has been no shocks going into tournaments, there have been no panic moves in terms of who is going to be there, who is not going to be there.
“I think for the last two tournaments it has been pretty much cut and dried. The major thing is obviously injuries and that is the one thing we have to stay clear of. If we can steer clear of them, the squad is pretty consistent and it shouldn’t hold too many surprises.”
Wes Brown on his World Cup chances:
"Perhaps I can get some time under my belt and show what I can do. It is very hard with so many good centre-backs that Sven can pick from, but I think it is good for England that we are in that situation.
"It drives me on and I don't ever feel unlucky, I am just grateful that I have been picked even when there are several good players in my position. It tells me that I am just as good as them.
"My first game for United wasn't until October and you do think to yourself, with it being World Cup year, that you might not be involved, but I'm just happy to be playing again and to be selected for this friendly is great for my confidence, hopefully I can carry it on this season and maybe get onto the trip to Germany."
From the Mirror:
Watford want £2million-rated Manchester United keeper Ben Foster to stay another year when his loan deal ends in the summer. Foster has been a star in the Hornets shock run into the top three of the Championship, but boss Adrian Boothroyd thinks his hopes of clinching another 12-month deal are slim.