Nasri of arsenal scored twice to give arsenal a much needed win over man Utd to help them climb into 3rd place. This game was a clash between two of the big four clubs in England; and in had everything in it. Chances, yellow cards, counter-attacks, foul.

Anderson (man Utd) had his free kick blocked by team-mate Park. Then Carrick fired the rebound wide from the edge of the penalty box. Berbatov managed to put the ball in the back of the net shortly after but was ruled offside. After this it was arsenal's turn to attack, Diaby, Nasri and Bendtner had all missed clear shots on net from near/within the penalty box. Then it was once again man utd's chance to attack and Ronaldo sprinted down the wing to create space for a cross but it came to nothing. After this, Carrick created space in the midfield to play the ball but this opportunity was also wasted. The best chance of the first half was when Ronaldo pulled back the ball to cross it in to Rooney who fired the shot wide of the target. Arsenal's first goal came from a free kick when Berbatov headed the ball out it fell to Nasri who volleyed it Neville and wrong-foot Van der Sar to score the first goal.

Clichy (arsenal) almost gave united the goal back as he tried to clear a free kick and headed the ball just wide of his own net. Arsenal meanwhile, tried to counter-attack with Fabregas, who shot just wide of the post. Then Silvestre (former Man Utd player) tried to score on his old team but Van der Sar managed to pull off a great one-handed save. Later, Nasri got his second goal when Fabregas got past Neville and passed to a wide open Nasri in the penalty box who beat Van der Sar. Ronaldo had a chance to get a goal back but his one-time volley off Park's cross went just wide of the post. Rooney then had a chance to also score from a Ronaldo cross but Almunia (arsenal goalkeeper) saved it. Late in the game, Rafael, who came on as a substitute, managed to pull one goal back, but Arsenal held on to win the game 2-1.

Manchester United's next game is on November 15, against Stoke city.

willing to buy season tickets just to get a glimpse at Beckham even if he's not playing. But Beckham is missing games and people are wanting their money back. But the companies affirmed that they didint confirm that Beckham was playing or not.

Prior to his knee injury, New York and Washington DC fans went to see his game just in case that he did come to play. Fortunately for them, Beckham did play.

I think that Galaxy over payed Beckham to come to play at his age and in his condition. He is no use to them now they will be better off getting C.Ronaldo who is young and growing. But the good side of this is that Beckham is bringing loads of money due to sold out games, merchandise sold all over the place.

Much has been written of late on the role of Director of Football within the English game and its incompatibility with the traditional role of manager. This comes largely from the recent resignations of Alan Curbishley and Kevin Keegan, both of whom fall into to category of old-school management. Is this a sign of times ahead or should we merely view it as the exploits of two poorly run clubs failing to communicate from board level down to management?

Perhaps the answer is that both are true. Whilst no one can blame either Curbishley or Keegan for resigning after transfer policy was snapped from their grasps by someone with whom they have no prior connection, especially if that someone happens to be Dennis Wise, this is not a true reflection of the way in which a structure that incorporates a Director of Football should be run. Take Manchester United as an example. It is widely acknowledged, not least by Ferguson himself, that Carlos Quieroz played an instrumental role in the recent success of the club through his introduction of a continental 4-3-3 system and innovative training methods. Yet, on top of this, he acted in many ways like a Director of Football, using his extensive links within the game to bring young talent to Old Trafford. If his only contribution to the club had been the capture of Cristiano Ronaldo, then it would still have been an immensely successful one. This is before one factors in the indisputable talent of Nani and Anderson, both of whom arrived due in large parts to Quieroz’s respect and influence within the Portugese game.

So what is it that made this partnership so successful and doomed Keegan and Curbishley the moment outside influences entered their respective clubs? The answer is simply one of teamwork. Whilst Ferguson and Quieroz shared a common goal and worked together in order to achieve it, the boards of West Ham and Newcastle forced partnerships upon their manager. The mere suggestion of this happening at United is unthinkable, and rightly so, because as manager Ferguson is the one ultimately responsible for the performance of the team and thus would not allow anyone to hamper his chances of success, either through the sale of key players or the purchase of unwanted ones. So the fact that Quieroz had large influence upon the recruitment of talent and tactics is neither here nor there, because if Ferguson did not agree with him one can imagine that was the beginning and end of it. This is how a Director of Football can and should work within the English game, two people working together in order to drive a club forward.

This shows us how this combination can work effectively within the English game, particularly in the Premiership, where such a large burden is placed upon the top clubs to capture foreign talent at such a young age. To expect managers to handle this on top of the day to day running of such a large squad is too much. Indeed, there is already evidence of this system working effectively under different guises, such as Juande Ramos bringing with him a team of scouts who recommend signings (though Tottenham are probably not the best example right now). On top of this, what is so different between a Director of Football and Head Scout? Other than the use of a more business-friendly title to suit football’s growing industry, the answer is very little.

So this ‘new innovation’ is little of the sort, it is more the labelling of a practice which is slowing becoming more common in a world where the capture of young players from all over the world is a key part of a club’s success. And whilst some manager’s may begrudge what they see as a surrendering of control then they should learn that it is the title, rather than the role itself, which is causing most controversy. Indeed, if they are the ones selecting personnel then they may well reap the benefits of such a structure. After all, if Ferguson’s doing it, then it can’t be all bad can it?

Obscene

The money clubs pay for players and the money players receive for playing the game is obscene when you consider what people in the real world are receiving for doing work that is essential to society. While millions of people struggle to make ends meet and millions are living in poverty, it seems gross that people are earning a fortune every week for playing a game. This of course applies to more than soccer. It is a trend we see the world over as sports, film and music stars are paid enormous sums of money for things that we can actually live without.

Money Talks

The current situation in soccer now is that success generally revolves around money. It no longer about how young players are nurtured through the club system or how a manager can work to get the best out of players who play for the jersey. The key factor is: Who has the most money? Whoever has the money will basically buy the team they want. Now that Manchester City are the richest club, we hear about their short-term plans to buy all the best players in the world including Christiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Manchester United.

Some of these money-crunching clubs are going to find to their cost that they have spent millions on players who will not perform and who will not guarantee success. Tottenham Hotspur spent big and currently sit bottom of the league. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and the latest rich club Manchester City will all spend a fortune on players but only one of them can win the Premiership. Money can buy players but it won't necessarily buy success.

The Gunner's maestro dominated the experienced German midfield and showed exactly why there are too few superlatives in the English language to describe his ability. The fluidity and aesthetic appeal of the Spanish in this tournament was nothing short of extraordinary - movement and vision encapsulated the aforementioned midfield quartet was arguably the key to success. In a time when football fans seem to call for more value for money through the turnstiles from the so called entertainment business- it was Spain who delivered the goods in every game. Only the second team to win every game of the Euros made Spain undoubtedly worthy winners which of course this begs the question; "Just how will the new European champions fare in 2010 at the next world cup against the traditional superpowers of Brazil and Argentina?"

In my humble opinion, it is a joy to behold the architects of some of the most precise, exuberant and lethal football being played, what's more is that it's these teams who are winning more often than not. In 2008 Manchester United edged out Chelsea in both the Premiership and Champions League, much to the delight of many footballing neutrals who were much more endured to the style and finesse of United than the power and efficiency of Chelsea. The likes of Drogba, Ballack, Lampard and Essien all played vital roles within the 2008 campaign for Chelsea, however it was these powerhouses who were preferred in Mourinho's and then Grant's teams selections over the more technically minded Kalou, Malouda and Wright-Phillips.

The appointment of Luiz Filipe Scolari as new Chelsea coach this summer has sparked rumors of a new Chelsea style, comparable to that of Manchester United, Barcelona, and other such iconic teams associated with the beautiful game. The first signing of Scolari was fellow Brazilian (now Portuguese by nationality) playmaker Deco. In a sensational coup, Scolari may have just found the missing component to Chelsea's title ambitions. The flair, pzazz and audacity of Deco could similarly rake in millions through media interest in a more attractive looking Chelsea team, commercial sales through shirts, and indeed more neutral support - A winner on all fronts for Abramovic, Kenyon, Buck and the rest of the Chelsea hierarchy.

Football is a beautiful game, one remembered for exciting games and gifted players. If the changing face of football is one with this façade, and this looks increasingly likely, it makes for an exciting time to come in the world's most beloved game. Long live the beautiful game.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a right-footed right midfielder for one of England's best teams Manchester United. He is number 7 for Manchester but number 17 for his home country Portugal. He was named the third best FIFA footballer of 2007 in the world, but was named the best in the English Premiere League with an astonishing 23 goals for Manchester.

Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho is a right-footed striker for one of Spain's best teams F.C. Barcelona. He is number 10 for both Barcelona and his home country Brazil. Ronaldinho was named the FIFA best footballer of the world in 2004 and 2005. He finished his 2007 season with 8 goals and 2 assists for Barcelona.

Kaka

Kaka is a right-footed striker for one of Italy's best teams A.C. Milan. He is number 22 for A.C. Milan and number 8 for his home country Brazil. Kaka` was named the FIFA best footballer of the world in 2007 finishing ahead of L. Messi and C. Ronaldo. He finished his 2007 season for A.C. Milan with 23 goals and 13 assists.

Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi (Superman) Buffon is a right-footed goalkeeper for one other of Italy's best teams Juventus. He is number 1 for Juventus and also for his home country Italy. He is ranked as one of the top goalkeepers in the world and also has lots of class while on the pitch (field). He finished the season with 94 saves and 16 clean sheets (shutouts)!

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is a left-footed midfield for Barcelona just like Ronaldinho. He is number 19 for Barcelona and his home country Argentina. Lionel Messi was named the second best FIFA footballer of the world in 2007 behind Kaka` and before Cristiano Ronaldo. He finished his season with 10 goals and 12 assists.

Why would Cristiano Ronaldo, our star player, want to leave officially the best team in Europe? Surrounded by players like Rooney, Tevez, Giggs, his fellow countryman Nani, and the up and coming Brazilian he shares a close bond with in Anderson it is hard to understand why he would ever want to make his move to what appears to be a lesser league in Spain.

Five years ago La Liga was the best league in the world when Real Madrid were a star studded team. In the present day Los Galacticos have been on the decline. The Figo's and Zidane's of the Spanish capital have gone and Real do not look like challenging for European supremacy any time soon. So why is it that Ronaldo is so desperate to leave?

Real Madrid always appear to have been a thorn in the side of Manchester. No matter how great the Old Trafford outfit become players always seem to see Madrid as that one last step to greatness. Time and time again United's top players have set sail for Madrid. We have seen it with Van Nistlerooy, Beckham and even members of the coaching staff in recent years. What appears to be a cert is that young European players look at Santiago Bernabeau as the goal to which they dream, and when it is in the mindset of a player from such a young age this is always going to be hard to change.

One argument is that Manchester United only have themselves to blame. With a golden generation just passed the Red Devils should most certainly have more European Cups in the cabinet then they can currently lay claim to. For all their domestic dominance since the beginning of the Premiership, United were perennial under-achievers in Europe and therefore rising European talent has always looked towards Spain and Italy as the bar to which to dream. This is something Sir Alex Ferguson appears determined to change with his current crop before calling it a day. However, to do this he needs to keep his talented group together.

So should United just accept the huge sums of money Madrid are rumoured to be offering and make the most of it?

After all one man doesn't make a team and it has been argued that Ronaldo only produces his best form in the Premier League against lower club opposition. What is for sure is that when Van Nistlerooy left people questioned where we would get goals from, and when Beckham left people wondered how we would replace his creativity; but Ferguson has always been intelligent enough to make the right decisions and this time will be no different.

Should United let Ronaldo go and how much do you think he is worth?

If Sir Alex does decide to sell who will he replace him with?

Why do you think United always appear to be under the shadow cast from Los Galacticos in Madrid?

Cristiano Ronaldo would do well to look to Ballack in terms of being a role model for the remainder of his career. As friends of mine will note, I have many times said that Ronaldo is a player who goes missing on the big occasions when his team need him most. It's all well and good terrorizing Austria in a tournament opener or routing Derby County at home however he has yet to shine against a fellow top class outfit. It looks a lot like he has begun to believe his own hype in his cat and mouse games with Real and now he has taken his eye off the ball and must face the realities of an irate manager known for giving short shrift to players who think they are bigger than the club.

Ballack on the other hand has given monumental service to the three clubs he has spent the majority of his career at. He nigh-on single handedly fired an unfancied Leverkusen to the Champions league final sacrificing his own participation to get them there. He made the same sacrifice later in scoring the only goal of the semi-final to get Germany to the World Cup final in 2002 and in the home tournament four years later guided them towards another semi-final. It was no surprise that Germany were so heavily backed pre-tournament considering they had this man in their team.

Who's Out?

Minor one of the biggest shocks Old Trafford has seen since Cantona hung up his boots so prematurely, Ronaldo will stay, While he is still keeping his future close to his chest, smart money says Ronaldo will be a red for at least another year, even though Madrid could offer anything up to a staggering £100 million for the soon to be World Player of the Year. The same cant be said for injury plagued striker Louis Saha though, and his troubled time at Manchester United could be at an end, Alex may feel he needs a more reliable back up option up front, Saha is being linked daily to clubs in and out of England including rivals Arsenal, business between the two is virtually unheard of, this case may be different though with fellow Frenchman Arsene Wenger the perfect man to help revitalize Saha's career. Another Frenchman on his way out of the Theater of Dreams could be Silvestre, with wide spread reports of him going to French runners up Bordeaux. While there could be a major shock exit in the form of Ronaldo, don't expect any other major faces to even consider leaving the club this summer.

Who's In?

Utd are known for keeping transfers quiet, and this summer won't change that. What's more certain is the positions Sir Alex will be shopping for, a new right back will be an almost certainty to join, and after missing out on Porto star Boswinga, reports suggest Man Utd could be ready to pay over £20 million for Daniel Alves of Sevilla. A Striker will beon Ferguson's wish list, should he decide Saha's time at the club has passed. Lyon and French star Karim Benzema is one a few names that won't go away from the papers talk, getting Benzema may prove difficult though with Lyon's reluctance to sell. Klass jan Huntlaar of Ajax is also a name that's become a regular link to Old Trafford and with his more than impressive 34 goals in the Dutch league this season, Ferguson may think the time is right for him to prove himself on a bigger stage, Huntlaar could be an easier choice of transfer targets for Manchester United if Benzema proves hard to tempt.

Cardiff City's young starlet Aaron Ramsey could also join the newly crowned European champions, the seventeen year old is widely tipped for stardom by those in the know and is the subject of interest from all of England's major clubs, United look to be favourites to snatch the new Welsh wizard of football with Ramsey maybe swayed by the hero figure of Ryan Giggs at the club. Money could be tighter in Manchester this season after spending big last summer, and a big lump of there budget could be reserved for making Carlos Tevez's move permanent as his two season loan ends this time next year, the fee could be anywhere up to £30 million to make the Argentines long running and complicated future finally certain in England.

The Old Guns

Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Van der Sar and Gary Neville could all be getting ready to play there final season with the reds next term, but be sure that they will feature next year, and have a serious part to play. Sir Alex has said the older players will be limited to around 20-25 games in the season, certainly Scholes and Giggs will have smaller parts to play with ageing legs their concern. In the less demanding roles of goal keeper and right back, Van der Sar and Neville could enjoy more football than the others. Sense would say that all four could retire next year and leave a huge gap at Old Trafford for the season after.

Chelsea medical staff will be busy working on getting John Terry and Didier Drogba ready for the showdown, after they both picked up injures in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Bolton on the final day of the season. While others may be worrying about Terry's fitness, he is confident of leading out his side on Wednesday night.

"My elbow is all right," said Terry. "There is just a bit of strapping in case I fall and jar it. The last couple of days it has been getting better and hopefully I am going to train without the strapping."

Drogba also played down fears he or Terry will miss the crunch match

"I have spoken to him [Terry] - he will play in Moscow. No-one wants to miss this gigantic match, the match of our careers. That's the case for me anyway," Drogba told L'Equipe, "I took a blow to my knee that was operated on back in December, and it hurt at the time. I put ice on it immediately. But there is nothing serious. I will be at training this week."

In contrary, with no injury concerns in the north side of England, Sir Alex Ferguson's biggest obstacle is which eleven to field and the seven accompanying substitutes. When asked about the selection headache Ferguson was apologetic over the size and talent of his squad.

"I think picking the team will be easier than picking the substitutes. I'm going to have to leave some fantastic players out of the squad completely next week, which I won't enjoy doing. It's got to be done and I don't know when I'm going to pick that moment. I'm going to have to speak to them. It's not something I'm looking forward to. But, on the other hand, it's a fantastic position for us to be in, having 26 fit players."

With the whole of Europe focused on English football for the night, the pressure is set to fall on Manchester United's prize asset, Christiano Ronaldo. After more speculation of a record braking summer move to Real Madrid, critics of Ronaldo are expecting a big performance in the final, after claims that he fails to make an impressions on the big stage. The PFA, and Football Writers Player of the Year for the second year running, has added to rumours of a move to Spain in the summer, after neither confirming or denying the speculation

"I have said 1,000 times, I am very happy here. I want to stay in Manchester. This is my role but the future - nobody knows. Only God knows. I have said 10,000 times I have a dream to play in Spain, but sometimes dreams do not come true. I still dream, I still dream. I am happy at Manchester United, but the future? You never know.”

With 41 goals to his name this term, Ronaldo will be hopeful of adding to his record braking tally and securing a third European success for Manchester United.

Both sides are likely to play 4-5-1 formations from the start, changing to 4-3-3 when attacking. The game is likely to be won in the midfield area where Chelsea could have a team selection headache of their own, with Lampard, Ballack, Essien, Joe Cole, Obi Mikel, and Malouda, among others looking to be part of the five man midfield. Manchester United could stay with the squad and tactics that got them to Moscow, by playing Rooney as part of a five man midfield, opting to play Ronaldo through the middle up front.

No matter how the teams line up nerves will be high on Wednesday night. Chelsea will be playing in their first Champions League final, pressure is mounting on Avram Grant to bring the trophy back to Stamford Bridge to secure his job for next term. With only two European cups in their history, it's well documented that Sir Alex feels Manchester United are capable of winning more European titles, and will be hoping to put things right in Russia.

The match could prove to be a disappointing affair for the neutrals early on, with both sides certain to start cautiously. However overall promises to be of the highest caliber and the perfect way to show piece what is surely the greatest league in the world at this moment in time.