Ferdinand best centre back in the world

according to Ferguson after another outstanding display in the charity shield yesterday. Crouch and Defoe will be glad they don't have to play against him every week. Mind you United's midfield were so on top yesterday it wasn't really a day to be judging Rio.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2538722/Manchester-Uniteds-Rio-Ferdinand-is-the-worlds-best-says-Sir-Alex-Ferguson---Football.html

I thought United played some nice football yesterday, we really should have won it in the 90 minutes. The only worry as the new season commences for us on Sunday was the lack of firepower up front, that reminded me of our start to last season.

Gary Neville knows he faces a challenge to force his way back into the team this season.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/11/manchesterunited.englandfootballteam

Ben Collet awarded £4 million damages for tackle that destroyed his career, i am not saying the award was wrong, but i saw him play and i don't think he would have got any where near the first team i am afraid.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/injured-united-player-awarded-pound45m-890681.html

Henry Winter on United and english youth football
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/2525781/Manchester-United-claim-youth-system-in-English-football-must-change-to-better-the-next-generation---Football.html

Thaksin finally does a bunk, from Thailand that is, Surely, selling City will come next, he has got to live on something.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/11/thailand

The Georgian president has gambled and got it wildly wrong. I can't understand how he thought the Russians would just stand aside and let them do it. This was the perfect opportunity for Putin and his ilk in the Kremlin to try to show the world the Russian bear is back, and they have grabbed it gleefully with both hands. A few different takes on the events in the Caucases. It's another big setback for Neo Con foreign policy of course.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/11/georgia.russia4
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/11/russia.georgia
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgia-bows-to-might-of-russia-890283.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/south-ossettia-leader-says-1400-killed-in-conflict-888487.html