Ranieri has opted to field Old Horse

The Bianconeri return to the competition for the first time in two years, following their Calciopoli imposed punishment which saw them relegated down to Serie B in the summer of 2006.

"In our first season back in Serie A, I was curious to see how we would fare," explained Ranieri.

"Now I am just as interested to see how we cope in the Champions League. It's been a long wait for some of these players but our determination and motivation are right.

“We have plenty of new players but we also have players with a wealth of experience at this level, players who have been an important part of the history of this club. They are more than ready."

Tonight Juve kick off Group H proceedings against UEFA Cup holders Zenit at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, and competition for a starting place up-front has been hot, with Del Piero, Trezeguet, Amauri and Vincenzo Iaquint all fighting for two positions.

Ranieri has confirmed though that the long-serving Del Piero and Trezeguet who have been forward partners since 2000 will start.

"The fact they are vastly experienced came into it but the main reason I have selected Del Piero and Trezeguet is what they sacrificed for the club,” said the Tinkerman.

“They had Serie A and European football snatched away from them but decided to stay here and work for two hard years to get their side back where it belongs.

“I have so much respect for them. This is the main reason I decided to give them the chance to play."

Cristiano Ronaldo makes his first appearance

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Ronaldo appeared odds-on to move to Real Madrid during the transfer window. The Spanish giants pulled out all the stops to lure the Portuguese international to the Bernabeu, but Ferguson and co ultimately succeeded in holding onto their star winger.

But not all United supporters are happy that the 23-year-old has stayed at Old Trafford, given he only just stopped short of begging to be sold to los Merengues after he learned of their interest.

Stuart Parish, leader of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, told The Sun: "He will get a mixed reaction, there is no doubt about that.

"I watched the Liverpool game in a pub at the weekend and some fans booed Ronaldo when he was pictured on the TV."

Early Return

Ronaldo is yet to feature this season, having undergone surgery in July to fix an ankle problem that plagued him towards the end of last term.

The Seleccao hero was expected to return in October, but some extra-hard work on the training track sees him available for tonight's Champions League clash against Villarreal.

Ronaldo is unlikely to get anything more than a late substitute appearance against the Yellow Submarine, just enough for him to refind his feet before Sunday's Premier League showdown at Chelsea.

It remains to be seen what reaction the former Sporting Lisbon player will receive from the United faithful, but Ferguson urged the supporters to forget the summer shenanigans and instead celebrate the return of a brilliant and dedicated player.

Perfect Patient

“I think the fans understand the situation — he was a young man tempted by the lure of money,” the Red Devils boss said.

“Since we gave him our decision he has accepted it and his training has been fantastic.

“He’s come back from his ankle operation ahead of schedule and been the perfect patient.

“Cristiano has been training every day until 5pm and shown real determination to get back playing.”

Ferguson added: “There has been no toys thrown out the pram. He has accepted the situation and got on with it.

“I’m delighted he is back. You are talking about a truly magnificent player.”

Champion League Form will be Different-Barcelona

Barcelona will be hoping that Sporting Clube de Portugal arrive at Camp Nou with a more ambitious game plan than to play nine men behind the ball and leave one up front after facing those tactics in their first two domestic matches of the new Spanish league season.

The fact that in both those games, against Numancia and Racing Santander, the Blaugrana have been frustrated and picked up only one point and scored only one goal, from the penalty spot, makes the arrival of the Champions League group stage a welcome one.

Away teams going to Camp Nou with the intention of playing spoiler tactics is nothing new and only becomes a debatable issue in the media when Barça fail to perform themselves and that is exactly what has happened so far this term and why the rumblings into a full-blown enquiry have been heard.

Pep Guardiola's team thrived in pre-season against sides that were not concerned about the scoreline as they looked towards fitness and rhythm and the Castalan outfit enjoyed various goalscoring sprees against defences only manned by four players.

Even Wisla Kraków did not shut up shop when they visited in the Champions league qualifier in mid-August and the home team were able to net four times to secure their passage to this stage of the competition, despite then being beaten in Poland in the second leg.

Samuel Eto'o scored six goals in all before things began in earnest and all the newcomers, such as Dani Alves, Seydou Keita, Gerard Piqué, Martín Cáceres and Aleksandr Hleb all looked set to aid the smooth transition to the Guardiola era at Barcelona.

Being Creative

Instead, the same problems that existed under Frank Rijkaard reared their heads in the opening league game of the season when Numancia netted early and went on the defensive leaving Barça having to be very, very creative to find a way through.

Against Racing at the weekend it was the opposite as the visitors were content to play for a goalless draw, despite claims afterwards that a late goal was all part of the plan, and they did end up taking a share of the spoils when Barça missed chance after chance in front of goal.

Sporting will know that this encounter will be a huge step up from their opening league matches, but they can take heart from their start in Portugal as they are one of only two teams, along with Nacional, to have garnered six points from their opening two league matches.

After easing past Trofense, 3-1, on the opening day, Braga were then beaten 1-0 away last weekend and there are high hopes for the club this season, especially after they were able to hold on to several key players over the summer, including João Moutinho.

While Barcelona will no doubt have to face a defence containing at least seven players, they should also expect to be called upon to defend more often than they have done in their first two matches because Sporting will certainly use the break when possible.

The Portuguese giants qualified directly for the Champions League and have not had such a busy schedule as their hosts in the build-up to this game or the intense scrutiny and pressure that constantly surrounds Camp Nou.

Liverpool File It Out With Marseille

Seeking to follow in the footsteps of titleholders Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool set out on Tuesday on their Champions League adventures with early French tests in their opening pool games.

While Liverpool, who travel to a Marseille side against whom they enjoyed mixed fortunes last season, and United have both savoured European success, Chelsea fans are hoping this will be the season in which they finally break their duck.

John Terry's missed penalty in Moscow handed United the title last May, costing Avram Grant his job as coach, while under previous coach Jose Mourinho the Londoners twice found Liverpool a bridge too far before gaining semi-final revenge.

Under Luiz Felipe Scolari the Blues are already top of the Premierhip following Saturday's win at Manchester City, and will be odds on favourites to put three points on the board against a Bordeaux side held at home by Marseille in the French league on Saturday.

As a former Manchester United player, Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc will be doubly happy if his side can establish cross-Channel bragging rights in Group A.

But his side have started the season slowly with just seven points from five games - six behind table-topping Lyon.

For Scolari, his baptism in the event cannot come quickly enough although he has respect for Bordeaux.

"We know quite a lot about Bordeaux," said the Brazilian.

"We've seen tapes of their games from last season and some from this year, and we have some additional information from other people. They've warned us to be careful, especially in this first match."

Bordeaux have defenders Mathieu Chalme and Benoit Tremoulinas suspended, meaning a chance for Franck Jurietti and Argentine Diego Placente.

Brazilian midfielder Fernando returns from a ban.

The other encounter in the group pits AS Roma against Romanian newcomers Cluj.

While Cluj have nothing to lose Roma, in contrast, must shrug off a 3-1 weekend loss at Palermo which left the Italians on a solitary point from two league games.

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez swiftly bolstered his reputation in winning the Champions League in his debut season at Anfield in 2005 with a heart-stopping win over AC Milan, though the same opponents secured revenge two years later.

But Benitez, with the club's cashflow-minded US owners at his back, has not only to show his European savvy anew, but also doff his cap in the direction of critics who suggest it is about time the Premiership trophy arrived at Anfield.

Liverpool's last league title came 18 years ago.

A first league win over United under Benitez's tenure on Saturday has boosted the Spaniard even if he may not risk the fit again Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

"That was our best performance of the season and we now feel we can go into a Champions League game in good heart and spirit," Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv.

Last season, Liverpool stumbled to a home group loss against Marseille but when the chips were down rattled through the rest of their programme, including a 4-0 win in France.

Marseille will hope former Liverpool man Boudewijn Zenden, who played in the 2007 loss to AC Milan, will be on his game and coach Eric Gerets will keep his fingers crossed that Mathieu Valbuena, who scored a cracker to shock Anfield last autumn but who hasn't played since summer groin surgery, can play some part.

PSV Eindhoven meet Torres' former club Atletico Madrid in the same Group D.

In Group B, Jose Mourinho will bid to do with Inter Milan what he managed to with Porto on a shoestring budget in 2004 but then failed to manage with cash kings Chelsea in the three following seasons and that's win the Champions League.

Last season saw the Italians crash out to Liverpool.

Inter, fourth after a win and a draw to date in Serie A, travel to Greece to face Panathinaikos while Cypriot minnows Anorthosis head for Germany to tackle Werder Bremen and make their competition bow as the first side from the island to play in the group stage after knocking out Greek side Olympiakos.

Barcelona, the 1992 and 2006 champions, host Sporting Lisbon in their first Group C match while Switzerland's FC Basel take on Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.

Barca, without a trophy since their win over Arsenal in 2006, are struggling to impress this term and dropped points in a 1-1 home draw with Racing Santander on Saturday having started the canpaign with a loss at little Numancia.

Arsenal Face The First Test

Arsenal face a tricky trip to Kiev on Wednesday, a place that they have had little joy in the group stages of the Champions League in the past.

Dynamo Kiev have defeated their north London visitors twice in both of their previous visits in Europe's premier competition, boasting a 3-1 scoreline in 1998, and a 2-1 win in 2003.

The team that Yuri Syomin's Kiev will be facing this time will be entirely different, and a lot younger, but Syomin insists the Gunners pose as big a threat as they always have done.

He is quoted by Sky Sports as saying: "Arsene Wenger's side play an easy natural game, and enjoy their football... They have many young and talented footballers, all very technically gifted."

Regarding Arsenal's impressive 4-0 rout at Ewood Park over Lancashire side Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, Syomin said: "The game was totally in Arsenal's control, despite the four goals scored they had many other chances."

"Arsenal's victory was absolutely the fair result," he added.

Concerning the threat posed by hat-trick hero Emmanuel Adebayor, the 61-year old said: "We knew very well prior to this the capabilities of the Arsenal forward but we will not be putting a man-marker on him. Adebayor plays all over the pitch, and in every zone there will be one of our players to meet him."

Zenit Will Scale Through Madrid and Juventus

Zenit were drawn alongside the Italian and Spanish giants in Group H, in what is unsurprisingly being billed as the ‘Group of Death’.

Although Madrid and Juventus will be favourites to go through, Zenit certainly have a fantastic chance too, given the fact they are UEFA Cup holders, and recently beat Manchester United to win the European Supercup.

"I think what we showed last season, coming so far and even winning the UEFA Cup, was an incredible achievement but I think we still must be considered as an outsider for the tournament," Advocaat told uefa.com.

"Even in our group, Real Madrid and Juventus will be seen as the teams to beat while we and BATE will be viewed by everyone as fighting for third or fourth place.

"Our group is tough but, in principle, this is the Champions League and if you want to do well you have to expect to face and beat teams like Manchester United and Juventus.”

On Wednesday, Zenit kick off their Champions League campaign with a trip to Turin to play an in-form Juventus side, but Advocaat is not unduly worried.

"So for me it's not a problem, it's a challenge. Regarding Juventus, we've needed to update our information because they've not been in Europe for a couple of seasons,” he explained.

"The newer players are the ones our scouts have been analysing because Pavel Nedvěd, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet are well known to us. If they have their day, which we mustn't allow, then Juventus can beat anyone. But I have faith that Zenit can damage some teams.

John Terry was wrongly dismissed-Chelsea

Chelsea confirmed on Monday they would appeal against the red card given to captain John Terry during their Premier League victory away to Manchester City last weekend.

A Football Association regulatory commission will consider Terry's case on Tuesday and a statement from the governing body said: "Chelsea have submitted a claim for wrongful dismissal on behalf of John Terry.

"Terry was sent off for serious foul play during Chelsea's game against Manchester City on September 13.

"A regulatory commission will consider the claim on September 16."

England centre-back Terry was given a straight red card during Chelsea's 3-1 victory at Eastlands by referee Mark Halsey for a professional foul on City's Jo but television replays appeared to show there were other, covering defenders between the Brazilian and the goal.

However, the FA is unable to downgrade cards from red to yellow, so Chelsea must demonstrate that Terry should not have been booked at all to get the decision overturned.

This seems unlikely given that his club and England colleague Frank Lampard said Terry deserved to have his name taken, if not be sent-off.

As things stand, Terry is set to serve a three-game ban which would rule him out of Sunday's match against English champions Manchester United, Chelsea's conquerors in the Champions League final, and the fixtures with Stoke City and Aston Villa.

Totti had been scheduled to make his comeback

Struggling AS Roma should be boosted by the return of captain and talisman Francesco Totti for the visit of Romanians Cluj in the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday.

Totti has been badly missed in a disastrous start to the season for the Italian Cup holders, who followed up an opening day 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Napoli by losing 3-1 at Palermo on Saturday. Coach Luciano Spalletti had hoped Totti would be fit for the trip to Sicily, but instead he has had to settle for the mercurial striker's return for the Group A clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Totti had been scheduled to make his comeback from injury at Palermo, but Spalletti didn't want to take a risk on the veteran forward and preferred to hold him back a few days. "I'm more worried about him than the others (players carrying injuries) because he has something more than them," Spalletti had said of his star man before the trip to Sicily.

We know how to react straight away, it's a waste of time getting depressed, it would just create more problems Roma coach Luciano Spalletti shrugs off his team's poor start to the Serie A season

But despite the Romans' poor start, Spalletti believes they will quickly bounce back. "We know how to react straight away, it's a waste of time getting depressed, it would just create more problems," he said.

Totti is not the only injury worry for Roma as centre-back pair Juan and Philippe Mexes are both doubtful for the game. Juan seems to have more chance of recovering from a groin problem, having sat out the Palermo match, but Mexes hurt his knee on Saturday and is rated by the Gazzetta dello Sport as having less than a 50-50 chance of playing against the Romanians.

Italy international midfielder Simone Perrotta is also a doubt with an Achilles injury, while Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic is still suffering from an ongoing back problem.

But even putting their injury difficulties aside, Spalletti knows that Roma cannot afford to take Cluj lightly. "I have seen some of Cluj's matches and they play fantastic football," the 49-year-old told the official Uefa website. "Of course we should win, but we have to play well and we have to focus on bringing all our qualities onto the pitch.

"When you play these teams who are not very well known at European level, players can think it's not going to be difficult, but it's not like that. I hope my players don't make this mistake because all matches are very hard."

Roma have a good record in the Champions League, reaching the last eight in the last two seasons and losing to Manchester United on both occasions. The last eight is the minimum requirement Spalletti has set for his team this time around.

"We should definitely look to do no worse than last time, and always try to improve," he said. "This is definitely a group with hidden man-traps. But we know when we play in a huge competition like this, that we need the mental power, personality and confidence to show our quality on the pitch.

"I believe Roma have the ability to take on all these teams and to get through this group." It certainly won't be an easy task with last year's runners-up Chelsea and French runners-up Bordeaux also in the group.

Man Utd:Ronaldo Set To Face Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to turn to Cristiano Ronaldo to fire Manchester United back into the Premier League title race after seeing his team lose Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick in a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool.

A Wes Brown own goal and late strike from Ryan Babel overturned Carlos Tevez's third minute opener to hand Liverpool their first league victory over United for four years.

United were out-fought and out-thought by a Liverpool team without both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and both injured midfielder Carrick and Vidic, who was shown a late red card, are now set to miss the trip to Chelsea next Sunday.

But Portuguese winger Ronaldo, who has yet to play for United since openly courting a move to Real Madrid, is on course to return against the Londonders after two months on the sidelines following ankle surgery.

Ferguson said: "Ronaldo is training now, he's with the first team and he's aiming to be a substitute at Chelsea on September 21. He's come on leaps and bounds.

"I think we mentioned a couple of weeks ago he was making rapid progress in terms of overcoming the injury problem he had and the training he's been doing with the physios and Tony Strudwick the fitness coach.

"He's been making great strides in the direction towards first-team football."

United sorely need the 23-year-old to return following their pale display at Anfield that leaves them facing problems in their bid to retain the league title.

Ferguson admitted that his team's performance was way below expectations.

"When you score after three minutes, you should be consolidating that, but we never won a tackle and you have to hand it to Liverpool," Ferguson said.

"When you have bad days, the big thing is to get something from them, but we conceded two goals that were absolute shockers. People will say that it is some Conference team defending when they see us on television. It was shocking stuff.

"The first was a really scabby goal to lose. Liverpool have had a bit of fortune with both goals, but they have deserved their luck, you can't deny that.

"They won every tackle and we just didn't respond to it. With our great record here, Liverpool raised their game an extra level."

Vidic's sending off for two bookings rules him out of the Chelsea clash and Carrick is now set to miss both the Champions League meeting with Villarreal and the trip to Stamford Bridge after damaging his ankle against Liverpool.

Ferguson added: "We don't think that Michael's injury is too serious and we don't think it is broken. He has had an x-ray on it and we will investigate it further over the weekend and then see where we go. But I wouldn't think that he'll be available on Wednesday.

"Vida certainly led with his elbow, but all defenders lead with their elbow nowadays. (Jamie) Carragher leads with his elbow all the time, but he never gets a free-kick given against him."

Carragher, who captain Liverpool in the absence of Gerrard, admitted that beating United has given Liverpool a massive confidence boost.

He said: "For too long, we have been off the pace against the likes of United and Chelsea, but this win gives us some breathing space over United.

"It has put us top of the league for while, and that is where a club like Liverpool should be. It can only give us confidence when you beat the best side in Europe."

Liverpool Ready To End Man Utd Four Year Unbeaten Run

Liverpool were handed a major boost on the eve of their showdown with Manchester United with skipper Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres both passed fit for the first big Premier League clash of the season.

Torres had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Gerrard underwent minor groin surgery last month, but both completed a light training session at the club's Melwood training ground and have been included in the squad.

"They are both much better," Reds boss Rafael Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"They came through a full training session this morning. It wasn't a very hard session, but they will both be in the squad.

"It's important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game.

"I'm not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit."

Liverpool go into Saturday's game having failed to score against the reigning European champions in their last seven league meetings, a run stretching back to September 2004 and even then, it was a John O'Shea own goal.

United, who will be without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, are expected to hand £30-millionsigning Dimitar Berbatov his debut for the club at Anfield and teammate Ryan Giggs would not be surprised if the Bulgarian had an immediate impact.

"Berbatov is a Manchester United-type player," Giggs said of the 27-year-old. "He has that physique and stature because he is over six foot, so he offers something a little bit different to Wayne Rooney or Carlos Tevez. For a big man he has a superb touch.

"But he also has a big personality, the personality you need to be a success at Manchester United.

"I'm glad he's on the same side as me, I have seen his ability at first hand when he played against us for Tottenham and I am sure he will be an excellent signing."

Nigeria End South Africa 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Dream

Nigeria scored with one of their few chances in the game to defeat South Africa 1-0 in their 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Bafana Bafana created plenty of opportunities in the match, but a mixture of poor finishing, last-ditch defending and good goalkeeping kept them at bay
Nigeria had few chances in the game, but Ikechukwu Uche made his count when he twisted the defence and his low shot on 71 minutes crept past Itumeleng Khune in the home goal.

Fulltime Score: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1

Blow-by-blow coverage:

1 mins: And we're off!

5 mins: It is easy to see early on that the wind and bumpy pitch are making life difficult for the players. Perhaps they will get used to it as the game goes on. Free-kick chance for Bafana is floated by Modise straight at the Nigerian goalkeeper.

10 mins: First real chance falls to Bafana as Nkosi gets a clear sight of goal, but his effort is blocked. He tries to shoot again on the second attempt, but scuffs his shot across goal. Bafana have settled well. Modise puts a free-kick from 30-yards just wide of the post.

15 mins: Yakubu has a snap-shot from the edge of the area that goes high over the bar. First chance for the Super Eagles. Dikgacoi fires just wide from the edge of the area after a good run from McCarthy.

20 mins: Nigeria are seeing more of the ball, but the game has settled down a bit of a frantic beginning.

25 mins: Modise shoots wide from 35-yards when he had better options out wide on the right. Selfish play from the midfielder. Brilliant tackle from Mabizela on Yakubu and the Nigerian striker bustled forward. Kalu Uche creates a half-chance for Nigeria, but Khune gathers.

30 mins: Ikechukwu Uche is put clean through for Nigeria, but he shoots high and wide with just Khune to beat. The best chance of the game so far and he should have done better. His brother, Kalu Uche, later shoots straight at Khune from the edge of the area. Nigeria are starting to get their link-up play going. Dikgacoi has a shot from 30-yards that Aiyenugba saves.

35 mins: Carnell crosses, Aiyenugba comes for it under pressure from McCarthy, doesn't gather and the ball goes for a corner. The set-piece is wasted after that. Good play from Bafana, spreading the ball across the path. Dikgacoi and Sibaya have efforts on goal that come to naught.

40 mins: Nkosi tees up McCarthy, but the strikers shot is straight at the keeper. Great skill from Tshabalala in the left has the beating of Odiah, but his end product is poor and Nigeria clear.

HALFTIME: Modise wins a free-kick on the right-hand side of the penalty area, which Carnell takes. His floated ball eventually ends up at the feet of Nkosi, but his shot his high and wide. Bafana get a last chance before halftime with a free-kick just on the edge of the area, but Modise shoots high and wide.

46 mins: Second half gets underway!

50 mins: Bafana start the second half the brighter. They need a goal from somewhere to keep their Nations Cup hopes alive.

55 mins: Tshabalala has an excellent chance at the back post as he arrives on a cross, but he scuffs his shot when a better connection would surely have seem him score. Best chance of the game for Bafana.

60 mins: Great flowing move from Bafana sees Mccarthy cross for Nkosi, but his shot is straight at the keeper. YELLOW CARD for Ikechukwu Uche. Nkosi is within a whisker of giving Bafana the lead, but shoots just wide.

65 mins: Bafana are buzzing now and Nigeria need to find an answer. So far they are being over-run in midfield. Yakubu turns Mabizela and shoots, but straight at Khune. Dikgacoi shoots just wide from 30-yards. YELLOW CARD for Carnell. Bafana are raining shots on the Nigerian goal, but somehow the ball is not finding the net.

70 mins: Tshabalala has a free-kick go high and wide. Nkosi beats the offside trap, but his touch is poor and the keeper can collect. SUB for Nigeria as Obodu replaces Kalu Uche.

71 mins: GOAL! Nigeria score against the run of play! Ikechukwu Uche twists and turns and beats Khune with a shot from the edge of the area that the goalkeeper seemed to struggle to pick up.

75 mins: Bafana need to find two goals in the last 15 minutes …

80 mins: Nkosi has an excellent chance for Bafana, but with just Aiyenugba to beat, he thumps the ball into the keeper midriff. Double SUB for Bafana as Moriri and Zuma come on, Sibaya and Tshabalala off.

85 mins: Aiyenugba comes for a corner and completely misses, but McCarthy can't take advantage at the back post.

FULLTIME: Bafana press, press, press, but Nigeria hold firm. Zuma shoots over when he should have shown more composure. It has been a case of plenty of chances for them today, but they just couldn't put them away. Credit Nigeria, they defended well and hit Bafana with a sucker-punch on the break.

I Can Not Sign For Manchester City-Cesc Fabregas

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas feels it would be "suicidal" for his career if he were to sign for Manchester City.

Backed by the financial muscle of Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG), new City owner Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim recently revealed his ambition to add a number of world-class players to the squad.

Fabregas and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres are reportedly among the list of targets, while Al-Fahim went as far as to hint at a £135million bid for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Gunners star Fabregas, though, has no intention of leaving the Emirates Stadium should City bid for services in the next transfer window as he feels a move to Eastlands would prove detrimental to his career.

The Spain international said in the Telegraph: "It would be suicidal for my career at 21 years of age to move to City. It would make no sense."

Carlos Tevez Fears Man City's impressive transfer dealings

Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez believes derby day will take on a whole new significance following Manchester City's impressive transfer dealings...City made the swoop of the season when they tied up a £32million deal to snatch Robinho from under Chelsea's nose on deadline day.

The Brazilian winger's move from Real Madrid has got Eastlands buzzing, especially as the club's new owners - Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) - have promised more super-signings in January.

And Tevez admitted that the Selecao star's arrival could boost the Sky Blues to unprecedented heights.

"Robinho will greatly improve the quality of Man City," he told The Sun. "They will be much closer to the top this year.

"He’s one of those great players that people want to go and watch because he has a lot of fun playing.

"Robinho is one of the game’s best entertainers but the Premier League defenders won’t see it that way.

"The players who have to mark him will be very uncomfortable this season."

City also added Pablo Zabaleta, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Vincent Kompany, Tal Ben Haim, Glauber and Jo to their ranks during the summer.

Combined with what remains of Sven-Goran Eriksson's recruits, Mark Hughes' squad has taken on a rather fearsome appearance, and whispers abound already of top-four contention.

Tevez is certainly wary of his cross-town rivals' new-found strength and expects to be sorely tested when they meet in the Premier League.

"City’s squad is looking so strong now. With Robinho, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Petrov and Elano they have real quality," the Argentine attacker said.

"And with all their impressive new signings, the two Manchester derby games could be really significant this season. They are now even more important to win.

"We lost to City twice in the league last year but, even though they are stronger now, we look forward to gaining revenge.

"They have quality and they also have the defender who marked me the best last season — Micah Richards. Well-built, fast and strong, he is a very good defender."

Berbatov completed £30.75 million Move To Man Utd

Manchester United have completed the signing of Dimitar Berbatov for £30.75 million, with Fraizer Campbell going the other way on a season-long loan..The Bulgarian has been a long-term target of the double-winners, who had an approach rebuffed last season. They reignited their interest this summer, as they looked to complete their striking options up front.

Spurs were greatly opposed to their approach for their star player and reported Manchester United to the Football Association accusing them of an illegal approach for the 27-year-old. Nevertheless, they remained at the front of the queue to land their man despite fleeting interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Local rivals Manchester City emerged as final day fighters for his signature, having had a bid in excess of £30 million accepted by Tottenham. United, despite having officially been denied permission by Spurs to talk to Berbatov, arranged a medical in Manchester this evening and the player then arrived at Old Trafford as the deadline drew nearer.

Negotiations were ongoing in the stadium for a couple of intense hours before the player emerged and left the ground, shortly after which Spurs announced the deal as official on their website.

United had put an empty Berbatov profile up on their website hours before the deal had been concluded, which very much proved a sign of things to come, unlike Chelsea's faux-pas when they began selling Robinho shirts online.

The Red Devils have had to sacrifice youngster Fraizer Campbell - but only for a season - as he is loaned to the Lilywhites for the forthcoming season as part of the deal. The agreement will spare United potential blushes, as Spurs have agreed not to follow up their initial complaint over an illegal approach from the champions for the Bulgarian.

Campbell, who impressed last season on loan at Hull City, who he helped gain promotion, has been touted as a hot prospect by Sir Alex Ferguson, who is eager to hold onto the young goal-getter in the long-term future.

"The Club can announce that it has reached agreement with Manchester United for the permanent transfer of Dimitar Berbatov for a fee of £30.75m," announced Tottenham on their website. "As part of the settlement the Club has agreed not to pursue its official complaint to the Premier League.

"The deal sees Fraizer Campbell coming the other way on a season long loan. Campbell, 20, spent last season on loan at Hull City where his goals played a pivotal role in the Tiger's promotion to the Premier League."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson lavished praise on his new signing.

"This is a key signing," he said. "Dimitar Berbatov is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football."

Berbatov himself, already being dubbed by fans as the new Eric Cantona, was overjoyed with the move.

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," he said.

Robinho has a morale problem-Roman Calderon

In the wake of Robinho's late surprise transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester City for a British record fee, Brazilian legend Pele believes the former Santos forward needs 'counselling', his words are echoed by fellow Brazilians...Robinho effectively forced his exit from Real Madrid. The forward yearned to switch capital cities and join Chelsea, but it was Los Merengues who had the final say in the matter, refusing to do business with the Stamford Bridge side and accepting the £32.5million fee from Eastlands.

Madrid knew they had to cash in on Robinho as Roman Calderon is quoted by France 24 as saying: "Robinho has a morale problem more extensive than we first thought... When he talked about his situation, he cried and demanded to leave Spain."

Pele is disgusted by the behaviour of his fellow Brazilian: "Chelsea are lucky. This boy needs some serious counselling. In my view he has been badly advised," Football 365 quote him to say.

Santos President, Marcelo Teixeira added: "This is one of the most disgraceful episodes in Brazilian football... He is a player who is an idol to children... But he has not acted like one."

Jose Fernandos, Santos manager said: "We are ashamed at having produced such a player."

Chelsea within their rights to pursue-Robinho

Chelsea insist that they are well within their rights to pursue their interest in Robinho despite his club's public protestations. In an angry statement on their official website, Real Madrid have hit out at the London side for what they deem as unacceptable conduct regarding the Brazilian superstar, such as the appearance on the Chelsea store website of Robinho replica shirts.

The Blancos are adamant that they do not want to sell Robinho, and have rejected several moves by Chelsea for him.

Chelsea countered Real Madrid's complaints with a statement of their own: "There is nothing wrong with publicly confirming our interest in a player when the club involved is well aware of it, has been in receipt of two bids and is negotiating to sell the player.

"So we completely refute any criticism from Real Madrid.

"As for the issue regarding the website, Real are well aware this was a regrettable accident by an external supplier which was rectified as soon as it was brought to our attention and not a single shirt was sold."

Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, in the meanwhile, took the high road when he said: "About Robinho, it is not my business. I don't know nothing. You know what I know - zero!

"Ask Peter Kenyon or (Real Madrid president Ramon) Calderon. I didn't think about Robinho in the last few days because I needed to train my players," he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"He is not my player. When one player is my player I will say something."