Five great Manchester United vs Tottenham matches - the fixture that’s always full of goals

In what is arguably the game of the weekend, Manchester United - unbeaten in the Premier League thus far - welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford, in the evening kick-off on Saturday. Matches between these sides have mustered some of the most exciting games in Premier League history, from incredible comebacks to last-minute equalisers, to thumping victories - this is a contest which has rarely disappointed.

Premier League title-chasing United were given a New Year's Day to forget after they were thumped by a Chris Armstrong-inspired Spurs. Armstrong ran Ferguson's side ragged in the most impressive performance of his career. Future United player Teddy Sheringham opened the scoring before Andy Cole equalised a minute later.

Sol Campbell put Spurs back ahead, before a brace from the former Crystal Palace man ensured Alex Ferguson (in the days before he was a knight) and his team travelled back up north with their tails between their legs.The hosts were the better team for all of the contest except stoppage time, when the Argentine bundled home a corner. United had looked clueless before that moment and fell behind to a close-range strike from Dimitar Berbatov, who would become United's club record signing the following summer. With Chelsea and Arsenal right behind them in the title race, Tevez's goal ensured a valuable point went United's way.Andy Cole's delicate lob kept United's treble dream alive as his strike sealed the Premier League title.

With Arsenal in hot pursuit, Ferguson's side needed to beat Spurs in the last league game of the season to finish top. After falling behind to a Les Ferdinand goal, United struck back before half-time through David Beckham.

In no mood to see the trophy end up with the Gunners, Cole's expert finish over Ian Walker's head began the most dramatic 10 days in the club's history, which would also bring FA Cup and Champions League glory.A neck-and-neck Premier League title race swung in United's favour after some suspect refereeing saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Harry Redknapp's side grabbed a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford after some shaky defending let in Darren Bent and Luka Modric. With Liverpool close behind them in the table, it took an incorrect penalty call from Howard Webb to spark United in to life.

Cristiano Ronaldo was on hand to score the equaliser and celebrated the third by tearing his shirt off to send a message to Rafa Benitez that the trophy was staying in Manchester. Wayne Rooney and Berbatov, now sporting the red of United, completed the sensational turnaround.Arguably one of the most thrilling Premier League game of the decade saw United race back from 3-0 down at half-time to clinch the win.

Spurs debutant Dean Richards opened the scoring with a header from a corner as the hosts dominated proceedings. Gustavo Poyet then pulled the strings to expert effect to set-up Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege.

Sir Alex Ferguson's hair dryer was at its most powerful at half-time to inspire his players to score five unanswered goals. New boy Juan Sebastian Veron drilled in the fourth before a fabulous team move saw David Beckham strike the fifth.

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Wayne Rooney's new Manchester United pay deal highlights his silky skills

He's got his weekly wages up from £90,000 to £160,000 – all for the price of a few weeks abuse from Man U's fickle fans. Rooney knew that, with his contract running down, he could have bought himself out for £5m next summer. So what better time than now to make a public fuss?

Man U had no option but to offer him a new contract or watch their prize asset walk out of Old Trafford for a song. So he's offered the club a win-win. He gets more money. It gets a juicy transfer fee whenever he leaves. With skills like that, Wazza clearly has a career after football. He could swap heading for headhunting.

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Wayne Rooney's Manchester United future: the best quotes of the week

"I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract."
Wayne Rooney starts the ball rolling on Wednesday ...

... as Sir Alex Ferguson responds
"I couldn't believe it. I just was dumbfounded. I could not understand it because only months before he was saying he was at the greatest club in the world and he wanted to stay for life." "I believe he is going to stay. But if at the end of day Manchester United decides that he is to leave, give me a call.

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach

"Players have opinions and if they want to leave then good luck to them. Man Utd will more than survive. If I could say one thing to Wayne, who is a good lad, I would say 'look after yourself'. Players are likes pieces of meat."
Roy Keane, Ipswich coach

"He's very, very interested, yeah, so watch this space. Or listen to this space, depends on how it's going, but I sold Perth to him and told him what a lovely place it is."
Perth Glory's Robbie Fowler jests that Rooney is on the move

... as Perth coach Ian Ferguson continues the joke
"I just want to announce our new signing here. We just got him for 45 trillion," said Ferguson, wearing a Rooney mask at their Friday press conference.

"If Alex Ferguson is being bullied by a player and his agent, how wrong is the game? When are you (FIFA and UEFA) going to listen to the people who are involved in the game?"
Ian Holloway, Blackpool coach

"Rooney is a good player, and is like Carlos Tévez for us. If they lose him for next year, they will lose an important player."
Roberto Mancini, Manchester City coach

"We've got a great squad of players and he would add to that and strengthen the squad. He is the best player in the world for me."
John Terry, Chelsea captain
"If one player in the team doesn't trust the others he should not play in the team."

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Wayne Rooney reveals why he wants to leave Manchester United

One day after Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Rooney had vowed not to sign a new contract, the 24-year-old superstar broke his silence by claiming his move was not motivated by money. In a statement released before Manchester United's Champions League tie with Bursaspor, Rooney said he was leaving after failing to win assurances from the club that they would continue to be able to invest in elite talent.

"It is absolutely true that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract," Rooney said. "During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world."

"I met with (Manchester United chief executive) David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad.

Rooney also hit out at suggestions made by Ferguson in comments on Tuesday that he had failed to show the club "respect" by his conduct since making his decision to quit.

"I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it," Rooney said.

"I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

"For me its all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.

"Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.

"For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one off and a genius."

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Now Manchester United know how Coleen Rooney felt

Last month it was Coleen and her family who were betrayed and humiliated by Wayne Rooney and his super-sized ego. This time, just weeks later, it is Sir Alex Ferguson. He seemed genuinely confused about why Rooney is turning his back on him and the club which has been loyal to him for six years.

Coleen must have been as bewildered why her husband betrayed her. And their unborn child. With prostitute Jennifer Thompson. In a nightclub toilet (plus the offer of marital bed). On the face of it there aren't many similarities between the chirpy young mum and the surly football manager. In reality there are many. Coleen and Sir Alex both believe in the importance of strong families and decent values.

They have both stood beside Rooney since he was as a kid, giving him the stability he needed to realise his potential. But he has treated them with equal contempt - though surely someone as wily as Sir Alex must have seen it coming. If a man is prepared to cheat on his wife, he'll cheat on anyone. And that is exactly what Rooney has done - because, like others who cheat with hookers, he is incapable of respecting the people who love him.

He doesn't respect his wife, child, boss, club or fans. Whoever hires him - and whichever fans take him to their hearts - should understand he won't respect them either. For greed and ego have taken over. He clearly believes he can do whatever he wants and there will be no comeback on him.

One day, he may wake up and realise those who loved him are long gone - though Coleen is desperate to keep her family together and, in the short term, seems prepared to forgive. I doubt Sir Alex can do the same. Rooney has long deserved a good boot up the backside for his arrogance. If Coleen won't give it to him, we can only hope the Old Trafford boss will.

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Manchester United - West Bromwich Albion Preview: Owen Hargreaves could make bench as Wayne Rooney returns to the fold

Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to welcome back veteran duo Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to the fold after they shook off injuries. Wayne Rooney's declaration of match fitness should see him selected to start unless the fall out from the revelation extends to the team sheet.

News of knee pain for Park Ji-Sung on international duty could see the South Korean miss the cut. Owen Hargreaves long-awaited return could see a place granted on the substitute's bench. Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney.Roberto Di Matteo will have his fingers crossed that top scorer Peter Odemwingie can declare himself fit after he picked up a knee injury. Reserve striker Ishmael Miller faces a race against time to be on standby to deputise with a thigh strain.

Youngster Joe Mattock could also return to the first team fold after an extended spell on the treatment table with the same injury.

Slovakia international Marek Cech is unavailable with a damaged ankle.

Possible starting XI: Carson; Jara, Olsson, Pablo, Shorey; Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Dorrans, Morrison; Odemwingie.

Home comforts

Manchester United are looking to get back on the Premier League pace after the disappointing 0-0 draw with Sunderland before the international break.

The stalemate at the Stadium of Light left the club in third place in the table, five points behind leaders Chelsea and one place behind bitter rivals Manchester City.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson comes into tomorrow's West Bromwich Albion clash with the media glare centred on his reportedly fractious relationship with Wayne Rooney. The intrigue from the out of form striker's contradictory statements about an ankle injury will only be defused by a flurry of goals.

In better news, injury plagued midfielder Owen Hargreaves is believed to be on the cusp of his first appearance at the Theatre of Dreams in two years after being given the all clear by surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.

United's perfect home record will be expected to be extended against West Bromwich Albion. Another setback would see Chelsea disappear further into the horizon.

Buoyant Baggies

West Brom have shot to sixth place in the standings and are in no mood to be cowed into submission.

The 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago has seen Roberto Di Matteo enjoy a stunning introduction to top flight management. Expected to be headed straight back to the Championship, the Baggies have lacked the praise they deserve after Blackpool's similarly impressive opening stole the headlines.

The spine of this challenge has come at the Hawthorns. Away from home, a haul of just three points hints at a difficult afternoon in the north west.

The memories of the 6-0 thrashing on the opening day may still be in the mind of the Italian's troops. Furthermore, the Baggies will be fighting against more than 30 years of history since they last took the spoils at Old Trafford. West Brom have made a mockery of the pre-season predictions of doom thus far. Another fine result would be the greatest upset of all.

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