Many football fans might be surprised to learn that Piers Morgan writes a football column for the Daily Mail. He is certainly not a man one would instantly associate with the game. Indeed his latest effort is filled with outlandish predictions and lets just say unorthodox analysis. Of course Piers Morgan is a man who likes to shock people, and is not a shrinking violet, but the disdain he displays for Manchester United in his article is verging on the ridiculous. Morgan does in fact admit he detests Man United, and he predicts in his Daily Mail column that United will miss out on a top four position this season. He also makes a bold prediction about Wayne Rooney’s fortunes this season, he writes;

“Wayne Rooney will score 10 fewer goals than last season. The reason? Premier League defenders will have watched his dismal displays in the World Cup and suddenly realised he is not as unstoppable as they thought.”

These comments should be taken with a pinch of salt, but Morgan firmly states that this is his genuine belief of what will happen this season. I am going to go out on a limb and say that Piers Morgan has got his predictions totally wrong.

Firstly, Manchester United will be challenging at the top end of the table for the whole season. The quality of the manager and players will ensure this. The side is certainly no weaker than last term, so quite why Morgan is predicting such a fall from grace with such vehemence is puzzling. Okay Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are a year older, but their quality this season will not be hugely diluted by that fact. Scholes showed his class in Man Utd’s 3-1 Charity Shield victory over Chelsea on the weekend, and he and Giggs will still have big parts to play in the coming campaign. Unlike the beginning of last season, United have not lost anyone this summer, but have in fact added what looks like a very talented young striker to their ranks, in the form of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez. Manchester United only finished one point off title winners Chelsea last season, so for them to drop out of the top four is almost unforseeable.

Morgan is correct when he states that Wayne Rooney had a dismal World Cup, that is undeniable. But to predict he will have an unsuccessful Premier League season is bold and most probably unwise. Defenders will still be very wary of his ability, and he will still be Man Utd’s main goal threat, his quality has not diminished. It is by no means guaranteed that Rooney will repeat the superb form he displayed last season again, but the prediction of him scoring ten less goals this season is likely to be off the mark.

Manchester United have won three titles in four years. Last season the club were gunning for what would have been an unprecedented fourth straight title, the fact that they eventually did miss out certainly does not rule them out this time around. Although it was only the Charity Shield, Man Utd have already put in an impressive winning performance over title rivals Chelsea and it does bode well for their season. Since the leagues inception Manchester United have not failed to challenge at the top end of the table, and despite Piers Morgan’s dire predictions, there is no reason to suggest that that is likely to change this season.

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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

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Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti has been named as the Premier League Manager of the Month for August, while Manchester United's Paul Scholes has taken the Player's award.

Ancelotti's Blues have started the defence of their league title with three wins out of three, keeping three clean sheets in the process as they thrashed West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic 6-0 and beat Stoke City 2-0.

The Italian told his club's official website:"I enjoy getting started on the Premier League and I am happy to win the Manager of the Month.

"It is a good moment recently. We have started very well, but now we have six important games in 21 days."

Meanwhile, the evergreen Scholes has won the nod for impressive displays in the Red Devils' opening three league games of the new campaign.

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The 35-year-old midfielder has helped United beat Newcastle United and West Ham United by 3-0 scorelines, while finding the net in the 2-2 draw at Fulham.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

As October approaches, Liverpool have just won Premier League to their name; a 1-0 victory over West Brom at Anfield in which they were far from dominating in. Admittedly, their fixtures have included Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City, as well as a trip to the miserly St Andrews, and as a result Roy Hodgson has struggled to get any momentum going with a new group of players. Liverpool fans will have far lower expectations than of previous years, but for a club with the prestige that Liverpool possess, those expectations will always remain higher than most.

There is still a vast amount of the Anfield faithful that remember an era when winning trophies was merely a formality. For those fans in particular, it must be difficult to see their team going through such a torrid time on and off the pitch. The sale of the club is an issue that has rumbled on for far too long, and still looks to be no closer to resolution. Without a new buyer, the club remains in financial and political limbo as the team struggles to find its feet.

Roy Hodgson was always going to be given time. The lowly league finish last season means that for this term, anything above will be seen as progress. The fans will be wary of the moves that Man City have made in the transfer market, despite managing to keep hold of their own prized assets, as well as the squad that Harry Redknapp has assembled at White Hart Lane. Within the space of a year Liverpool have gone from having three main rivals for the league, to having five rivals who are all performing better than them; they are now so far beyond what Man Utd and Chelsea are capable of.

It becomes difficult to fathom what supporters will deem as acceptable this season. Rafa Benitez was much maligned by the time his tenure on Merseyside was up – I personally believe that despite some faults, he was, and still is, a manager of really high quality and for the Champions League exploits alone, deserves a huge amount of credit. Sixth or above in the league will be a good first season for Hodgson, and a fair reflection of the squad assembled at the club. The Europa League, in my opinion, is a different matter. Liverpool are one of the best teams in the competition; while there is a serious Iberian threat to their chances (Atletico Madrid in particular), there will be no teams they do not believe they can beat.

Hodgson’s arrival was seen as the beginning of a new dawn, a chance to start afresh. But in reality, no supposed new era can begin without the issues in the boardroom being resolved. In Hodgson, the club have a tactically astute manager with vast, extensive experience, but who has his hands tied behind his back in terms of the scope he is given to work in, as well as the stability of his employers.

Liverpool fans are not naïve enough to believe that they should be winning leagues in the way that they used to twenty years ago, or how Man Utd have done since, but they will still want more than they are currently getting. The American owners have seemingly bitten off more than they can chew, and perhaps underestimated just what the club means to people. Hodgson will be given time, but over the next two to three years, Liverpool will need to be re-affirm their status in the old ‘Big Four’, they are too big not to be there for more than that period of time.

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Newcastle United have written to the Football Association calling for action to be taken against Manchester City's Nigel de Jong over his leg-breaking challenge on Hatem Ben Arfa.

Ben Arfa broke both bones in the lower half of his left leg during the 2-1 defeat at Eastlands on Sunday, with Dutch international de Jong being axed from the Netherlands squad as a result of his actions.

However, match referee Martin Atkinson took no action against de Jong at the time and United would like the FA to take a look at the incident again.

A statement from the Magpies read:"Newcastle United FC have written a strongly-worded letter to the FA in relation to the tackle by Manchester City's Nigel de Jong on Hatem Ben Arfa in Sunday's Premier League fixture, which resulted in Ben Arfa sustaining a broken tibia and fibula of his left leg.

"The club has asked the FA for the appropriate action to be taken against de Jong for the tackle which in the club's opinion was unnecessary and used excessive force.

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"Newcastle United will also be writing to the appropriate body regarding the performance of the match officials, specifically the referee, in relation to a number of incidents during the game including the tackle on Ben Arfa."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Under-pressure Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has been reassured that the club's prospective new owners have full faith in him being to the right man to get the Reds back on track.

Hodgson took charge at Anfield in the summer and the former Fulham boss has seen his new charges make a dismal start to the new campaign.

However, New England Sports Ventures believe that the experienced coach is capable of engineering a turnaround in fortunes.

Club chairman Martin Broughton confirmed:"They are very happy that this manager is the right person to take this club forward.

"They talk enthusiastically about winning and investing in the team, stadium development and doing all the right things.

"I think they are going to be pretty hands-on and they have a track record of that."

Meanwhile, Hodgson has reacted positively to the news that a takeover at Anfield seems to be close at hand.

He told the club's official website:"It's very positive and of course I'm delighted. It's been going on a long time and I know how hard the board have worked to set things up.

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"I know it's not easy for them because the owners have other ideas in terms of the sale of the club and what is achievable.

"But I was delighted to hear the news and have it confirmed that it looks like it is going to go through."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Chelsea have made serene progress this week, maintaining their five point advantage at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought win over Blackburn and in beating Spartak Moscow at Stamford Bridge during the week, qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League at the earliest possible opportunity.

However, questions have been raised about the strength in depth of Carlo Ancelotti’s table toppers, as key personnel continue to lack fitness, and as the season heads towards the most intensive period of games to be played this season, the Italian may be re-examining his pledge not to sign any new players in January.

On the blogging networks there is speculation as to whether the Blues should pursue a move for Brazilian playmaker Kaka, the merits of Ancelotti’s transfer denials and praise of footballers with asthma playing at the top level of the game.

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Where have you gone, Frank Lampard? – The Chelsea Blog

Liverpool Vs Chelsea – BlueChampions

Liverpool revival to be tested by Chelsea- A different league

Scolari, Spartak and Kalou – CFC Net

There are few atmospheres in the Premier League as awe-inspiring of that at in the Kop for Liverpool’s home matches at Anfield. Every fan knows that football anthems are as important to the game as the fans and players. Gerry Marsden (of Gerry and the Pacemakers fame) knows better than anyone – hailing from Liverpool, he is responsible for popularizing the song that became the best soccer chant ever, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Although this song is close to many soccer clubs’ hearts, its roots undeniably stem from Liverpool, so we decided to get to the core of it all by hearing it from the source; Gerry Marsden himself. On our visit with him to Anfield Stadium, the home of the Liverpool Football Club, we found out how it all began.

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For an insight into the We Are Eleven series check out our interview with producer Santiago Stelley.

Since Robbie Keane returned from his loan spell at Celtic the Tottenham striker hasn’t had much too much to smile about. Limited playing time and a future that looks less than certain sum up the Ireland internationals current situation.

In recent weeks it has become evident that Keane’s future lies away from White Hart Lane. Today we take a look at a few clubs who could provide a new stomping ground for the striker.

First up, Celtic, Keane has already enjoyed a fruitful spell at the Glasgow club scoring 12 goals in 16 appearances. Keane is approaching the end of his career and Celtic would provide the perfect setting for his final few years. The striker, a catholic Irishman would arguably like to end his career at his boyhood club. However, It’s not hard to come to the conclusion that Keane could end up at Celtic, so lets look a couple of other more interesting propositions for the Spurs striker.

Bets will be refunded if there are more than 4 goals at WHL

Robbie Keane is already a bit of a Journeyman so it wouldn’t surprise me if the striker found his way to a completely new experience in a new club. Aston Villa currently find themselves at the wrong end of the table and in need of some firepower. Could Keane be the solution? Furthermore, it seems apparent that Gerard Houllier, the Villa boss, is assembling a vibrant youthful team. Houllier has already brought in the experienced Pires, could Keane be his next acquisition.

Then there’s Everton. I’m not sure I’ve heard this rumour before, but for me it makes total sense. Everton are another team somewhat lacking firepower. They are a team that could make a strong push for Europe if only they had a player that could regularly find the net. Keane certainly fits the bill. Everton are a club that do not exactly have bundles to spend but it is thought that it wouldn’t cost an arm or a leg for the services of Keane, thus adding weight behind the idea Keane could be on his way up to Goodison Park.

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There you have it! What do you think? Am I bonkers, or does it make as much sense to you as to does me?

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This could be the strongest test of Manchester United’s unbeaten season to date.

The concern for United’s title challengers is that Alex Ferguson’s men do not appear to have even left second gear in cruising to the top of the league. Questions may be asked as to whether the former champions possess all the gears they have had in previous years, however these queries will be answered later on in the campaign.

Tottenham have been excellent going forward, however Harry Redknapp will be mindful of the meeting between the two sides at Old Trafford, where despite the controversial Nani incident, Spurs were well beaten.

I expect a far better showing this time around. Tottenham will score goals, and with United still prone to conceding sloppily, the white half of North London have a real chance of grabbing the points. United, however, keep find a way of grinding out results and whilst they will not be as fluent as their hosts they will find enough to get the job done.

Prediction: 1-2

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Manager Simon Grayson was proud of the fight in his side after Leeds United went down to Arsenal 3-1 in their FA Cup clash on Wednesday.Grayson added that he felt Gunners boss Arsene Wenger’s decision to bring on stars Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie in the latter stages was the ultimate compliment to his players and the threat they provided to the Arsenal defence in their third-round replay at Elland Road.

“We showed some good qualities and if you are going to get knocked out of the FA Cup you might as well have it done by one of the best teams in Europe, if not the world,” Grayson told Sky Sports.

“I thought it was credit to us that at 2-1 Arsenal had to bring on Fabregas and van Persie. “

Grayson said his side was capable of maintaining its lofty position on the Championship table, with United fifth and targeting a return to the English Premier League next season,

He credited their near-upset at the Emirates in the third-round proper – with Arsenal needing a late penalty to salvage a draw – as invaluable experience.

“Hopefully the ambition of the players can be fulfilled here – we are not a selling club and don’t need to sell anybody,” he said.

“This has whetted the appetite for players to face these sorts of teams on a weekly basis and I believe we have come out of the two games with a lot of credit.”

Wenger said he would like to see United return to the top flight.

“I was impressed by the way they (Leeds) were organised and their spirit and physical qualities. I think they have a good chance to be in the play-off – we miss Leeds in the Premier League,” Wenger said.

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The French boss admitted his side was thinking about the prospect of a fourth-round clash with League One side Huddersfield Town in the next round.

“The team goes from strength to strength and we have shown again tonight we are hungry. This gives us a good opportunity to play at home against Huddersfield – of course we will be favourite and I think we had that in mind tonight,” Wenger said.