Four of United's players will battle it out over the next week to make the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa next summer via the play-offs. And they've all been given a good luck from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Patrice Evra, Nani, John O'Shea and Darron Gibson are in action as the eight best second-placed teams from Europe's nine qualifying groups go head-to-head. The two-legged ties will see four teams go through to next summer's tournament.

There's bound to be heartache - and a fair amount of ribbing - when John O'Shea and Darron Gibson's Republic of Ireland take on Patrice Evra and France. Les Bleus travel to Croke Park on Saturday, before Ireland visit Paris on Wednesday.

"Ireland will need to win the first leg in Dublin," Sir Alex told ManUtd.com. "If they don’t get a result at home, it’s going to be difficult in Paris.

"There won’t be a lot in it because France don’t score a lot of goals, even at home. Very seldom do you see them win by more than one or two goals. In Ireland, with the atmosphere at Croke Park and 80,000 Irishmen behind them, if they get a win there I think they’ll go through."

The United boss will have his fingers crossed for Nani and Portugal - managed by his former assistant, Carlos Queiroz - who take on Bosnia and Herzegovina. "That’s a hard game," he concedes. "Bosnia were second to Spain in their group, so it won't be easy.

"The one result which will haunt Carlos [Queiroz] was when they played Denmark at home. Portugal were 2-1 up with five minutes to go but lost 3-2. That cost them the group. I'd have said that if Ronaldo was fit, they’d get a result. Without him, it's much harder. But I hope they go through for Carlos’ sake."

Ballack is one of the best penalty taker in the world

Fergie is the best manager in da world so far..

i have doubts that Anderson might stay....others might retired at MU.

In my prediction..Obertan will replace C.Ronaldo's boots...i have seen him played.He is young,skillful,fast,intelligent and as well a goalscorer.

Man Utd forward will lead England out on Saturday in Doha.

Fabio Capello has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will captain England against Brazil in Qatar on Saturday, due to the injuries picked up by regular skipper John Terry and his deputy Rio Ferdinand.

The former AC Milan coach told journalists at a press conference in Doha: "It will be Rooney.

"I think Rooney is ready to be a captain. Why not?"

The Manchester United forward has come under scrutiny recently when he was perceived to question the integrity of the referee when his side lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He mimed "12th man" to the cameras after the 1-0 defeat, and was warned by the FA over his conduct.

Capello, though, is believed to have seen a new maturity in Rooney's game.

When Capello was introduced as England manager he alluded to the potential of Rooney as captain, provided he gain "experience" and "maturity".

He said: "Wayne Rooney is young but I believe in the future he could be captain of England one day."

Alan Dawson, Goal.com UK

The Blaugrana star is not happy at Camp Nou and a move to England could be on the cards.

Manchester United and Arsenal are two of the clubs who have made their interest in Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure known.

The Premier League teams are keeping tabs on the Ivory Coast international and could make a move for his services at the end of the current campaign.

Toure's agent, Dmitri Seluk, has questioned Barcelona's reasons for agreeing a new deal with his client last summer only to use him sparingly this season.

Manchester City's interest in the player sparked the outburst, in which Seluk stated that at least eight major clubs are interested in the former Monaco man.

Now the Red Devils and the Gunners have been linked with the player and both would be able to offer him regular football, according to The Daily Mail.

United's interest could increase if it appears that Owen Hargreaves will struggle to play at the highest level after his long-term lay-off, while Arsenal will view Toure's experience as crucial in such a young team.

After penning a deal in the summer, Toure has played only a handful of games for the European champions this term as Seydou Keita has risen to prominence at Camp Nou.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

i thought Rio will be out up to 6 weeks.

Does this mean the chase for Maicon is over?   

is it true silva and villa from valencia joing man utd next year???
if yes, its gonna be awesome! 

Michael Owen believes events at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago will help inspire Sir Alex Ferguson’s men when Everton visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

But it’s not just a sense of injustice that will fire the Reds. Owen says United will take heart from the way the team dominated at Chelsea despite the 1-0 loss.

“We don’t have that desperate desire to get out there again and prove anything to anyone,” Owen told United Review.

“When we lost at Liverpool it was a different story – we didn’t perform well at Anfield – but there was no way we deserved to lose at Chelsea. We walked away with our heads held high. There were plenty of positives to take out of that performance.”

Positive sums up Owen’s start to his United career. The 29-year-old has scored in the league, Carling Cup and Champions League since his summer arrival and choruses of “Michael Owen is a Red” have rung out around Old Trafford since his winner in September’s Manchester derby.

“I’m not sure Gary Neville’s too pleased with me nicking his song!” he joked.

“To be honest, 10 years ago I wouldn’t have dared dream I would one day play for United, so it’s a nice surprise. I’ve been very fortunate to end up here and there’s no better feeling than playing, scoring, winning and hearing the fans sing your name.”