It's a shame but Gerrard Pique has decided to jump ship and return to Barcelona - the club Manchester United signed him from four years ago.

The 21-year-old made 13 appearances in United's double-winning campaign and left because he wanted to play more competitive football.

I saw great things from the young Spaniard, who looked assured with the ball at his feet, who was good in the air and strong in the tackle. He also had two great mentours in the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, arguably Europe's best centre of defence pairing.

He was said to be disolusioned to see the likes of his fellow compatriot Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal playing in the first team week in week out. 

One thing is for sure he will be a great player in the future - and to be at possibly the second biggest club in the world is not too bad a breeding ground for success. It does mean, however, United are precariously short at the back - with John O'Shea not being good enough and Mikael Silvestre looking to move.

-RD-

It looks like Fergie will be leaving Old Trafford’s hallowed turf within the next three years – so who will be his successor?

The usual foreign names will no doubt be bandied about as a possible replacement, will Mourinho, Sven – even Grant (no, stupid suggestion) be available when the time finally comes.

Nobody can be sure, so it’s not surprising therefore to hear that the United board have announced that current assistant Carlos Queiroz is “very much in the frame,” not being ones to rock the boat of course.

I’m sorry but I don’t see or want it. Some assistant’s are simply just not good enough to succeed. Indeed, look at some of Fergie’s past number two’s (you can take the pun or not): McLaren, did mediocre at Middlesbrough, was pushed into a top job way too early, now coaching at Darlington, apparently helping out a mate, probably got more to do with the fact that the job offers haven’t exactly been pouring in. Then you have Brian Kidd before him, he took over at troubled Leeds United, they were relegated and I’ll be honest, I have no idea where he is now.

Then it comes to Mr Queiroz himself he had an unbelievably dismal spell at Real Madrid. Remember that? He left his post at Old Trafford for ONE season to take up the reigns at, arguably, the most high-profile club in the world and flopped, only to return to United with his tail between his legs. Sorry but Queiroz, and those mentioned above, while they are fantastic coaches and assistants and of that there can be no doubt, they simply cannot cut it on their own.

So that brings me neatly to a more suitable replacement.

Aside from the managers I’ve mentioned in the second paragraph, and no, not Grant, I honestly think the United board will pluck for an old United great. Someone the players and fans will all look up to. The most obvious would be either Mark Hughes or Roy Keane, who are both currently plying their trade in the Premier League with Blackburn and Sunderland respectively.

While Keane would be the automatic fans choice and while there is no doubting his commitment or his discipline he lacks the experience at the moment and to be quite honest there are question marks over his ability to handle money. He has spent a fortune since he was appointed by Niall Quinn, and they only just staved off relegation last term and he now looks like being given another war chest. Maybe a bit premature to count him out but that’s the way it looks at present.

Mark Hughes, however, presents a different CV. He has international experience, okay it was with Wales, but they have never performed better before or since. He has consistently improved his Blackburn side open every campaign he undertakes and he has proved shrewd in the transfer market on a very limited budget. Roque Santa Cruz was probably the buy of last season. And he really is the only other manager to rival Keane's competitive streak – Sparky – a sure-fire winner.

But seeing that Fergie has already shelved proposed retirement plans once already, I guess we ahould just wait and see.

MANCHESTER UNITED became kings of Europe for the third time on an emotional night in Moscow.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was the hero as it was his penalty save to deny Nicolas Anelka that gave United the opportunity to clinch a second Champions League crown for Sir Alex Ferguson.

The trophy looked to be going to Stamford Bridge after Petr Cech saved Cristiabo’s tame effort but Chelsea captain John Terry’s miss turned the tide in favor of the Red Devils.

It was an emotional night, particularly for Manchester United, who celebrated their triumph 40 years since they won their first European Cup with a team rebuilt by Sir Matt Busby following the Munich disaster in which eight players lost their lives, in February 1958.

It was very apt therefore that United became the first English club to win the trophy 10 years later and furthermore, half a century on, to capture the trophy once more.

Fittingly it was that man Cristiano Ronaldo, who has long been compared to United legend George Best who put his club in front. Paul Scholes, who missed the club’s last triumph through suspension in 1999, supplied the pass for Wes Brown on the right wing, who supplied the cross for the Portugese prodigy who planted a bullet header into the corner past Cech, for his 42^nd goal of what has been a memorable season for the winger.

Against the run of play, Chelsea nearly grabbed an equaliser in the 33rd minute when Lampard’s cross was headed back into the six-yard box by Didier Drogba. Rio Ferdinand, under pressure from Michael Ballack, was forced to head the ball towards his own goal forcing a a superb reactions save from Van der Sar. 

Moments later Cech was brought into action in thrilling style making a sensational double save, first from Carlos Tevez, who should have done better with a diving header and, second, from Michael Carrick, who hit a powerful drive from the rebound, which produced a fine save from the Czech international.

The Blues began to grow in confidence from their defensive solidarity and had some luck to equalise on the stroke of half time. Michael Essien attempted a shot from 25-yards, which took two deflections on its way towards the goal, which fell in the path of the marrauding Frank Lampard, who duly supplied the finish from six yards. It was a cruel blow as United only had their selves to blame for not being three up at the break.

In a wild twist of fortunes, Chelsea came out in the second half as a completely different side, Grant’s half time chat must have had an impact. In a reversal of fortunes they nearly took the lead in the 54^th minute. Essien managed to get clear of the United defence but his attempted curler from the edge of the penalty area was far too high. Drogba sent a header a wide from Lampard's corner and Ballack was off target with a 25-yard drive.

An out of sorts Drogba, then showed what a proven marksman he is by hitting the woodwork in the 77th minute with an audacious curler from 20 yards, leaving Van der Sar stranded. Another historic moment ensued as Ryan Giggs was introduced in place of Scholes for the Welshman to make a record 759th appearance for the Red Devils.

The game went into extra-time, and Chelsea maintained their dominance and within three minutes of the restart, the woodwork came to United's rescue again. This time it was Lampard who sent his shot crashing against the crossbar.

But Chelsea were almost pegged back immediately when Terry cleared a goal-bound effort from Giggs off his own line.

A turning point, perhaps, was when Drogba was then sensationally sent off for slapping Nemanja Vidic as tempers began to flare on both sides as the lottery of penalties loomed. 

In fairness the result was harsh on Chelsea, who dominated in the second half, but the match should have been over at half time as United should have been three goals to the good.

Overall, United, on balance, deserved thr trophy on the basis that they played far superior opposition - it just seems that Chelsea appear to have Fergies and United's number at present.

A great Cup final - and yes, I do feel a little bit sorry forTerry, you wouldn't wish that on anyone - apart from, maybe, the Germans.

-RD-

Well it is blatantly obvious to me that we need to go out and purchase a 'fox in the box', a world class poacher who could get us 20 goals a season. We cannot rely on Ronaldo every season to get 30-plus goals.

Where nobody doubts the ability of Louis Saha, he quite simply does not play enough games - he is on a par with Darren 'sick-note' Anderton, for his time on the injury table. And, understandably, Fergie has lost his patience, or so it seems.

So the news has surfaced that Michael Owen is on his way - and at only 27-years-old, he has got significant international experience - he has a good goal scoring record and let's face it he will get more chances at Man U.

Personally, I still would like Fergie to persue the man they call 'The Hunter,' that is Jan Klaas Huntelaar. If one bares in mind the success of our last dutch import I think he would be a good bet - It is unbelievable how many goals this kid has scored.

One thing is for sure a new striker is on the summer shopping list and it will be interesting to see what kind of a striker will be on their way to Old Trafford.

-RD-