Although Avram, the United co-chairman, Bryan and Kevin Glazer travelled from Florida to Wembley for the Carling Cup final victory against Aston Villa last month, the Glazers have been conspicuously absent from fixtures at Old Trafford since the opposition against their stewardship of the club intensified following January’s announcement of the controversial £500  million bond issue, aimed at alleviating United’s £716.5 million debt. @Telegraph

The Blues go into Saturday’s home game against West Ham two points behind Manchester United with a game in hand.

Arsenal have also played a game more but are on the same points as Chelsea following Carlo Ancelotti’s side suffering a recent dip in form. @Dailymail

“I’m convinced that we can win this competition, otherwise I wouldn’t be stood here,” said the defender Thomas Vermaelen. “You have to stay focused in every game and be confident in every game. As a football player, you can never be afraid of anyone.”

Arsenal have drawn strength from adversity. In the last-16 second leg against Porto, they were without what the manager, Arsène Wenger, considered, at the beginning of the season, to be the spine of his team: the defender William Gallas, the midfielder Cesc Fábregas and the striker Robin van Persie. It did not matter, as the supporting cast, led by Bendtner, Vermaelen, Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin, rose to the challenge. The Emirates pulsed to a delirious beat as a 2-1 first-leg deficit became a 6-2 aggregate triumph. @Guardian

A second-half goal by Miralem Pjanic nullified Cristiano Ronaldo’s early opener – a goal that promised to make this an easy passage into the quarter-final. As he struck the ball beyond Iker Casillas the score was levelled at 1-1, leaving the French side 2-1 up on aggregate and Madrid needing two goals in a quarter of an hour. They did not find them. Lyon nearly made it even more humiliating, only to waste two glorious breakaway chances in the dying minutes, after Madrid’s impressive first half gave way to an utterly impotent second. @Guardian

Rooney scored a goal in each half to take his tally for the season to 30 and snuff out any chance AC Milan had of crowning Beckham’s appearance against his former club in glory.

Instead, the joy was all the hosts’ as Park Ji-sung ran on to Paul Scholes’ pass to widen the gap before Darren Fletcher headed a fourth near the end. @Dailymail

Ferguson is not the only football manager who now refuses to talk to the BBC. Newcastle’s Sam Allardyce and Portsmouth’s Harry Redknapp have both declined to be interviewed by the broadcaster since last year’s Panorama investigation into alleged malpractice in football transfers. The pair both featured in that programme but have never been accused of any rule infringement or faced charges for any wrongdoing. @Independent

“I think there are many things to analyse and it’s not the right time. Apart from the fact the first half could’ve been a different result, but it was a clear victory for Manchester tonight and that is obvious,” he said of the 4-0 defeat, 7-2 on aggregate.

“We knew it took an incredible performance to overturn the first leg, but Manchester United got off to a very strong start and scored an early goal.

“This match was strongly affected by the psychological approach of the two teams. I don’t think it can affect us in Serie A, as the team is very mature and we will discuss it between ourselves. @Italia

The Milan star will take to the field in tonight’s Champions League clash with Manchester United.

He has recently been snubbed by Seleçao boss Carlos Dunga, who also dropped teammate Alexandre Pato.

“If I continue to play well with Milan, then I will be part of the squad,” assured Ronaldinho on a Brazilian radio station.

“My objective is to prove I’m going through a good period of form and can help Brazil in the World Cup. @Italia

The Dutch midfielder believes the Rossoneri need to treat their return date with United as a cup final.

Milan are aware of the daunting task that’s in front of them as they head to Old Trafford. The Italian giants will have to reverse a 3-2 deficit to advance to the quarter finals of the Champions League. @Soccerway