Tottenham v Manchester United

Tottenham will be looking to do the double over Manchester United as these Premier League heavyweights clash in front of the Sky Sports cameras at White Hart Lane on January 20th.

That would cap an historic season in the rivalry between these two great clubs.

Spurs picked up their first win at Old Trafford in 23 years in September when Andre Villas-Boas' side stunned the home crowd in a memorable 3-2 triumph. Remarkably, it was United's only home defeat of 2012 in the Premier League.

Will lightning strike twice? You only have to look back to the corresponding fixture last season to appreciate just what a tough task Spurs face at the weekend. The Red Devils ran out comfortable 3-1 winners that day in March as Harry Redknapp's title challenge as Spurs boss faded fast.

That was the start of a woeful run of form in the spring that led to Tottenham missing out on UEFA Champions League football and chairman Daniel Levy opting to replace Redknapp with Villas-Boas in the summer. There were murmurs of discontent but the Portuguese coach has succeeded in putting his own stamp on the Lilywhites and they are on track for a top-four finish again this season.

Of course, Sir Alex Ferguson and his team have grander ambitions than that and even a tricky assignment like this will be seen as a potential three points in their quest to wrestle the Premier League title back from rivals Manchester City.

Will Fergie be all smiles at the final whistle or will it be another case of AVB getting one over on the United boss. Super Sunday will have the answers.

Manchester United reluctant to discuss Cristiano Ronaldo rumours

Manchester United chief executive David Gill is reluctant to be drawn on rumours linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a return to the club.

Ronaldo is tied to a long-term contract at Real Madrid, but admits he cannot say where his long-term future will lie.

The Portugal international intends to see out a deal which is due to run until 2015, but is then expected to make a move elsewhere.

A return to Old Trafford has been touted for a man offloaded by United in 2009 for a world record fee, with Ronaldo himself admitting to having strong emotional ties to the Red Devils.

Sir Alex Ferguson claims he would welcome the prolific frontman back with open arms, with Ronaldo the kind of player who would improve any side.

That would appear to suggest that United would be in the running were Ronaldo to become available, but for now Gill is keen to play down the rumours and focus on a meeting between United and their former fans' favourite in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

He told Sky Sports News HD: "He is a brilliant player but he is contracted for the next two-and-a-half years at Madrid.

"We are looking forward to welcoming him back, he will get a great reception at Old Trafford in early March and that is all we have got to say."

Sir Alex Ferguson backs Ryan Giggs to sign new Manchester United deal

Sir Alex Ferguson expects 'incredible' Ryan Giggs to extend his Manchester United career beyond his 40th birthday.

Giggs's current deal expires at the end of the season and he turns 40 on 23 November, Wednesday's FA Cup replay against West Ham was his 17th appearance already this term

And after watching Giggs turn in an impressive display in a 1-0 win, Ferguson told MUTV: "He will play for another year.

"There are no discerning signs of tiredness or weakness in his game, his quality is still there and he has fantastic balance. He has the appetite for it and he is just an incredible human being."

Giggs - told about his manager's comments - said: "I don't feel like that now. I'm enjoying it more than ever at the moment, though.

"The FA Cup at Old Trafford... if you don't enjoy that you need to pack it in."

United's goal came in the ninth minute from Wayne Rooney, who was back in action after sitting out their last five matches due to a knee injury.

The England striker turned in Javier Hernandez's square ball from close range, and after taking the congratulations of his team-mates, then paid his respects to his late sister-in-law, kissing his hands, looking to the skies and raising his arms as he walked back towards the halfway line.

Rooney had the chance to double the lead from the spot but put his penalty high over the bar.

It leaves United with a record of four penalties scored and five missed for the season so far and Ferguson said: "I don't think it is just one of those things. I think we have to improve at that.

"If you get a penalty kick, really... there has been talk about (the good penalty record of) Rickie Lambert at Southampton. That is what taking penalty kicks is about.

"There have been several great examples over the years - (former Southampton midfielder) Matthew Le Tissier scoring 47 out of 48.

"A penalty kick is your opportunity to take advantage of a foul or a handball or whatever and score a goal."

FA Cup: Wayne Rooney fires Manchester United past West Ham

Wayne Rooney scored a ninth-minute winner to send Manchester United through to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over a spirited West Ham United.

The England striker side-footed into an empty net after Javier Hernandez had raced in behind the visitors' defence and squared.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side will now face Fulham at home in the last 32.

There was a tinge of sadness for Rooney, however, who dedicated his goal to his late sister-in-law Rosie, who died on January 5th.

He then went on to miss a second-half penalty, blazing his effort over the bar as West Ham threatened to mount a comeback.

Ferguson made 10 changes to his team and the disruption showed in a below-par performance that lacked cohesion and tempo.

They started well and deservedly took the lead, but failed to build on their advantage, with their only other clear chance of the first half being a shot from Nani that was kicked off the line by Dan Potts.

West Ham lacked penetration in the opening period but fared far better after the break and had several opportunities to draw level.

They could have had a penalty shortly after the restart when the ball struck Rafael's arm, but referee Phil Dowd waved play on.

United were then fortunate that the Brazilian right-back was in the right place to prevent Matt Taylor's square ball reaching Ricardo Vaz Te.

Taylor later curled an excellent chance over, before Chris Smalling managed to nick the ball away from Kevin Nolan just as the Hammers substitute was about to shoot from close range.

United should have put the game beyond doubt after Jordan Spence handled the excellent Ryan Giggs' cross, but Rooney missed from the penalty spot.

Manchester United	Team Statistics	West Ham United
1	Goals	0
1	1st Half Goals	0
6	Shots on Target	2
6	Shots off Target	3
1	Blocked Shots	5
8	Corners	4
7	Fouls	9
5	Offsides	1
1	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
84.8	Passing Success	71.8
18	Tackles	21
88.9	Tackles Success	66.7
58.6	Possession	41.4
47.9	Territorial Advantage	52.1
480	Total Passes	326
30	Total Crosses	24
169	Lost Balls	171
73	Recoveries	57
63.6	1st Half Poss.	36.4
54.8	2nd Half Poss.	45.2

Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League

Manchester United saw off a late Liverpool rally to beat their old rivals 2-1 at Old Trafford and tighten their grip on top spot in the Premier League.

Robin van Persie had given United a first-half lead and Nemanja Vidic extended their dominance in fortuitous fashion early in the second half.

Best of the Match:

• Man of the Match: Michael Carrick. Controlled Man Utd's tempo and was always available for the ball
• Goal of the Match: Robin van Persie. Patient build-up from United before the striker swept home Evra's cross
• Moment of the Match: Daniel Sturridge. The Liverpool substitute scooped over with five minutes to go and the visitors' chance was gone
• Save of the Match: Pepe Reina. The Liverpool keeper's flying stop denied Shinji Kagawa
• Talking Point: Can Man Utd be caught at the top of the table? Should Liverpool start with Suarez and Sturridge?

But substitute Daniel Sturridge's first league goal for Liverpool brought the visitors back into the game and there were one or two nervy moments before the Red Devils confirmed the three points.

United took the lead with the opening chance of the game on 19 minutes when van Persie swept home first time from Patrice Evra's low cross following a patient build-up by the leaders.

Van Persie was almost in again on 27 minutes after Ashley Young's pass found him in space just inside the box, but the Dutchman's first-time finish on this occasion flew over the bar.

Joe Allen was enduring a difficult afternoon and the midfielder's loose pass was seized upon by Danny Welbeck before Daniel Agger produced a great block to deny the striker.

Luis Suarez blazed over Liverpool's only shot of the first half before Tom Cleverley flashed a volley wide after Allen's poor headed clearance from Young's cross.

The Red Devils should have extended their lead just before the break, but van Persie's flick from Rafael's cross was cleared off the line by Martin Skrtel and Pepe Reina was hurt in a collision with Shinji Kagawa in the scramble for the loose ball.

United struck again on 53 minutes when Skrtel was booked for hauling back Welbeck and van Persie's delivery was met by Evra, whose header was inadvertently deflected in by Vidic.

Van Persie is different class

Liverpool were quick to respond and pulled a goal back within four minutes when Sturridge, a half-time replacement for Lucas, was sharpest to the loose ball after David de Gea could only parry Steven Gerrard's low drive from outside the box.

Kagawa forced a flying save out of Reina with a deft curler before Glen Johnson, Sturridge and another substitute Fabio Borini all failed to find the target in a five-minute spell of Liverpool pressure.

Sturridge had Liverpool's best chance in the closing stages, but scooped his shot over the bar and United spent the last couple of minutes of stoppage-time deep in opposition territory before Howard Webb blew for full-time.

Alex Ferguson

Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE (born 31 December 1941) is a Scottish football manager and former player who has managed Manchester United since 1986. His tenure has seen the club go through an era of success and dominance both in England and in Europe, giving Ferguson a reputation as one of the most admired and respected managers in the history of the game.

Ferguson previously managed East Stirlingshire and St. Mirren, before a highly successful period as manager of Aberdeen. After a brief stint as manager of the Scotland national team following the death of Jock Stein, he was appointed manager of Manchester United in November 1986.

With 25 years as manager of Manchester United, he is the longest serving manager in their history after overtaking Sir Matt Busby's record on 19 December 2010. His tenure is also the longest of all the current League managers. During this time, Ferguson has won many awards and holds many records including winning Manager of the Year most times in British football history. In 2008, he became the third British manager to win the European Cup on more than one occasion, after Brian Clough and Bob Paisley.

He was knighted in 1999 for his services to the game and also holds the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Personal information
Full name	Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson[1]
Date of birth	31 December 1941 (age 71)
Place of birth	Glasgow, Scotland
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current club	Manchester United (manager)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1957–1960	Queen's Park	31	(15)
1960–1964	St. Johnstone	37	(19)
1964–1967	Dunfermline Athletic	89	(66)
1967–1969	Rangers	41	(25)
1969–1973	Falkirk	95	(36)
1973–1974	Ayr United	24	(9)
Total		317	(170)
National team
1967	Scottish League XI[2]	2	(1)
1967	Scotland XI[3]	7	(9)
Teams managed
1974	East Stirlingshire
1974–1978	St. Mirren
1978–1986	Aberdeen
1985–1986	Scotland
1986–	Manchester United
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).