Football: Dawning of a new era at Old Trafford as Moyes is confirmed as successor to retiring boss Sir Alex

Manchester United have confirmed that David Moyes will become their new manager when Sir Alex Ferguson steps down after 27 years in charge at Old Trafford. 

Moyes, who agreed a six-year deal at Old Trafford but will remain at Everton until the end of the season, said: 'It’s a great honour to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United.  

'I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done and for the football club.  

'I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn’t something that comes around very often and I’m really looking forward to taking up the post next season.

Football: Arsenal prepare to give Man United a guard of honour

Manchester United are expected be given a guard of honour by Arsenal when they walk out at the Emirates on Sunday – but why? 

                                          Honoured: Manchester United saluted Arsenal's title winning side at Higbury in 1991

It is not compulsory for any club to provide a guard of honour if they face the newly crowned League champions but is a ceremony agreed between the two clubs.

It is understandable that Arsenal would put one on for United, who first celebrated the Gunners' 1991 league title win, giving them a guard of honour at Highbury.

The Manchester club have a history of respecting opponents and they also honoured Chelsea lifting the Premier League trophy in 2005. To reciprocate, Chelsea did the same for United two years later. Everton also celebrated United's title success on the last day of the season in 2003 at Goodison Park.

But it is not exclusive to the modern era, and occurred as far back as 1955 when United provided one for Chelsea. It is not just used for title winners either – a guard was formed in 2011 by United and Sunderland to celebrate Sir Alex Ferguson's 25 years in charge. Newcastle players also applauded Arsenal on to St James' Park in 1994 when they won the European Cup-Winners' Cup.

                                           Guard of Honour: United applaud Chelsea on to the Old Trafford pitch in May 2005

It is an act that demonstrates a huge level of respect, but one that jars with many players and fans alike. The show must go on however- Congratulations Manchester United

Why Michu, Baines and Cazorla are more deserving of PFA nomination

It is regarded as the most prestigious personal award a footballer plying his trade on these shores can receive.

But even if the PFA Players' Player of the Year shortlist is compiled from votes of those who actually play the game, their decision can be as error prone as some of their performances on the pitch.

True, Eden Hazard has been impressive since moving to Chelsea from Lille last summer and has played more games than anyone else on this shortlist.

Michu

Michu (Swansea City)

Age: 27 Appearances: 38 Goals: 21

Surely the buy of the season and certainly the bargain with Swansea parting with just £2m to sign their goal machine from Rayo Vallecano. 

Michu is worth 10 times that now and his goals have been instrumental in Swansea’s superb season, a campaign crowned with a Capital One Cup winner's medal. His team-mate Nathan Dyer tweeted on Friday: 'In all seriousness now! How is @Michuoviedo not even on the list???? Wow!'

Leighton Baines(right)

Leighton Baines (Everton) 

Age: 28 Appearances: 39 Goals: 7

Baines has created more goal scoring opportunities for his teammates than any other player in Europe. He has all but usurped Ashley Cole as England’s first-choice left back, which makes him the best left back in Europe. 

His repertoire also includes the ability to strike a devastating free-kick and his effort against Newcastle is a contender for goal of the season. His omission must surely be a clerical error.

Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)

Age: 28 Appearances: 42 Goals: 12

Cazorla has started more league games for Arsenal than any other player and after a dodgy run of signings Arsene Wenger finally hit the jackpot when he brought the rapid midfielder from Malaga. 

A debut season in the Premier League which surely eclipses that of Hazard, Cazorla changes games with his goals, passing and versatility. His goals and assist rightly make him a crowd favourite at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger: foreign games get boring after just 20 minutes!

Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger stepped forward last night as a surprise advocate for the physical side of English football.

In the past, Wenger has been an outspoken critic of what he claimed were aggressive tactics deployed by Stoke and Bolton.

He accused Everton of 'intimidation' after a goalless draw at the Emirates on Tuesday but insists he is not on a crusade to banish physical football.

'It is a strength of the English game,' said Wenger. 'As long as the intention is fair from the player who goes into the challenge, that is the most important thing
'Sometimes I watch foreign games and after 20 minutes you’re bored because every time somebody goes down it’s a foul, and you say: 'Come on, that’s not football'. We do not want to lose the strengths and what makes English football attractive