Football: Van Persie sends Piers Morgan a message with signed picture of his league title win

Robin van Persie dealt a blow to one of his biggest detractors after sending him a mysterious package in the post.

                                                       Robin Van Persie sent a photo to CNN presenter Piers Morgan

Sent to CNN host and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan, who has waged a running battle with Van Persie all season, the package contained a double-sided picture of the Dutch striker kissing the Premier League trophy with one message        reading : 'Piersy my man, thanks for all the support! You made this day even more special! All the best, Van Pursestrings.'

The other read: 'Great to be a champ.. so many #Tears4Piersy

Morgan had given Van Persie the nickname 'Van Pursestrings' to imply that the former Arsenal captain joined the Premier League champions for money, although he took the message in good humour.

                                                       In good humour: Piers Morgan said he'd take it 'on the chins'

Writing on his Twitter page the former Daily Mirror editor said: 'After all the grief I've given Van Pursestrings, he's allowed a whack back. I'll just have to take it on the chins.'

Morgan has had several Twitter battles with various current and former footballers, most notably Gary Lineker and Joey Barton.

Football: David Beckham brings to an end his glittering career at 38

David Beckham is retiring from football at the age of 38, bringing the curtain down on a glittering career.

The former England captain will call it a day after winning the French league title with Paris St Germain, with whom he toured the French capital celebrating their success earlier this week (right). Beckham said: 'I'm thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level.'

It marks the end of an incredible career that saw him catapulted into the spotlight when he scored a goal from his own half for Manchester United against Wimbledon on the first day of the 1996/97 season. His last minute free kick against Greece in 2001 secured England a place in the 2002 World Cup, which he is seen celebrating in the main picture below.

The move means Beckham will be able to spend more time with his family - former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, his daughter Harper (both pictured with him left) and their sons Brooklyn, Cruz and Romeo.

Football: Sir Alex Ferguson's new team's picture

 He ended the afternoon surrounded by family. Immediate family by his side, extended family looking on from behind the hoardings. Flanked by 11 proud and glowing grandchildren, resplendent in vibrant red shirts emblazoned with the legend 'Grandad 20', Sir Alex Ferguson took in the noisy farewell from his other clan

Football:'You have been the most fantastic experience of my life'- Sir Alex Ferguson

Outgoing Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described his time at Old Trafford as 'the most fantastic experience of my life.'

In an emotional speech following the full-time whistle of his side's 2-1 victory against Swansea City, Ferguson was given his special moment in front of the adoring fans.

He was then allowed the honour of lifting the Premier League trophy at the awards ceremony that followed.

He began by thanking the club, the staff and the players over the years for supporting him throughout the years.

Interestingly, Ferguson then pleaded with the supporters to back the incoming manager, Everton boss David Moyes.

'I'd like to remind you that when we had bad times here the club stood by me, all of my staff stood by me, you're job now is to stand by our new manager.

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: Wayne Rooney removes 'Manchester United player' from Twitter page

Wayne Rooney has removed the term "Manchester United player" from his Twitter page and replaced it with "NikeUK athlete" following his demand to Alex Ferguson a fortnight ago to leave the club this summer.

While United are adamant the striker is not for sale, according to a well placed source Rooney is valued at £40m, so if an offer was made this may at least be explored. United are interested in bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, so the transfer of Rooney would help finance a deal.

Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are potential suitors for the 27-year-old who has had an uneven season for United.

While it is not known why Rooney removed the description from his Twitter feed, the timing of it further heightens the sense of his disgruntlement with life at Old Trafford.

Ferguson told Rooney he could not leave and that remains United's stance. Rooney has declined to comment on his position.

Emirates State of Mind: Jay-Z and Coldplay star Chris Martin watch Arsenal face champions Man United

Coldplay singer Chris Martin and American rapper Jay-Z were spotted at the Emirates for Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.The pair share a friendship that even they have acknowledged as unlikely - and also a love of Arsenal.Martin has been to the Emirates before - he and his band played a gig there in June 2012.

Jay-Z, meanwhile, said three years ago that he would be interested in investing some of his millions in Arsenal.He said: 'I don't know a lot about the business of soccer, but in the future if the right opportunity presented itself, then who knows? 'I am a businessman, and I will always look at an opportunity, and if it feels right, great.

Arsenal will boost their own pot of cash if they qualify for the Champions League.The point gained against the new Premier League champions on Sunday afternoon did them no harm, leaving them in fourth place.

Jay-Z's favourite Arsenal player was Thierry Henry and although he has left the club, Theo Walcott - wearing the Frenchman's No 14 - opened the scoring.The equaliser came from former Gunners hero Robin van Persie, slotting home from the spot.

Football: We won't sell any more players to United after RVP, insists Arsenal boss Wenger

Arsene Wenger is adamant he will not sell any more of his Arsenal stars to Manchester United after Robin van Persie swapped the Emirates for Old Trafford last summer.

The Dutchman was part of the United team who turned out for the 1-1 draw between the two clubs in north London yesterday after being greeted with a guard of honour from his former team-mates. The Premier League top goalscorer was jeered throughout the game by the same fans who previously lauded him, but scored a penalty to cancel out Theo Walcott’s early opener. 

Wenger sanctioned the £24million sale of Arsenal’s prize asset last summer after Van Persie notched up 37 goals in all competitions for the Gunners.When asked whether opposite number Sir Alex Ferguson was interested in any of his other players, Wenger repiled: ‘I don’t know but he will not sign them from us.’

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

Armless fun? Evra aims jibe at rival Suarez as United celebrate Premier League title

Patrice Evra celebrated Manchester United's 20th top-flight title on Monday night by biting into a fake arm, the day after his nemesis Luis Suarez sank his teeth into Branislav Ivanovic.

                                             Armless fun: Patrice Evra mocked Luis Suarez at full time by biting into a fake arm

                                History: Suarez was banned for eight matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra in 2011

                                                  Joke: The arm was thrown onto the pitch from the stands at Old Trafford

United had just beaten Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday when Evra brandished a fake arm, that was thrown onto the pitch from the stands, in what appeared to be an attempt to mock Liverpool's striker.

The pair have previous, though. Suarez was handed an eight-match ban after being found guilty of racially abusing the Frenchman during a match at Anfield in October 2011

Sports: Real Madrid overhaul Manchester United as world's most valuable team

The nine-times European champions Real Madrid have ended Manchester United's run as the world's most valuable football team, according to an annual survey released by Forbes on Wednesday.

The value of Real surged 76% to $3.3bn (£2.17bn) from a year ago, Forbes said in a statement.United, who have won the English title a record 19 times and are controlled by the American Glazer family, rose 42% to $3.2bn but dropped to second on the list for the first time since Forbes began tracking football finances in 2004.

Real's Spanish rivals Barcelona ($2.6bn), Arsenal ($1.33bn) and the German side Bayern Munich ($1.31bn) completed the top five.The top 20 football teams are worth an average of $968m, an increase of 26% on last year, Forbes said.

Manchester City ensures derby win over Manchester United at Old Trafford

Once again Sergio Agüero was the man who condemned Manchester United. The elegant swish of his right boot that won this match will have far less significant consequences than its more famous counterpart against QPR last May but Manchester City will still cherish its impact and the message it sends to the team who are in the process of removing the championship trophy from their possession.

The gap is now 12 points with seven games to play and it means that wonderful moment when Agüero took Yaya Touré's pass, eluded three United players with his combination of balance and power and speed, then thumped his shot into the roof of David de Gea's net, will probably be only a consolation prize come the end of the season. Yet here was the evidence that there is still very little between these sides despite the gulf that has opened up at the top of the league. For all their elation the boisterous corner of City supporters must wonder why their team could not have exhibited this drive and togetherness more often. They had played like true champions.

Both sides gave everything but the team in blue had the greater penetration and sense of purpose. United will comfort themselves with the knowledge that 10 more points will still confirm their 20th league title. They can look ahead with confidence and circle their visit to Arsenal on 28 April as a possible date for the coronation but they will have found this game a disconcerting experience.

The matched ended 2-1 in favour of Manchester City, with goals from James Milner and Sergio Aguero for Man City while it was an own goal by Vincent Kompany for Man U

Football: Yaya Toure signs new contract

Yaya Touré has given Manchester City a boost ahead of Monday's derby with Manchester United at Old Trafford by signing a fresh, four-year contract that ties him to the club until 2017.

The deal is based around incentives, so if enough of these are triggered the midfielder can expect to earn around the same as his current salary of around £220,000 a week. In part these terms are an acknowledgement that Touré will have turned 34 by the time the contract expires.

Touré said: "This is where I want to be. When I first arrived at City, every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something; now it is about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in. I will never forget how I have been treated here by the fans, the club and the owners, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player."

#Too much money!

Football( FA CUP): Chelsea 1-0 Man United

If it had gone wrong yesterday, nothing could have spared Benitez from the full force of Stamford Bridge outrage, omitting Frank Lampard and John Terry deemed further incitement.

Yet not only did Benitez beat his old nemesis to earn a semi-final with Manchester City, he did it with a display all about the old-style Chelsea virtues.Solid defending, capped by the save of the season from Petr Cech, the sort of stop that inspires a team and left Javier Hernandez laughing in disbelief.

Effort and commitment, snuffing out a surprisingly flat United, for whom only Danny Welbeck shone.Creativity and ingenuity up front, with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard interchanging with bewildering subtlety.

And, in a game that was determined by the key moments and fine margins, a goal of consummate, breathtaking brilliance, Mata's clip forward steered magnificently home by the outstretched foot of Demba Ba.Enough to see off United. Enough to take some of the heat off Rafa. Enough to keep Chelsea's season on track and take some of the shine off Sir Alex Ferguson's.

Michael Owen to retire from football at the end of the season

Michael Owen has announced that he will be retiring from football at the end of the season.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester United and England striker, who also played for Newcastle United and currently plays for Stoke City, released a statement on his website, announcing the decision, saying that he feels "now it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career.""It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire from Professional Football at the end of this season," read the statement from the 33-year-old.

"Having progressed through the ranks at Liverpool to make my first team debut at 17, before embarking upon spells at Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, not to mention representing my country on 89 occasions, I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career."I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey that like many young players starting out, I could only have dreamt of," he added. "None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support I have received from managers, coaches, fellow players, back room staff, the supporters and my own personal sponsors."I would like to thank each and every one for the huge role they have played in helping me reach the top of my profession. Most of all though, I would like to thank my family."

Tributes for Owen – who will probably be best remembered for his goal against Argentina in 1998 World Cup and his hat-trick against Germany in the famous 5-1 victory in Munich – have already started to pour in with his Stoke team-mate Charlie Adam tweeting: "Just seen the news @themichaelowen to retire. What a top player and also a top guy. Pleasure to say played in same team. #finendandy."Owen, who has been dogged by injury in the latter stages of his career, has found opportunities very difficult to come by at the Britannia Stadium of late.

Chelsea pegs Manchester United back to set up an FA cup replay

For a long time it had looked as though this could be added to the considerable list of indignities engulfing Rafael Benítez. It is not often the chants of "sacked in the morning" emanate from both sets of supporters and, at 2-0, it was shaping up to be the kind of result to accelerate the process of changing that word he dislikes so much. "Interim" might conceivably have become "former" if Chelsea had finished this match as they started.What happened instead can be partly attributed to the sapping effects a traumatic defeat to Real Madrid had had on Sir Alex Ferguson's players. They looked weary, mentally as well as physically, and were fading badly by the end. Yet those excuses only stretch so far and this still represents a victory of sorts for Benítez. There were cries of "You don't know what you're doing" from Chelsea's supporters when he took off Frank Lampard and Victor Moses early in the second half. He should cherish what followed because these kind of moments have been all too rare in his brief, often tumultuous spell in charge.

The transformation was remarkable bearing in mind the way they began the match, riddled with errors, looking short of confidence and perhaps suffering their own fatigue. Ferguson was entitled to blame tired legs and minds but Chelsea, lest it be forgotten, did not get back from their Europa League tie against Steaua Bucharest until the early hours of Friday.
It started with Hernadez in the 5th minute and the lead further increased by a free kick by Rooney but it was to be a game of two halves with Chelsea owning the second half equalising through goals from Hazard and Ramires.