Rio Ferdinand lived the dream of leading England out as captain on Wednesday night, but there was no fairytale ending as the Three Lions slumped to a 1-0 defeat in the Stade de France.

A first-half Frank Ribery penalty was enough to hand the home side victory in a match that also saw David Beckham win his 100th England cap.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is upset with Wes Brown's continued rejection of a new contract offer.

The 28-year-old England right back has been offered a deal in the region of £50,000-a-week but he has decided to turn it down because he feels it compares poorly to some of his team-mates who earn double that amount.

Manchester United fullback Wes Brown is delighted with his recent form.
Brown has no doubts at all about why he is playing probably the best football of his life.

"I have been in and out of the side in the past, after picking up little niggles here and there," he said. "This season the captain (Gary Neville) has been out of action, and I have filled in.

Manchester United defender Wes Brown is keen on talks with Newcastle United.

The Independent says Toon boss Sam Allardyce's interest in Brown is said to be mutual. Brown recently rejected a new contract at Old Trafford and can leave at the end of the season for free, but Newcastle could offer a fee next month in an attempt to sign the England defender then.

A much-changed Manchester United side earned a draw against Italian giants Roma to protect their unbeaten record in the Champions League this season.

With United already having won Group F and Roma having qualified in second place the game had an eerie start, with the opening 20 minutes dreadfully apathetic.

Manchester United overcame Derby's resilience to move within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Derby's lack of a serious attacking threat was always going to limit their hopes of upsetting the champions. And United's midfield, which included Michael Carrick as a late replacement after Owen Hargreaves was injured in the warm-up, gradually took a grip on the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Manchester United see off Fulham and move second, closing the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to three points.

Gary Megson claimed his first win in charge of Bolton with the unlikely scalp of Manchester United, thanks to Nicolas Anelka's early strike.

United experienced their only previous league defeat this season back in August - against Manchester City - whereas that same month marked Bolton's only win in the Premier League - 3-0 against Reading.

Wes Brown has echoed his boss's comments about the current United side, claiming it's "right up there" among the best he's played in.

Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's double.

Prior to Saturday Blackburn had recorded seven wins in eight games and initially Rovers more than matched United, with strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy looking lively.