The Red Knights have recieved a massive boost in their bid to gain control of Manchester United after the Japaneese Investment bank Nomura have agreed to advise a potential buy out of the club. Despite Uniteds continued success on the field highlighted by their 4-0 thrashing of AC Milan at Old Trafford last night, there continues to be unrest amongst a group of supporters who are determined to end the reign of American owners, The Glazers. Since their takeover the clubs debt has risen to an estimated 700 million pounds and United fans are incredibly anxious over the financial stabilty of their club. The Nomura team  is set to be led by Andrew Mcnaught and Guy Dawson who advised the United board when the club was sold to the Glazers back in 2005. Nomuras role will be to contact the potential investors who have offered financial support to the Red Knights cause, the Knights are said to have recieved  ' Up to 70 expressions of interest'. 

Some anti-Glazer fans  have taken to wearing gold and green scarfs which were Manchester United's original colours when they began life as Newton Heath in the 19th century.  AC Milan midfielder and former United hero David Beckham donned a gold and green scarf in his return to Old Trafford at the end of Tuesdays game which was met by rupturous applause by the majority of the crowd. Beckhams actions has gitfed the Knights with a major piece of publicity and many percieved it as a show of support for the Red Knights, but when quizzed about the incident  the 34 year-old England International refused to be drawn on the politics of the situation, Beckham said '' It's nothing to do with me the way everything is run, that's do with other people, but I'm a Man United fan and I support the team. I will always support them'' Despite the persistent protests and amount of negative publicity that the Glazer family have recieved, they continue to insist that the club is not for sale.

The Red Knights include: A lifelong Man U fan Jim O'Neill, chief economist at the Goldman Sachs Bank. who's in the past was known to be be friends with Sir Alex Ferguson. Keith Harris a former chief executive of the HSBC Investment bank previously involved in takeovers at Aston Villa Mancheter City and West Ham and a open advocate of the proposed bid. Mark Rawlinson a former partner at law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer who tried unsuccesfully to Man u from the Glazier takeover in 2005. Richard Hytner currently Deputy chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide and the Manchester United Supporters Club Trust President. He was a key player in stopping a takeover of the club by Rupert Murdochin 1998. Paul Marshall who is the co-founder and chairman of one of Europe's biggest Hedge funds Marshall Wace and who has put on record the need for the club to free of debt. Unofficial sources are reporting that Man U manager Sir Alex Ferguson would welcome a successful bid by the Red Knights.

Wenger Wants William

Arsene Wenger is keen to extend defender William Gallas's contract at Arsenal despite the rumours linking him to a move out of North London this summer. The 32 year-old Frenchman was having a tremendous season until he suffered a calf injury which is likely to keep him out of action for another month. Serie A side AS Roma have been linked with Gallas whose current deal ends on June 30th, but Wenger believes that Gallas will not leave Arsenal this summer. Wenger is set to meet the French internationals representatives next Thursday  and is determined to find a solution that will keep Gallas at the club. This is not the first time that there have been contractual issues regarding a player in his 30's as the Gunners have historically been reluctant to offer long term deals to older players. French winger and reds legend  Robert Pires ended up leaving the club in the summer of 2006 after Arsenal were not willing to offer Pires more than a  1 year contract. Wenger said he didn't know whether Gallas had spoken to Italian outfit Roma or not, but as  he is  out of contract in June, the Gunners chief said Gallas was free to speak to whomever he wanted.

FA Cup semi-final draw
Chelsea vs Aston Villa 17.00 April 10th at Wembley
Portsmouth vs Spurs/Fulham 16.00 April 11th at Wembley
Spurs play Fulham at White Hart Lane in a Quarter final replay on March 24th and the winners will face Pompey in the semi-final.

Sunderland Overcome Winning Jiinx

Sunderland finally overcame their jinx to win their first Premier League game since November. The Black Cats beat fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers 4-0 at the Stadium Of Light, Frazier Campbell scored the first goal in his best performance since arriving at the club last summer. England hopeful Darren Bent scored a stunning hattrick to make it a drubbing and take his tally to 18 league goals this season. I believe Bent deserves a place on that plane to South Africa as he is possibly the the best natural finisher England have after Wayne Rooney. This result takes  Sunderland to 13th place, six points clear of the relegation zone and you could see the overwhelming relief on manager Steve Bruce's face after the game.

Wigan Victory Threatens Liverpools Chamions League Prospects

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed that Steed Malbranque was dropped for breaking club rules. The 3o year-old French midfielder was left out the squad that faced Fulham on the 28th of February after breaking his curfew whilst the Black Cats were in London to face Arsenal the weekend before. Bruce has said that as far as he's concerned the matter is over with and there is no issue with Malbranque, but the media have stirred the pot by suggesting his exclusion was a sign that Bruce was ready to axe him in the summer after some disappointing performances.The Sunderland manager confirmed that Malbranque was punished, but insists that he remains a key part of his plans as they look to avoid the dreaded drop in the Premier League run in.

Champions League Premierhip Play-Off Put Out To Grass

The Premier League have rejected the plan of introducing a play-off to determine who gets the last Champions League spot. The idea had been suggested that teams that finished between 4th and 7th in the table could be paired off for a championship style play off. The proposal was percieved as unfair by certain bosses such as Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger , but others who could benefit from a play-off such as Spurs boss Harry Redknapp were open to the idea of a play-off deciding that final Champions League qualifying place.

Portsmouth Depressed By Administration Angst

Portsmouth have made history by becoming the first Premier League side to enter into administration. The south coast club will now have a 9 point deduction to deal with which will take their points tally to just 7 points which is an incredible 17 points from saftey and pretty much guarantees their relegation to the Championship. This was the best option for Pompey as this now ensures their survival as a football club despite their imminent relegation. Current owner Balram Chanrai was allegedly given false promises, according to his spokesman, Phil Hall he was given ''Answers and assurances that turned out not to be true''

Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou has confirmed that manager Avram Grant will stay in his managerial position until the end of the season and despite certain reports there will not be a 'Fire-sale' of Portsmouth players.the strong likelyhood is that only a couple of players will be sold to help raise funds for the finanacially stricken oufit. Andronikou now has the uneviable task of  assessing the damage that has been caused by the clubs 60-70 million pounds of debt.

The administrators have assured fans that they will enter administration via a  company voluntary agreement which will prevent the club from facing a further points deduction.The explanation behind Portsmouths financial downfall is thought to be due to  the astronomically high wages that players were placed on which may have gained the side more on field success, but has ultimately resulted in this mornings announcement of administration.

The manager in charge during their era of economic irresponsibility was current Spurs boss Harry Reknapp and certain sectors of Portsmouths support feel that Redkanpp is partially responsible for their demise. Redknapp himself has stated how puzzled he is that his former club have ended up in this predicament after the money generated  certin players who played during his reign. England internationals such as Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson were all sold for big sums of money and Redknapp along with the fans are wondering where all revenue from those sales has ended up. Portsmouth fans will be understandably devistated at the news of their 9 point deduction, but should be relieved that their club will not  become extinct as was once feared.

Revenue Seek To Rap Rednapp

Harry Redknapp has been involved in a few controversial incidents as an English football manager including several allegations over taking backhanders from football agents after a transfer, which is known as taking a 'bung'. His most recent charge relates to tax evasion and failure to make his national insurance contributions during his tenure at Portsmouth between April 2002 and November 2007.

Redknapp is charged along with former Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric,and it regards the alleged dubious payments Mandaric made to Reknapp via a bank account in Monaco. Redknapps current club Tottenham Hotspur are not concerned by the allegations and see no need to take any action as  the charges relate to a time when the 62 year-old did not work for their football club. The Spurs boss visited London magistrates court in mid-February, but he said very little as he was advised by his legal team not to discuss the matter and he was released on unconditioned bail along with Croatian, Mandaric.  The case has been adjourned until April 14th and both Redknapp and Mandaric will both appear next at South