The Football Association has charged Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand with violent conduct after his clash with Hull City's Craig Fagan on Saturday.

Video replays provided evidence that the England centre-back swung an arm at his opponent in the second half of the Red Devils' 4-0 win at the weekend.

FA officials have decided to act and the 31-year old now has until 6pm on Wednesday to respond to the charge before a decision is made regarding his punishment.

The match was Ferdinand's first game since the end of October following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

United host derby rivals Manchester City on Wednesday in the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final second leg.


Source: skysports.com

It will be interesting to hear what defence Rio has, if any, as he defo struck out, but why?

United have agreed terms with Fulham to sign their England Under-21 international defender Chris Smalling.

The 20-year-old Greenwich-born centre-back will join the Reds from the start of the 2010/11 season.

A club spokesperson told ManUtd.com: "Manchester United has agreed terms for the transfer of Chris Smalling from Fulham. Chris has agreed personal terms with the club and will join for the beginning of the 2010/2011 campaign. He will remain at Fulham until the end of the current season."

An England Under-21 international, Smalling has made just nine first-team appearances for Fulham, who signed him from non-league Maidstone 18 months ago.

After shining in the club’s Reserves, Roy Hodgson handed him his senior debut on the final day of the 2008/09 season. His first start came in September 2009 when Fulham travelled to CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Cup, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw. Hodgson said: “If you analysed his performance, he played with a maturity I'm not entitled to expect from a player so young.”

Smalling earned an England U21 debut in November last year and a first league start, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, six weeks later.

Source: manutd.com

I don't know a great deal about this young lad, but must have done something to appear on the radar...

Goal.com UK brings to you the first of several World Interviews to come. A new year has brought this new feature to our readers, who were asked to pose questions to Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney.

Top 10 Questions by fans

1.Wayne, who is the toughest defender you have played against?

More talk of Rooney leaving in the summer. I'm sure the talk is linked to our debt.

Rooney plays down move talk
United star happy at Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney has moved to play down speculation linking him with a big-money summer move to Spain.

The England striker has reportedly emerged as a summer target for La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are ready to test United's resolve over their prized asset.

Rooney is enjoying life with United this season and has already bagged 19 league goals.

And the 24-year-old has brushed off speculation that he could follow former United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain.

"There's always speculation, and when other big teams are talking about you, it's nice that you're talked about," he told United's website.

"But as I've said many times before, I'm a United player and I'm very happy here."

Rooney insists he is intent on collecting more silverware for United.

"I hope we can win the title again this year," he said.

"We've won the league the last three years and nobody has ever won it four times in a row. We want to create history.

"The title race is much tighter this year and it's probably more exciting for the neutrals or fans around the country. But we're hoping that now we are top we can go on and remain there for the rest of the season."

source: skysports.com

Lads avnt been online recenitly because i lost my laptop on saturday night and only found it and now the internet is gone. Eircom said they'll sort it out.I'm at my nans now so ill try to be on as much as possible!
Sorry ill get this sorted soon!!!!