FC Basel 1 - 2 Shakhtar Donetsk

BASEL, Switzerland, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk made a convincing start to their Champions League Group C campaign on Tuesday with a comfortable 2-1 win at FC Basel.

Seeking to make it past the tournament's group stage for the first time in five attempts, Mircea Lucescu's side took control of the match in the first half with two long-range free-kicks from Brazilian midfielders Fernandinho and Jadson.

Basel coach Christian Gross made two half-time substitutions including the introduction of an extra striker but it was the visitors who continued to dominate.

Defender Vyacheslav Shevchuk came close to adding a third goal with another long range effort that came back off the post before Basel's Argentine defender David Abraham turned in a consolation goal with seconds of stoppage time remaining.

Roma 1 - 2 CFR Cluj-Napoca

ROME, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Juan Culio scored twice as CFR Cluj came from behind to beat AS Roma 2-1 and make a stunning Champions League debut in their Group A opener at the Stadio Olimpico.Christian Panucci had headed the Serie A side in front in the 17th minute after Daniele De Rossi stole the ball near the corner flag and whipped a cross to the near post.Argentine forward Culio levelled in the 27th with a diagonal strike from outside the area set up by a sweet lay-off from Eugen Trica.

He then volleyed home a loose header from Marco Cassetti four minutes after the break to give the Romanian champions a night to remember.After a cagey start, the hosts began to exert pressure and Mirko Vucinic hit one shot narrowly wide and struck the post with another shortly before Panucci's goal.But, as in the 3-1 defeat to Palermo and 1-1 draw with Napoli in their first two Serie A games, the Romans failed to build on the advantage.Goalkeeper Doni had to punch away a well-struck effort from Cluj's Sebastian Dubarbier and Culio hit a shot over the bar before finding the net.

The equalizer boosted the Romanian side's confidence and midfielder Dani called Doni into action again with another long-distance shot five minutes before the break as whistles of frustration came from the home crowd.The Italian team were without centre backs Philippe Mexes and Juan and Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta, and their injury problems got worse at the start of the second half when Panucci hobbled off.

Culio's second came almost immediately after that and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti tried to boost his side by bringing on captain Francesco Totti, who is not 100 percent fit after a knee injury.But the visitors were well organized at the back and dangerous on the counter-attack, with midfielder Sixto Peralta nearly adding a third when he hit the crossbar with a header.

Werder Bremen 0 - 0 Anorthosis Famagusta

BREMEN, September 16 (Champions League) - Werder Bremen failed to break their opening-day Champions League jinx as they were held to a goalless draw by Group B rivals Anorthosis Famagusta on Tuesday night.

Last year's Bundesliga runner-up spurned chance after chance at the Weser Stadion as the Cypriots, making their debut appearance in the group stage, clung on for a desperate point. Bremen striker Claudio Pizarro was the culprit in chief as he missed a hat-trick of presentable first-half chances as the home side failed to win on matchday one for the fifth consecutive year.

Bremen could have avoided what would become a frustrating evening as early as the fifth minute when Anorthosis goalkeeper Arjan Beqaj ill-advisedly attempted to catch a Diego corner. The shot-stopper was never likely to reach the ball and was indebted to the close-checking of his defence, which pressured Bremen defender Ronaldo Naldo to head wide of an unmarked right-hand post.

The away side threatened momentarily soon after when Paulo Costa was put through on goal, but his hurried shot flew high over the crossbar with only Tim Wiese to beat. Pizarro then missed the first of his trio of first-half opportunities in the 16th minute.

Germany full-back Clemens Fritz angled an inch-perfect low pass to the near post where the striker, who is on loan from Chelsea, could only stab his close-range effort wide. Fritz was enjoying plenty of space down the right flank and he was again the architect of the next chance to pass Pizarro by.

The defender's searching cross to the back post found Mesut Ozil who headed across the six-yard box to an unmarked Pizarro, but he aimed his powerful header straight at Beqaj. Ozil then saw a close-range effort blocked by the ever-retreating defence while Markus Rosenborg saw a couple of shots slide wide after he took matters into his own hands and ran at defence.

The tale of the opening half, however, was reflected in injury time when Fritz floated another decent cross into the area only for Pizarro to completely miss his first-time shot when in acres of space. Anorthosis goalkeeper Beqaj was immediately called into action after the break, diving in at the feet of Diego to deny the Brazilian a shot at goal and when the ball spilled free he was the fastest to react and clear the danger. Anorthosis got a rare sight of goal soon after when half-time substitute Hawar Mulla Mohammed's stinging drive forced a neat save from Wiese at the near post.

Bremen countered immediately with Rosenborg's looping header cleared off the line, before Diego fired an angled shot across goal, which eluded Pizarro who flung a leg at the ball as it fizzed past. The home side did find the net in the 54th minute when Diego lofted a perfectly-weighted pass over the defence for Rosenborg to run on to, and although the striker showed great composure to chip his shot over the advancing keeper, he was flagged for offside. It looked a marginal decision and Rosenborg was booked for his protests.

Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf, no doubt sick of seeing his side spurn their chances, decided to bring on Boubacar Sanogo and Hugo Almeida for his hapless strike duo of Pizarro and Rosenborg. The change almost paid immediate dividends when Almeida found space in the box only to blast his shot over the crossbar. But the Portugal international was soon joining in on the act as he fired well wide of the target when a Frings through-ball had afforded him a sight of goal.

Bremen had waited until the 75th minute until they broke down Energie Cottbus to claim their first win of the Bundesliga season at the weekend and they remained patient with Diego and Ozil exchanging passes in injury time before the Germany Under-21 international forced Beqaj into a low save.

There was still time for Sanogo to send a header over the crossbar, but the final whistle blew soon after to herald scenes of joy on the Anorthosis bench.

Panathinaikos 0 - 2 Inter Milan

Inter Milan started their quest for Champions League glory with a fortunate 2-0 win at Panathinaikos. Jose Mourinho's side went ahead through a Mancini goal in the 27th minute, but they were forced to defend for the remaining hour as the home side searched in vain for an equaliser.

Adriano then sealed the win in the 85th minute with his first touch of the game to give Inter all three points on a difficult night in the Greek capital. Mourinho has won this competition in the past with Porto and it is precisely that pedigree which convinced Inter president Massimo Moratti to appoint the former Chelsea manager after three disappointing years in the Champions League.

No secret has been made of Mourinho's and Inter's desire to win the competition this year, and they made their intentions clear in Athens on Tuesday. Ibrahimovic, who has been made the scapegoat for Inter's recent failures in the competition, also had a point to prove. But he missed a glorious chance to do so in the 11th minute when he was played through with just Mario Galinovic to beat, but he seemed to be caught in two minds as he passed the ball wide of the post.

Ricardo Quaresma had inspired Inter to their first win in Serie A at the weekend and he was looking to open his account for the Nerazzurri with two dangerous shots from the edge of the penalty area. Galinovic pushed his first shot wide before collecting the second one easily. He could do nothing to prevent Mancini opening the scoring in the 27th minute, though.

Ibrahimovic's persistence was rewarded and a few lucky breaks allowed him to find his strike partner in space to his left and Mancini picked his spot with aplomb. The home team's reaction was immediate and the lively Bryce Moon had three chances to equalise. His 29th-minute shot from 25 yards was tipped over the crossbar by Julio Cesar, who made a more comfortable save at his near post to deny Moon again minutes later.

The Inter goalkeeper was beaten by a wicked deflection off Marco Materazzi as Moon's shot struck the crossbar in the 42nd minute. The Greeks kept searching for an equaliser and they were getting closer and closer.

Cleyton's attempted one-two with a colleague failed, but the ball came back to the Brazilian nonetheless and he shot just inches wide of the post from 16 yards out. Andreas Ivanschitz was next up with a free-kick which missed everybody except Julio Cesar, who was almost caught out at the foot of his post.

At the other end, Mancini had a shot deflected over the crossbar, but that was only a rare moment of danger for Galinovic as Panathinaikos continued to dominate. But Inter hit them with the sucker punch five minutes from time as Ibrahimovic's pass set substitute Adriano free and he provided the finish with his one and only touch of the night, firing the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards out.

Barcelona 3 - 1 Sporting Lisbon

BARCELONA, September 16 (Champions League) - Barcelona kicked off their Champions League campaign with 3-1 victory over Iberian neighbours Sporting Lisbon at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

Goals from Rafael Marquez and Samuel Eto'o had put Barca in control, and although Sporting threatened to put the cat among the pigeons by pulling a goal back through Antonio Tonel, Xavi's late strike ended any chance of shock comeback. Looking to put their disappointing start to the Primera Liga season behind them, Barca started in determined fashion and Andres Iniesta fired just over before a heavy touch from Eto'o denied the Cameroon international a great chance.

Leo Messi then went agonisingly close with a curling 20-yard shot following a jinking run across the edge of the area. That was all in the opening 20 minutes but Barca, who are currently experiencing their worst start to a league season in 35 years after taking just one point from their opening two matches, did not have to wait much longer to make the breakthrough thanks to Marquez.

A deep corner from Xavi found Marquez in acres of space and the Mexico international headed the ball back across the face of goal and just inside the far post. That was no more than Barca deserved from a dominant first-half show that also saw Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio save long-range efforts from Thierry Henry and Seydou Keita, who also sent a shot just over.

For Sporting, their best effort in the opening period came from former Barca midfielder Fabio Rochemback, whose 30-yard free-kick stung the fists of Victor Valdes. The Portuguese visitors at least managed to go into the break just one goal in arrears, but that lasted just 15 minutes of the second half before Eto'o made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after winning the kick himself.

A poor clearance was collected by Xavi and his cross into the danger area looked set to be pounced on by Eto'o, only for the striker to get a push in the back by Fernando Abel as he attempted to head the ball.

Referee Laurent Duhamel immediately pointed to the spot and Eto'o calmly tucked home his penalty, sending Rui Patricio the wrong way. Soon after that Barca coach Pep Guardiola sacrificed Eto'o for holding midfielder Yaya Toure in a bid to tighten things up, but the switch did not stop Sporting from having a superb chance in the 69th minute.

A poor Barca clearance was picked up by Marat Izmailov and he played in the unmarked Joao Moutinho, who was only denied a goal by a half-block from the outrushing Valdes, who grabbed the ball at the second attempt. Valdes could do nothing about the goal that brought Sporting back into the game in the 72nd minute though. A free-kick from wide on the touchline by Miguel Veloso was too good for Toure to cut out and Tonel threw himself at the ball to stab it home inside the near post.

Sporting were unable to go on and force an equaliser though, and Barca should really have made it a much more comfortable final 15 minutes with Messi (two) and Iniesta both having chances to increase their side's lead.

However, Xavi finally managed to put daylight between the two sides again when he slid home a superb cross from Spain team-mate Iniesta to make it 3-1 in the 88th minute.

PSV Eindhoven 0 - 3 Atlético Madrid

EINDHOVEN, September 15 (Champions League) - A Sergio Aguero brace helped Atletico Madrid hit the ground running as a terrific performance from the Argentina midfielder saw his side rip apart PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League opener.

Aguero gave the Spanish team the best possible start in the ninth minute and doubled his tally towards the end of the first half before Nuno Maniche killed the game off nine minutes after the break. The only bad news for the Spanish team came on the half-hour mark when Diego Forlan limped off with a hamstring injury.

Atletico were quick out of the blocks and immediately tested Andreas Isaksson as, with less than a minute on the clock, the PSV keeper reacted well to keep out Aguero's effort from just outside the area. But the Argentina striker did open the scoring shortly after.

Maniche was tripped on the edge of the area and, as the referee played the advantage, the ball fell to Luis Garcia who fizzed a low cross into the six-yard box for an easy tap-in for Aguero.

The visitors almost doubled their lead seconds later as the ever-dangerous Aguero released Simao Sabrosa who unleashed a fierce 25-yard thunderbolt which Isaksson did well to save. PSV began to get into the match but could not create any clear cut opportunities and they almost fell further behind in the 24th minute.

Aguero did well to steal the ball off the PSV defender and keep it as he was hustled ever closer to the far corner of the penalty box before putting in a great cross which Forlan flung himself at, but Carlos Salcido just managed to hook it away in time. PSV had their best chance of the half in the 35th minute when Danny Koevermans raced onto the ball but Leo Franco was quick to rush out of his area and snatch it off the feet of the PSV attacker. And the hosts were left to rue that missed opportunity as Atletico doubled their lead seconds later.

Florent Sinama Pongolle, who had come on for Forlan minutes earlier, raced down the left flank before putting a cross into the centre of the box where Aguero did excellently to execute a tight turn before smashing it past Isaksson and into the far corner for his fifth goal in four matches. PSV came out after the break determined to get back into the game and almost did so four minutes after the restart when Franco had to make his first real save of the night as Edison Mendez unleashed a 25-yard thunderbolt.

Franco was tested again three minutes later by Ibrahim Afellay in roughly the same position but it was again fairly easy for the Argentine to push the effort away. Things went from bad to worse for PSV when they found themselves further behind a minute later.

A clever Atletico move was beautifully finished off when Luis Garcia picked out Maniche, who had made a lovely run into the box, and the Portugal midfielder slotted the ball across Isaksson and into the back of the net from close range. PSV did not let their heads drop and continued to press, enjoying better chances once both goalscorers had been substituted shortly after the hour mark.

They could have perhaps been in with a chance of getting something from the game had Koevermans not headed inches wide from close-range when he should have done better and Afellay's free-kick not brushed the outside of the right upright seconds later.

Chelsea 4 - 0 Bordeaux

Headers from Frank Lampard and Joe Cole set Chelsea on their way as they cruised past Bordeaux to earn manager Luiz Felipe Scolari his first Champions League win.

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Joe Cole of Chelsea battles for the ball with Yoann Gourcuff of Bordeaux.

Failure in Europe's elite competition has signalled the end for the previous three Chelsea bosses but there were no scares for Scolari at Stamford Bridge, whose debut in the competition was straightforward after the hosts established a lead.Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka added late goals to give a fair reflection to the scoreline.With Didier Drogba to return from suspension, Scolari will head into the Group A matches against Cluj and Roma encouraged by their start to the campaign - they were comfortable winners but did not have to be at their vintage best to beat Bordeaux.

Although the scoreline was predictable, it was a minor suprise Scolari selected an named an unchanged starting line-up, the first time Chelsea had done so in 18 months.More of a shock was the fact Chelsea's goals in the first half came from Lampard and Cole headers, with neither midfielders known for their aerial ability.It would be enough to enrage Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc, the World Cup-winning defender with France who has been tipped to take charge of Les Bleus.

It was also Blanc's first match in the Champions League and his team looked like a Premier League graveyard - ex-Liverpool midfielder Alou Diarra was in midfield and Souleymane Diawara, who was relegated with Charlton, was in defence. He even had David Bellion on the bench.Brazilian Wendel had an early shot from long range that dipped over following a sloppy pass from John Mikel Obi - but after that it was all Chelsea.They were ahead in the 14th minute when Lampard finished off a crisp move for his third goal of the season.Deco had moved the ball inside to midfielder Cole, who in turn fed Jose Bosingwa on the right flank.Bosingwa drove his cross in first time and Lampard sent his header in the far corner before wheeling off in celebration.Anelka, looking to atone for his penalty miss in the final last season, forced a save from Ulrich Rame when he cut inside from the left and drove towards the near post, and the Bordeaux goalkeeper also had to work when midfielder Cole backhealed on target.

Captain John Terry then went close when he met Lampard's free-kick with a header.The French runners-up had no answer to Chelsea's attacks, with Fernando almost scoring an own goal trying to cut out a Bosingwa through-ball. The second goal came on the half-hour mark through Cole, with the England midfielder beating centre-backs Fernando and Franck Jurietti at the near post to nod home Lampard's corner.

Chelsea's own wastefulness kept the scoreline down - Anelka raced beyond the Bordeaux defence and passed into open space when he could have shot, then Lampard screwed a volley wide from six yards.Bordeaux's attempts to fight back consisted of three Yoann Gourcuff free-kicks, each of which was increasingly speculative and Petr Cech was not troubled by them.Striker Marouane Chamakh started the second half by tripping over the advertising hoardings and into the crowd, and he required treatement after the fall.The visitors were showing ambition to get back into the game but it left them prone to Chelsea counter-attacks.Scolari gave Michael Ballack the final half-hour as he made his comeback from a foot injury, with the Germany captain replacing Deco in midfield.

Anelka came close to adding another, latching onto Lampard's reverse ball but firing into the side-netting.Malouda added the third after a run from Mikel that took him around three defenders. He passed to Lampard, whose backheel invited Malouda to fire into the far corner.Ricardo Carvalho hit the crossbar with a header before the end, and a goal would not have flattered the hosts.Then Juliano Belletti hit the crossbar and Anelka tapped in for the fourth.

Gerrard double does for OM

Steven Gerrard played a captain's role by taking his Liverpool goals tally to 99 as the Merseysiders opened their Champions League group campaign with a crucial 2-1 win in Marseille.

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Liverpool's forward Ryan Babel vies with Marseille's defender Laurent Bonnart.

The Stade Velodrome had been the venue for Liverpool's European salvation last season, and Gerrard made sure it was a welcome return to the south of France. Marseille had taken the lead through their skipper Lorik Cana, but Gerrard - already Liverpool's record scorer in Europe - grabbed a fine equaliser with an outstanding 25-yard curler.

Then six minutes later he cracked home a twice-taken penalty to give Liverpool something to hang on to. And they needed to fight hard as the French side battled bravely in the second period, but Liverpool clinched their victory with a defiant rearguard action.

The Reds included both Gerrard and Fernando Torres in their starting line-up for the opening group D clash. Both key players have been recovering from injury and their inclusion was a major boost for the Anfield club. Andreas Dossena came into the side in place of calf-injury victim Fabio Arbeloa, while Lucas took over in midfield from Xabi Alonso.

Marseille, who won 1-0 in the Champions League last term at Anfield before losing the return 4-0, included Hatem Ben Arfa, their £10m signing from Lyon, who had recovered from an ankle problem. Skipper Cana also returned, having been rested at the weekend in the draw at Bordeaux.

Liverpool had opted for caution with Robbie Keane and Albert Riera both on the bench. Gerrard was being used in the attacking midfield role that worked to such good effect last season, and several times early on Liverpool could have scored. After just seven minutes, Steve Mandanda tipped over a Lucas header and soon afterwards Dirk Kuyt's pass set-up Ryan Babel. The Dutchman created the space with his first touch but blasted a good opening high over. Then Gerrard forced Mandanda into a diving save before Torres saw a header clear the far angle.

Marseille had chances of their own. Mamadou Niang was clear on the left but wasted the opportunity, shooting high over. Martin Skrtel was booked for a late tackle on Niang after 20 minutes as the game became surprisingly open.

But after 23 minutes the French side were ahead when they caught Liverpool square and punished them with a fine goal. Rarely are Liverpool exposed straight through the middle, but when Benoit Cheyrou's first-time ball sent Cana clear, his quality side-footed finish sent the Velodrome fans wild.

Liverpool's response was emphatic. Two minutes later Torres won possession on the halfway line and presented Kuyt with a pass on the right that was instantly played into Gerrard's path. The Liverpool skipper struck a first-time, curling effort from 25-yards that soared over Mandanda into the far corner for the equaliser. And after 31 minutes Liverpool were ahead. Babel's sharp turn in the box ended with Ronald Zubar's trip and a penalty. Zubar was booked before Gerrard struck the ball past Mandanda off the post.

But Austrian referee Konrad Plautz ordered a re-take because Kuyt had encroached into the box. Gerrard kept his nerve and clinically netted a second time to put Liverpool ahead. The double strike extended Gerrard's European goals record for the club. Last season, in the Anfield side's 4-0 win in Marseille, Gerrard's goal that night broke Michael Owen's benchmark of 23. He extended that tally later in the competition to 25, and two more here in the opening half for the captain stretched his tally to 27, and 99 for the club in all competitions.

Marseille were stunned and soon sent on Mathieu Valbuena for the injured Modeste M'Bami after 41 minutes. Ben Arfa lasted until the 56th minute before his ankle problem forced him off, Karim Ziani taking over. The game was still very open. Babel almost forced the ball around Mandanda at one end, while Liverpool were making too many defensive errors at the other for Benitez to rest easy.

Marseille could easily have been level when Vitorino Hilton met a corner with a fierce downward header that Jose Reina managed to hold on to. Liverpool sent on Riera after 64 minutes for Torres, who had looked short of pace after his spell out, before Ziani struck a 12-yarder over the bar as Marseille searched for parity.

The Reds then withdrew Gerrard after 68 minutes, sending on Yossi Benayoun with Babel now the lone striker. Liverpool had got the most possible out of their recently-injured stars, and it was now left to their colleagues to withstand a mounting Marseille onslaught.

Ziani fired over again before Mamadou Samassa replaced Bakari Kone. Babel saw a golden chance to finish the contest go to waste after 74 minutes when Riera and Benayoun set him up close in, only for Mandanda to save the point-blank effort.

The youngster then struck the post after 78 minutes as he surged through on the left. But still Marseille came forward searching for the equaliser as Liverpool sought to punish them on the break.

With five minutes left, Kuyt was replaced by Keane, fresh legs to the cause as Liverpool continued to hang on. Niang saw a diving header go wide from a right-wing cross, Marseille still fighting for an equaliser. Reina saved superbly in injury-time from Niang and Liverpool had their victory.

Berbatov misses training as Ronaldo limbers up

Manchester United could have a worry over new striker Dimitar Berbatov after he missed training this morning ahead of the Champions League clash with Villarreal.

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Cristiano Ronaldo proves his fitness

But the chances of Cristiano Ronaldo making a surprise early return from an ankle injury appear to have improved after he took a full part in the session. The Portuguese looks set for a place on the bench in United's opening game in defence of their title.

Michael Carrick, however, is certain to miss out after he suffered a broken metatarsal in the 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Saturday.

The loss of Berbatov would be a blow to the holders as they are also without Paul Scholes following his sending off in the European Super Cup against Zenit St Petersburg.

The former Tottenham striker's absence from training was as unexpected as it was worrying for boss Sir Alex Ferguson. He also picked up a knock at Anfield but was not thought to be in any danger of missing the match against the La Liga runners-up.

If Berbatov does miss out, then United may hand a debut to Angolan forward Manucho after he was recently granted a work permit to finally begin his Old Trafford career. He is also fit again after recovering from a broken metatarsal.

Man City deny interest in injured striker Ronaldo

Ronaldo's hopes of returning to the game with Manchester City have quickly ended after the club denied they were interested in signing the former World Cup winner.

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Ronaldo tries to get in shape after seven months on the sidelines

The 31-year-old is currently on his way back from a serious injury he suffered while with AC Milan in February and is in Brazil training with Fluminense after some thought his career would be over.

City revealed they did have talks with Ronaldo and also assessed his injury status but that is as far as they took their enquiry and they will not be exploring the possibility of signing him.

A club spokeman confirmed that executive chairman Garry Cook had travelled to meet Ronaldo. He said: "We had shown a past interest in bringing the player to the football club in the right circumstances and spoke to him and his representatives.

"However, we have chosen not to pursue the matter.''

Ronaldo was released by Milan at the end of last season so would be free to move to sign for a club at any time, though he is still some way from being fit both in terms of his left knee and his general shape even if his agent suggests otherwise.

The player had spoken of his desire to join City and link up with Robinho. He said today: "I like the project that Manchester City have presented me. They want to make the club one of the best in the world and I feel that I can help.

"It is the best offer I've received and it will be very interesting to play with Robinho. Me and him, together, we can score more than 50 goals.''

Reports in the media suggested City were prepared to make Ronaldo one of the best paid players in the Premier League by offering him a way of £150,000-a-week, though those stories now appear wide of the mark. It appears to be the latest in what will be a long line of big name links.

With Ronaldo suffering a third long-term lay-off with a knee problem it is unlikely any club will offer the striker a long-term deal. He was dogged by problems for three years after breaking down at the 2002 World Cup.

Only yesterday the player's agent was cautious about Ronaldo joining any club after speculation over a move to Manchester City but insisted the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid player was just weeks away from playing again.

Fabiano Farah said: "Ronaldo is clinically fine, but is now getting back to full fitness. He is very well and close to being ready to play.

"The only priority we have is to keep doing what he is doing. Ronaldo is as determined as he was in 2002, when he got over that serious injury that affected him a long time. That year, he came back to be a world champion in the national team.

"He wants to be the same player he was at that time. He wants to keep winning titles, win the Champions League and be the best player in the world again.

"We are working on that and we must not deflect our focus. That's the only thing I can say about all this that has been reported."

Carrick out for a month with metatarsal misery

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has been ruled out for four to six weeks after breaking a bone in his foot.

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Michael Carrick limps along on crutches at Anfield

Carrick suffered the injury during the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday and it means the player will miss important games for Manchester United as well as England's World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

It is the latest injury in a stuttering start to the season for the former West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur player who has played just fewer than 100 minutes so far this campaign and has gone off injured on both his starts.

The 27-year-old will definitely miss Champions League games against Villarreal and Aab, and the Premier League matches against Chelsea, Bolton, Blackburn and West Brom. United also have a Carling Cup date against Middlesbrough.

The club will hope Carrick's recovery goes to plan and he doesn't suffer the same fate as Liverpool's Daniel Agger, who befell the metatarsal injury at the same time last season and didn't kick another ball that term.