United escape further punishment after fine

Manchester United will face no further action over their conduct at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

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Riley was quick to brandish the yellow card in the direction of the United players.

After picking up seven yellow cards during the draw with Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson's men already knew they would receive an automatic £25,000 fine from the FA.

However, there was a fear referee Mike Riley might suggest further incidents needed looking at, particularly Rio Ferdinand's challenge on Didier Drogba at the end of the game and the aggressive attitude of some Red Devils players after the final whistle.

Those worries have now been allayed, with Riley confirming in his match report that he was happy with his handling of various incidents, meaning the Red Devils will avoid further scrutiny.

''It was a competitive game but I did not think there was one bad tackle in it,'' said Ferguson.

''The game is being screened worldwide. Everyone is watching it and something like that happens.

''People are saying what is going on here but it is difficult to say anything about the referee.

''I do not want to get involved.''

Ferguson was clearly unhappy with Mike Riley's performance, as were a number of his senior players.

And United's afternoon did not get much less stormy after they had left Stamford Bridge as their team coach was attacked on the short trip to Euston station.

A bottle was hurled from the pavement, cracking the windscreen, although no-one was injured, with United officials eager to play down the incident afterwards.

''Yes. There was an incident but the matter is now in the hands of the police,'' said a club spokesman.

At least Riley received the backing of Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who noted the FA's recent 'Respect' initiative aimed at greater co-operation between players and officials.

''I am not surprised,'' said Scolari. ''That is what the referee is there for.

''If players do not respect him, it should be yellow and red cards. It doesn't matter who you are - Liverpool or Manchester United, whoever.''

However, the Chelsea coach said he was puzzled at the bizarre ending, with Riley blowing for time as Drogba was about to receive treatment.

''It was strange that he finished the game at that time but we need to accept his decision.''

Wenger questions motives of City takeover

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has questioned the motives of the Abu Dhabi United Group in their multi-million-pound takeover of Manchester City.

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Khaldoon Al Mubarak: The new City chairman.

The arrival of the Middle Eastern billionaires has changed the balance of spending power in the Premier League as Arabian chief Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan will formally become the new owner of the Eastlands club on Tuesday.

However, Wenger maintains the reason behind the unexpected developments in the City boardroom remain a mystery.

Speaking in the October issue of the official Arsenal magazine, Wenger said: ''I don't know why these people are in there.

''It doesn't look like they are there to make any money. So if they are not there to make money out of it, then are they buying it out of love? Well, I am not sure these people are supporters of Manchester City from a young age.

''So then comes a further question: Why are they doing it? Why have they bought the club? I can't really find a rational answer.''

Wenger added: ''If it is just a toy for them then it is even more dangerous.

''You can have 20 billionaires in the Premier League, still only one can win it and one will come last.

''The problem is that when these people who have bought into football get tired of it, what will they leave behind? That is the real question you can ask.

''If their investment is purely strategic, based on the market interest, then they could easily decide one day that it is not strategic to be in that market any more, and then they will leave.''

Carvalho sidelined with knee injury

Ricardo Carvalho's knee injury could rule him out for up to a month of Chelsea's Premier League title challenge.

The 30-year-old suffered medial collateral ligament damage during the 1-1 draw with Manchester United yesterday and he was taken off in the 12th minute of the clash at Stamford Bridge, with medical staff estimating the problem will lead to between three and four weeks on the sidelines.

Fellow Portugal international Deco also sustained a tear in his thigh during the warm-up and will be out for a fortnight.

The blow of losing Deco will be softened by the imminent arrival of Brazil midfielder Mineiro as a free agent. The 33-year-old will provide cover for John Mikel Obi in a holding role, with Michael Essien already out for six months.

Despite a solid performance from Alex after coming off the bench against United, it is Carvalho's loss that could be most significant for boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, such is the importance of the centre-back.

"He is a player that is very fast and he smells when the ball is coming," said Scolari last week. "He can read where the ball is going to be and go."

The former Porto defender could return after the next international break and could make the Champions League tie against Roma or the Premier League clash against Liverpool if he takes the full month.

Inter Milan considering move for legend Maradona

Serie A champions Inter Milan are considering hiring former Argentina great Diego Maradona as a consultant, club president Massimo Moratti has said.

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The Argentina legend could be back in the game.

"I think we'll link up with him. He still has great appeal and it seems to me that he is out of the tunnel," Moratti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Since his retirement from soccer, Maradona, 47, has suffered a string of health problems related to obesity and his addiction to drugs and alcohol.

In Italy, El Pibe d'Oro is best remembered for his seven year spell at Napoli, where he led the romantic southerners to the only two Scudetti in their history in 1987 and 1990

It is believed that the ex-Boca Juniors hero will be offered the job as a South American talent scout.