Manchester City comprehensively dismantled Portsmouth as they cruised to a 6- 0 victory over the FA Cup holders in a wholly one-sided affair at the City of Manchester stadium.

Brazilian Jo followed up his midweek brace with the opener, before captain Richard Dunne added a second shortly after.

On-song Stephen Ireland had a key role in the next two strikes, setting up Robinho for his second for the club and then Shaun Wright-Phillips to make it 4-0.

Youngster Ched Evans added a fifth before Gelson Fernandes added insult to injury to complete the rout.

First Half

Having been unveiled to the fans prior to kick-off having formally completed the takeover of City, Khaldoon Al Mubarak had little time to wait for the entertainment as Jo and Robinho linked up superbly to send the latter through in the opening minutes, and the subsequent shot forced David James to save at full stretch.

Wright-Phillips' persistent gallops down the right were causing havoc from the off, but it was the Brazilian duo up front for City that once again carved an opening after just 13 minutes, with Jo eventually collecting his team-mate's pass and rounding James before slotting his side in front.

It was two shortly after, with Elano's cross met by the head of Dunne who directed the ball into the open goal, sparking wild celebrations around the 29-year old on his birthday.

Peter Crouch had a glaring opportunity to bring his side back into the game as Glen Johnson snuck behind Dunne and cut the ball back, but the England international succeeded only in playing the ball wide of the post.

The visitors endeavoured to find a goal of their own, and Pablo Zabaleta had to be alert to block Sol Campbell's header on the line.

Second Half

So far, so comfortable for the hosts, and processions became even more favourable for them just ten minutes into the second half. Ireland played a clever chip over the head of Sylvain Distin into the path of Jo, and the forward fed Robinho who in turn curled the ball beyond James from 15 yards.

Another ten minutes passed and Ireland was on hand to set up a teammate once again, this time Wright-Phillips benefitting from his array of passing qualities as he collected a through ball and blasted the ball beyond the Pompey shot-stopper at his near post.

The onlooking crowd barely had chance to catch breath, and another sublime attacking move by the Eastlanders saw Robinho collect Elano's pass, play the ball inside to Wright-Phillips and the diminutive midfielder back-heeled into the path of Evans who did the rest. It was a lovely move, and Wright-Phillips contribution in particular caught the visiting defence flat-footed.

The icing was added to the proverbial cake as James made a hash of Javier Garrido's cross to conclude a humiliating afternoon for the veteran stopper. Fernandes was on-hand to knock the ball into the goal to cap off a marvellous afternoon for Mark Hughes, while Harry Redknapp will return to the south coast in furious spirits.

Will Wood

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What: Barclays Premier League
Who: Liverpool (2nd, 7pts) v Manchester United (9th, 4pts)
When: Saturday, 13th September, Kick-off: 12:45 BST
Where: Anfield, Liverpool

The Eighteenth Hole

Mark Hughes may like to think that his Manchester City side’s clash with Chelsea later on Saturday takes star billing in this weekend’s Premier League fixture list, but some 45,000 fans inside Anfield - plus, no doubt, a global TV audience of millions - will beg to differ when Liverpool and Manchester United lock horns again in a lunch-time showdown that will inevitably offer clues about this season‘s title race.

The ‘Clash of the Cash’ at Eastlands in the early evening will be a fascinating encounter for all sports of reasons, but few would accept that a meeting between the North-West’s two red-clad armies is no longer the main event. And while City and Chelsea may boss the richest sugar-daddies in the League, neither Liverpool nor United can be accused of penny-pinching, having this summer alone sunk more than £50 million between them into parting Tottenham from their strike-force.

United‘s deadline-day swoop for Dimitar Berbatov followed Liverpool‘s earlier capture of the Bulgarian‘s erstwhile scoring partner at White Hart Lane, Robbie Keane. Typically, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sought to lob a psychological doubt into the Liverpool camp by questioning the high price Rafa Benitez was prepared to pay for Keane, a player whose value he has previously implied is somewhat inflated. Fergie’s mischief-making with the press is unlikely to cut much ice at Anfield, where the only sensible response is to ram his words down his throat on the pitch, though that has proved to be easier said than done in recent seasons.

That’s underlined by the fact that United are chasing a sixth successive Premier League victory over their Merseyside rivals, and their third in a row at Anfield. Indeed, Liverpool have suffered more Premier League defeats (18), dropped more points (68) and conceded more goals (48) to Manchester United than to any other club.

Those statistics make painful reading for anyone associated with Liverpool, and one can only imagine what the ghosts of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley have made of the last 18 seasons. Eighteen, of course, is a highly evocative number in the context of battles between these two giants, separated by 33 miles of East Lancs Road or, if you prefer, M62 motorway.

For while Liverpool can still proudly boast more top-flight English titles - 18 - than any other club, they haven’t added to their haul since 1990. And with consecutive triumphs in the last two seasons, United have closed to within one title of their bitter rivals. When you consider that, at the time Kenny Dalglish’s Reds lifted the club’s 18^th title in 1990, United’s tally was a modest seven, the seismic nature of the power-shift in Lancashire can be graphically understood. If United successfully defend their title again this season, they will not only claim an unprecedented second hat-trick of championships, but also equal Liverpool’s record total of titles. That is a prospect almost too awful to contemplate for many Reds fans. Never has Liverpool’s quest for that elusive next title been more urgent.

Advantage Liverpool?

The good news for Liverpool is that they can go three points clear at the top of the table - for two hours at least - if they can achieve their tenth successive home league victory. To do so at United’s expense would be sweet indeed. United are down in ninth at the moment, partly because they’ve played a game fewer than all except Fulham, their clash wityh the Cottagers having been postponed while they went to Monaco for their ill-fated Super Cup defeat by Zenit St Petersburg.

But United were the only opponents who left Anfield with all three points last season - and Ferguson boasts an unbeaten record against Benitez of seven wins and one draw. Rafa’s one success was in an FA Cup fifth round tie in February 2006.

The context for this match is that both sides have been without most of their squads for ten days because of the international break - and that both will be seeking the boost to morale of a win to carry them into their first Champions League group matches next week.

Noises Off-Stage

Inevitably in the build-up to such a big game there have been plenty of comments, and some verbal sniping, from both camps. As noted, Fergie has queried the wisdom of Liverpool’s purchase of Robbie Keane, the Irishman shrugging off the slight by insisting football is a game of opinions - and adding that in his, John O’Shea should start every game for United. Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, reflecting on the bitter disappointment of last season’s home defeat by United, claimed that the game is worth much more than three points.

“If we beat Manchester United at home, we will have 10 points and much more confidence, but everyone will also be very, very happy.”

His team-mate Fabio Aurelio (famous among other things for the fact that his surname uses every available vowel), chipped in with: “We need to try and change the history. In recent years, it has been difficult against them, but we have a great opportunity to change that on Saturday.”

Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano, who recklessly got himself sent off during last season’s showdown between the teams at Old Trafford, reckons: "It’s a match we need to win if we want to compete for the title. We can do that and push for honours. The fans deserve it."

The trick, of course, is walking the walk as well as talking the talk, as Reds defender Jamie Carragher knows only too well. He admits United have been better than Liverpool in recent derbies, and told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I'm not a great believer in being lucky or unlucky. I'm a big believer in 'you get what you deserve'.

"United over the last few years have probably edged it with us and small details in football make a difference. That's why they've been better than us and that's something we need to liven up.”

Meanwhile, from Old Trafford, there have been some bullish noises too, including former United defender Gary Pallister saying Liverpool will again fail to contest the title this season. He insists the Reds cannot sustain a challenge over the course of the whole season. He even suggests that things could quickly go pear-shaped for Benitez if he a loser again at Anfield.

"I can't see them challenging this year. I thought they might put together a sustained challenge last year and they didn't manage to do so. I don't feel as though they can this year either," he told the Daily Star. “Under Benitez they've been playing for fourth spot. That's not good enough for Liverpool fans. They expect to be up there fighting for league championships - and that hasn't happened. It would have a big effect on their season if they lose. If they lose badly it would be even more damaging. To lose at home to one of your main rivals is a huge blow."

The current United players have been fairly muted about Liverpool. Berbatov has been insisting he’s not lazy; Ryan Giggs has been predicting the Bulgarian will be an instant success for United; and Wayne Rooney has been talking more about resurgent England than the Premiership this week, having ended his 11-month goal drought for the Three Lions with an impressive performance.

But the other significant off-stage noise surrounding this gamer could well come from Liverpool fans planning to protest against the clubs two American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Will that strike a chord among United fans who wanted nothing to do with the Glazer-buy-out of their club? It should do, but parochial enmity could well mean United fans mocking rather than sympathising with their Scouse rivals.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool have lost one of their last 16 games in all competitions - a 2-3 reverse at Stamford Bridge at the hands of Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final second leg. They are unbeaten in 10 Premier League matches, of which they’ve won seven and drawn three. Ironically, their last League defeat was a 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. And their last home defeat was also by United nine months ago. That 1-0 defeat, inflicted by a Carlos Tevez goal, was Liverpool’s only loss at Anfield in their last 24. But they’ve not not beaten a fellow 'Big Four' club in six attempts. This season, the Reds have beaten Sunderland away, Middlesbrough at home and drawn with Aston Villa away in the League, while squeezing through in extra-time against Standard Liege in a Champions League qualifier to secure entry to the lucrative group stage.

United’s last outing was that 2-1 defeat by Zenit St Petersburg in the European Super Cup on 29th August. They’ve played only two Premier League fixtures to date, a 1-1 home draw against Newcastle United and a 1-09 win at Fratton Park against Portsmouth. They’ve won 10, drawn three and lost one of their last 14 Premier League games, collecting 10 points from the last 12 on offer since Chelsea beat the 2-1 away on 26th April. That was United’s first reverse in their last eight games against fellow 'Big Four' clubs.

Last Five Matches

Liverpool

31 Aug: Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (EPL)

27 Aug: Liverpool 1-0 Standard Liege (CLQ)

23 Aug: Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough (EPL)

16 Aug: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (EPL)

13 Aug: Standard Liege 0-0 Liverpool (CLQ)

Manchester United

29 Aug: Man Utd 1-2 Zenit St Petersburg (N) (Super Cup)

25 Aug: Portsmouth 0-1 Man Utd (EPL)

17 Aug: Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle Utd (EPL)

10 Aug: Man Utd 0-0 Portsmouth (N) (Community Shield) (Utd won 3-1 on pens)

04 Aug: Peterborough Utd 0-2 Man Utd (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Benitez was given a major boost today when two of his key players, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, were both declared fit to face United.

Gerrard missed England's 4-1 win in Croatia on Wednesday after undergoing a minor groin operation, and Torres has recovered from a hamstring tear, so both stars are included in Rafa’s squad after successfully completing Friday’s light training session.

"They are both much better," said Benitez. "They came through a full training session this morning. It's important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game. I'm not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit."

Albert Riera is in line to make his Liverpool debut after joining the club from Espanyol on transfer deadline day. But Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva will miss the game after a long-haul flight back to Merseyside from international duty in South America. And both Sami Hyypia and Philipp Degen could miss out with hamstring and groin injuries, respectively.

Squad: Reina, Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Keane, Gerrard, Torres, Aurelio, Alonso, Benayoun, Arbeloa, Agger, Kuyt, Babel, Mascherano, Carragher, Ngog, Plessis, El Zhar, Skrtel, Riera.

Possible Starting XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossenaa, Kuyt, Mascherano, Gerrard, Riera, Keane, Torres.

Manchester United

The club’s expensive transfer deadline-day recruit, Dimitar Berbatov, will almost certainly make his debut for the club, despite his fitness levels having been questioned by United’s coaching staff following his arrival from Tottenham.

Ferguson had doubts about the fitness of three potentially key men, but has been boosted by the prospect of having the trio back in contention for United’s first Premier League game in almost three weeks.

Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick all now look likely to be fit and available to face Liverpool. Ferdinand missed England's 2-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday because of neck and back injuries, but recovered to play his part in the Three Lions’ resounding 4-1 thrashing of Croatia in Zagreb last night.

Giggs, 34, had been suffering with a hamstring problem but could be involved if he comes through a late fitness test. And Carrick is now expected to be available following an ankle injury.

But Cristiano Ronaldo and Owen Hargreaves are still undergoing treatment.

Squad: Van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Brown, Anderson, Berbatov, Rooney, Giggs, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, R. Da Silva, O’Shea, Evans, Fletcher, Tevez, Kuszczak.

Possible Starting XI: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Anderson, Fletcher, Scholes, Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

All eyes will inevitably be on former Tottenham strike partners Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, now on opposite sides and keen to prove t5hey were worth their respective big fees. Keane has appeared over-anxious so far for the Reds, so a more measure approach to this titanic struggle could pay dividends for him. Trying too hard is not an accusation Berbatov has often had directed at him, but he show more than his usual economy of movement oh his debut for United. Like Keane on moving to Anfield, Berba described his switch to Old Trafford as a ’dream’ (cue yawns). It may well be a dream move for Rooney, whose game has cried out for some time for the sort of vision, touch and guile that Berbatov can provide in the form of telling assists. On the other hand, Jamie Carragher will be at his most dogged and determined in trying to turn the tide in these North-West derbies, and will neither ask nor give a quarter to either United front man.

PREDICTION

Recent history points to United maintaining their hex on Liverpool, but then neither side have found anything like approaching top gear so far this season. This is the just the type of game to sort the men from the boys, the serious contenders from the mere hopefuls, though at this stage of the campaign no outcome will be decisive - and you’d still expect both sides to be in contention next April when the season moves towards its climax.

Their recent dominance over Liverpool means United may turn up at Anfield expecting to win, which could suit Liverpool. If United do win, they will have to halt a run: Liverpool have won their last nine home league games and are unbeaten at Anfield in the league this calendar year. Perhaps surprisingly, too, since February the Reds have been the best team in the Premier League with 13 wins, four draws and one defeat from 18 games. Meanwhile United have won only one of their four games so far this season during the regulation 90 minutes. And the last time Liverpool endured an eight-match winless streak against United in the league (1996-2000), they endede the sequence in the ninth meeting by winning 1-0 (and going on to do the double over United that season).

It’s also true that in none of the last eight clashes between these two sides have both teams got on the score-sheet - but that could change tomorrow with a scoring draw.

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United

Graham Lister

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Sir Alex Ferguson has come out firing following Mark Hughes' claim that he Manchester City - Chelsea clash has become a bigger fixture than Manchester United against Liverpool on the same day.

"I had better check what Mark has had for his breakfast because something must be upsetting him," scoffed Ferguson.

"How many games did he play for United against Liverpool? Our game is the biggest. It is a great game."

The fact is that the 'Clash of the Cash' set for Saturday tea-time, by which time the outcome of the Anfield clash will be known, is a sell-out at Eastlands, despite being shown live on Setanta Sports. And the pre-match interest from the media is so great that the venue of Hughes' scheduled press conference has had to be moved to the stadium to accommodate the high number journalists and film crews eager to catch it.

A record attendance is expected at Eastlands where the home fans will have heir first opportunity to greet news of the new regime, plus Robinho, and welcome back popular winger Shaun-Wright Phillips - coincidentally sold back to City by Chelsea.

Sir Alex uncharacteristically held his tongue when reports broke that newly mega-wealthy City are already plotting to prise Cristiano Ronaldo away with a January bid that would gazump the current world record, but now he has come out swinging.

"There has been a lot of talk but it is a different matter when it actually comes to getting those players," added the Scot.

"To think they could get Cristiano Ronaldo for instance is absolutely absurd.

"Negotiations are not easy nowadays, as we found with Dimitar.

"Yes, we have bought big players, but Manchester United is not a cash cow, as people are talking about other clubs at the moment.

"At the moment it is all talk. We have seen it before and it will happen again.

"It depends how much money they want to throw at it but even then it doesn't always work," he was keen to point out.

"You can buy 11 individuals and not have a team as Sunderland proved.

"When Chelsea did it we worried because we saw the quality they were bringing in. They got Michael Essien for £27million, which was a level we could not reach.

"You could tell they would be a handful.

"It is very difficult to say what will happen with City but we should not concern ourselves with what people are planning to do because it does not always work."

Ferguson concluded by insisting that United is built to rise to any threat.

"There is always a challenge at this club," he continued.

"Four years ago when Jose Mourinho went to Chelsea it represented a different challenge from Arsenal.

"They were the new kids on the block and we had to reassess our approach. We accepted the challenge.

"What you see here today has not been created overnight.

"This club has been built up over many years and will be here for a long time."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

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Goal.com invites you, the reader, to weigh in on the debate surrounding Robinho's transfer to Manchester City. Did he make the right choice, or should he have held out for a January move to Chelsea? Should he have left Madrid at all? You decide...

Few transfers this summer ignited as much controversy and discussion as did Robinho's move to Manchester City. England's most expensive import, the Brazilian left Real Madrid under a cloud in search of pastures new.

Of course, he - and everyone else - thought that Chelsea would be his destination, at least until City, flush with Dubai dinero, swooped in at the last minute to bring him to Eastlands.

Thus this wonder winger won't be playing Champions League football this season - nor perhaps even next - as he teams up with Mark Hughes instead of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Is this at all proper? Is it right? Many have questioned his wisdom in forcing an exit from Madrid, only to arrive at a UEFA Cup side. Some feel that he should have waited until January in the hope that Madrid lost their nerve and sold him to Chelsea; others still argue that he shouldn't have sought to leave the Bernabéu at all, and instead he should have made his peace with the club over 'Ronaldogate' and his being kept back from the Olympics.

Others still will say that, with newly-minted City, he has every chance of achieving his dream of the Ballon d'Or in the next few years, and that a lucrative opportunity like this was too great to pass up.

Could be. But what do you think? Click here to vote and we'll announce the results on Monday... after the Manchester City versus Chelsea game, of course!

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Arsenal and Spain midfielder Cesc Fàbregas has made it clear that he has no intentions of being part of Manchester City’s football and transfer revolution by joining them anytime in the near future.

Cesc has given a pre-emptive response to any future advances cash-filled Manchester City may make for him by declaring that he will never join the Eastlands club.

The 21 year old Arsenal man, back in Spain for his country’s World Cup qualifiers told Barcelona-based daily Sport bluntly: "It would be suicidal for my career at my 21 years of age to move to City. It would make no sense."

The Citizens, currently owned by Abu Dhabi United Group, have already been linked to a number of the world’s biggest and best players including Ruud van Nistlerooy, Fernando Torres, Kaká and Gianluigi Buffon.

KS Leong

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In the wake of Robinho's late surprise transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester City for a British record fee, Brazilian legend Pele believes the former Santos forward needs 'counselling', his words are echoed by fellow Brazilians...

Robinho effectively forced his exit from Real Madrid. The forward yearned to switch capital cities and join Chelsea, but it was Los Merengues who had the final say in the matter, refusing to do business with the Stamford Bridge side and accepting the £32.5million fee from Eastlands.

Madrid knew they had to cash in on Robinho as Roman Calderon is quoted by France 24 as saying: "Robinho has a morale problem more extensive than we first thought... When he talked about his situation, he cried and demanded to leave Spain."

Pele is disgusted by the behaviour of his fellow Brazilian: "Chelsea are lucky. This boy needs some serious counselling. In my view he has been badly advised," Football 365 quote him to say.

Santos President, Marcelo Teixeira added: "This is one of the most disgraceful episodes in Brazilian football... He is a player who is an idol to children... But he has not acted like one."

Jose Fernandos, Santos manager said: "We are ashamed at having produced such a player."

Alan Dawson

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Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has confirmed that the club have sold Robinho to Manchester City and that they may try to make a big signing in January...

Chelsea have been chasing the Brazilian for a number of weeks now, with new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari having made it clear that the Real Madrid star, along with Deco, were his two transfer targets upon being appointed as Blues boss.

The 24-year-old finished the season happy with the Spanish champions, but became unsettled when murmurs in the press emerged that he could be used as a makeweight in Madrid's pursuit of Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, as that move collapsed, Robinho remained open to leaving Madrid, despite their best efforts to keep the player. Coach Bernd Schuster is thought to have always wanted the former Santos star to stay at the club, but higher-ups within the club were willing to let him leave if Cristiano Ronaldo were to arrive.

Chelsea have pursued Robinho very much in the same manner that Madrid chased Ronaldo earlier in the summer, and despite Madrid's disappointment with the Blues' behaviour, the player himself has remained adamant that he wants to leave the club, even arranging a press conference on Sunday to push for a move to Chelsea.

Madrid have remained adamant that no players would be leaving or arriving in the remaining days of the transfer window, but now appear to have changed their tune as City, who were taken over by Abu Dhabi Group for Development and Investment today, now have even more money than they did under Thaksin Shinawatra, who sold the club today after just over a year in charge. The Citizens will now sign Robinho for a reported British record transfer fee of €42 million - despite missing out on Dimitar Berbatov to rivals Manchester United - and offer the forward a staggering €6 million per year, after tax.

"We have sold Robinho for reasons of human nature," Calderon told Canal Veo TV. "The fact is that we have accepted an offer for Manchester City, and that he is not going for sporting reasons.

"I can't rule out a new signing in December, now that [without Robinho] we have a free slot. But right now there's nobody in the market that we can move for."

The club have also officially announced the deal on their official website: "Real Madrid Football Club has finally decided this evening to transfer their player, Robson da Souza 'Robinho', to Manchester City."

Tears

It is being reported that Robinho was in tears at the thought of not being allowed to leave the club and threatened to go to Brazil and not return until he was sold.

"Manchester City have made a dramatic late deadline-day swoop for Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Robinho," read a statement on City's website.

"The deal to bring the 24-year-old was completed shortly before the midnight cut-off point, and he has signed a four-year contract."

One of the best in the world

City boss Mark Hughes could not hide his delight after a successful summer during his first few months at the club. “I am absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent like Robinho," he told the club's website.

"I have said that in order to compete with the best teams in the Premier League we have to be in the market for players of this calibre, and Robinho is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.

“I am really looking forward to introducing him to the rest of the squad, and to the City fans at the earliest opportunity. This is a real statement of intent as to the ambitions of Manchester City Football Club.”

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

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In perhaps the most audacious piece of speculation published all summer it appears Manchester City are preparing a midnight hour swoop for want-away Bulgarian, Dimitar Berbatov, according to various sources...

Sky Sports News have confirmed that Manchester City have tabled a bid in excess of £30million for the silky striker, if the transfer is to be pushed through it will smash the British record.

Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment are understood to have taken over ownership of Manchester City. A top four finish is an essential requirement for the incoming board, and the first piece of business they wish to complete is the steal of Berbatov from rivals Manchester United - a piece of news that was first reported by the Sofia Echo and the Manchester Evening News.

Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, the figure spearheading the City takeover, has been described as a headline maker in his native region and is ready to complete a 'Hollywood' signing before the close of business tonight.

It could, perhaps, lead to a bitter stand-off between City and United and to the first battle for City's quest for parochial dominance.

Spurs however are allegedly keen to now deal with United, despite their initial wariness of selling another asset to the League champions. The inclusion of Fraizer Campbell in a player plus cash swap deal is seen as a key component in the north London club's change of heart.

UPDATE (15:15): Latest reports suggest that Dimitar Berbatov has agreed a mega £150,000 per week deal to sign at Manchester City, although nothing is yet official...

Alan Dawson and Peter Staunton

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The 'Abu Dhabi Group for Development and Investment' (ADUG) have reportedly reached a deal with erstwhile owner Thaksin Shinawatra to take over Manchester City FC...

According to a spokesperson for the United Arab Emirates city, Abu Dhabi will take over the club imminently after striking a deal late on Sunday night.

Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, who will take a seat on the board, told ArabianBusiness.com, "We will release details later, but this is a great event for both the club and Abu Dhabi.

"Our goal is very simple – to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League, and to begin with, to finish in the top four this season."

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former owner, is said to be in line for an "honorary" presidential position - one of a figurehead that brings with it no powers whatsoever.

According to Al Fahim, ADUG's takeover terms include clearing any pending debts and also strengthening the squad with "top four" players.

Shinawatra's reign as owner, then, comes to an end amidst controversy. The former Thai Prime Minister is embroiled in legal battles in his home country, with rumours of financial difficulties abounding.

City have confirmed that Shinawatra is to sell up, with Dr Khalid Kadfour Al-Muhairy of the Emirates Group overseeing the handover between Al Fahim and Shinawatra.

Economical

ADUG stated that they bought into the club for both sporting and economic reasons:

"We in Abu Dhabi United Company for Development and Investment are keen to develop ways to provide support and care for various sports activities to help build and develop a new generation of young State, which represents the real wealth and the future of this nation and the cornerstone for building the future of our civilisation," he said.

"As embodied in our mission to open new horizons in all kinds of sports, it will enable them to enjoy healthy body and mind, thanks to the lessons we have learned from the wise leadership in Abu Dhabi.

"We will adopt marketing plans that reflect positively on the club and the company from investments in all sectors of television marketing and purchasing of the stars players, as well as development of infrastructure facilities at the club."

Abu Dhabi is already involved in football, being part-owners of a youth academy that's run in partnership with Internazionale of Milan.

While their promises for City are huge, it remains to be seen how they deal with the club that Shinawatra has left behind.

Statements

Manchester City have moved to clarify developments this morning, stating that while a move has not officially been agreed, it is underway. From the official club website:

"Manchester City can confirm that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) and Manchester City Football Club Limited.

A period of due diligence for all parties, including the FA Premier League has now been entered.

A further statement will be released by the Club in due course."

In addition to the due diligence period, as part of Premier League rules incoming owners must undergo a 'fit and proper persons' test - one that Shinawatra passed.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

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Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced an eleventh hour transfer coup of Manchester City right back Vedran Corluka...

After weeks of speculation Croatian defender Vedran Corluka has joined Juande Ramos' ranks at White Hart Lane for an undisclosed fee.

Corluka only spent one year at Eastlands, despite initially signing a longer deal. The transfer had often been speculated about in the media over the summer, with the uncertain future of the ownership of the club cited as a possible reason for the sale. The 22-year old right back will now link up with fellow international Luka Modric.

A statement from Tottenham Hotspurs' official website read: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Vedran Corluka to the Club."

Regarding the move that will see him swapping Manchester for London, Corluka said: "I am delighted to be here because I am coming to a big club with great players, great ambition and also my best friend [Luka Modric] is here. It is a very happy day for me."

Manchester City were quick to thank Corluka for his service, a statement from www.mcfc.co.uk read: "Everyone at the Club would like to thank Vedran for his efforts and we wish him all the very best for the future."

Corluka is a recognised international and has 24 caps to his name. One of the first meetings he will have with his new team-mates will be ironically, when he plays for Croatia against England in Zagreb in the second round of World Cup qualification.

Alan Dawson

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Shaun Wright-Phillips has completed a move from Chelsea back to Manchester City for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract...

The England winger had moved to quell speculation that he would be joining his former club earlier in the week, but with Robinho's arrival at Stamford Bridge imminent, the 26-year-old has decided to move on.

The Eastlands darling underwent a medical this morning at the club and has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal. The transfer fee involved will remain undisclosed.

Wright-Phillips left Manchester City for Chelsea three years ago for a fee of £23million, but was quite clearly ecstatic to have returned to his old stomping ground. He told the club's official website: "Obviously I'm delighted to come back to City and I just can't wait to get started again."

Citizens' manager Mark Hughes was equally made-up at having secured the services of the diminutive wide-man, and hailed the capture as a 'major coup' for the club.

He said: "I've always admired him and he's certainly been a target of mine since I came to the football club.

"To actually secure the deal and bring Shaun back home is a fantastic coup for us and I'm sure the supporters will be just as excited as we are to have him back at Manchester City."

Wright-Phillips will be formally unveiled tomorrow at a press conference at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Peter Staunton

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Manchester City are on the verge of signing Pablo Zabaleta from Espanyol after tabling a bid that looks set to be accepted by the Catalan outfit.

Mark Hughes is keen to continue strengthening his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday and adding to his defence has been an aim all summer.

Zabaleta has also been linked with Juventus, but la Vecchia Signora officials stated last month that they would not be signings any more players.

Espanyol have admitted that every member of their squad has a price, but that nobody would be allowed to leave for less than the valuation that the club have stated.

Zabaleta's asking price is around €8m and Manchester City have matched that meaning that talks should begin over a deal before the end of the week.

The Argentinian defender's agent, Marcelo Arguello, would receive 50 per cent of any fee and that has also made a difference to the amount being demanded.

If City do complete a deal then that could pave the way for right-back Vedran Corluka to move to Tottenham for around €10m after the two clubs appeared to agree to the move two weeks ago.

While Spurs claim that they have signed the player, City claim that the registration never changed hands and that he is still their player, but Corluka himself is said to now want to go to White Hart Lane.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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Micah Richards is out of Manchester City's crucial Uefa Cup clash against Midtjylland in order to undergo further monitoring following the head injury he sustained during the Premier League victory against West Ham.

City manager Mark Hughes had been prepared to give the England international extra time to prove his fitness for Thursday's second leg in Denmark after tests ruled out a neck injury following Richards' collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim.

But with captain Richard Dunne available again after missing the West Ham win through suspension, Hughes has now ruled Richards out for the return with City trailing 1-0 from the first leg.

The 11-times capped England defender is continuing to recover and although, unlike rugby union, there is no rule in football to prevent players from returning following concussion, City are reluctant to risk him.

Hughes remains keen to add to his squad before the transfer window closes on Aug 31, with Wigan forward Henri Camara and Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips on his wanted list.

Hughes said: "You saw one purchase against West Ham in Vincent Kompany that cost a significant amount and we'll be back in the market trying to sign good players."

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While there may be all sorts of uncertainty swirling around Eastlands just now, it looks as if Mark Hughes has come up trumps again in the transfer market.

Following on from his success in this area at Blackburn Rovers – think of David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz – Manchester City's new manager seems to have found another player who can add a great deal of quality to his squad.

Vincent Kompany had only met his team-mates a couple of days before producing a highly accomplished performance in Sunday's win over West Ham. Not only that, it was the way he dovetailed smoothly with Michael Johnson in central midfield that must have left Hughes feeling very encouraged.

Sometimes, a partnership doesn't need much work, it just clicks into place, and that certainly seemed to be the case here. Kompany's natural tendency to sit in front of the back four, trying to break up attacks before spreading the play with an excellent range of passes – short and long –suited the athletic Johnson just fine.

This highly promising 20- year-old, who can run all day, found that his forward bursts were being nicely counter-balanced by Kompany's positional sense. Just like the canny Dietmar Hamann, who appeared later on, the Belgian international knew when to sit tight, giving Johnson the confidence to support the attack.

Kompany's defensive instincts, in fact, stem from a lot of experience as a centre-half, which came in very handy after Micah Richards was injured. The new boy looked equally impressive next to Tal Ben Haim, slotting in seamlessly to the back four.

Yet it appears to be the great potential of his relationship with Johnson that will serve City best this season. If both can stay fit, if Johnson can progress as a Premier League player in the way his talent should allow, and if the new signing from Hamburg builds on his classy debut, Hughes will boast a very capable central midfield.

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