Sir Alex Ferguson last night taunted his European rivals by claiming Manchester United have the best two young players in the world in Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fergie will hand £30million striker Rooney his long-waited United debut at Old Trafford tonight in the Champions League against Turkish champions Fenerbahce.

And the United boss could not contain his excitement at the prospect of unleashing teenage duo Rooney and Ronaldo - worth a combined £42million.

"I can’t think of another club that has two young players with so much ability and potential," said Ferguson. "Ronaldo is still only 19 and Rooney doesn’t turn 19 until next month." (Daily Mirror)

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Liverpool enter the lions’ den in Athens tonight - with the message that only victory will do if they want to progress in the Champions League.

The Merseysiders face Olympiacos on their home turf in what is sure to be an intimidating and hostile atmosphere.

But Reds boss Rafael Benitez has ordered his troops to put aside any fear and go for the win - because a record number of points may be needed to qualify from such a tough group.

"We will go there to try and win, I don’t know how to play for a draw," said the Spaniard. "Anyway I think a victory is necessary for us. I don’t think that nine points will be enough for us to get through to the next stage." (Daily Mirror)

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Iain Dowie has ended speculation over his Crystal Palace future by signing a four-year contract to stay manager of the Premiership’s bottom club.

Dowie, 39, agreed a new deal with Palace chairman Simon Jordan last month and he vowed to sign on again with the club he steered to promotion last season.

Striker Andy Johnson said: "He got us where we are now and we want him to take us further." (The Sun)

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Angry Porto boss Victor Fernandez last night told Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to mind his own business.

Mourinho upset his successor at the Portuguese champions by claiming the Champions League winners now had a bigger and better squad.

Fernandez hit back by saying: "With such a great distance between London and Porto you can’t make such a precise and objective judgement about a team.

"I’d never dare to evaluate the potential of a team so far away." (Daily Star)

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Chelsea have been given the go-ahead to build a £20million training ground at Cobham in Surrey.

They will move into the state-of-the-art complex, which will have 15 pitches, in July 2006.

Boss Jose Mourinho said: "One reason I joined the club was the commitment Roman Abramovich and the board showed about investing in youth." (The Sun)