Rooney, Giggs & Chicharito in defence for Fergie as Lennon copycat attack feared

Manchester United's star forward line up of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Chicharito are set to be defenders in the titanic Champions League Final against Barcelona on 28 May. But they won't be defending their goal, but their manager, Sir Alex Ferguson!

The shock tactical move by Fergie is believed to result from the wave of copycat touchline assaults on managers following the shocking attack on Celtic boss Neil Lennon during the second half of his team's 3-0 win against Hearts.

Last night, Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola was threatened in his coaching area on the pitch at Levante, during his side's 1-1 draw which clinched their third Spanish La Liga title in a row.

Guardiola was left shaken as a man leapt over the dug out roof and started haranguing him in English and Portuguese, twanging the elastic on Guardiola's track-suit pants while calling him a cheat and a sartorial disgrace. Spanish police say the attacker, who then made his escape down the tunnel, would be difficult to trace, "We're looking for a special one here' said Levante PD spokesman.

Meanwhile back at Old Trafford as news of the managerial attacks filtered through, Sir Alex was making contingency plans for his safety at the Wembley final.

'The lads were a natural choice of minders for the Boss," said a dressing-room insider, "Wazza comes from a family of boxers, Giggsy's dad was a tough rugby league player who was a 'bit tasty', and Chicarito used to be a lucha libre wrestler back in Mexico. He can tie a man in knots - literally."

"God help anyone who comes near the Boss when he's in the pitch coaching area during the match with those boys donutting him." he smiles, "And that applies to the ref, linesmen and that french twat Platini!"

[Noah Hickey] Hernandez the next Messi?

There are a couple of good topics this week in the rise of Javier Hernandez at Manchester United and also Liverpool since King Kenny Dalglish has taken over.

In the first case Hernandez has been the stand out signing of the Premier League this season. Most of that praise was given to Rafael Van der Vaart of Tottenham at the start of the season, as the season has gone on Hernandez has taken this title.

Manchester United have all but confirmed the Premier League crown by beating Chelsea in the weekend with Hernandez playing another starring role.

His pace and touch have even caused ex-players such as Pele to come out and say he could be the next Messi. This would seem to fit well for Pele as he knows it would stir his biggest rival in Maradona to a point where we may see a comment in retaliation anytime.

Pele also had a little jibe at Messi saying "the Messi we see playing for Barcelona is very different to the Messi we see for Argentina" and that he needs to prove himself for country before he gets the title of greatness.

Pele probably has a point as the very best are judged on what they have done for club and country, this will be true in the case of both Messi and Hernandez though Messi still stands out globally for me. The best thing is we get to see them battle it out for the Champions League on the 28th May, one player will come out a hero and Hernandez could go a long way to backing up Pele's claims if it is him.

On the Liverpool front I am baffled to know why Kenny Dalglish hasn't been signed up as the permanent manager yet.

The results have turned around so quickly and the football has been entertaining to watch, goals are flowing and there have been multiple goal scorers.

Surely the Liverpool board have given Dalglish the vote of confidence and it is only him that is holding back at the moment. If he walked away now it would be the perfect exit to maintain his legend status at the club. I don't know if he can do much better next season with the players he has over the clubs that have endless funds.

It has been a frustrating last couple of seasons for the reds fans, the only answer is to sign King Kenny and start putting the puzzle together for next season. If not I fear Liverpool will be right back where they began this season watching the likes of Hernandez at Manchester United tear the league to shreds.

It might just be Hernandez' year next season, that's enough to put the fear into any manager that takes the reigns at Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. I can't see a player available that any of these clubs could sign to seriously threaten Hernandez position at the top next season.

Via: tvnz.co.nz, Images by: Reuters