Sir Alex Ferguson's 'big game' selection was predictable earlier in the campaign, but recently we've seen surprise strategies and plenty of rotation in key positions. Manchester United are currently on their best defensive run for years, having not conceded a goal in five Premier League matches, but even that has been achieved with a rotating centre-back partnership.

However, Ferguson's choice…

Manchester United have long been the pantomime villains of the club versus country sideshow. While some of England's more dogmatic fans decry their Red Devil scapegoat for undermining the national team and devaluing tradition, the club has had to contend with jetlagged and overworked players, and increased media scrutiny over form, fitness and team selections.

For…

The last decade has been a success for German football, at every structural level, especially regarding the youth program at various clubs overseen by their FA. The current national team is laced with players graduating, in that period, from some of the elite clubs and beyond. One of the latest debutants is Julian Draxler, who…

It may sound like something lifted straight from the 'Football Hipster' handbook, but when Manchester United signed Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund in June, it excited me more than the arrival of Robin Van Persie. Having watched a reasonable amount of Bundesliga over the previous two seasons, it was almost impossible not to drool at…

Like the nostalgic laments of ex-lovers still pining for their former comforts, Viva Ronaldo continues to be sung from the match day stands. For those who cherished the Portuguese winger without giving themselves away to the cult that surrounds him, hearing his name sung while others still at the club play and graft for the…