Who will be next in the Galacticos v2.0 line-up?

NEW Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has signalled his intention of rebuilding the ‘Galacticos’ era at the Bernabeu by signing Kaka on a world record transfer late last night (Singapore time).

The Brazilian superstar reportedly moved on a £56m transfer from Milan, eclipsing the £47m Real paid for Zinedine Zidane’s services in 2001, which is incidentally the last ‘Galacticos’ era under Perez.

Other than Kaka, Real are said to be after the likes of Franck Ribery, Nemanja Vidic, David Villa, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Silva and Xabi Alonso.

The question is – who are Real most likely to add next to their stable of overpaid superstars?

Will Rio’s absence swing the Premiership title race?

MANCHESTER United are one foot into the Champions League final, thanks to John O’Shea’s solitary goal in the first-leg semi-final at Old Trafford early this morning.

But the victory comes at a price, as centreback Rio Ferdinand could be out for the rest of the season with a cracked rib, pending further tests.

This comes at a time where United’s backline is just looking more confident following its recent shakiness, notably in games where Sir Alex Ferguson had to rely on central defensive pairings other than the usual Ferdinand-Vidic axis.

United are currently leading Liverpool by three points, with a game in hand, but United have some tough opponents in their remaining five league matches – against Manchester City at home on 10 May, and a home game against Arsenal the following weekend.

Given how United looked so frail without Ferdinand and Vidic together in the heart of defence, and how Liverpool have come into form in March, will Ferdinand’s injury swing the fate of the Premiership race this season yet again?

Does Giggs deserve the PFA Player of the Year award this season?

VETERAN Manchester United player Ryan Giggs won the PFA Player of the Year award last night (Singapore time), one of the few awards that the Welshman had not won in his glittering career.

The 35-year-old beat United teammates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar, as well as Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard to the award, adding to his two PFA young player awards among other team accolades.

While few will argue that the United vice-captain deserves some form of recognition for his achievements – he has 10 league titles to his name, and has won 4 FA Cups, 3 League Cups and the Champions League twice in his 17-year United career – but does Giggs deserve the award this season?

Who is your EPL Player of the Year?

THE 08/09 Premiership season is coming into its final stretch and talk is hot on who might be crowned the PFA Player of the Year at the end of the season.

Unlike last season, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres were clear cut choices with their blazing performances, not one player seems to have set the league ablaze this season with his brilliance and consistency.

Ronaldo has been a pale shadow of his previous season’s form, while Torres’ sophomore season has been wrecked with injuries, even though he remains brilliant when he is fit.

Other than perennial favourite Steven Gerrard, players such as Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic’s name has popped up several times in recent times, while PA Sport’s Frank Malley argued his case for Ryan Giggs in today’s edition of The New Paper.

Who do you think deserves the accolade?

Who will partner Rio on Wednesday?

DEFENDING European champions Manchester United travel to the San Siro this Wednesday morning (Singapore time) with just one fit centreback eligible to face Inter Milan, after Jonny Evans limped out in the second half against Blackburn.

Nemanja Vidic is suspended, following his red card at the World Club Cup last December, while club captain Gary Neville is still suffering from a virus and a strained leg. Wes Brown is also out, after breaking his metatarsal in training earlier this month.

John O’Shea is still doubtful, and the United medical staff are working overtime to get the Irishman’s heel in shape for the Inter game.

If that does not fall through, any one of these senior United players should get the job of partnering Rio Ferdinand in defence – Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and the young Rafael.

Who would it be?

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: My pick would be Fletcher, if the rest don’t come through by Tuesday. The Scot has faced much criticism for his inconsistent performances over the past few seasons, but the 25-year-old has come through for United this season, shining in the early parts of the season where the champions were struggling to find their feet.

Terry-able against United

MANCHESTER United consigned Chelsea to their heaviest defeat at Old Trafford last night with a 3-0 victory over the Blues, with goals coming from Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: What was more worrying was how Chelsea conceded the goals, even with their first-choice central defensive pairing of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho back. All three goals, plus the disallowed header by Cristiano Ronaldo came from crosses from the flanks.

By most accounts, Terry and Carvalho would have eaten up these crosses easily, especially the England captain, whose superb aerial ability is reknown. So what happened last night?