MANCHESTER United did what they had to do against Arsenal at Old Trafford last weekend to get three points and stay in the Premier race. I think if United had lost that would have been it for them this season in the Premiership ? they would have been 14 points behind leaders Arsenal but are now only eight behind.

I wouldn't call it a pretty game at all but you have to admire how United played. They didn't give Arsenal's players any room to operate and that is so important when you are talking about people like Henry, Reyes, Berjkamp and Pires. They shut down Arsenal's players and tackled hard.

I know Arsenal have complained about Rooney diving for the penalty ? and he did dive and get away with it. But you also have to remember that Ronaldo was clearly taken down in the area and nothing was called. That is the way things go in football. I would say that United's performance was a very workmanlike performance. They did what they had to. Rio Ferdinand had a very good game for United but then he originally came from the top school of the game ? West Ham! He was so good at anticipating the game ? he was the best player on the park.

I also though Berjkamp had a good game. It is amazing when you consider that he is near the end of his career. He is someone young people should watch. His touch is excellent and his reading of the game is so good.

I just want to say to all those United fans here in Bermuda ? in particular Friday Bremar and Clarence Dill ? watch out for Arsenal. There is a long way to go yet! And with manager Arsene Wenger just signing a new contract which will take him to 2008, you know the club and players will feel very happy about that.

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Southampton, who are sitting near the bottom of the Premier League, must know they are going to be up against it this weekend when they travel to Highbury. Arsenal will out looking to take their anger out on someone for last weekend's defeat. Southampton have started the season off very poorly and have had only one victory out of the 10 matches played. They only have six points compared to Arsenal's 25. However I have always found that professionals in England don't let much bother them and I think Southampton will be up for the game and will try their best. And if they get hammered there is not much they can do about that.

Manchester United have to travel to Portsmouth and that could very tricky for them. Harry Redknapp will have his team ready and they were successful last year against United. Ruud van Nistelrooy has been suspended for three matches so he will not be there. I imagine Saha will be used along with Smith or Rooney.

Chelsea should not have much trouble when they travel to struggling West Brom who have just fired their manager Gary Megson. I like Gary and knew his father well when he coached me at Portland, and Gary had said earlier that this would be his last year at West Brom. I think it was best for both Gary and the club to part ways now. If you decide to go, you should just go immediately. I hear that Bobby Robson may be in the running for the West Brom job. He would be good for the club who will always struggle in the top flight.

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During a couple of games in the League Cup this week there was some fan trouble. West Ham fans were fighting when their team went to Stamford Bridge and lost to Chelsea 1-0 and Liverpool fans were also fighting when they travelled to Millwall with Liverpool winning 3-0. Over the years there has been a big decrease in violence at grounds throughout England but it is still there. The fans are so passionate ? but that doesn't make it right. Unfortunately you will still get these outbreaks of fighting.

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Barcelona were surprisingly bounced out of the King's Cup this week by Third Division side Gramenet but they should have all guns firing this weekend when they visit Athletic Bilbao. Frank Rijkaard's side are five points clear in the standings and I don't know how seriously they took the Cup game midweek.

Michael Owen is coming into form at Real Madrid ? and it is about time. He scored for Real in their Cup game against Leganes midweek in Real's 2-1 victory and also scored last weekend against the champions Valencia in Real's 1-0 win.

Also doing well is former United striker Diego Forlan who scored for his new club Villarreal who beat Numancia 4-0 last weekend. Forlan has now scored four goals this season. Hopefully he can keep it up. The Spanish game probably suits him more since he will get a lot more space than he would in England.

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is finding it difficult back at his old club Valencia ? the team has lost four matches in the last couple of weeks. If the team continue to play like that he could find himself out of a job.

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Aston Villa and Middlesbrough were both hit by injuries last weekend. Middlesbrough saw the Spanish midfielder Gaizka Mendieta suffer knee ligament damage against Portsmouth and now Steve McClaren will be without the hard-working player for the rest of the season. That is bound to hurt the club.

Aston Villa have also seen one of their top players go down. Striker Darius Vassell, who also plays for England, will be out for three months after breaking his right ankle against Fulham last weekend.

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The great Brazilian player, Socrates who is now 50 years old, is lacing his boots back up again. But this time it will be for Garforth Town in the Northern Counties Eats League! I think Socrates is only there for a month and I am positive he is doing it for a favour to someone. But it will be fun for the fans of the club which is based in a former pit village near Leeds in Yorkshire.