Man Utd skipper Neville: I do respect Liverpool

Manchester United captain Gary Neville expects a white-hot atmosphere at Liverpool on Sunday.

Neville can once more expect plenty of stick when he runs out at Anfield. It has been like that for some time.

He said: "I don't get a great reception at Anfield I must say - I'm not their favourite son. No United players get a good reception at Anfield but it's the same for their players at our ground and it is to be expected.

"I've never said I don't respect Liverpool. You have to respect a team that has been as successful as they have and has the history and tradition they have.

"But I'm a United fan and the rivalry is well documented. United fans want United to win and Liverpool to lose - and it's the same the other way."

Despite the stick, Neville still relishes these encounters. He added: "The atmosphere in Liverpool-United games is great - if you're winning!

"Obviously, the atmosphere at Anfield is great and it's the same when they come to Old Trafford. There are a variety of reasons why this fixture is so important - the cities are very close yet have different cultures.

"Both clubs have enjoyed great periods at different times in the past 40 years and now we're level on the number of championships won.

"It's always been a really great game to play in. We never want to lose but it's the same for both teams.

"Liverpool has been the biggest game of the season for a long time, going back 30 years or more, and our rivalry with Liverpool is bigger than it is with Manchester City."

Man Utd, Man City head-to-head for Maicon

Manchester United and Manchester City are ready to go head-to-head for Inter Milan fullback Douglas Maicon.

The Manchester Evening News says Sir Alex Ferguson and Mark Hughes are monitoring the Inter Milan right back, who is also interesting Barcelona.

The fierce rivals have already locked horns over Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez in the last two seasons, while the rivalry between the two clubs has heightened further this season with the Blues' cheeky poster welcoming the Argentina striker to Manchester and United's last-gasp derby victory.

And now they are set to go head-to-head again in the January transfer window.

Maicon would cost around £20m, which would be no problem for either of the Manchester clubs.

Man Utd coach Joyce hails Obertan debut

Manchester United reserves assistant manager Warren Joyce was pleased with Gabriel Obertan's debut this week.

Obertan had 45 minutes in the Manchester Senior Cup victory over Oldham and Joyce told manutd.com: "Obertan, some of the quality touches and his movement were excellent, and his fitness levels looked really good as well.

"I think (physio) John Davin's shown him one or two tricks during his rehab! Some of his touches were excellent.

"He was inventive, he received it well and his movement off the ball was good as well, so he can be very pleased.

"He's been desperate to get that 45 minutes under his belt, he's been desperate to do even more training than he's done."

Le Havre insist Pogba battle still on with Man Utd

Le Havre refuse to accept Manchester United's signing of Paul Pogba.

Both FIFA and United announced the French teenager's transfer this week, but Le Havre insist the move has not bee rubberstamped.

A Le Havre statement read: "As opposed to what Manchester United specifies on its official site, FIFA did not validate the transfer of Paul Pogba but has, like it systematically does in this type of case, issued a provisional international certificate.

"The decision of the international authority is a non event and normal procedure. This procedure has been the same for the previous cases of Charles N'Zogbia, Laure Lepilleur and Gael Kakuta and we know today the result of each one of these cases.

"Like FIFA specifies in its decision, the delivery of the provisional international certificate does not prejudge anything resulting from the case file."

However, the provision of the certificate means Pogba is able to join the United Under 18 side for the time being.