Full disclosure: when it comes to finances and football, it mostly goes over my head. Moving on anyway...

However, I do understand that Manchester United's revenue is relatively massive but so is the club's debt due to the nature of the Glazer's model of ownership. Therefore, we simply don't spend money on players that would match our potential buying power. Here's another sobering piece of news: United's bank balance has fell from £150.6m to £50.9 during a recent six-month according to a recent quarterly report. Here are a few other highlights that the linked piece provides:

* During the final six months of 2011, United's revenue of £175m was an increase from the £156m in comparison to the previous year during the same span of time.

* There was a net spend of £47m on transfers during the past summer -- this pertains to bringing Phil Jones, Ashley Young, and David de Gea to the club.

* The Glazers have now spent £92.8m buying back bonds originally released in 2010 for £512m.

* Wages have increased 17.3% when compared to the previous year.

The final paragraph of the linked piece is so sobering that it might make you want to reach for a drink:

"Since the sale of Ronaldo [in June 2009] net transfers [not including Ronaldo] have totalled just £90m while they have taken out of the club £225m to cover their debt payments and interest. What could the club have done with that extra £225m? Cheaper tickets for loyal fans, investing massively in the squad and stadium, developing and retaining the best youth players, competing on an equal basis with the very best teams in Europe. This is the true cost to Manchester United of the Glazers' ownership."

- Manchester United Supporters' Trust

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Sir Alex Ferguson gave an interveiw to Radio Five Live that will air tonight at 7pm tonight (GMT) in which he spoke about a wide range of subjects. I highly reccomend you read the article (A sneak peak of the whole interview yet revealing none the less). It is now common knowledge that he will hand over the reigns of the top job of the club in two or three seasons time, but what will he do after that?

He claims he wants a role similar to what Sir Bobby Charlton undertakes. And ambassador for the club. And I can't see the club turning him down, can you? He really is Mr Manchester United and I think it would be a smart move too. He is such a powerful influence in football and enough is not said about his natrual charm. Everybody knows he can scream and yell (Hairdryer treatment), yet the other side of his personality is overlooked.

He will be able to give his thoughts to the board on the clubs direction as well, without becoming involved in first team matters (Which he should be kept away from when he does step down). His wife also wants him to stay "active" and suggested he become a milkman! (Imagine that)

He talks about a mistake he made in recent years in the transfer market too....

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The Daily Mail reports that Club Captain Nemanja Vidic very may well return before the season ends. The original target for a comeback was pre-season, but he could return to give our title chances a boost.

Sportsmail understands the former Serbia centre half is making rapid progress as he works on his fitness and is putting significant weight back on his knee during his rehabilitation sessions.

Vidic has been aiming to be fit by the time United head to Asia on a pre-season tour in July and that remains the target set by United's medical staff.

However, there is now an outside chance that the 30-year-old could be ready to play before the end of the season.

Lets bear in mind that these are reports that have not been confirmed by the club (And I wouldn't expect them to be either). Jonny Evans has played in Vidic's absence and really established himself as a Manchester United defender after a poor couple of seasons, particularly last year. He could hardly win a contested header to be honest, but he has made that a strength in his game, putting in some towering displays.

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Handshake-gate sure stirred things up yesterday at Old Trafford but Liverpool and their striker Luis Suarez have since issued an apology to Manchester United. The Uruguayan is accused by his club of misleading them as it was apparently expected that Suarez would shake Patrice Evra's hand prior to the match. From there, things only escalated on the pitch and the match was followed by an interview from manager Kenny Dalglish that had many upset. Suarez and Liverpool have obviously taken quite a bit of criticism over this whole ordeal -- and deservedly so -- but kudos to them for this apology. Here are statements from Suarez, Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre, Dalglish, and Manchester United:

"I have spoken with the manager since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong. I've not only let him down, but also the Club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened. I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions. I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

- Suarez | Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

"We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so. He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his teammates and the Club. It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable. Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club."

- Ayre | Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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Ravel Morrison has only been a West Ham United player for just a shade over a week. But that has been ample time for him to show the world nother reason why Manchester United got rid of him. The FA has wrote to him to get him to explain some "Homophobic comments" on social networking site Twitter. From the Daily Mail

Ravel Morrison will be hauled in front of senior West Ham staff on Thursday to explain the homophobic comments he made on Twitter.

The FA have written to the 19-year-old, who has yet to play for West Ham following his £650,000 move from Manchester United, asking for his ‘observations’ on the matter. Morrison has until Monday to respond.

The midfielder has deleted the offending tweet, but still faces an FA charge.

Manchester United isn't the only club with concerns over the lack of availability of so many first-team squad members. Their opponents on Sunday -- Chelsea FC -- will be missing a number of key players due to injury, suspension, and the African Cup of Nations. Blues' manager Andre Villas-Boas held his weekly press conference today and he was able to provide a bit of insight as to who is available for selection versus United.

Undoubtedly, the hot topic of news at the moment is the England FA's decision to strip John Terry of his country's captaincy. Terry -- who is also the skipper for Chelsea -- missed his side's last match versus Swansea City and he has also been ruled out for the United encounter with a lingering bone oedema issue in his knee. Here is what Villas-Boas had to say about his defender:

"We went through January when our efficiency defensively improved a lot. John Terry was one of the most used players during this period and has been magnificent, him and his colleagues who partner him, so in that sense it is always a blow. He is the captain, a leader on the pitch and off it and he is a great player so we will miss him of course."

Source: ChelseaFC.com

Ashley Cole is also unavailable for this match and the question of who will deputise for the left-back was discussed during the press conference. The question is an important one because whoever the left-back at Stamford Bridge is for Chelsea on Sunday, he will be tasked with having to defend the in-form Antonio Valencia. Villas-Boas indicated that either Ryan Bertrand or Jose Bosingwa would deputise:

"It is a difficult decision. We have full trust in Ryan's abilities and it is a game of massive importance based on recent results and the fact we are playing the champions at home. The decision will be made when we practice strategically for the game on Saturday."

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Two days before Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, John Terry, captain of Chelsea has been stripped of the England captaincy.

Yesterday, FA Chairman David Bernstein spoke to all of the board members, and today, Terry is understood to have been phoned by the chairman to inform him of their decision. Here is a portion of the FA's statement, which can be read in full at the click of the link

Following the decision to adjourn the court case against John Terry to July, The Football Association confirm he will not captain the England team until the allegations against him are resolved.

The FA Board expected the trial to be concluded prior to the European Championship. Further to Wednesday’s confirmation that the trial will not take place until after the tournament, the Board has discussed the matter in detail and has collectively decided it is in the interests of all parties that John has the responsibilities of captaincy removed at this time.

This decision has been taken due to the higher profile nature of the England captaincy, on and off the pitch, and the additional demands and requirements expected of the captain leading into and during a tournament.

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The gala for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or occurred today in Zurich, Switzerland and during the ceremony, a few of those associated with Manchester United were honored: striker Wayne Rooney and defender Nemanja Vidic were amongst the 'FIFA World XI' while manager Sir Alex Ferguson was awarded the 'FIFA Presidential Award'. Here is how FIFA describes the award given to the legendary United boss:

"Since 2001 the Presidential Award has been given to a person or institution that has made a superlative contribution to football without seeking to monopolise the limelight. The Presidential Award may be conferred in honour of one special event or a lifetime of service, or for an exemplary attitude."

The eleven players that made up the 'FIFA World XI' came from just three clubs: FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and United. In 2011, Rooney scored 31 goals and contributed 15 assists while United captain Vidic was arguably the best defender in the world prior to his recent season-ending injury.

Here is a list of the winners for each of the individual football awards:

* Men's Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi (Barcelona | Argentina)

* Women's Ballon d'Or: Homare Sawa (INAC Leonessa | Japan)

* Men's Coach of the Year: Pep Guardiola (Barcelona)

* Women's Coach of the Year: Norio Sasaki (Japan)

* FIFA Puskas Award (Best goal): Neymar (Santos | Brazil)

* FIFA Fair Play Award: Japan Football Association

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