United book: Anyone searching for the perfect Manchester United book for Christmas would need very deep pockets and a concrete-reinforced coffee table if wanted a copy of the "United Opus", launched yesterday. The production is half a metre wide, 15cm thick and it weighs in at a staggering 37kg. Only 10,000 copies are being produced and every one has been individually signed by Bobby Charlton and Alex Ferguson. The book traces United's history with 400,000 words of text and hundreds of new and previously unpublished photographs. It is now available for £3,000 or, for £4,250 there is an "Icons" edition, which boasts the further signatures of Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and Denis Law.
Beckham: Former England and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker has advised David Beckham, whose contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of this season, not to walk away from the nine-times European champions. "Leaving Real is a backwards or a sideways step and almost never a step forward," Lineker told Spanish sports daily AS.
Heart tests: Players competing in UEFA's club tournaments from 2008 will have to undergo mandatory screening for heart disease, the Danish daily newspaper Politiken reported yesterday. Citing UEFA sources, Politiken said clubs taking part in the Champions League or the UEFA Cup would have to document that their players aged over 21 had undergone testing for cardiovascular disease.
Cole injured: Chelsea attacking midfielder Joe Cole has suffered a minor stress fracture of the foot and will not play again this month, the Premier League club said yesterday. The England international, who has missed much of the season after damaging knee ligaments during a pre-season tour of the United States, suffered pain and bruising in his foot after Chelsea's 1-1 draw at Manchester United last month.
Boce beaten: Boca Juniors, needing only a draw to clinch the Argentine championship, crashed to a shock 2-1 home defeat by Lanus on Sunday to set up a title playoff against Estudiantes. On an evening of high drama, Estudiantes scored two late goals to beat Arsenal and 2-0 finish level with Boca at the top of the Apertura championship on 44 points from 18 games. Goal difference is not used to decide the title.
In England: Premier League - Sheffield United 2 (Quinn 50; Webber 64) Aston Villa 2 (Petrov 2; Baros 65).
In Italy: Serie B - Cesena vs Napoli 1-1. Serie C1 (A) - Pisa vs Pro Patria 1-0.
Snooker: UK Championship Last 16 results - O'Sullivan bt Maguire 9-3; Higgins bt Lee 9-2; Ebdon bt Bingham 9-4; Dott bt Hull 9-1.