Hiddink: Cool United deserve credit

Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink paid tribute to Manchester United's coolness under pressure as the Reds prepare to retain their title.

United need just a point from Saturday's home game with Arsenal to hang on to the Barclays Premier League crown.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side held their nerve under pressure from Liverpool and Chelsea to stay at the summit and Hiddink says they should be congratulated for doing so.

"Every team in this tough league will experience some period of 'less performances', which is normal," said Hiddink. "In that period, the quality of United was not to panic, to stick to their jobs.

"They could cope with the pressure because there was more pressure on Chelsea and Liverpool not to lose points, which we did with one defeat and a draw. They have a lot of experienced players, a lot of experience with their manager.

"They did not panic. Credit to them. They know how to play 'championship'. They are used to that. Many new teams who want to become champions might become a bit nervous on the edge of becoming champions. They did not."

Transfers - Gossip Shop: Ronaldinho to City

What Manchester City need is a striker. A striker like Didier Drogba, who is being linked with a £15m summer move to Eastlands.

The Drog might be 31, but there is nobody better at playing as a lone target man and banging in 25 goals a season. For the same price as Roque Santa Cruz, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan would be mad not to.

What Manchester City do not need is another fancy-dan Brazilian attacking midfielder who won't track back. Another fancy-dan Brazilian attacking midfielder who won't track back like Ronaldinho, who is being linked with a £10m summer move to Eastlands.

The one-time best player in the world has failed to nail down a regular place in the Milan first team, having proved incompatible with fellow fancy-dan Brazilian attacking midfielder who won't track back Kaka - another City target, obviously.

City narrowly* failed to land Ronaldinho last summer, but the player's reputation has plummeted far enough to make the sight of him in light blue next season sound feasible.

(*comprehensively)

Chelsea are growing tired of Carlo Ancelotti's umming and aahing about whether to quit Milan and move to Stamford Bridge.

Roman Abramovich is reportedly ready to ditch his first choice and turn to Frank Rijkaard, of whom little has been heard since leaving Barcelona at the end of last season.

Rijkaard's coaching record is patchy. Yes, he took Barcelona to two Liga title and won the Champions League to boot, but he also got Sparta Rotterdam relegated.

Whatever, he seems certain to bring an attacking philosophy to the club. Although you could argue Big Phil Scolari did the same thing and was fired on account of Chelsea's wretched defending.

Having been linked with Emmanuel Adebayor yesterday, Chelsea appear poised to employ Russia wing-back Yuri Zhirkov to fire crosses at the Togolese's forehead.

On the subject of yet another Brazilian flair player, Deco could be the latest big name Brazilian to return home if he gets sent to Corinthians on loan. Yes, GS knows he plays for Portugal, but he's Brazilian. OK?

Antonio Valencia's sparkling display for Wigan against Manchester United has, apparently, convinced both United and Real Madrid that the winger is worth £20m.

Tottenham loaned Chris Gunter out to Nottingham Forest earlier this season, and now the Tricky Trees want to make the deal permanent.

After watching Lukasz Fabianski's series of calamitous displays, Arsenal gaffer Arsene Wenger is on the lookout for another goalkeeper, and is set to give a trial to Independiente's Damian Emiliano Martinez.

Ferdinand will make final...

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has played down concerns that Rio Ferdinand might be forced out of the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Ferdinand missed both the Manchester derby and Wednesday's win at Wigan after injuring a calf muscle in the semi-final triumph over Arsenal.

"He won't play tomorrow (against Arsenal on Saturday) but he should be fit for next Sunday's game at Hull and I am sure he will be available for the final," he said.

"It is one of those calf niggles that usually take 10 days to two weeks (to recover from).

"Other than his work in the gymnasium he is not training at the moment."

Other than Ferdinand, plus long-term casualties Owen Hargreaves and Wes Brown, Ferguson has a fully-fit squad at his disposal as United look to secure at least a point against Arsenal that will ensure they win another Premier League title.

It means changes are certain from Wednesday night, with Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tevez among those set to get a place in the starting line-up, with Ben Foster standing by if Ferguson decides that Edwin van der Sar needs a break.

"I will freshen up the team from Wednesday because it was a really gruelling game on a very heavy pitch," said Ferguson.