Afternoon Report: March 23

HEADLINES

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has hit back at criticism from Manchester City over the decision to welcome Paul Scholes out of retirement.

Earlier in the week Patrick Viera, now a Football Development Executive at City, suggested it showed "weakness" to bring back the 37-year-old.

Harry Redknapp has dismissed suggestions that speculation linking him with the England job has contributed to Tottenham's recent poor run of form.

Elsewhere Owen Coyle has admitted Bolton may find it difficult to focus on football when they take on Blackburn in the Premier League this weekend.

TRANSFER NEWS

Manchester United are reportedly set to sign Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne, whose contract expire in the summer. (Metro)

And finally, highly rated Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling is again being linked with Tottenham, amid reports he is unhappy at Anfield. (Daily Mirror)