Steve McClaren must have administered a half-time rocket.

Derby have started the second half the stronger of the two teams at the City Ground. Nottingham Forest fans are trying to rouse their side. Forest's Henri Lansbury has become the fifth name into the book in a feisty game.

Just a shade under an hour gone.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has privately been told that he is expected to not only return the club to the Champions League this season, but also win the Premier League according to the Sunday Mirror.

Van Gaal will not be happy with his squad apparently "until United raid Roma for £30m midfield powerhouse Kevin Strootman in January" though., external

BBC Sport's Simon Stone is reporting from Old Trafford, where Manchester United take on Queens Park Rangers this afternoon.

Image source, BBC Sport

"Torvidar Rismo and his five-year-old son Henrick pose in front of the Holy Trinity statue of Best, Law and Charlton. They are part of three generations of the same family making the trip from the Norwegian town of Nordkapp, Lapland.

"So an early present from Santa has already arrived. 'The first five signings of the summer were solid,' said Rismo.

"'Falcao was the big bonus.' And who to leave out? 'Mata.'"

After Nottingham Forest and Derby fans' show of unity today in memory of Brian Clough, you should check out goings-on at the Stadium of Light yesterday.

Relatives of two Newcastle United fans killed in the MH17 air disaster were guests of honour at yesterday's game against Tottenham.

John Alder and Liam Sweeney, 28, were on their way to see Newcastle play in New Zealand, when their Malaysia Airlines flight came down on 17 July.

Sunderland supporters raised more than £33,000 for charities supported by the two men.

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon
BBC Radio 5 live

"Both managers will be pleased about some aspects of the game and less pleased about others. Stuart Pearce will be pleased with the application of his players but unhappy with his side's lack of penetration. Steve McClaren will be happy to go in to half time level at 0-0 but will be unhappy about his team's lack of possession, and again, a failure to create clear chances."

Image source, PA

Forest were applying all the late pressure with Robert Tesche's 30-yard ping thumping into the advertising hoardings and Henri Lansbury slashing wide from distance, but at half-time at the City Ground it is still scoreless.

Image source, PA

Rio Ferdinand has described former England team-mate John Terry as "stupid" in the most frank interview yet around Terry's alleged racial abuse of his brother Anton.

"He never apologised to me or Anton and has never hinted he has had a moment of understanding over the damage his stupidity has inflicted on everyone," Ferdinand has said in his latest book, which is serialised in the Sun today.

"There were bullets in the post and unending racist abuse. He could have saved everyone a lot of pain by admitting immediately that he had used the words in the heat of the moment, but was no racist.

"I think that's probably what happened and what the truth is."He never apologised to me or Anton and has never hinted he has had a moment of understanding over the damage his stupidity has inflicted on everyone," he said.

Adam Hawksley:, external We've been talking about Newcastle United underperforming and declining for 10 years, since Mike Ashley took over.

Richard Howarth:, external The problem with Pardew is not yesterday's performance; it is the 18 points from the last 69. Oh and the headbutt.

Ian:, external Newcastle's problems aren't really anyone's fault; the fans just have to realise that this is the club's level now.

MOTD2 Extra

Independent chief football correspondent Sam Wallace: "I saw Diego Costa play against Chelsea's John Terry in the Champions League semi-final last season and he was very aggressive. He looks a player ideally suited to English football, and it already seems like he has been around for years, although someone pointed out to me that he is still eligible for a Young Person's Railcard.

"So much of a striker's career is defined by the start they make. If they can get goals early on it makes life so much easier. Fernando Torres never got over that bad start at Chelsea. When Ruud van Nisterlrooy came to Manchester United it was the start that he made that reassured the fans and the club that they had not bought a dud."

Image source, Sunday Telegraph

The Sunday Telegraph, external breaks out a headline that I think we are going to see a lot of this season.

Inside they have an interview with Cosmin Moti, the Ludogrets defender who saved a penalty to book his side's place in the Champions League group stages, ahead of his trip to Liverpool on Tuesday.

They also claim that a clutch of agents are vying to represent Aston Villa's young midfielder Jack Grealish.

His dad does the job at the moment, but with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all interested in the 19-year-old, it may be time for a more experienced hand.

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon
BBC Radio 5 live

"As you can imagine there have been some frantic tackles going in, with people wanting to make their mark on the game. The match is yet to settle down but Derby are starting to find their passing range and their rhythm. They have had the better possession and build up play."

It has been a barn-storming start at the City Ground with both sides throwing numbers in attack and bodies into tackles. Johnny Russell has come closest to a goal with a free-kick which curled a couple of feet wide.

On the stroke of ten minutes though, both sets of fans take a minute out from taunting their counterparts and applaud the memory of Brian Clough.

Former Wales international John Hartson
Football Focus

"I'm sure Harry Redknapp will go and try to frustrate Manchester United, but I have to say that looking at that United side, it is not a bad team is it? They have got some proper players.

"You might look at Rafael and Jonny Evans and say maybe they need more world class defenders, but if they keep everybody fit and the players get used to the system, then top four is not out of the question."

BBC Sport's Simon Stone is reporting from Old Trafford, where Manchester United take on Queens Park Rangers this afternoon.

"Unofficial scarf sellers have all bases covered on the walk to the ground. If they wanted, fans could be wearing scarves bearing the image of eight different players.

Image source, BBC Sport

"It takes two to make a game of course and QPR won't be without support as Rio Ferdinand returns to Old Trafford. Ferdinand spent 12 years with United, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League before leaving in the summer."

Albert Mahapa:, external Can't wait to have Nottingham Forest back in the Premier League. The club has more European titles than Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal combined.

The first match of the day is an absolute doozie.

Top-of-the-Championship Nottingham Forest are at home to Derby with the two clubs united in paying tribute to the legendary Brian Clough, who managed both and died 10 years ago.

The teams are out and the atmosphere is bubbling. Commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 live.

There is a whopper of a transfer rumour plastered across the back of the Sunday Express. They reckon that Cristiano Ronaldo is set to rebound back to Manchester after "falling out of love" with Real Madrid., external

The only choice for the Portuguese stepover king is between old flame United and the petro-dollar allure of City. What a tug-of-love that would be...

Elsewhere Philippe Coutinho is "happy to analyse" a new £100,000-a-week contract at Liverpool. As you are., external

MOTD2 Extra vote

The results are in from the MOTD2 Extra vote and 39.5% of you have voted Newcastle owner Mike Ashley as being to blame for the club's demise.

35.4% of you think manager Alan Pardew is at fault while 25.1% blame the players.

The full results can be found on the BBC Sport website here., external

Thanks for voting.

MOTD2 Extra

Independent chief football correspondent Sam Wallace: "Manchester United need to win today. They have not won a game this season.

"It feels like the season is starting again today, but if it gets to half-time and they haven't scored, it goes back to the old uncertainty that dogged last season."

MOTD2 Extra MOTD2 Extra
MOTD2 Extra

Image source, Getty Images

Former Tottenham and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas: "Old Trafford is no longer a place to go and be afraid. Previously it was so hard to go there and get a result but over the last season there were holes appearing.

"There will be a buzz about the place today with the new signings but if QPR can keep Manchester United's fans quiet for the first 45 minutes then the place will get nervous.

"Manchester United's pre-season was one of the most hyped I have ever seen but Swansea just defused all of that in 90 minutes in the first game of the season."