The Circus - 30 August

John Farnham inspires Red Devils

Here's a thing: this time, Manchester United is playing to win.

Self evident? Not according to captain Nemanja Vidic who seemed to suggest aesthetics were more important than results when it comes to today's average mega-wealthy footballer.

"Sometimes the main thing is to play for three points, not just to enjoy games," he said, apparently seriously.

"We want to play great football but we want three points and we want the title. I think this year we understand that.”

Last year, they didn't understand that. Last year, they got a bit mixed up when Alex Ferguson lined up the troops to say:

"Eee, lads. If ye ginnae score a goal, make shure 'tis a wee ripper! I'll have no pedestrian play here! And if ye dinnae win, don't worry. So long as ye enjoy yourselves, is that clear? All I want is for you to have a good time!"

But that's all changed as Vidic and cohorts wake up to the fact that "sometimes" three points is the main thing.

Sometimes? Sometimes!

Tell that to the City fans who went from deepest despair to incandescent joy thanks to three points last May, or Bolton supporters whose dreams were crushed for want of a measly three points.

Tell that to any fan for whom agony or ecstasy depends on three points and who can't hop into the Maserati with a bevy of Italian supermodels or jump in a jacuzzi with a $1000 bottle of champagne to commiserate.

Another man to have lost the message that winning is sort of important is Udinese defender Pablo Armero. But for him playing beautiful football is not nearly as important as making people laugh by looking like a prize dill:

Smells like club spirit

Gifted football goblin and now Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio looks like a harassed extra from a 1970s movie about corporate baddies and their ethically questionable shenanigans; a stressed-out cog of a thankless machine who's right on the verge of completely losing it and punching the boss in the face before diving out the nearest open window... and that's when he's happy!

Yep, Di Canio kicks his players when they score. When they don't, he carves their hearts out with a desert spoon.

But not everyone is a fan. Check out this diehard fan getting carried away with himself after the last-gasp victory over Stoke: "Get in! But remember, all scouts of other teams, that our players and manager are s*** and this was a fluke."

That's the spirit.

One for the record books

CS Buftea has been defeated by ACS Berceni 31-0 in Romanian Cup match.

Apparently, Buftea fielded a "second" team comprising of "young" players. How young? Three?

At least we now know what the "CS" stands for: completely s***.

Spoken word

"I don't see him as a player to have in our team at present."

- Socceroos coach Holgier Osieck who happened to be talking about Chris Herd but could pretty much have been talking about anyone.