Stirling work! Even in the summer, Fergie picks up yet another gong

While Andre Villas-Boas put down some managerial roots at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, hundreds of miles north Sir Alex Ferguson was returning to his.

Not far from the Wallace Monument and a cross-court pass away from a giant Andy Murray photograph, Ferguson was in Stirling University to receive the latest honour in a football career that began as a 16-year-old striker with Queen's Park in 1957, and as a manager down the road at East Stirlingshire in 1974, three years before Villas-Boas was born.

Funny old game: Sir Alex Ferguson enjoys the graduation ceremony at Stirling

Ferguson has now an honorary doctorate to go with the knighthood, OBE, CBE and freedom of the cities of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Manchester. There are a few winners' medals in there as well.

But, as he told the Stirling graduates of 2011: 'It's still a great honour to be appreciated. I've had many honours but I still appreciate it. You have now a foundation - it's not a passport to success but it's an endorsement.'

The new man in charge: Villas-Boas was speaking at his first Chelsea press-conference on Wednesday 

He recalled two teachers from his Glasgow schooldays who inspired him. One left him the school belt when she died, which told a story, while the other is clearly responsible for some of that famous Ferguson relentlessness.

He remembered being shouted at by a sports teacher who was 'an absolute winner, beyond the pale'. It could be said the message sunk in.

Half a century and more on, Ferguson, 69, was repeating it on the converted tennis courts where Murray practised and where his mother Judy still coaches.

If 'hard work' was one of the messages Ferguson gave to his young audience here, the other was drilled into him at Govan High School: 'Never give in' - or 'nivir gi' in'. That's how it sounded and it sounded like he meant it.

The students were also left in no doubt as to the importance of 'humility', as personified, he said, by two other Manchester United knights, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton, and of 'enthusiasm - don't underestimate enthusiasm' as defined by Sir Bobby Robson (Robson played a vital part in giving the teenage Villas- Boas an opportunity, so there is shared admiration).

Ferguson also expressed gratitude for the 'luck' he has had and wished three pregnant graduates all of it. It was a speech to send them on their way.

When it was done Ferguson posed in his silver gown and was besieged by autograph hunters. He signed and smiled, signed and smiled. It was a warm day and a warm occasion.

The university chancellor, James Naughtie, of Radio 4's Today programme, was beaming. As an Aberdeen fan Naughtie was in Gothenburg on the night in May 1983 when Ferguson's Aberdeen beat Real Madrid to win the Cup-winners' Cup.

Big welcome: Ferguson on stage with university chancellor James Naughtie

'Sir Alex's team beat the one managed by (Alfredo) Di Stefano, no less,' Naughtie said. 'So, welcome.'

Even Elvis made an appearance. Steven Pressley is the man with that nickname - the manager of Falkirk, who train at the university. It was in 1969 when Ferguson joined Falkirk and he showed up prior to yesterday's ceremony to speak to the squad of today.

Five years after joining Falkirk, Ferguson took over as manager at East Stirling. He was 32, a year younger than Villas-Boas today, but it must be possible that at Chelsea the Portuguese is earning more than the £40 a week Ferguson did at Firs Park.

When asked if he could believe that he had started here, Ferguson, who will celebrate 25 years at Old Trafford in November, mentioned former Scotland boss Ally MacLeod.

'Ah, well, you've got to start somewhere,' Ferguson said. 'I remember an old manager, Ally MacLeod, saying, "Take the opportunity when it's there, because you can be out of the game two minutes and be forgotten". And I took that advice.'

Ferguson left East Stirling quickly. He said it was 'probably not the wisest thing to do considering I'd only been with the club three months'. And 37 years on, he was back. Villas-Boas has spoken of his plan to have a brief career. Fergie may have an opinion on that. As he told these students seeking work: 'It's not your job to give in.'

Chelsea, United and Arsenal  miss out on Alcantara as Barca ace signs new deal

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of promising Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, after the Under 21 star signed a two-year contract extension which ties him to his club until 2015.

The Premier League big guns have both been preparing bids for the 20-year-old, but his performances at the European Under 21 Championships have substantially raised his stock.

Wanted man: Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal were keen on Thiago Alcantara (left) 

Barcelona were considering using Alcantara as bait in their dogged chase for Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas yet they've completed a U-turn and tied the youngster down.

As part of the new deal, the gifted central midfielder has had an enormous buyout clause inserted into his contract worth £80m.

Thiago scored an audacious 50-yard free kick in last weekend's 2-0 victory over Switzerland to clinch the Under 21 crown.

Party time: Thiago (right) celebrates Spain's Under 21 title triumph

De Gea 'privileged' to be a Manchester United player after signing five-year deal

David De Gea cannot wait for the new season to start after signing a five-year deal with Manchester United.

The 20-year-old Spanish keeper arrived in Manchester for a medical on Monday and put the final touches to his £17.8million move from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday morning.

As exclusively revealed in Sportsmail four months ago, De Gea was always United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's first choice to succeed Edwin van der Sar when the veteran Dutchman announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2010/11 season.

Welcome to Old Trafford: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson with new signing David De Gea

Ferguson, who has spent over £50m on De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young, had to wait until the end of the European Under 21 Championships where the young keeper helped Spain to the title.

De Gea becomes the second most expensive keeper ever, after Italian Gianluigi Buffon, but he does not feel under pressure and cannot wait to pull on the No 1 jersey at Old Trafford.

'I feel very proud and I can’t wait to start playing here,' he told MUTV.

We can see you: De Gea arrives 'undercover' for his Manchester United medical on Monday 

'When a club the size of Manchester United comes in for you it obviously makes you very, very happy.

'I saw their interest as an extra motivation to work even harder to show off my ability.

'It’s a great privilege to be part of a club like United and I'm keen to do my best and show what I can do.'

Spanish starlets: De Gea (2nd right) celebrates with his team-mates after the Spanish youngsters' triumph

United defender Rio Ferdinand is looking forward to lining up in front of De Gea.

The centre-half Tweeted: 'David de Gea welcome bro! Another quality young player signed, Manchester United have had a nice bit of movement in this transfer window.

'De Gea has got nice feet too. I love that in a keeper...sweeper.'

German keeper Manuel Neuer, who recently joined Bayern Munich from Schalke, was linked with the Red Devils over the course of the last campaign and there was also talk of Maarten Stekelenburg leaving Ajax to follow in the footsteps of fellow Dutchman Van der Sar.

But Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina reckons United have made the right choice by signing his countryman.

Reina said earlier this week: 'I very much welcome this news, because David is a great keeper. He is going to start working to prove in the Premier League what a good goalkeeper he is.'

What a signing: Ferguson has snapped up one of Europe's best stoppers in De Gea

Wayne who? Brother John hailed 'best Rooney ever' after scoring winner in derby

John Rooney was hailed the 'best Rooney ever' by Red Bulls fans after scoring the winner against city rivals FC New York in a US Open Cup tie.

The 20-year-old striker, the younger brother of Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, was making his first start and he capped an impressive display with a clinical strike from just outside the area in the 65th minute to seal a 2-1 victory.

Nice John: Rooney (left) celebrates his winner for the Red Bulls

Delirious fans chanted his name and sang he's the 'best Rooney ever'.

The Red Bulls will now face Chicago Fire in the quarter finals.

The major upset of the third round, when Major League Soccer clubs joined the annual Cup tournament, was Columbus Crew's 2-1 loss to Richmond Kickers. Matthew Delicate scored the winner for Richmond in the 85th minute, ousting the Crew in its first match back in the US Open Cup since losing the 2010 final to Seattle Sounders.

Elsewhere, Mike Fucito scored once in each half as the two-time defending champion Sounders beat the USL Premier Development League club Kitsap Pumas 2-1 and will now face LA Galaxy in the quarter finals.

Omar Gonzalez and Mike Magee scored within seven-minutes late in the second half to give the Galaxy a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Blues.

Gonzalez equalised in the 75th minute with a header from Juninho's free kick and Magee fired in from 11 yards in the 81st to seal the comeback win.

At Rochester, Diego Chaves scored in the 37th minute to give the Chicago Fire a 1-0 win over Rochester Rhinos.

Sweet 16: Rooney marked his first start for Red Bulls with a goal

Real Salt Lake had a 2-0 victory over the Wilmington Hammerheads and will travel to play a quarter final against FC Dallas, which needed Milton Rodriguez' header four minutes into stoppage time to edge Orlando City 3-2.

Sporting Kansas City had a 3-0 victory over the semi-pro Chicago Fire PDL and will host the Richmond Kickers in the July 12 quarterfinals.

'We've done it before so it's nothing new to us,' Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw said of beating an MLS team in the Open Cup. 'The big thing is we've done it on the road.'

The Crew lost defender Danny O'Rourke to a red card in the 67th minute and the Kickers were able to take advantage as extra time loomed.

On the slide: Blues defender Mike Randolph, right, challenges Galaxy midfielder Paolo Cardozo

Second-half substitute Edson Elcock's long pass found Delicate on the left to score the winner.

Richmond had taken a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute via Nozomi Hiroyama's 18-yard shot and Cole Grossman had equalised for the crew 17 minutes later.

The Crew started with five rookies who have seen little of MLS play and paid the price with an early exit from the Open Cup - a competition that began in 1914 and is open to all teams at the pro and amateur levels in the United States.

'I'm disappointed,' Crew coach Robert Warzycha said. 'This is a group (of players) fighting for one of the starting positions. I'm so disappointed.'

I almost signed £17.8m De Gea for nothing, rues Wigan boss Martinez

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has revealed how he almost signed David De Gea for nothing.

The Spanish starlet flew in for a medical on Monday ahead of a £17.8million move to Manchester United.

The 20-year-old wrote on his official Twitter account: 'I have been invited by Man U to see the club and the city with my family and to be given an offer.'

Top secret: It's a cloak and dagger operation at the Bridgewater Hospital for the arrival of De Gea ahead of his United medical as security guards (above) hold up a child's blanket to hide him from prying eyes...

Er.. what a giveaway: but in a botched operation the blanket only covers the steps from the car and the goalkeeper's move is out of the bag

De Gea has been identified by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar, who retired at the end of the season.

And Martinez admits he's still rues the day the man he believes will become the best goalkeeper in the world slipped through his fingers.

Wigan agreed a loan deal with Atletico Madrid for De Gea two years ago - only for an 11th-hour change of mind by the Atletico management.

'It's true, we had David signed on a loan deal, but unfortunately on the last day of the transfer window everything fell through,' Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post.

'The problem wasn't on our side of the agreement – Atletico Madrid just felt he had to stay, and they were proved to be right.

'Shortly afterwards, their two senior goalkeepers got injured, he got an opportunity and he quickly became a hero. And everyone has been able to see for themselves the true quality of David De Gea.'

Success: David De Gea (right) helped Spain win the Under 21 European Championship

De Gea played a key role as Atletico won the Europa League and European Super Cup and he helped Spain win the Under 21 European Championship.

And the Wigan boss is not surprised by meteoric rise.

'We followed him for a long, long time, and we have always known how good he is,' Martinez added.

'He has matured so much at such a young age, and the price tag Manchester United are talking about already looks to be a bargain.'

Meanwhile, Steven Caldwell has not given up hope of staying with Latics despite being released at the end of last season.

The 30-year-old defender joined on a 12-month deal last summer but found opportunities hard to come by when his brother Gary regained full fitness after double-hip surgery.

'I'm basically a free agent as I don't know what's going to happen with Wigan,' Caldwell said.

'I was under the impression there was the possibility of staying for another year if I wanted.

'But no matter what happens, I most definitely enjoyed the opportunity I had there.'

Newcastle to up bid for Swansea's Taylor and consider swoop for United's Gibson

Newcastle are ready to increase their bid for Swansea left back Neil Taylor after their initial offer was rejected.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said: 'Neil has an important role to play at this club.'

Newcastle are considering a rival £5m bid for Manchester United’s Darron Gibson, a top target for Sunderland.

Double deal? Taylor's move has hit a snag, but Newcastle could also be interested in a move for Gibson

De Gea will handle it: New £17.8m United keeper will be a big star, says Reina

David De Gea's credentials for succeeding Edwin van der Sar received a ringing endorsement from an unlikely source on Monday as he closed in on a £17.8million move to Manchester United.

The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper flew into Manchester for a medical, ahead of signing a long-term deal to become Old Trafford's new No 1, as exclusively forecast in Sportsmail four months ago.

First clean sheet: It's a cloak and dagger operation at the Bridgewater Hospital for the arrival of David De Gea ahead of his Manchester United medical as security guards (above) hold up a child's blanket to hide him from prying eyes...

...but in a botched operation the blanket only covers the steps from the car and the goalkeeper's move, as revealed by Sportsmail in March, is out of the bag

Though only 20, he has been singled out by manager Sir Alex Ferguson to fill the void left by Van der Sar's retirement in a recruitment drive that will exceed £50m following the acquisition of Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.

If it sounds a daunting task at such a tender age, De Gea's counterpart at rivals Liverpool, fellow Spaniard Pepe Reina, is convinced he can handle it.

Almost there: Keeper David de Gea (right) is set to seal his move to Old Trafford

Reina said: 'I very much welcome this news, because David is a great keeper. When it becomes official, he is going to start working to prove in the Premier League what a good goalkeeper he is.

'I know Atletico are looking for a keeper now, but I won't be changing colours. I have a five-year contract at Liverpool and I am happy there.'

De Gea and his girlfriend have already spent time with Ferguson and been shown round United's Carrington training complex.

He will sign a five-year deal and join fellow newcomers Jones, who cost £16.5m, and Young, a £16m buy.

With West Bromwich considering a move for unsettled Tomasz Kuszczak, Denmark's Anders Lindegaard looks sure to be de Gea's understudy.

All over: Edwin van der Sar called time on his playing career at the end of the season

Young's arrival may have done little for Nani's prospects of a starting place, but the Portugal winger insisted he was ready to stay and fight for a place. He said: 'United are a fantastic club and I have to welcome everyone they sign.'

Nani admitted he was 'bored' sitting on the bench at the Champions League final against Barcelona but took issue with City's Carlos Tevez over his criticism of Manchester as a place to live.

'It was boring because you want to play,' he said. 'The finals are for playing, but the manager makes the decision and I have to respect that. I think, for football, Manchester is the best place to live if you want to be a good professional and you want to be successful.'

High hopes: Pepe Reina has backed countryman De Gea to be a big hit in the Premier League

Sanchez snubs English interest by claiming: 'Barca can make me best in the world'

Alexis Sanchez has declared his intention to turn down Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea in favour of a move to Barcelona.

The 22-year-old Udinese forward believes he will be able to become the best player in the world if he joins the Catalan giants.

Barca vow: Alexis Sanchez will snub English interest in his signature

Gino Pozzo, the son of Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo, recently said that Sanchez had no preference between a move to either Barcelona or Manchester City.

But the Chilean is quoted in Sport as saying: 'I dream of playing for Barcelona, because I have the chance to win a lot of trophies there. My biggest objective is to win a lot of silverware.

Aiming high: Sanchez wants to be the best player in the world

'I am still a young player, but I have the ambition to become the best player in the world. I need to be more clinical in front of the goal, but I am very eager to continue developing into a better player. My biggest secret is perhaps my humility.'

Sanchez went on to boast that opposition defenders hold no fear for him, adding: 'I am not afraid of any defender. When they’re trying to hit me, I just tell them to play football or go boxing.

No fear: Sanchez rises above strong-arm tactics

'I don’t even know the name of my opponent most of the time. I go out with the goal to beat them and get past them. I don’t respond to provocations.'

A representative from Udinese claimed last week that Barca were on the verge of concluding a deal for Sanchez, but City, United and Chelsea have not given up hope of hijacking the deal.

Nani unfazed by Young arrival and welcomes competition for places

Manchester United winger Nani has welcomed Ashley Young to Old Trafford despite the threat the former Aston Villa man poses to his position.

Young, 25, last week completed a £16million move to the Barclays Premier League champions, where he is expected to compete with Nani for a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

The England international is second only to Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas for assists in the English top flight over the past five years.

Unfazed: Nani has welcomed the arrival of Ashley Young

Big-money move: Young has arrived from Aston Villa

On the eve of Young's signing it was reported that Nani was perturbed and considering his options, but the Portuguese has insisted he is not concerned by the new arrival.

'Of course I have to welcome everyone they sign, I think Man United is a fantastic club,' said Nani from Singapore, where he is promoting the Peter Lim Scholarship scheme for the Singapore Olympic Foundation.

'When they bring in new players, they know if it is good for the team or not, and this (Young signing) has to help them. It is good for the team - we want more (players) to help us to win trophies.'

Nani also said he had the fight in him to keep Young on the substitutes' bench, pointing to his experience jostling for playing time with former United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

'I've been there (at United) when Cristiano was there,' Nani said. 'Cristiano was one of the best players in the world.'

United join race to sign Arsenal and Chelsea target Thiago from Barcelona

Manchester United have made a strong enquiry about highly-rated Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

The Spaniard scored a delightful free kick to help his side beat Switzerland in the European Under 21 Championship final on Sunday.

Wanted man: Manchester United are keen on Thiago Alcantara (left) 

But while United have moved to the head of the race for his signature, Barcelona are keen to use the starlet as a makeweight in a deal for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas.

Chelsea are also understood to have been interested in Thiago.

Party time: Thiago (right) celebrates Spain's Under 21 title triumph

Izaguirre edges closer to United switch with £6.5m deal expected next month

Manchester United are expected to hold talks with Celtic next month over the prospective £6.5million sale of Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre.

The Honduras international, 26, has been the subject of interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle.

However, he said: 'I have to confirm it's 100 percent true that Manchester United were following me and were interested in me. It was Alex Ferguson directly who made contact with the Celtic directors.

United front: Izaguirre looks set to be heading south to Old Trafford

'I am aware also that Manchester United and Celtic agreed for a meeting in July. We have to see what happens if I stay or I go.'

Leeds want Man United's Kuszczak to replace Leicester-bound Schmeichel

Manchester United's Tomasz Kuszczak heads a shortlist of goalkeepers wanted by their fierce rivals Leeds United.

The Yorkshire side will swoop for a new keeper once Kasper Schmeichel's £1million move to Leicester is completed in the next few days.

Wantaway: Tomasz Kuszczak wants first-team football

Bayern target Nani after Young arrival limits first-team chances

Bayern Munich are ready to help Manchester United recoup £20million of their recent transfer spending by making a bid for Nani.

The Germans believe they can lure the 24-year-old Portuguese after United's £17m signing of Ashley Young from Aston Villa intensified the competition for midfield places.

Bayern target: Nani could see his first-team chances limited at Man United next season

But Sir Alex Ferguson wants Nani to stay as he sets about team strengthening and he is even ready to slug it out with Chelsea and Manchester City for Tottenham's £30m-rated Luka Modric.

Juventus rule out move for United midfielder Park as Italian giants target striker

Juventus have denied they are interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung.

The South Korean is entering the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and has been linked with a move to Serie A.

But Juve's general manager Beppe Marotta claims his club are in the market for a striker.

No go: Juventus are not interested in making a bid for Park Ji-sung

'No, we are not interested in Park,' Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

'We will sign a quality player in attack, a top striker. We already have a world class addition to our midfield with Andrea Pirlo.

'He brings great quality as well as being an exemplary professional.'

Among the forwards linked to Juventus this summer are Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero and Giuseppe Rossi of Villarreal.

Target: Juventus are interested in signing Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero 

'Both are talented and capable of making the difference,' added Marotta.

'They do match up with the profile of the kind of player we are looking for.'

Marotta also denied reports Amauri was heading back to Palermo.

Sir Alex wants me! Izaguirre claims United are to discuss move with Celtic

Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre claims he is being targeted by Manchester United.

The 26-year-old Honduras international was a revelation last season after moving to Parkhead.

He said: 'Regarding possibilities, I prefer to stay silent as I did when Celtic signed me. This is a job of my agent.

Wanted: Celtic's Emilio Izaguirre (left) claims Manchester United are interested in signing him

'I have to confirm it’s 100 per cent true that Manchester United were following me and were interested in me.

'It was Alex Ferguson directly who made contact with the Celtic directors.

'I am aware also that Manchester United and Celtic agreed for a meeting in July. We have to see what happens if I stay or I go.

Talent: Izaguirre (right) impressed during his first season at Celtic Park

'If I have the chance I welcome the move with open arms. If that is the case I will thank God and I will take my opportunity.'

Celtic boss Neil Lennon insists there has been no approach for Izaguirre or Israel midfielder Beram Kayal.

Lennon said in the Daily Record: 'You’re always going to get speculation about your best players. I understand that.

On the move? Celtic's Beram Kayal has also been linked with a move away from Scotland

'But there’s been no interest expressed in Beram or Emilio and I’ve had no one on the telephone enquiring about any other player if it comes to that.

'Every player has his price but I’m not prepared to sell my better ones and Emilio certainly comes into that category.'

Wolves look to United defender Evans after failing to land Johnson and Mills

Wolves are weighing up a bid for Jonny Evans after becoming frustrated in moves for Roger Johnson and Matt Mills.

Reading yesterday rejected Wolves' offer of around £3.6million for Mills, 24, and want him to sign a new deal.

Going, going, Jon: Evans (right) has slipped down the pecking order at United

Wolves also tabled a £7m bid for Birmingham's Johnson, 28, but an offer of a similar scale for Evans would be acceptable to Manchester United, although the player may need convincing.

Boss Mick McCarthy wanted to recruit Evans more than two years ago and hopes to tempt the 24-year-old with regular Premier League football.

Evans is slipping down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the success of Chris Smalling and the £16.5m signing of Phil Jones from Blackburn.

United are undergoing a defensive overhaul, as Wes Brown is also likely to leave - with Aston Villa and Sunderland keen - and John O'Shea is in talks with Sunderland, but Wolves' best bet may be a loan deal.

Meanwhile, United are not looking to offload Nani following Ashley Young's £16m arrival.

Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid have all been linked with the Portuguese but he is expected to stay unless an astronomical offer is made.

Better than the Old Trafford pitch? Wayne Rooney joins the great unwashed in the Glastonbury mud

Wayne and Coleen Rooney arrived in Somerset today as the festivities were kicking off, having just touched down on the grounds in their private helicopter.

Their luxury transport is hardly in keeping with the spirit of the long-running festival, but then neither is Coleen and Wayne's designer outfits.

Arriving in style: Coleen Rooney poses with Wayne's cousin Claire and friend Amy  next to their private chopper as they touched down at the Glastonbury festival

Getting her designer boots dirty: Coleen and Wayne trudged through the mud in the VIP area

The 25-year-old WAG shelled out a whopping £255 on a coveted pair of Jimmy Choo for Hunter wellies.

Compared to his wife's leopard-print lined pair, Wayne's traditional green were far more conservative.

VIP style: The couple clutched their drinks as they made their way to the stage with their entourage

The couple posed for a happy snap before setting off this morning, Coleen excitedly tweeting: 'Glasto here we come!!!!'
Manchester United star Wayne was suitable casual for the muddied festival grounds in a zip-up hoodie and T-shirt.
Meanwhile his stylish wife was perfectly coiffed with curled locks, a faded denim shirt and leather jacket over black cut-off shorts.

Glasto here we come! Wayne and Coleen Rooney set off for the Glastonbury festival

Slumming it in designer boots: Coleen chose a pair of £255 Hunter & Jimmy Choo wellies to stomp about in the mud

Wayne's new hairline is visible in the photograph, seemingly recovered from his £30,000 hair transplant procedure earlier this month.

Despite their VIP arrival, the couple's festival getaway is far less glamorous than their most recent holiday.

The Rooneys jetted in from their luxurious holiday home in Barbados this week, after a holiday spent sipping cocktails on the beach.

Family day out: Coleen and Wayne leave the VIP area with Wayne's lookalike brother

The Rooneys are gearing up for a heady weekend of partying, shrugging off a callous interview by Helen Wood that was published today.

Miss Wood, who slept with Rooney while his wife was pregnant with the 20-month-old son Kai, has told ES magazine that she has 'no regrets over hurting Coleen.'

The 24-year-old former prostitute, posing naked, remarked: ‘I don't regret hurting her because the way I see it is, if you want to be a d*** get back with the person who cheated on you.’

That's the spirit: While the Rooney's dropped in by chopper today just in time for the festivities to kick off, others have squelched through the mud

Enjoying the atmosphere: Fans watch The Wu-Tang Clan perform at the Glastonbury Festival

But she added: ‘He is so unbelievably normal. Dead timid. Out of all the footballers that I've met I'll never know why he cheats.

'There's a lot worse than him. He reminds me of the boy at school who tried to be the lad's lad, but he's not.’

Wayne and Coleen are just two of the stars who have travelled to Glastonbury for the annual festival.

Famous faces: Jaime Winstone and Will Young were among the famous revellers

Mud-tastic: Professor Green (centre) also made an appearance at the festival

And, despite bad weather over the past few days, the Pyramid Stage speakers appeared to blow away the rain clouds today as the first major acts delighted the crowds amid glorious sunshine.

Mud-caked revellers got a reprieve from the downpours as the Moroccan act Master Musicians Of Joujouka and rapper Chipmunk got proceedings under way on the two main stages.

Sarah Chivers, 48, from Enfield, north London, is at the festival with her daughter Clare.

She said: 'We've been here since the crack of dawn on Monday - it feels like we've been to three festivals before the acts have even started.

'We're most looking forward to U2 tonight - the line-up early on is pretty mediocre but it's better that way. The best is yet to come.'

As well as U2, Morrissey and US rap act Wu-Tang Clan were eagerly anticipated among the crowd.