The Barca striker rates Messi ahead of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, declaring: “Cristiano is a great player, but Messi is top of the entire world at the moment, both in training and in matches.

“He performs actions and gestures that no one has ever done before him.

“This is the new Maradona. He is a player who makes us dream.”

He said: “I have not met Cristiano yet, everyone knows he is a fantastic player.

“But United are not just Ronaldo, they have players like Wayne Rooney, Nani and lots of others who are very good.

“Manchester United are an excellent team. They won the Premier League and Champions League last season, but football is 11 against 11 and nothing is certain.

“I know all about the rivalry in the city and what this game means to the supporters, and I hope we can win.”

Though you would think his multi-million pound contract leaves him immune from the credit crunch, Ronaldo says: “The situation has to worry everyone, yes.

“We are worried and feel a certain uncertainty (about the future). We talk about it - it is part of our reality - but we believe that things will improve.”

The Daily Mail says Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic is an admirer of the 30-year-old and is desperate to capture an experienced replacement for Van Nistelrooy, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The fruitless pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea’s £20million valuation of Drogba put paid to Real’s interest in the summer.

But with Real ready to pay up to £15m for him in January and with only 18 months remaining on his contract, Chelsea could be tempted, especially after Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told cash will be short for the transfer window.

Injury has restricted Drogba to one Barclays Premier League start this season, while Nicolas Anelka has shone in his absence, scoring 13 goals in all competitions. Anelka’s blistering form could tempt Scolari to cash in and use the money to fund a suitable replacement.

The Manchester Evening News says the 21-year-old has impressed new Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who could now be ready to test United’s resolve with a bid between now and the end of the season.

Campbell went on loan to White Hart Lane as part of the deal that brought Dimitar Berbatov to United on transfer deadline day. But even if he returns to Old Trafford next summer, he will find the route to the first team a congested one.

The left-sided star, 18, has been watched by the Reds for months and a fee of close to £5million has been agreed.

After missing out on Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey, Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson has moved quickly to seal the deal.

Delph has played just 21 first-team games for Leeds, who have already snubbed a bid from Newcastle.

And a United insider said: “It’s as certain as it gets that Fabian will be a Red in January. It’s a done deal.”

“It is a big blow to us,” he said. “We needed to win the game.

“Our results against the other big clubs is a big concern. It is a complete opposite to last year, when we lost at Chelsea and drew at Arsenal but won the rest.

“We have got to get above 85 points to have a chance of winning the league, so we must keep going for it.”

While the industry of his side’s performance meant it could not be used as an excuse, Ferguson once again questioned how the fixtures have fallen for United.

In the first half of the season they must play the entire top eight from last term away from home, while every Champions League group game, such as last week’s trip to Celtic, is followed by United getting on their travels in domestic combat.

“They say the league is not handicapped - I am not so sure,” he said.

“Having every game away from home following a European tie is not easy. Going from Celtic on Wednesday to play at Arsenal the following Saturday lunchtime is hard, although funnily enough, I did not think it was a problem today.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he has a “better” relationship with Manchester United rival Sir Alex Ferguson.

Before the Gunners’ victory yesterday, Wenger told arsenal.com: “Our relationship is better. Why? Because I believe that over the years there is a respect there.

“As well the competition has been as well with Chelsea and Liverpool and that has diverted it a little bit, [the rivalry is] not only directly anymore with Arsenal.

“But of course I relish still these battles [with Ferguson] because we are two fierce, passionate men and you know we are here to win football games.

“You do not last a long time in this job if you are not super-passionate about winning. We have that in common.”

In his column for the Mail on Sunday, Robson wrote of Berba’s performance against Arsenal: “I do think Berbatov has to start justifying his £31million price tag if United are to get back on top and win a third successive title.
Berbatov played too deep at Emirates Stadium and therefore wasn’t a goal threat at all. He never looked like scoring and his record of one league goal in nine games for United suggests that has been a problem since he arrived from Spurs.

“He doesn’t look like the same player to me that thrilled us at Tottenham.

“Berbatov has shown some sublime touches at times, including that fantastic turn to set up a goal for Cristiano Ronaldo against West Ham.

“But a United No 9 has to provide goals as well, particularly as Sir Alex has had to leave out Carlos Tevez to accommodate him.

“I watched Berbatov drop back virtually to the halfway line at times yesterday, content to get a few touches of the ball and play some simple passes. I bet Arsenal were delighted to see him so deep because he wasn’t going to hurt them from there.”

“It should stop,” said Ferguson.

“There’s been a focus on fans’ behaviour and the chants towards Arsene Wenger and other managers. It’s ridiculous and I think the police should be doing more. They should be stepping in.

“Manchester United and their supporters should know very well the chants that have been levelled at us over the years — ie Munich — and understand the sensitivity, and the criticism directed at members of the club itself.

“I don’t agree with it at all and hopefully our fans appreciate it comes to me too. I hope other clubs share the same views I do.

“There is enough to admire in our game without having to denigrate people.”