Real Madrid CF's Pepe defers to Portugal team-mate Ricardo Carvalho and Rio Ferdinand in selecting the centre-backs in his team of 2008. To view the nominees and cast your vote for the Team of 2008 click here.

uefa.com takes its pick of the top ten stories which caught the eye this week as Lionel Messi ushered in the new year with a hat-trick for FC Barcelona and Derby County FC welcomed the second coming of Clough.

Dubai may be packed with luxury hotels, but during AC Milan's stay there the words "five stars" were mainly used in reference to the midfield the Rossoneri could field against AS Roma following David Beckham's arrival. 

Ivan Klasnić admits he has not lived up to expectations at FC Nantes but the Croatia striker is ready to make amends when the Canaries play their first Ligue 1 game since the winter break at AS Monaco FC on Saturday.

Manchester United FC will look to close the gap on Chelsea FC when the two sides meet at Old Trafford on Sunday in a fixture that could go a long way to determining the destination of this season's Premier League title.