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Long term Manchester United target Ezequiel Garay was named in Benfica’s starting side to face Tottenham Hotspur last night and if David Moyes was watching, he would have been impressed with what he saw.

Garay has been linked with several moves away from the Portuguese side and there were strong rumours that he could have left for Zenit St Petersburg before the close of the last Russian transfer window.

As things stand, his contract expires at the end of next season and there’s unlikely to be any movement over a new deal or a potential summer sale until after the World Cup in Brazil.

Garay was extremely effective last night when it came to dealing with the danger that Tottenham presented producing nine effective clearances during the game and winning one offside decision.

He also had a higher passing success rate than anyone in Benfica’s team and only one of his teammates made more passes over the course of the game. He won three aerial challenges over the course of the game showing he can deal with threats on the floor as well as in the air.

The fact he didn’t give away a single foul during the game is a tribute to his timing when it comes to tackling and he also showed initiative to stay in an attacking position after a set piece with two shots.

The key strengths of his game seem to be based around speed and making clear, concise and gutsy decisions at the right moments, which make him a very difficult centre back to get the better of.

In terms of a potential Nemanja Vidic replacement, United would lose nothing in terms of experience as Garay has played consistently in Portugal’s top division and has also experienced Champions League football with his current employers.

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New Zealand international Rory Fallon has completed a move to League One club Crawley.

The 31-year-old striker, who played at the last World Cup, has penned a deal until the end of the season with the Red Devils and his arrival follows hot on the heels of the deals to bring in Crystal Palace duo Hiram Boateng and Sullay Kaikai.

Fallon has a wealth of experience having represented nine English clubs and both Aberdeen and St Johnstone, his most recent employers, in Scotland.

"Rory hasn't had too many opportunities in Scotland so he is really looking forward to a new challenge," manager John Gregory told Crawley's official website.

"He's very experienced, knows this league inside out and can score goals. We're delighted he is with us for what is going to be a very busy end to the season."

The Football Association is bidding to bring the opening game of Euro 2020 to Wembley.

It was already known that the FA was keen to bring the final to England's national football stadium, but the first match also carries high prestige.

FA general secretary Alex Horne told The Times: "On the basis that someone needs to stand up, we have done it.

"It's a big game, the opening game. It would be great for London, for Wembley. I pushed it to UEFA, quietly at the moment, but we are going to make a play for it with our bid."

The UEFA tournament will be staged in cities across Europe, rather than being held in one or two countries as has been the norm.

Istanbul has been widely viewed as the favourite to be awarded the final, with a decision on venues expected to be announced in September of this year.

Horne's focus in the early part of this summer will fall on the World Cup, as England head to Brazil.

Group games against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica could make it difficult for Roy Hodgson's team to go beyond the group stage, but the FA general secretary has firm belief in the manager's ability.

Hodgson signed a four-year contract when appointed in 2012 and Horne is certain the former Fulham and Liverpool manager will be the right man to lead the mission to Euro 2016 in France.

He said: "For me personally, Roy is our manager to France and I'm happy with that, very happy with that. I think he's been brilliant. He's exactly what we hoped for."

Horne insists Hodgson has already achieved a "pass mark" by guiding England through qualifying.

"For me personally, he's done it by getting through that group," said Horne. "We go optimistic that we are going to enjoy it and play well."

Horne also suggested it would be "possible in the next five years" for Wembley to be home to an NFL American football team. The stadium has already staged matches in the NFL season, and is due to hold three matches later this year.

Horne said: "You may see a franchise discussion come up. There is a big question about whether we can house a franchise alongside England in the autumn. That will be really interesting. It would need an owner to do it."

Horne even believes Wembley could stage the highlight of the NFL year.

"Then we can get the Super Bowl," he added. "You don't rule anything out."