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No fans would have recognised him.

None would have known to thank him.

But as Philip Hall took his seat in the Anfield Directors' Box for the match against Blackburn, he allowed himself a smile of satisfaction.

As the man who brokered NESV's dramatic takeover of Liverpool, the Senior Partner of American investment bank knows better than most what went in to the club's change of ownership. For months, Hall worked tirelessly, desperately scouring the world for somebody who would buy the club from Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Now, finally, he could reflect on the fruits of his labour.

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Wayne at Manchester United hung on a phone call with .

The discussion, which took place on Thursday afternoon, was reminiscent of a conversation John Terry had with Roman Abramovich when the and it saw Rooney finally receive the assurances he required over future investment in the club's squad.

The phone call between star player and owner could be the most important element of a traumatic week for , if it does indeed usher in a renewed period of spending by the club despite its £720m debts.

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"The manager will answer questions about the Bursaspor game and then deal with the Wayne issue at the end," said Karen, the club's press officer.

So now we knew.

An expectant hush fell over the massed ranks of journalists, photographers and film crews crammed into the Europa Suite at Old Trafford. Pre-match press conferences ahead of Champions League group games increasingly have an air of the routine about them but not this one.

After 10 minutes of obedient, almost token queries about the qualities of the Turkish visitors and United's recent defensive lapses, John O'Shea was sent out of the room and Sir Alex was left alone to speak.

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For the thousands of Liverpool fans who marched upon Anfield in protest on Sunday, begging owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to sell up and leave, the remarkable events of the last 24 hours could well be a source of relief.

does not mean fans can start celebrating the departure of the despised American duo just yet. They have experienced - to get carried away.

For a club so impaired by the kind of boardroom brawl witnessed this week, key questions remain. Most fundamental is how and whether the club can be sold when its two shareholders - its owners - are adamantly opposed to any deal.

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